Comparing 2023 Big Bird Mould 747s: Aeroclassics & Big Bird Mk3
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Modified: April 2024
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There are few moulds or models in 400 scale that have the mythos around them that the BigBird400 / Your Craftsman 747 has. The mould were used extensively from 2003-2008 by the original BigBird and Aeroclassics (and its sublines like Pan Am Models Co). Various copies of the moulds were used by shadier brands such as BigBird Mk2. A lot of these models still routinely change hands for well over $100, even in 2024. Although there have been versions of the mould used since by both Witty Wings and Apollo, and even a seamless version produced, there is still a hot market for secondhand 747s, not helped by the bankruptcy of Witty in 2014. For the background on all this see the brand histories for these brands:
When Witty went bankrupt its mould catalogue was purchased by JC Wings and largely disappeared, however almost immediately a new Big Bird Mk3 brand appeared and would start to use versions of the old 747 castings, albeit irregularly. For the 747-100/200 that has meant only a very small set of models have been made as typically this new BigBird only release about 3 models a year! JC Wings have also used the mould, but only 3 times. Releases so far are as follows (the 3 2024 models are on preorder at present):
This hasn't been the only use of the mould however, as on two occasions now Aeroclassics have purchased a few thousand blanks from JC Wings for its own usage. The first group were produced in 2020/21 and the second in 2023/24. A good variety of models have been made using these castings, but Aeroclassics has in the past 5 or 6 years been faced with a variety of production issues that make these newer 747s demonstrably inferior to the new BigBird versions, and even to the original BigBird and Aeroclassics versions from 2003/2004. The state of affairs is confused somewhat by Aeroclassics often branding it's releases as BigBird / Your Craftsman, although the differences between the two are easy to spot if you know what you're looking for.
Below: Aeroclassics 747 releases since 2020
These issues haven't stopped me acquiring the new Aeroclassics versions, at least not all the time, and they appear to have sold well for Aeroclassics. Nonetheless, a comparison of them with the BigBird Mk3 versions from the same year provides a clear demonstration of the difference in quality between the two, and that is what I want to do here.
The Two Models
The two models that will be compared in this review are both 2023 releases. The Air New Zealand 747-200 from BigBird Mk3 and the United Airlines 747-100 from Aeroclassics. Remember, these are the same moulds (aside from the engines) so any comparison is down to finishing and I'm not looking at livery specific details just standard finishes. Neither of these models is unusual in terms of the respective quality of these 747 releases from each brand.
The difference from the front is primarily one of printing but the difference is night and day. The positioning of the cockpit windows on the Aeroclassics 747s has been a major recurring issue, but equally the windowline also finishes too low against the nosecone (and in the latest 747s windows continue onto the radome too). The cockpit windows also lack rims, while Aeroclassics routinely miss off detail print features like radome lines and a host of door related features.
The Aeroclassics versions also lacks aerials, in keeping with all Aeroclassics releases. I think they look pretty good on the BigBird version.
The Aeroclassics versions also lacks aerials, in keeping with all Aeroclassics releases. I think they look pretty good on the BigBird version.
The big difference here is the wing to pylon join region. On the Aeroclassics the silver rim is broken at the pylon and the pylon itself is left solid grey with no print detailing.
On the wing underside the corroguard detailing on the BigBird version is far superior to the block grey paint on the Aeroclassics while the AC version has the corroguard incorrectly cutting through the flap track fairings. This wasn't an issue on the original Aeroclassics 747s made 20 years ago so why they can't get it right now is hard to understand, especially when it has been several years between the two release groups made in recent years by Aeroclassics.
Check out the much finer and numerous printwork on the BigBird version:
At the rear the simple printing of the Aeroclassics is evident again but worse that version lacks the APU exhaust pipe altogether. Presumably this is a cost-cutting measure?
There have been other QC issues with the Aeroclassics versions not apparent on this United. These have included buffing scratches all over the natural metal versions as visible on this American version:
The Aeroclassics versions also come with blank simple boxes with windows in compared to the more attractive boxes for the new BigBirds. Note also how the Aeroclassics versions often come in old Big Bird / Your Craftsman boxes. The real new BigBirds have also been being released with extra Ciero stickers. These do annoyingly drive up the cost but even with this they aren't a lot more expensive than the Aeroclassics versions, which are retailing for over $50 each.
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SUMMARY
This is a very old mould that, although still a good representation of the classic Jumbo, is now rather obsolete - with its wing cradle mount and seam line, old style pylon to wing join, and vertical stabiliser shape. Nonetheless, the old mould still has plenty of legs left in it, in an environment where the awful Phoenix 747 is its main competition.
The new BigBird editions illustrate how to upgrade an old mould sympathetically with aerials and high quality print detailing. The Aeroclassics are arguably inferior to the original releases made in 2003, with some very sloppy paintwork and relatively simple printing. That isn't to say that I haven't bought quite a few of them, but I admit to being often rather disappointed when they have arrived.
It hasn't helped that Aeroclassics has regularly got livery details incorrect too and that with the too-low cockpit print does make some look a little weird. Too often the new Aeroclassics haven't been an upgrade on old Dragon Wings 747s let alone competition for any prospective new moulds. Don't get me wrong I'm glad to have bought some of them but I do tend to view them as stopgaps until something better comes along. The BigBird editions have a stronger claim to stay in my collection with their superior finish and printwork.
It hasn't helped that Aeroclassics has regularly got livery details incorrect too and that with the too-low cockpit print does make some look a little weird. Too often the new Aeroclassics haven't been an upgrade on old Dragon Wings 747s let alone competition for any prospective new moulds. Don't get me wrong I'm glad to have bought some of them but I do tend to view them as stopgaps until something better comes along. The BigBird editions have a stronger claim to stay in my collection with their superior finish and printwork.