YESTERDAY'S AIRLINES
  • Home
    • About
    • Links
  • My Models
    • The NZ Hangar 2016-2022
    • USA - Trunk Airlines >
      • Pan Am
      • American Airlines
      • Braniff International
      • Continental Airlines
      • Delta Air Lines
      • Eastern Air Lines
      • National Airlines
      • Northeast Airlines
      • Northwest Airlines
      • Trans World Airlines (TWA)
      • United Airlines
      • Western Airlines
    • USA - Local Service >
      • Allegheny / USAir
      • Frontier Airlines
      • Hughes Airwest
      • Mohawk Airlines
      • Piedmont Airlines
      • My Ozark Airlines Fleet
      • Republic Airlines
      • My Texas Int Fleet
    • Global Fleets >
      • Indian Subcontinent
      • Indonesia
      • Iran
      • Israel
      • Russia
    • My Collection >
      • US Other Fleets >
        • My Alaska Airlines Fleet
        • My Hawaiian / Aloha Fleet
        • My PSA Fleet
        • My Flying Tigers Fleet
        • My World Airways Fleet
      • UK Fleets >
        • My British Airways Fleet
      • Canadian Fleets
  • AV History
    • Airline History Blog
    • Airline Development >
      • CANADA >
        • Canadian Mainline
        • Canadian Charters & LCCs
        • Canadian Regionals
      • CHINA >
        • Part 1: China's Airlines Industry Blossoms 1984-2002
        • Part 2: The Big Six in the 1990s
        • The Big Three
        • Hainan Airlines Group
        • Other Chinese Airlines
      • IRAN
      • MEXICO >
        • 1988-2005: Competition arrives
        • 2005-2014: Low cost in Mexico
        • Mexican Airline Genealogy
        • Mexicana Livery Tails
      • RUSSIA >
        • Aeroflot Group
        • S7 Airlines & AiRUnion
        • Other Russian Airlines
      • SOUTH AFRICA
      • UNITED KINGDOM >
        • BA Genealogy Pt1
        • BA Genealogy Pt2
        • BA Genealogy Pt3
        • BUIA & BUAF Genealogies
        • UK Charter Airlines Pt1
        • UK Charter Airlines Pt2
        • BEA Liveries 1946-1974
        • BOAC Liveries 1939-1974
      • UNITED STATES >
        • Trunk & Local Service Airlines >
          • American / TWA Genealogy
          • Delta / Northwest Genealogy
          • United / Continental Genealogy
          • Braniff / Eastern / US Airways Genealogy
        • Territorial Airlines
        • Intra-State Airlines
        • Supplemental Airlines
        • Deregulation Startups 1
        • Deregulation Startups 2
        • Trunk Airline Livery Changes 1959-1980
    • Liveries >
      • Aeroméxico Liveries
      • American Airlines Liveries
      • British Airways Liveries
      • Continental Airlines Liveries
      • Delta Air Lines Liveries
      • Eastern Air Lines Liveries
      • Landor Liveries
      • National Airlines Liveries
      • Northeast Airlines Liveries
      • Northwest Airlines Liveries
      • Pan Am Liveries
      • Trans World Airlines Liveries
      • United Airlines Liveries
      • Western Airlines Liveries
    • Special Liveries >
      • Air China Specials
    • Airbus A380s >
      • ANA A380s - Flying Honu
      • Korean A380s - Taegeuk
      • Malaysia A380s - Wau Jets
    • Boeing 747 >
      • The Early Years Pt1
      • The Early Years Pt2: Pan Am
    • Real Airport Histories >
      • Albany International
      • Dallas Love Field
      • Rochester International Pt1
      • Rochester International Pt2
      • San Francisco - 1927-1959
      • San Francisco - 1959-1978
      • San Francisco - 1978-2015
      • San Jose International
      • San Jose International Pt2
    • Plane Spotting >
      • Amsterdam (AMS) - Sep 22
      • Frankfurt (FRA) - Oct 2022
    • Aviation Stickers >
      • ATR Stickers
      • A300 Stickers
      • DC-9 Stickers
      • DC-10 Stickers
  • 1:400 SCALE
    • Collecting 1:400 Scale >
      • Who Is The Best?
      • Best Moulds in 400 Scale
    • The History of 1:400 Scale >
      • 1:400 History Pt1: 1996-2000
      • 1:400 History Pt2: 2001-2008
    • 1:400 Brands >
      • Aeroclassics >
        • Generation One History
        • Gen 1 Photo Galleries >
          • BAC One-Eleven
          • Douglas DC-6
          • Douglas DC-9
          • Fairchild FH-227
          • Lockheed L-1049 Super Connie
          • Lockheed L-188 Electra
          • Vickers VC10
          • Vickers Vanguard
          • Vickers Viscount
      • AURORA Models
      • Aviation400 (2007-2012)
      • Big Bird 400 Your Craftsman
      • Black Box Models
      • Blue Box & Magic Models
      • Dragon Wings
      • El Aviador 400
      • Gemini Jets
      • JAL Collection / Jet Hut >
        • The JAL Collection
        • JAL Collection Reviews
        • Jet Hut Boeing 787-9
      • Jet-X >
        • Jet-X: Part 1 2000-2006
        • Jet-X: Part 2 2006-2012
      • MP4 & Airshop Diecast
      • NG Models
      • Seattle Models Co (SMA)
      • Skyjets400
      • Sovereign Models
      • TucanoLine
    • 1:400 Custom Models >
      • DT Custom Models >
        • Boeing 757-200s
        • Ilyushin Il-62s
        • Tupolev Tu-134s
        • Tupolev Tu-204s
    • Zinc Rot
  • 1:400 Moulds
    • The Best Moulds >
      • Best Airbus Pt1: A300-A321
      • Best Airbus Pt2: A330-A380
      • Best Boeing Pt1: B377-B727
      • Best Boeing Pt2: 737s
      • Best Boeing Pt3: 747s
      • Best Boeing Pt4: 757/767
      • Best Boeing Pt5: 777/787
    • Airbus >
      • Airbus A300
      • Airbus A310
      • Airbus A320 >
        • JC Wings A320 Upgrades
      • Airbus A330-200/300
      • Airbus A330-200F
      • Airbus A330 Beluga XL >
        • A320 Inserts for Beluga XL
      • Airbus A350-900/1000
    • Boeing >
      • Boeing B-377 Stratocruiser
      • Boeing 707-120/138/720
      • Boeing 707-320/420
      • Boeing 717
      • Boeing 727-100
      • Boeing 727-200
      • Boeing 737-100/200
      • Boeing 737-300 >
        • Herpa 737s
      • Boeing 737-400
      • Boeing 737-500
      • Boeing 737-600
      • Boeing 737-700/800/900 >
        • P-8 Poseidon Mould Review
      • Boeing 737 MAX
      • Boeing 747-100/200 >
        • Awful Phoenix 747s
      • Boeing 747SP
      • Boeing 747-8 Interactive
      • Boeing 747LCF Dreamlifter
      • Boeing 757-200 >
        • NG Models 757 Production
      • Boeing 767-200
      • Boeing 767-300
      • Boeing 777-200
      • Boeing 777-300
      • Boeing 787
    • British >
      • Concorde
      • BAC One-Eleven 200-400
      • BAC One-Eleven 500
      • BAE-146 / Avro RJ-85-100
      • de Havilland DH-106 Comet
      • Hawker Siddeley Trident
      • Shorts 360
      • Vickers VC10
      • Vickers Viscount
    • Douglas >
      • Douglas DC-3 / C-47
      • Douglas DC-6
      • Douglas DC-7
      • Douglas DC-7C
      • Douglas DC-8-10-50
      • Douglas DC-8-60s/70s
      • Douglas DC-9-10
      • Douglas DC-9-30
      • Douglas DC-9-41/51
      • McDonnell Douglas DC-10 >
        • Gemini Jets DC-10 Mould
      • McDonnell Douglas MD-11
      • McDonnell Douglas MD-80
      • McDonnell Douglas MD-90
    • Lockheed >
      • Lockheed Constellation
      • Lockheed Super Connie
      • Lockheed L-1649 Starliner
      • Lockheed L-188 Electra
      • Lockheed L-1011 Tristar 1 / Tristar 200
      • Lockheed L-1011 Tristar 500
    • Other >
      • Convair CV-240-580
      • Convair CV-880/990
      • Curtiss C-46
      • Fairchild F-27 / Fokker F27
      • Fairchild-Hiller FH-227
      • Fokker F28/F70/F100
      • SE 210 Caravelle
    • Chinese >
      • Comac ARJ21
      • Xi'an Y-20
    • Soviet >
      • Antonov An-225
      • Ilyushin IL-62
      • Ilyushin Il-86/Il-96
      • Tupolev TU-104
      • Tupolev TU-154B-2/M
      • Tupolev TU-204
      • Yakovlev Yak-42
  • 1:400 Reviews
    • Detailed Mould Scoring >
      • Airbus A320ceo & neo
      • Airbus A330 Beluga XL
      • Airbus A330-900neo
      • Airbus A350-900
      • Boeing 737-800
      • Boeing 747SP
      • Boeing 747-400
      • Boeing 777-300ER
      • Boeing 787-9
    • 1:400 Model Reviews
    • Model Airliner.com Reviews
  • Model News
    • Model Blog
    • New Mould Samples >
      • Aviation400 >
        • Airbus A320
        • Airbus A330-900NEO
        • Airbus A380 Resin Sample
        • Airbus A380 Metal Sample
        • Airbus A380 Final Sample
        • Boeing 787 Update Mar 21
        • Boeing 787 Update July 21
      • JC Wings >
        • Airbus A310
        • Boeing 747-400
      • NG Models 400 Scale >
        • Airbus A318
        • Airbus A319/320 CEO
        • Airbus A319/320 NEO
        • Airbus A321CEO & NEO
        • Airbus A330-200/300
        • Airbus A330 Beluga XL
        • Airbus A350-900
        • Airbus A350-1000
        • Boeing 737-600/700/900
        • Boeing 737-600 Refresh
        • Boeing 737-800
        • Boeing 737 MAX-8/MAX-9
        • Boeing B747SP
        • Boeing 747-8I
        • Boeing 747-8F
        • Boeing 777-200
        • Boeing 777-300/300ER
        • Boeing 787-8
        • Lockheed L-1011 Tristar
        • Lockeed Tristar 500
        • Tupolev Tu-154
        • Tupolev Tu-204/Tu-214/Tu-234
      • NG Models 200 Scale >
        • AVIC AG600M - 1:200
        • Boeing 757-200 - 1:200
        • Comac ARJ21 - 1:200
        • Falcon 7X - 1:200
        • Gulfstream G550 - 1:200
    • Retailer Exclusive Releases >
      • Panda Models Exclusives >
        • Panda Exclusives 2015-2021
        • Panda Exclusives 2022
      • JAL DC-8 Twinset
    • FantasyWings GSE >
      • Apron Equipment
      • COBUS 3000 Buses
      • GSE Pax & Cargo Sets
      • Hong Kong Outer Bay Set
      • Hong Kong ATC Tower Set
      • 1:200 GSE Cargo/GPU Sets
      • 1:200 COBUS 3000 Buses
  • 1:600 SCALE
    • Schuco 1960-70s
    • Schabak >
      • Schabak History 1982-2006
      • Schabak Non-airline Models
      • Schabak Airline Numbers
      • Schabak Wheel Variants
      • Schabak Window Variants
      • Schabak Decal Cracking
    • Schabak Moulds >
      • Airbus A300
      • Lockheed L-1011 Tristar
      • McDonnell Douglas DC-10
    • Silver Wings
    • Herpa Magic 600 Scale >
      • Herpa Magic History
      • Herpa Magic Mould Photos
    • Imogenia Airport
  • Dioramas
    • Wright Field Airport
    • Xin Long International
    • As Real As It Gets 1:200
    • As Real As It Gets 1:400 >
      • Real As It Gets - Africa
      • Real As It Gets - Asia
      • Real As It Gets - China
      • Real As It Gets - Europe
      • Real As It Gets - Middle East
      • Real As It Gets - N America
      • Real As It Gets - Oceania
      • Real As It Gets - Russia
      • Real As It Gets - S America
Picture

Parrot Jumbo: Air Gabon’s 747

30/11/2019

2 Comments

 
Picture
​The history of African flag carriers is something I always find interesting. Not only are they exotic but they often had lovely liveries and tended to operate small numbers of widebodies, making them rare visitors to select European locations. Plus of course, on the less impressive but just as interesting side, they often have histories rife with state interference, graft and civil war. Air Gabon certainly ticks many of these boxes.
Air Gabon Boeing 747-2Q2BM F-ODJG
Click Here For Other Posts About African Airlines
Air Gabon Boeing 747-2Q2BM F-ODJG
​The Gabonese Republic, as Gabon is properly known, is one of the smaller African nations and nowadays still has a small population of only about 2 million. It also has a high GDP per capita (the 4th highest in Sub-Saharan Africa) yet due to the all to frequent income inequality the majority of the population remains poor. This last sentence rather encapsulates the story of many African countries and hints at the poor leadership that often blights them and their national carriers.

Picture
Air Gabon's unique and quirky parrot logo

​As always, the development of aviation goes hand in hand with the political scenario so it is worth understanding that first. The area that is now Gabon was, since 1910, one of the four territories of French Equatorial Africa but became independent on August 17, 1960.

​All too quickly the first President of Gabon, Leon M’ba became dictatorial and shamefully he was kept in power by the French government following their intervention in a 1964 coup.

M’ba’s successor, after his death from cancer in 1967, was Omar Bongo Ondimba He declared a one-party state in 1968 and unsurprisingly Bongo was ‘re-elected’ continuously afterwards. Reform did not begin until the early 90s and you get the sense the country has never shaken off the impact of the M'Ba and Bongo dynasties.
Picture
The man Gabon's 747 was named after. President Leon M'Ba. See page for author [CC BY-SA 3.0 nl (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/nl/deed.en)]
Gabon had had an airline of its own since 1949 when Jean-Claude Brouillet formed Compagnie Transport Aériens du Gabon (TAG or TransGabon) using mainly Dragon Rapides. TAG evolved a partnership with Air France and following independence in 1960 a trio of ex-Air France DC-3s were acquired as the airline changed its name to Compagnie Aérienne Gabonnaise.
Picture
A colourful TransGabon DC-6 in 1972. John M. Wheatley [GFDL 1.2 (http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/fdl-1.2.html) oder GFDL 1.2 (http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/fdl-1.2.html)]
Picture
​Unfortunately for Brouillet on June 26, 1961, Gabon joined the fledgling multi-national flag carrier Air Afrique and his hopes for international services were dashed. Transgabon was sold to UTA in 1964 and Brouillet left the company to sail his yacht.

​In July 1968 Transgabon was nationalized and renamed Societe Nationale Transgabon (SNT). It continued its growth as an internal airline using a varied fleet, which included DC-4s to Cessnas and Bell 47s. SNT’s chance to fulfil Brouillet’s dream of international services wouldn’t come until 1977 when Gabon somewhat acrimoniously left Air Afrique in December 1976.
Picture
The F28s delivered in 1974 initially wore this scheme with the TransGabon logo on the tail. Presumably the Air Gabon titles weren't added until 1977?
​In May 1977 SNT was converted into Compagnie Nationale Air Gabon (or Air Gabon for short) with ownership split between the government (70%) and Sofopag (30%). Sofopag was a French firm controlled by Air France. The fleet consisted of 3 F28s, 2 DC-6As, a DC-4, a DHC-5 Caribou and a Caravelle. Gabon’s intention was to fly its own long-haul services and the cornerstone of this was the acquisition of a single Boeing 747-200 Combi. As part of the same order a single 737-2Q2C was also acquired new from Boeing.
Picture
A single 737, TR-LXL, was acquired at the same time as the 747. She served with Air Gabon until its collapse in 2006. Michel Gilliand [GFDL 1.2 (http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/fdl-1.2.html) or GFDL 1.2 (http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/fdl-1.2.html)]
​The 747, registered F-ODGJ, and named after the nation’s first President Leon M’ba, was acquired on a lease purchase agreement and joined in October 1978. Prior to that Air Gabon leased an MEA 747-200B, OD-AGJ, between June 1977 and May 1978.
Picture
Gabon's first 747 was MEA bird OD-AGJ leased for a year. Note the metal belly. Here she is at Paris CDG in 1977. Michel Gilliand [GFDL 1.2 (http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/fdl-1.2.html) or GFDL 1.2 (http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/fdl-1.2.html)]
​The Lebanese 747 initiated long-haul service to Paris four times weekly via either Marseille, Nice, Rome or Geneva. On Monday’s the 747 left the Gabon capital Libreville at 11am and flew via Geneva, on Wednesday it was Nice, Friday it was Rome and on Sunday it was Marseille. O the other days of the week the route was flown by UTA DC-8s or DC-10s with both airlines operating on Friday giving a total of 8 weekly Libreville-Paris flights.
Picture
The original outward bound 1977 joint Gabon 747 and UTA timetable
​Right from the start Air Gabon was not a money maker. Between 1977 and 1980 the airline made a loss of 9.449 billion Cameroon Francs (CFA Francs), which was more than four times its capital assets. 
Picture
Ex-Eastern Air Lines DC-6B, a 1956 build, served as TR-LXN and wasn't withdrawn until 1979 and her sistership LXM survived until 1984. Michel Gilliand [GFDL 1.2 (http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/fdl-1.2.html) or GFDL 1.2 (http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/fdl-1.2.html)]
Picture
This advertises the 747s 18 First Class, 46 Business Class and 188 Economy Class layout plus 30 tonnes of freight.
​The single 747 continued to fly the same route structure throughout the 1980s but it seems the carrier was a focus of graft and overstaffing. Recapitalisation was required in 1986 and this saw the government’s share increase to 80%. At about the same time the 747 was paid off and symbolically transferred to the Gabon register as TR-LXK, although it doesn’t appear that the actual aircraft’s registration was ever altered from F-ODJG.
The fleet remained fairly stable during the 1980s. It consisted of the single 747, one 737-200, a trio of Fokker 28s and a Lockheed Hercules. The Herc replaced a pair of Vickers Vanguards, which themselves had replaced the DC-4s and DC-6s.
​Gabon’s wealth primarily stems from oil revenue but this has not been well managed and in fact the Paris Club and International Monetary Fund (IMF) both have criticized the government for overspending on off-budget items, over-borrowing and slipping on the schedule of administrative reforms. 
Picture
The 1992 Air Gabon network
This surely had a knock-on impact at Air Gabon. Nonetheless the airline expanded its international network in the mid-90s with services to London using the 747 in 1996. This service was actually another unusual routing, starting not in Libreville but actually in Johannesburg. From South Africa the 747 stopped at Libreville, London-Gatwick and then Paris once a week.
Picture
The 1980 timetable was very attractive. Image from the collection of Bjorn Larsson of timetableimages.com
​The carrier was still making massive losses (16,345 billion CFA Francs in 1994) although austerity measures had reduced this to ‘only’ 1.643 billion by 1996. Unfortunately, the airline was unable to turn itself around and towards the end of the 90s Air Gabon’s annual debts increased to a staggering level - 37 billion CFA Francs by 1999.
Picture
F-ODJG in 1988. AlainDurand [GFDL 1.2 (http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/fdl-1.2.html) or GFDL 1.2 (http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/fdl-1.2.html)]
All of this was in spite of a 1995 restructuring plan forced on the airline by the IMF and World Bank. Jacob Cabinda, the airline’s Commercial Director, said the following illustrating some of the issues:
 
“The general directorate has initiated a policy intended to pare down an overstuffed work force and encourage voluntary separations. In addition, many public servants who had been incorporated into the company structure will be encouraged to return to their former agencies.”
Picture
A single Fokker 100 was leased from GPA as TR-LCR between December 1989 and June 1994.
Out of 1,900 company employees, 900 were laid off. By this time the 747 had been joined by a single 767-200 (two were leased at various periods) whilst a 727 served the medium haul routes. The 737-200 remained but all the Fokkers had either been withdrawn or repossessed, including a single Fokker 100. At various times in the 90s other 727s and a 757 were leased in.
Picture
This ex-Air France 727 became TR-LEV and served between May 1993 and 2001. Perry Hoppe [GFDL 1.2 (http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/fdl-1.2.html) or GFDL 1.2 (http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/fdl-1.2.html)]
Gabon itself was forced to undertake a structural adjustment programme by the IMF and World Bank and part of this forced them to withdraw the subsidy that helped the airline balance its books. Somewhat ironically the government as Air Gabon’s biggest customer actually owed it 11 billion CFA – surely a case of circular financing.
Picture
The 747 remained in service into the 2000s. Aldo Bidini [GFDL 1.2 (http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/fdl-1.2.html) or GFDL 1.2 (http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/fdl-1.2.html)]
​Somehow despite the threat of imminent collapse the airline carried on despite the fleet being increasingly obsolete. There was a sprinkling of renewal with both a 737-300 and 400 joining in the early 2000s, although the former was written off in a runway overrun in December 2003.
​By August 2004 things were bad enough that the airline was looking to sell the 747 to try and pay a portion of its debts. Maintenance of the aging 747 accounted for about half of the airline’s maintenance expenses and increased its debt to Air France, which serviced the Air Gabon fleet. 
Picture
767s like TR-LFH tookover the 747's routes in 2004. This aircraft was ex-Egyptair and served between 1998 and 2006. Konstantin von Wedelstaedt [GFDL 1.2 (http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/fdl-1.2.html) or GFDL 1.2 (http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/fdl-1.2.html)]
​At around this time the 747 was withdrawn, or impounded, and stored at Paris CDG. The 767 took over long-haul services for a time before they were suspended. The final collapse of Air Gabon occurred on March 3, 2006 and photo evidence shows that F-ODJG was broken up less than a month earlier.
A Sad Sight as F-ODJG is Broken Up
​The eventual and long-coming failure of Air Gabon mirrors the collapse of several other smaller African flag carriers, which failed more due to poor administration and management rather than their viability. Certainly the 747, as a Combi variant, seems to have been broadly profitable for Air Gabon, but its dutiful service across more than 20 years could not alone save Air Gabon from itself.

​References

 
Guttery, B.R. Encyclopaedia of African Airlines
2013. Air Gabon LGW Services. Airliners.net
1999. Transport-Gabon. National Airline in Danger of Collapsing. Inter Press service
2004. Air Gabon poised to sell sole Boeing 747. Agencia Angola Press
Air Gabon timetableimages.com
2 Comments
What is Medical Law link
8/3/2023 12:13:07 pm

As the name suggests, what is medical law answers questions about health matters such as medical negligence. <a href="https://theusvoice.net/what-is-medical-law/">What is Medical Law</a> The site helps users deal with various problems ranging from delayed treatment to payment disputes with doctors and hospitals.

Reply
How to Make a Car in Little Alchemy link
14/3/2023 02:57:13 pm

To create a car in Little Alchemy, you'll need to combine the elements of Metal and Wheel. Start by dragging the element for Metal onto the playing field, then drag Wheel next to it. This will result in an automated reaction creating your Car! <a href="https://theusvoice.net/how-to-make-a-car-in-little-alchemy/">How to Make a Car in Little Alchemy</a> In order to make more complex cars, mix together additional elements like Fire or Glass. With some creativity and experimentation, you can craft a variety of different vehicles within Little Alchemy.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    I'm Richard Stretton: a fan of classic airliners and airlines who enjoys exploring their history through my collection of die-cast airliners. If you enjoy the site please donate whatever you can to help keep it running:


    RSS Feed



    Archives

    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    December 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014

    Categories

    All
    2015 Review
    2016 Review
    2017 Review
    Aer Lingus
    Aeroclassics
    Aero Continente
    Aeroflot
    African Airlines
    Air 2000
    Air America
    Air Aruba
    Airbus A300
    Airbus A310
    Airbus A319
    Airbus A320
    Airbus A321
    Airbus A330
    Airbus A340
    Airbus A350
    Airbus A380
    Air BVI
    Air China
    Air Florida
    Air Gabon
    Air Holland
    Air India
    Airlines Of Africa
    Airlines Of Asia
    Airlines Of Australasia
    Airlines Of C America
    Airlines Of Canada
    Airlines Of China
    Airlines Of Europe
    Airlines Of France
    Airlines Of Indian Subcontinent
    Airlines Of Mexico
    Airlines Of Middle East
    Airlines Of Russia
    Airlines Of S America
    Airlines Of The UK
    Airlines Of The USA
    Air West
    Air Wisconsin
    Alaska Airlines
    Aloha Airlines
    American Airlines
    America West Airlines
    Ansett
    Antonov AN-124
    Apollo
    ATR-72
    Aurora Models
    Austrian Airlines
    AVIACSA
    BAC One-Eleven
    Big Bird
    Blue Box
    Boeing 707
    Boeing 717
    Boeing 720
    Boeing 727
    Boeing 737
    Boeing 747
    Boeing 757
    Boeing 767
    Boeing 777
    Boeing 787
    Boeing B-377 Stratocruiser
    Braniff International
    Bristol Britannia
    British Aerospace BAE-146
    British Airways
    British European (BEA)
    Canadair C-4 North Star
    Canadian Pacific
    Capital Airlines
    Cathay Pacific
    Central American Airlines
    Chicago & Southern
    China Eastern
    China Southern
    Compass Airlines
    Concorde
    Continental Airlines
    Convair 240
    Convair 440
    Convair 580
    Convair 880
    Convair 990
    Curtiss C-46 Commando
    Dan Air London
    Delta Air Lines
    DH-106 Comet 4
    Douglas DC-3
    Douglas DC-4
    Douglas DC-6
    Douglas DC-7
    Douglas DC-7C
    Douglas DC-8
    Douglas DC-9
    Dragonair
    Dragon Wings
    DT Customs
    Eastern Air Lines
    EasyJet
    Egyptair
    Embraer 190
    Embraer ERJ-145
    Emirates
    Eram Air
    Fairchild F-27
    Fairchild FH-227
    Finlantic
    Fokker 50
    Fokker F100
    Fokker F27
    Fokker F28
    Freighters
    Frontier Airlines
    Gemini Jets
    Hainan Airlines
    Handley Page Herald
    Hawaiian Airlines
    Hawaii Express
    Herpa
    HS-748
    HS Trident
    Ilyushin IL-62
    Ilyushin IL-76
    Ilyushin IL-86
    Ilyushin IL-96
    Interflug
    Japan Air System
    JC Wings
    Jet X
    Jet-X
    Kampuchea Airlines
    Kenya Airways
    Laker Airways
    Lan Chile
    Lockheed Constellation
    Lockheed Hercules
    Lockheed L-1011 Tristar
    Lockheed L-188 Electra
    Loganair
    LOT Polish Airlines
    Lufthansa
    Magic Models
    Malev Hungarian Airlines
    Manx Airlines
    MAOF Airlines
    MD-11
    MD-80
    MD-90
    MDD DC-10
    Mexicana
    Minerve
    Mohawk Airlines
    NAMC YS-11
    National Airlines
    NG Models
    Nordair
    Northwest Airlines
    Oasis Hong Kong
    Oceania Airlines
    Ozark Air Lines
    Panagra
    Pan Am
    Panda Models
    Phoenix Models
    Piedmont Airlines
    PLUNA
    Polynesian Airlines
    Qantas
    Republic Airlines
    Royal Jordanian
    Royal Nepal Airlines
    SE-210 Caravelle
    Shorts-360
    Sichuan Airlines
    Skyservice
    South African Airways
    Spantax
    TACA
    Trans European Airways
    Trans World Airlines Twa
    Trans-world-airlines-twa
    Tupolev Tu-104
    Tupolev Tu-134
    Tupolev TU-144
    Tupolev TU-154
    Tupolev Tu-204
    United Airlines
    USAir
    Vickers VC10
    Vickers Viscount
    Western Airlines
    Witty Wings

  • Home
    • About
    • Links
  • My Models
    • The NZ Hangar 2016-2022
    • USA - Trunk Airlines >
      • Pan Am
      • American Airlines
      • Braniff International
      • Continental Airlines
      • Delta Air Lines
      • Eastern Air Lines
      • National Airlines
      • Northeast Airlines
      • Northwest Airlines
      • Trans World Airlines (TWA)
      • United Airlines
      • Western Airlines
    • USA - Local Service >
      • Allegheny / USAir
      • Frontier Airlines
      • Hughes Airwest
      • Mohawk Airlines
      • Piedmont Airlines
      • My Ozark Airlines Fleet
      • Republic Airlines
      • My Texas Int Fleet
    • Global Fleets >
      • Indian Subcontinent
      • Indonesia
      • Iran
      • Israel
      • Russia
    • My Collection >
      • US Other Fleets >
        • My Alaska Airlines Fleet
        • My Hawaiian / Aloha Fleet
        • My PSA Fleet
        • My Flying Tigers Fleet
        • My World Airways Fleet
      • UK Fleets >
        • My British Airways Fleet
      • Canadian Fleets
  • AV History
    • Airline History Blog
    • Airline Development >
      • CANADA >
        • Canadian Mainline
        • Canadian Charters & LCCs
        • Canadian Regionals
      • CHINA >
        • Part 1: China's Airlines Industry Blossoms 1984-2002
        • Part 2: The Big Six in the 1990s
        • The Big Three
        • Hainan Airlines Group
        • Other Chinese Airlines
      • IRAN
      • MEXICO >
        • 1988-2005: Competition arrives
        • 2005-2014: Low cost in Mexico
        • Mexican Airline Genealogy
        • Mexicana Livery Tails
      • RUSSIA >
        • Aeroflot Group
        • S7 Airlines & AiRUnion
        • Other Russian Airlines
      • SOUTH AFRICA
      • UNITED KINGDOM >
        • BA Genealogy Pt1
        • BA Genealogy Pt2
        • BA Genealogy Pt3
        • BUIA & BUAF Genealogies
        • UK Charter Airlines Pt1
        • UK Charter Airlines Pt2
        • BEA Liveries 1946-1974
        • BOAC Liveries 1939-1974
      • UNITED STATES >
        • Trunk & Local Service Airlines >
          • American / TWA Genealogy
          • Delta / Northwest Genealogy
          • United / Continental Genealogy
          • Braniff / Eastern / US Airways Genealogy
        • Territorial Airlines
        • Intra-State Airlines
        • Supplemental Airlines
        • Deregulation Startups 1
        • Deregulation Startups 2
        • Trunk Airline Livery Changes 1959-1980
    • Liveries >
      • Aeroméxico Liveries
      • American Airlines Liveries
      • British Airways Liveries
      • Continental Airlines Liveries
      • Delta Air Lines Liveries
      • Eastern Air Lines Liveries
      • Landor Liveries
      • National Airlines Liveries
      • Northeast Airlines Liveries
      • Northwest Airlines Liveries
      • Pan Am Liveries
      • Trans World Airlines Liveries
      • United Airlines Liveries
      • Western Airlines Liveries
    • Special Liveries >
      • Air China Specials
    • Airbus A380s >
      • ANA A380s - Flying Honu
      • Korean A380s - Taegeuk
      • Malaysia A380s - Wau Jets
    • Boeing 747 >
      • The Early Years Pt1
      • The Early Years Pt2: Pan Am
    • Real Airport Histories >
      • Albany International
      • Dallas Love Field
      • Rochester International Pt1
      • Rochester International Pt2
      • San Francisco - 1927-1959
      • San Francisco - 1959-1978
      • San Francisco - 1978-2015
      • San Jose International
      • San Jose International Pt2
    • Plane Spotting >
      • Amsterdam (AMS) - Sep 22
      • Frankfurt (FRA) - Oct 2022
    • Aviation Stickers >
      • ATR Stickers
      • A300 Stickers
      • DC-9 Stickers
      • DC-10 Stickers
  • 1:400 SCALE
    • Collecting 1:400 Scale >
      • Who Is The Best?
      • Best Moulds in 400 Scale
    • The History of 1:400 Scale >
      • 1:400 History Pt1: 1996-2000
      • 1:400 History Pt2: 2001-2008
    • 1:400 Brands >
      • Aeroclassics >
        • Generation One History
        • Gen 1 Photo Galleries >
          • BAC One-Eleven
          • Douglas DC-6
          • Douglas DC-9
          • Fairchild FH-227
          • Lockheed L-1049 Super Connie
          • Lockheed L-188 Electra
          • Vickers VC10
          • Vickers Vanguard
          • Vickers Viscount
      • AURORA Models
      • Aviation400 (2007-2012)
      • Big Bird 400 Your Craftsman
      • Black Box Models
      • Blue Box & Magic Models
      • Dragon Wings
      • El Aviador 400
      • Gemini Jets
      • JAL Collection / Jet Hut >
        • The JAL Collection
        • JAL Collection Reviews
        • Jet Hut Boeing 787-9
      • Jet-X >
        • Jet-X: Part 1 2000-2006
        • Jet-X: Part 2 2006-2012
      • MP4 & Airshop Diecast
      • NG Models
      • Seattle Models Co (SMA)
      • Skyjets400
      • Sovereign Models
      • TucanoLine
    • 1:400 Custom Models >
      • DT Custom Models >
        • Boeing 757-200s
        • Ilyushin Il-62s
        • Tupolev Tu-134s
        • Tupolev Tu-204s
    • Zinc Rot
  • 1:400 Moulds
    • The Best Moulds >
      • Best Airbus Pt1: A300-A321
      • Best Airbus Pt2: A330-A380
      • Best Boeing Pt1: B377-B727
      • Best Boeing Pt2: 737s
      • Best Boeing Pt3: 747s
      • Best Boeing Pt4: 757/767
      • Best Boeing Pt5: 777/787
    • Airbus >
      • Airbus A300
      • Airbus A310
      • Airbus A320 >
        • JC Wings A320 Upgrades
      • Airbus A330-200/300
      • Airbus A330-200F
      • Airbus A330 Beluga XL >
        • A320 Inserts for Beluga XL
      • Airbus A350-900/1000
    • Boeing >
      • Boeing B-377 Stratocruiser
      • Boeing 707-120/138/720
      • Boeing 707-320/420
      • Boeing 717
      • Boeing 727-100
      • Boeing 727-200
      • Boeing 737-100/200
      • Boeing 737-300 >
        • Herpa 737s
      • Boeing 737-400
      • Boeing 737-500
      • Boeing 737-600
      • Boeing 737-700/800/900 >
        • P-8 Poseidon Mould Review
      • Boeing 737 MAX
      • Boeing 747-100/200 >
        • Awful Phoenix 747s
      • Boeing 747SP
      • Boeing 747-8 Interactive
      • Boeing 747LCF Dreamlifter
      • Boeing 757-200 >
        • NG Models 757 Production
      • Boeing 767-200
      • Boeing 767-300
      • Boeing 777-200
      • Boeing 777-300
      • Boeing 787
    • British >
      • Concorde
      • BAC One-Eleven 200-400
      • BAC One-Eleven 500
      • BAE-146 / Avro RJ-85-100
      • de Havilland DH-106 Comet
      • Hawker Siddeley Trident
      • Shorts 360
      • Vickers VC10
      • Vickers Viscount
    • Douglas >
      • Douglas DC-3 / C-47
      • Douglas DC-6
      • Douglas DC-7
      • Douglas DC-7C
      • Douglas DC-8-10-50
      • Douglas DC-8-60s/70s
      • Douglas DC-9-10
      • Douglas DC-9-30
      • Douglas DC-9-41/51
      • McDonnell Douglas DC-10 >
        • Gemini Jets DC-10 Mould
      • McDonnell Douglas MD-11
      • McDonnell Douglas MD-80
      • McDonnell Douglas MD-90
    • Lockheed >
      • Lockheed Constellation
      • Lockheed Super Connie
      • Lockheed L-1649 Starliner
      • Lockheed L-188 Electra
      • Lockheed L-1011 Tristar 1 / Tristar 200
      • Lockheed L-1011 Tristar 500
    • Other >
      • Convair CV-240-580
      • Convair CV-880/990
      • Curtiss C-46
      • Fairchild F-27 / Fokker F27
      • Fairchild-Hiller FH-227
      • Fokker F28/F70/F100
      • SE 210 Caravelle
    • Chinese >
      • Comac ARJ21
      • Xi'an Y-20
    • Soviet >
      • Antonov An-225
      • Ilyushin IL-62
      • Ilyushin Il-86/Il-96
      • Tupolev TU-104
      • Tupolev TU-154B-2/M
      • Tupolev TU-204
      • Yakovlev Yak-42
  • 1:400 Reviews
    • Detailed Mould Scoring >
      • Airbus A320ceo & neo
      • Airbus A330 Beluga XL
      • Airbus A330-900neo
      • Airbus A350-900
      • Boeing 737-800
      • Boeing 747SP
      • Boeing 747-400
      • Boeing 777-300ER
      • Boeing 787-9
    • 1:400 Model Reviews
    • Model Airliner.com Reviews
  • Model News
    • Model Blog
    • New Mould Samples >
      • Aviation400 >
        • Airbus A320
        • Airbus A330-900NEO
        • Airbus A380 Resin Sample
        • Airbus A380 Metal Sample
        • Airbus A380 Final Sample
        • Boeing 787 Update Mar 21
        • Boeing 787 Update July 21
      • JC Wings >
        • Airbus A310
        • Boeing 747-400
      • NG Models 400 Scale >
        • Airbus A318
        • Airbus A319/320 CEO
        • Airbus A319/320 NEO
        • Airbus A321CEO & NEO
        • Airbus A330-200/300
        • Airbus A330 Beluga XL
        • Airbus A350-900
        • Airbus A350-1000
        • Boeing 737-600/700/900
        • Boeing 737-600 Refresh
        • Boeing 737-800
        • Boeing 737 MAX-8/MAX-9
        • Boeing B747SP
        • Boeing 747-8I
        • Boeing 747-8F
        • Boeing 777-200
        • Boeing 777-300/300ER
        • Boeing 787-8
        • Lockheed L-1011 Tristar
        • Lockeed Tristar 500
        • Tupolev Tu-154
        • Tupolev Tu-204/Tu-214/Tu-234
      • NG Models 200 Scale >
        • AVIC AG600M - 1:200
        • Boeing 757-200 - 1:200
        • Comac ARJ21 - 1:200
        • Falcon 7X - 1:200
        • Gulfstream G550 - 1:200
    • Retailer Exclusive Releases >
      • Panda Models Exclusives >
        • Panda Exclusives 2015-2021
        • Panda Exclusives 2022
      • JAL DC-8 Twinset
    • FantasyWings GSE >
      • Apron Equipment
      • COBUS 3000 Buses
      • GSE Pax & Cargo Sets
      • Hong Kong Outer Bay Set
      • Hong Kong ATC Tower Set
      • 1:200 GSE Cargo/GPU Sets
      • 1:200 COBUS 3000 Buses
  • 1:600 SCALE
    • Schuco 1960-70s
    • Schabak >
      • Schabak History 1982-2006
      • Schabak Non-airline Models
      • Schabak Airline Numbers
      • Schabak Wheel Variants
      • Schabak Window Variants
      • Schabak Decal Cracking
    • Schabak Moulds >
      • Airbus A300
      • Lockheed L-1011 Tristar
      • McDonnell Douglas DC-10
    • Silver Wings
    • Herpa Magic 600 Scale >
      • Herpa Magic History
      • Herpa Magic Mould Photos
    • Imogenia Airport
  • Dioramas
    • Wright Field Airport
    • Xin Long International
    • As Real As It Gets 1:200
    • As Real As It Gets 1:400 >
      • Real As It Gets - Africa
      • Real As It Gets - Asia
      • Real As It Gets - China
      • Real As It Gets - Europe
      • Real As It Gets - Middle East
      • Real As It Gets - N America
      • Real As It Gets - Oceania
      • Real As It Gets - Russia
      • Real As It Gets - S America