 The Continental globe scheme has become a rather iconic livery, so it is surprising that it has taken until late 2024 for Aeroclassics to release it on a DC-10, with the only previous releases being from Dragon, in 2001, and Gemini, in 2004. Split half and half liveries are even rarer in the airline industry. In my model collection I have a few (Viasa/KLM CV-880s and DC-8s and Corse Air / Air Liberte 747) but I didn't get the original Dragon release of this split Continental / Alitalia DC-10. Fortunately, of the four recent Continental DC-10s from Aeroclassics this livery is included. Each review is to split into three key areas:
MOULD  Of the 5 DC-10 moulds that have existed in 400 scale it is the newest, from 2008, version, produced by Aeroclassics that has been by far the most prolific. Of around 428 releases Aeroclassics is responsible for over half (about 217). Fortunately, the Aeroclassics DC-10 is also a very nice casting that easily competes with the other moulds (none of which are in use anymore anyway). See my DC-10 mould review for more on that:  Of the 109 DC-10s in my collection 81 use the Aeroclassics mould, illustrating my clear preference for it. In general, Aeroclassics Douglas product moulds are all excellent, albeit they obviously show that brand's tendency towards simpler choices for udnercarriage and add-ons for its 400 scale offerings. This is a clear choice, not a question of capability.  Patriot Models have recently announced a pair of DC-10s using the Aeroclassics base DC-10 and they will feature more detailed tyrehubs and aerials, but neither of these features are to be found on an Aeroclassics DC-10. If I'm honest it doesn't bother me too much.  On this mould the shape of the nose and fuselage is effectively perfect, whilst the wings and engine pylon/nacelle combination are also top quality. The nosegear on Aeroclassics DC-10s used to come separated in a little bag so as to avoid breakages during posting. This seems to have stopped and all the recent Aeroclassics DC-10s I've received have had it fixed in position already.  The tyrehubs are simplistic on this mould, but they don't tend to stand out on photos of the real thing so it doesn't bother me much. If the Aeroclassics DC-10 does have a failing it is the tubelike shape of the tail mounted engine, which isn’t as contoured as it ought to be. The Witty / Apollo DC-10 is superior in this regard.  This 1980 build aircraft was fitted with General Electric CF6-50 engines. It is one of the engine exhaust combinations that AC has modelled and the long spike exhaust with overhanging fin on the number 2 engine looks good. I also like how the engine has a full rendition of the fanblades in it even though they are well down the intake.  Aeroclassics doesn't have a DC-10-10 wing but as this is a DC-10-30 that isn't an issue here. It would be nice if Aeroclassics upgraded the mould to have the three aerials of the real thing but this is wishful thinking.  As a DC-10-30 this mould is excellent. Better tyre-hubs and aerials would be useful additions and some finessing of the number 2 engine barrel also appropriate, however as it stands this is a high-8 or low-9 for me. SCORE - 9 PAINT & LIVERY  Obviously there are effectively two liveries here on the same plane, with the Alitalia scheme on the starboard side and Continental on the port. Unifying them are both airline's logos after the main titles. The reason for the scheme's application was the 1994 deal between the two airlines, which connected their services between Newark and Rome. Nowadays this is run of the mill, but in 1994 this kind of code-sharing and frequent flyer programme combining was far less usual, and obviously it pre-dates formal airline alliances.  Most photos (like this one and this one) show the Alitalia side of the aircraft so we'll start there. The replication of the Alitalia livery is very good. The size and shape of the cheatline and tail logo are good. There are no colour issues and smaller detailing, such as the gold Alitalia's within the green cheatline look good too.  On the Alitalia side of the plane the only issues are more print quality than livery - the lower margin of the green and red elements on the tail are not 100% aligned (the red is lower), the Alitalia printed on the engines is angled upwards and 060 is missing from the nosegear doors.  On the Continental side (see here for a photo) things are equally nice. The globe on the tail is slightly too large (as you can see where it joins the rear tail margin and how high it finishes up the tail on the leading edge) and the main titles are a bit lighter than the blue tail. Again the 060 is missing from the nosegear. Additionally, the US flag and fleet number is missing by the rear door.  Overall, this is a good replication of the split scheme. SCORE - 7 PRINTING & QUALITY CONTROL  As I've mentioned in the livery section Aeroclassics isn't always renowned for detail printwork, but on this model they have done a good job. The excellence of the linework on the DC-10 mould itself also helps carry some of the weight. On the underside of the model, for example, the amount of printing isn't massive but what there is is good and the midline, differentiating the grey belly on the CO side from the white on the AZ side, is nicely done.  Cockpit placement is something I've also seen criticised on some Aeroclassics Tens, but here I think it is fine. Less impressive are the silver engine fans. This is something that they have remedied previously, but seem to have reverted back to. One of the engines also seems to have some glue in it.  Build quality is solid. There is a small tyretab on the central gearleg and the fit of the no 2 engine ring isn't as clean as I'd like on the starboard side, but neither really detracts from the model's look. SCORE - 8 SUMMARY Within the parameters of Aeroclassics' delivery, taking into account simpler tyrehubs, no aerials and less print than some provide, this is a very nice model. There has been some talk of the need for a new DC-10 in 400 scale and while I can understand the arguments for one, I am very happy with the majority of the Aeroclassics editions I own, this one included. Certainly, I doubt I could bring myself to replace them all. FINAL SCORE - 24/30 
1 Comment
Carl
19/11/2024 03:29:06 pm
Don't know why but the wheel/hub assemblies on Aeroclassics really put me off. Other brands improved the quality of their undercarriage decades ago, don't see why AC can't. Leave a Reply. |
AuthorI'm Richard Stretton an aviation enthusiast and major collector of 400 scale models. On this page I take a detailed look at new releases. This site is free. Please donate to keep it going.
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