 JC Wings output for 2025 was disappointing. There were far too many 'future' announcements and no way near enough actually released models. Worse the majority of what they did release were just the by now customary second version of a model they'd made at the same time as the first release that had just hung around the warehouse for six months to two years awaiting its re-release. The CRJ-1000s were a highlight and despite their seeming production problems they did also make a few models for others, such as this Garuda example produced for Airshop Diecast. Each review is to split into three key areas:
 MOULD  No other 400 scale diecast brand has taken the time to produce the range of regional types that JC Wings has, although admittedly a lot of those moulds were developed in JC's early days and types such as the ATR-42/72, Shorts 360, DHC-8, Saab 340 and EMB-145 have seen pretty poor usage. The larger regional jets, such as the CRJ-700/900, E-170 and E-190 have been used more - often by JC's production partner Gemini Jets.  Even so, given the lack of a US operator, it is a little surprising that this CRJ-1000 mould ever got made - especially as the type was a massive sales failure for Bombardier. Only 65 real aircraft were built, yet since the mould's debut in August 2024 there have been a creditable 8 releases. Yes, I admit those 8 models only cover 3 operators and the prototype, but they're still about halfway through all the options for the aircraft.  Anyway, thankfully the JC Wings stretch CRJs are much better moulds than the short CRJ and the E-Jet classics. You might think making the 1000 series is a relatively small set of changes from the 900, but it does require a new fuselage and wing, as the former is 3 metres longer and the latter 1.3m.  Both of these features are represented in the new mould and these changes can be seen clearly when you put the two types next to each other. There have also been some other improvements at the undercarriage with the 1000 clearly having a smaller and more accurate nosegear door. Below: Left is the CRJ-900 and right the CRJ-1000  Equally impressive is a comparison of the CRJ-1000 next to the 737-800 in 400 scale. Basically the same length as the Boeing the CRJ is massively thinner and so requires much more fine mould components also.  As I said when I first reviewed a CRJ-1000 in April last year the mould is very nice and although I'm not 100% sold on the noseform it is miles better than their E-Jets. The wings don't actually slot in and it is a cradle mount casting, but the join is subtle, albeit there is an unnatural line to enable the join to the fuselage. Having said that, comparing it to the earlier CRJ-900 and the seam line is thinner and less noticeable - as you can see below:  The rear of the fuselage is excellent and the detailing around the ventral fin strakes, vertical stabiliser and engines is really impressive. I particularly like the size and shaping of the engine nacelles and exhausts. There is also good fan detailing. Considering the size of the engines this is great.  Whereas nobody has got the tail of a 727 correct in 400 scale, yet, this CRJ1000 tail form is very accurate and the horizontal stabs slot in so there is no extra seamline.  The wing underside is sharply moulded. They even manage somehow to fit in a standhole, which looks huge on the narrow fuselage. The model is fitted with three aerials and they are less oversized than is usual with JC Wings models, but probably still a little so and a little too upright also.  I've got to say that this mould gets better the more I look at it and having now compared it to the earlier CRJ-900 it is an improvement on that mould rather than just a stretched copy. Kudos to JC Wings for that extra effort. SCORE - 9  PAINT & LIVERY  The CRJ-1000 really only saw service with a few major operators - such as Brit Air, Binter Canarias, Garuda, Cityjet and Air Nostrum, with over half the fleet ending up at the latter. Quite why and how Garuda ended up with 18 (6 bought and 12 leased) is a source of controversy and the aircraft seemed ill-equipped for the airline's network, having little baggage space and not being great on short runways.  Garuda's CRJ-1000s operated under the Explore-jet branding from their delivery in October 2012, which basically was the standard Garuda scheme with titles added. PK-GRF arrived in late November 2012 and flew until October 2021 when the CRJs were withdrawn.  The Garuda livery is fairly simple and there's a lot of white fuselage, but the model being so small it just makes it harder to get right. I can't see any major issues with placement of elements - even small ones like the very small Skyteam logo behind the L1 door.  If I was pushed to find issue it would be with the darkness of the rich blues on the tail. They aren't as light as the photos make them look, but could be a deeper shade. The RF is also missing from the nosegear doors (see photo here), but again those components are tiny in 400 scale. SCORE - 9 PRINTING & QUALITY CONTROL  JC Wings can produce outstanding printing details on their models, but can also produce some epic fails, especially when it comes to cockpit printing. Fortunately, this model falls into the first category. The printing here is fine and well executed.  Areas such as the overwing exit markings and wingroot are very nice. Equally good are the left-side belly cargo doors and the nose region. Also incredibly tidy is the paint and print around the engines.  Quality control on this model is excellent too. Nothing is detached or fitted poorly and unlike on some CRJs of the past the maingear is attached correctly.  An excellent little flourish, no doubt requested and paid for by Airshop Diecast, is the improved quality box. This comes with a Gemini Jets style flip-top lid and on the inside of that a nice informative image discussing the aircraft. SCORE - 10  CONCLUSION  Indonesia has been a fertile area for retailer exclusives and Airshop Diecast have been one of, if not the leader in this market. If you're keen on this model contact them via Facebook or Instagram. They have used mainly Panda for their models to date, but having also made a Garuda 747-400 with JC Wings it is good to see the relationship continues. It is also good to see that JC can produce excellent regional releases and I am eagerly looking forward to the Q400s, CRJs and E-Jets they have in production for Chinese brand Undefined Collectibles. FINAL SCORE - 28/30 
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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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