 The reappearance of the Gemini Jets Boeing 727 moulds has been very welcome, although the majority of their output has been of models made already by Aeroclassics. Given that the Gemini mould is essentially no more modern than the Aeroclassics version it is questionable whether the new Gemini versions offer enough value to replace older models. This United example is the first of the recent bunch that is new to the scale as an airline/aircraft combination and gives me the opportunity to look at whether the total package being offered by Gemini Jets is superior. Each review is to split into three key areas:
This review is sponsored by Northeast Diecast. Check out their store for an excellent range of hard to find 200 and 400 scale collection sale models and get 15% off!  MOULD  The last time I reviewed a Gemini Jets Boeing 727-200 was back in January 2023 and since then the mould has not been overworked. There were two other releases in 2023, one in 2024, two in 2025 and now four more in 2026. It is tempting to suggest the appearance of V1:400 has stimulated Gemini's 727 production, but I actually am led to believe these models were in the works before then.  In the same period (2023-now) Aeroclassics has released 50 727-200s and 'upgraded' its mould with a new number two engine exhaust section. That hasn't revolutionised the Aeroclassics version in the same way that this Gemini mould still can't hide its ancestry, which dates from the very earliest days of 400 scale in 2001.  Modifications to this Gemini Jets mould since then have included new rolling landing gear, the addition of aerials and a new vertical stabiliser. Not all of these modifications have been entirely successful.  The mould remains an old-fashioned cradle fit version with a wing seam. This is largely hidden from view and a lot less obvious than the Aeroclassics, however unlike the Aeroclassics it does this by following an unnatural path. The Witty Wings mould being used by V1:400 is superior in this area as it is entirely seamless.  The fuselage barrel is decent but this updated mould variant definitely has a pointier nosecone than older Gemini versions and is not better for it. The rest of the fuselage is good. The wings are shaped well but they are rather lacking detailing especially at the rear wingtip and on the flaps.  Even though on the updated mould the tail has been updated to a seamless variant it is still not much better than any of the other moulds (and a lot poorer than the Dragon Wings). Although it has no seam at the tail top, to fit the horizontal stabilisers in, the shape is wrong. It has no upward angle at the anterior edge and the tail top is too flat.  The size of the number 2 engine intake is also rather small. Where the Gemini (and Aeroclassics) moulds beat the Witty Wings mould is the tail chord, which is incorrect on the latter.  The changes to introduce all new rolling landing gear have also not been a complete success. At the maingear the doors are too short and as they fail to cover any part of the tyres they are inaccurate.  This model also continues Gemini's cost-cutting when it comes to aerials. Prior to 2022 they always had two on these 727s but since then they have only had one. Considering one of the selling points is that these 727s have aerials and the Aeroclassics don't skimping on them makes little sense except from a penny-pinching perspective.  Despite updates to the mould this remains a rather average casting that isn't noticeably superior from a mould perspective to the Aeroclassics, and arguably inferior to the Witty except at the tail. None of the available 727-200 moulds are going to win any awards, but it is hard to see an environment where an all new 727 is made, especially when so much of the low-hanging fruit for the type has been made in the scale already and sales are hardly likely to be as high as for an A320. SCORE - 6  PAINT & LIVERY  United Airlines had a whole variety of vaguely similar livery variants in the early 1970s, as they transitioned from the classic Mainliner scheme to this 'Four Star Friendship' scheme. That means that, probably largely by accident, this variant has never been made in the scale before. See below for a history of United liveries:  Although this livery was made by Aeroclassics in 2014 it was the black curly script title version and not this blue blocky version. It wouldn't surprise me if Gemini modelled this release using this reference photo from JetPhotos.com taken in 1976.  The 200 scale Gemini Jets version of the same aircraft (G2UAL346) In fact, Gemini has already made this same model in 200 scale (on their superior 727-200 casting) so you'd expect them to be able to reuse the artwork for it. Sadly it doesn't look like they actually did as the 200 scale version appears more accurate in a couple of ways. Firstly, the blue used on this release is noticeably lighter than on the 200 version. It's not horrific but it isn't as good.   Another difference is the size of the blue anti-glare ahead of the cockpit, which is noticeably smaller than on the 200 scale variant and the reference photo (it should touch the nose radome line). The rest of the livery looks good and actually the 727 Friendship titles are accurately thinner than on the 200 scale version. SCORE - 8  PRINTING & QUALITY CONTROL  Printwork on the model is solid and in some areas, such as the cockpit, better than on some recent Gemini 727s. Then again it isn't anything to write home about either. The lower margin of the L2 door and emergency exits for example appear to be missing, when they should clearly push into the grey belly and red cheatline respectively. They are actually present, but not deep enough, so with the naked eye appear to not be there.  Build quality is also generally solid but not spectacular. Aeroclassics 727s (especially series 100s) get a lot of flak for gaps between the seamline at the wing, often attributed to the age of the mould. This similarly aged 727 has similar issues. You need to get close but in macro-shots from the side there is clearly a gap at the forward wingroot.   The fit of the number two engine exhaust is also rather sloppy. It is attached but it doesn't really feel like it properly fits. The accurate all-black aspect of it doesn't help it look like anything but a plastic attachment and the shape isn't great. SCORE - 8  CONCLUSION  From a foot away this is a great 727 and it is only when you get close and compare it to the hyper-accurate moulds we have for a lot of modern narrowbody types (albeit admittedly often not Gemini versions) that its weaknesses become clear. It's a perfectly respectable effort, but not one that should be getting anyone excited, although it does score better than the poor CP Air version I scored back in 2023. The mods to the mould are rather half-hearted and poorly executed, and when you add small mistakes, penny pinching and quality issues the total score is pushed into 'workhorse' territory. An all too familiar territory for Gemini products. FINAL SCORE - 22/30 
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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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