Category: 2016 Review

1/400 Review of 2016: JC Wings

10/1/2017

I don't really understand JC Wings. On the one hand they are the mould factory for Gemini Jets and are pumping out probably the most new moulds and most innovative features of all the 1/400 manufacturers, whilst on the other hand they almost try and con people into pre-ordering ahead of time and have appalling quality control. They really are like Jekyll and Hyde. Here's what they've been up to in 2016:

4 Comments

1/400 Review of 2016: Panda Models

8/1/2017

6 Comments

Panda Models only started production in April 2015 but have grown tremendously and had a stonking 2016, producing a range of excellent Boeing and Airbus narrowbodies plus some kickass GSE. In fact in 2016 they have produced only slightly less models than Gemini Jets and begun to both expand their range and look outside of China for subject matter. Are they the best manufacturer in 2016? Let's see...

6 Comments

1/400 Review of 2016: Aeroclassics

6/1/2017

4 Comments

Aeroclassics have always been my favourite manufacturer in 1/400 scale, producing a variety unmatched by anyone else and showcasing the history of aviation from modern to classic. That being said they are not perfect and 2015 was a middling year for them. In 2016 there have been real highlights and real lowlights. What has changed and what have they been making? Here's my roundup of the year:

4 Comments

1/400 Review of 2016: Phoenix

4/1/2017

0 Comments

None of the manufacturers have really changed their direction in 2016 and that means Phoenix are still the go to maker if you're after an Asian widebody - at least most of the time anyway. Certainly Phoenix couldn't care a less about US collectors but pleasingly at least produce models for airlines from a wider region than Gemini. In 2015 they had some pretty major QC issues. Did they get it right in 2016? Let's see...

0 Comments

1/400 Review of 2016: Gemini Jets

3/1/2017

7 Comments

2016 has been very much business as usual for Gemini Jets. That's good news if you like modern US aircraft and fleetbuilding from a selection of other global legacy airlines, not so good if you are after more unusual or retro fair. Their business is built upon fulfilling corporate orders and if anything this year they have moved further away from the 'for collectors by collectors' tag with some hefty price increases. Let's take a closer look.

7 Comments

Yesterday's Airlines: Two Years In

10/11/2016

5 Comments

Another year has passed at Yesterday's Airlines, which is just about to reach its 2nd birthday. I'm happy to be able to report that the site has been growing well. In fact including blog posts there are now over 500 pages of material. So what has been happening in 2016, what were the highlights and lowlights, where has my focus been and what is coming in 2017?

5 Comments

Waffle Strikes Again!

19/5/2016

0 Comments

It's all under control honest! In the past two days two sizeable boxes have arrived following their transit from California to Auckland containing part of my bounty from the 'Collection Sale to beat all Collection Sales' that my dealer Mr Warfel over at Waffle Collectables has been throwing.

Rather scarily given my already rather excessive spending on 1/400s this isn't even everything I've ordered and merely represents 2/3 of what I have purchased.

0 Comments

Panda Models Pt2: The Models

13/5/2016

4 Comments

With the background and controversy out of the way in part 1 let's take a look at the only thing I can really judge Panda models on - the models themselves. As of May 2016 there have been 50 models. Panda is growing its mould portfolio well and introducing moulds that have no connection with Aeroclassics. They are also providing good competition to Phoenix, JC and Aeroclassics with moulds that are often superior to the first two. So let's take a look at what has been made so far and what may be made in the future.

4 Comments

Panda Models Pt1: The Story So Far

12/5/2016

2 Comments

Panda models appeared on the diecast scene in April 2015 in an unexpected and controversial fashion. Since then they have produced a quality set of desirable models for a niche market, that though of little interest to your average Gemini-o-phile is pleasing to those looking for the more exotic, and possibly hundreds of millions of Chinese people! In this post I attempt to sift through the opinions to understand events so far and look at their releases.

2 Comments

First Third 2016: JC Wings Reviews

25/4/2016

0 Comments

JC Wings is something of an enigma amongst the manufacturers. Tied closely to Gemini and sharing their moulds with them they rather sporadically announce releases and then take ages to actually release the models. Often it seems like they are trying to announce before Phoenix but the actual models don't appear until well after - months in fact. This can make it a challenge to discuss their releases as the majority of the 2016 announcements haven't seen the light of day yet!

0 Comments

First Third 2016: Aeroclassics Review

23/4/2016

4 Comments

Aeroclassics came through a seemingly challenging 2015 and released a range of excellent models. On the minus side the ending of 737NG production, rumoured factory problems, colour shade issues and some continuing niggles made it perhaps not their finest year. What has changed at Aeroclassics into 2016 and have they upped their game? Plus has the appearance of Panda models impacted them at all?

4 Comments

First Third 2016: Phoenix Models Review

22/4/2016

0 Comments

Phoenix continue to produce relatively high volumes of models for their core Asian and European markets. My 2015 end of year review applauded their good moulds, LCC output and interesting range of colourful liveries, but was less complimentary about their 747s and QC in general. It is difficult to make inferences from the month to month production of the manufacturers, but has anything changed or is it same old, same old into 2016?

0 Comments

First Third 2016: Gemini Jets

20/4/2016

5 Comments

Gemini Jets continue to be the primary die-cast model manufacturer for much of the marketplace, especially in Europe and the USA. This is a bit surprising as they actually don't make that many models and in fact of the three big makers have made nearly half of what the others have this calendar year. Nevertheless they are solid and reliable and it seems to make sense to begin the first part of my review of the 1/400 scale output of the major manufacturers within this first third of 2016 with Gemini.

5 Comments

1/400 Review of 2016: JC Wings

1/400 Review of 2016: Panda Models

1/400 Review of 2016: Aeroclassics

1/400 Review of 2016: Phoenix

1/400 Review of 2016: Gemini Jets

Yesterday's Airlines: Two Years In

Waffle Strikes Again!

Panda Models Pt2: The Models

Panda Models Pt1: The Story So Far

First Third 2016: JC Wings Reviews

First Third 2016: Aeroclassics Review

First Third 2016: Phoenix Models Review

First Third 2016: Gemini Jets

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