Eastern Air Lines | Boeing 727-254Adv | N548PS | Aeroclassics

The importance of Aeroclassics in my collection, and showcasing the history of US airlines, cannot be overstated. There have been 112 Eastern Air Lines releases in 400 scale. 78 have been made by Aeroclassics and I own 45 of them (with just 10 more EA models from other brands). Likewise, the importance of the Boeing 727-200 in my collection and the history of US airlines also cannot be overstated. They formed the backbone of almost all the US trunk airline's fleets during the 1970 and 80s and I own 130 727-200s in 400 scale, 79 of which flew with US airlines. Somewhat surprisingly I have never reviewed an Aeroclassics 727-200 here at the site, until now.

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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

Back in the first decade of 1:400 the 727-200 was a popular type to be made and Gemini Jets and Dragon produced a large number of fine tri-jets, mainly representing US airlines. That output of 727s has dried up dramatically. In the past 8 Years there have been only 10 727-200s produced by JC Wings and Gemini Jets. Obviously, Dragon Wings ceased production a long time ago. 

The only regular output of 727-200s nowadays is from Aeroclassics, who have produced nearly 80 in the period 2016-2025. The mould isn't perfect, but also doesn't deserve some of the vitriol that has been directed at it. Of the 130 727-200s I own, 85 utilise the Aeroclassics mould so obviously I'm reasonably happy with it, and it isn't just a case of nobody else making the subject matter (although that is a factor I admit).

The last 727-200 I reviewed here was this CP Air version from Gemini Jets back in January 2023. I've actually since sold that model and indeed replaced it with an Aeroclassics version, admittedly mainly due to the livery, print and QC issues not the mould. I regularly hear that people prefer the Gemini mould but I'd argue they are both as good, or bad, as each other, just in different ways.

​The nose of the Aeroclassics mould is good and the profile of the cockpit region also quite accurate. It is annoying that the cockpit window printing undoes some of this good work – see later section. 

This is a cradle mount mould so without slot in wings there is a seam join between the fuselage and wings. It follows the line of the wing join fairing bulge of the real thing, but does stand out a little bit. At the rear the seam is not visible. The Gemini mould has a more subtle seam but also a less accurate one. It would be nicer if the mould was seamless here, like the old Witty one, but I’m not too bothered. The rest of the fuselage and wings are fine, in fact the wing has more and better detailing than the Gemini.

The maingear of the Aeroclassics 727 is excellent. The gear doors are a good size, well positioned and angle upwards correctly. The landing gear is significantly better than on the Gemini mould, both in terms of tyre size and gear doors. 

The side engines are also well shaped and have well detailed exhausts. The mould has been strongly criticised for its tail, and it is the weakest area. Along the front edge it doesn’t quite angle up enough at the top. There is also a seam line where the horizontal stabilisers are fitted as one piece. The rest of the tail is pretty good but the number 2 engine exhaust is substantially too large. I am not sure why this has not been remedied since it seems like an easy enough fix.​ In comparison to the Gemini mould - that has a better exhaust and a slot in T tail, but the tailshape is pretty inaccurate too.

​On the plus side, the mould has a well detailed rudder. Whilst admitting that the mould isn’t perfect it is still pretty decent in my opinion. Certainly, its weaknesses are not enough to rule it out for me, especially as it is nowadays the only game in town for a whole host of 727s I’m keen to see get made. I tend to score this and the Gemini 727 the same. When I undertook a detailed comparison way back in 2019 the Aeroclassics won 31 points to 25 for the Gemini (out of 40).

SCORE - 7

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PAINT & LIVERY

Eastern is an airline that has had a lot of liveries, and so although the New Mark was introduced in 1965, between then and the airline's demise in 1991, there were at least 7 different variants of it not just two (white and silver). Aeroclassics keeps on finding different versions of the scheme to make and this aircraft, and the 727-100 they released the month before, wear the grey version that dates from around 1984. For more on Eastern's liveries see:

Eastern Air Lines Liveries

The grey paint was applied to the A300s, that couldn't easily be baremetal, but was also applied to several 727s, especially those used on the shuttle services. N548PS, as the reg suggests, wasn't delivered new to Eastern, but had flown for PSA since December 1969. It joined Eastern in mid-1981 and didn't become N548EA until late 1986. It transitioned to Trump Shuttle in mid-89. 

The research for this model was almost certainly taken from this photo at JetPhotos taken by Jon Proctor in June 1984. As you can see the grey area covered only above the hockeystick while the belly and some of the rudder were left baremetal. In that photo the aircraft wears a non-standard old-style nosecone, which the model doesn't have.

Aeroclassics has done a good job with the livery here. There are no problems with colour or placement. The low under windowline cheatline looks good and is correctly outlined in white. Unfortunately, the same white outline has been missed around the titles and logo. 

SCORE - 9

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PRINTING & QUALITY CONTROL

Of course, the most obvious standout on this model is the unfortunate placement and printing of the cockpit windows. This model isn't alone and Aeroclassics has had a history of misprinting 727 cockpits to varying degrees. Sometimes they just make the aircraft look a little angry and other times, as here, it is far more noticeable. I know it has put some collectors off buying the model and if it were 200 scale I wouldn't have either. At 400 scale I can survive it, but is is pretty bad I admit.

I like the silver and grey detailing on the rudder itself. The fleet number and registration are accurately present, but both are not as heavily printed as they should be, especially the registration, which should be a much brighter white and really standout against the cheatline. There is also a smudge on the rear fuselage starboard side just behind the rego.

Fortunately, this model doesn't have any build issues.

SCORE - 7

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SUMMARY

Scoring models with one major issue doesn't always impact the final score as much as you might think, since I don't ever knock off more than 2 points for a single issue. As it is, this model comes out surprisingly well considering the cockpit and I admit it doesn't upset me as much as I thought it would. The reality is I like the mould enough and I love the subject matter so I'm more willing to forgive the issue. Obviously it is something that with a bit more supervision wouldn't be a problem. Aeroclassics continue to, in my opinion, have the best range of releases and still in general have a great set of moulds to use so they continue to get my business, but I have been a lot more picky with what issues I'm willing to accept. In this case, the model is a worthwhile addition to my Eastern fleet.

SCORE - 23/30