Continental Airlines | Boeing 777-224ER | N76010 | Phoenix Models

Continental Airlines has been poorly treated in recent years, almost forgotten it seems. So my Continental globe fleet still has to make do with old and outdated Gemini 737-800s and 757s. There haven't been updates of the 757-300 or 767-400 (by Dragon Wings) either, and I still own a 2003 release 777-200 from Gemini too. That last model, at least, can now be replaced by this new Phoenix version, but how much better is it, and how does the Phoenix 777 stack up in 2024 against newer competition?

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Each review is to split into three key areas:

• The model mould
• The paint and livery reproduction
• Printing and quality control

Each section can get a maximum score of 10 for a maximum combined score of 30

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MOULD

I haven't bought a brand new 777-200 from Phoenix since 2018, and that was a major disappointment, mainly due to QC issues. I have bought one series 300ER, in 2022, and that China Southern model did get a review here at the site. My go to 777-200 moulds nowadays are either of the NG Models or JC Wings versions. They are both a lot newer than this Phoenix mould, but the Phoenix edition can still compete, just about.

TOP: Old Gemini - BOTTOM: New Phoenix. Note the cradle mount of the old GJ 777

It is incredible to think that this Phoenix mould is now 17 years old! Obviously, the mould has been updated since its introduction in 2007, but it really demonstrates that Phoenix was producing some impressive moulds early in its history. For more on that see my piece on the history of Phoenix here.

For many years the Phoenix 777s were looked upon as the best in class but the appearance of the JC Wings, NG Models and Aviation400 examples (the latter only as a 300ER) since 2018 means it has been eclipsed. 

The basic fuselage barrel is very good with a fine cockpit and nose region. This is a slot-in wings mould, made at a time when most moulds were cradle mounts with seamlines. The wings slot in really nicely and the fuselage to wing fairing are better shaped than the rather slab-sided versions on the Phoenix A320s and 767s. On the underside the NACA intakes are moulded in, but not particularly well shaped.

At the rear the tailcone the blade shape is a little rounded and doesn't have the upper strobe light or lower lip present on the JC, but also absent on the NG. The vertical stabiliser is fine, but being such an old mould it doesn't have the free rudder lower margin typically shown on more modern moulds nowadays.

The undercarriage is fine, the usual silvery but well detailed Phoenix look, but the maingear doors are rather weakly shaped and nowhere near as good as the competition.

The model features a nice array of aerials, with 3 on the roofline and 3 on the belly (the first of which is offset to port). The mould also has a moulded in roofline dome. These all look really good.

There are no obvious issues with the wings, and the engine nacelles and hot sections are also very good. The engine pylons hang the engines at a good height and curve nicely to join the nacelle above. Under the wing the nacelle shape isn't as good, but is a lot better than on the 777-300 I reviewed a few years ago.

From the front the mould has been upgraded with see through fanblades, but as with most Phoenix engine fans they aren't especially realistic. There are not enough blades (only 13 rather than 22) and they aren't thick enough either. This accentuates the see-through aspect, but at the expense of realism.

Overall, this is still a decent 777 with a good form in the parts that matter most. In detail areas such as gear doors, engine fans, tail join, tailcone, engine pylons it is inferior to the NG and JC versions, but it still looks good and displays well.

SCORE - 8

For a more detailed comparison of 777-200s see the detaied mould comparison:

Boeing 777-200 Detailed Mould Comparison

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PAINT & LIVERY

The CO Globe scheme marked the revitalisation of a moribund Continental in the early 90s and still looks excellent today. It is a shame that it was rather ruined after the United merger as the Unicon scheme. This aircraft was delivered in May 1999 so wasn't the first CO 777 as the first was delivered in September 1998.

TOP: Old Gemini - BOTTOM: New Phoenix

Continental joined Skyteam in September 2004 so I'm very glad to see that this model represents the aircraft in its delivery form without the alliance logo after the cockpit. Too often manufacturers produce the model in a non-delivery form with alliance logos or website titles when they'd be much better without them. Kudos to Phoenix for paying attention here.

TOP: Old Gemini - BOTTOM: New Phoenix

Comparing with my old Gemini Jets version and the colours on the new one match almost exactly (the Gemini has a very slightly lighter blue) so I have no complaints there (as Gemini love to tell us their licensed models use the real colours provided by the airlines) and it matches with photo evidence too.

The font of the main titles is good and details like the fleet number on the nosegear doors, GE90 logos on engines and silver areas on the belly are all present and correct.
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SCORE - 10

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PRINTING & QUALITY CONTROL

Phoenix has improved its printing markedly in recent years and there's a lot to like on this model including some very fine radome printing. They still haven't quite got it to the point where the maingear doors actually meet the maingear though, but it is hardly noticeable.

From a build perspective there is nothing obvious on first viewing that stands out but there are a couple of minor issues when you look closely. Phoenix has often had issues with attaching the engines level on their 777s. That isn't an issue here but I did notice that from the front you can see the starboard wingtip is slightly higher than the port.

There is also some small paint chipping present on the portside maingear door, and general roughness in this area. Otherwise quality is good.

SCORE - 9

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SUMMARY

I admit, I would probably have preferred this model on either the NG or JC moulds, but the overall package here is excellent and makes up for the small mould deficiencies. I now wish I'd have got the United battleship grey version Phoenix made, seeing as the recently JC announced version has poor cockpit printing. Anyway, this model is another example of Phoenix stepping up their game in 2023/24 with great model choices being well recreated. Phoenix are a brand that are definitely worth looking out for and this model is a worthy replacement for the venerable old Gemini version I already own.

FINAL SCORE - 27/30