BAC One-Eleven Moulds in 1/400 Scale
Updated: June 2016
I grew up with the One-Eleven or at least it very much felt that way. Gatwick during the 1980s had tons of them operating for British Airways, British Caledonian, Dan Air, British Island Airways and others. Even into the 1990s One-Elevens were fairly common at LGW operating with British World and European Aviation. They were easily the noisiest aircraft out there - real pocket rockets. The One-Eleven was in fact the second short-haul jet onto the market (after the Caravelle) and this in part enabled it to break into the US market. In fact it would have made more sales in the US if it wasn't for blatant protectionism by the CAB. It couldn't really compete against the later DC-9 but the stretched series 500 continued to sell in small numbers into the 1970s. In the end 244 were built, which for the 1960s was a very reputable number.
In 1:400 scale there have been four moulds released but only one of those caters for the series 500. In all there are however only 105 models. We'll start with a look at the real thing. These are all short One-Eleven series 200/300s:
In 1:400 scale there have been four moulds released but only one of those caters for the series 500. In all there are however only 105 models. We'll start with a look at the real thing. These are all short One-Eleven series 200/300s:
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Aeroclassics Mould 1 - Generation 1 (1999) - Used 26 times
One of Aeroclassics first moulds was a One-eleven and because of that it isn't really comparable to later moulds. It has a rather rounded nose (reminiscent of the prototype), a screw bottom (like their early DC-9-10) and a big seam. The eight very earliest examples used decals rather than tampo printing and had larger wheels and gear doors. These were made in small runs of under 150 and I imagine many of those no longer exist.
Aeroclassics Generation 1 BAC-One Elevens Decaled
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The remaining 18 models are Tampo printed and so have a much better finish. The tyres are also better but the nosegear doors are gone and replaced by simple stalk gear legs. The models made include a complete set of Braniff Jellybeans as well as other rarities like Philippines. The production runs of these models were much larger but still it is uncommon to find these old first One-Elevens for sale even on the seconds market.
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Aeroclassics Generation 1 BAC-One Elevens Tampo Printed
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Aeroclassics Mould 2 (2007) - Used 54 times
Following the first mould there was a six year wait for AC to create a new mould. It is a vast improvement on the first mould as you'd expect given the technological improvements in the intervening years. 54 models have been made up to 2010 but the mould seems to have gone into hibernation since then. That's a shame as overall it is a pleasing mould. It isn't without its faults however, the worst of which are the engines. They are oversized by quite a bit. The nose is also quite blunt but it is still a good mould and I own quite a few of them. The releases have covered a good range of operators across the world but there are still plenty that haven't been done. Here are some shots from my collection:
Gemini Jets / JC Wings (2008) - Used 18 times
Soon after Aeroclassics entered the market with their new One-Eleven Gemini did the same. In fact for a while they went head to head producing several comparable airlines to Aeroclassics (American and Mohawk for example). They haven't made nearly as good use of the mould though with Gemini themselves only making 5 models on it. JC Wings are probably the true owners of the mould but themselves only used it 5 times up to 2012 when they cheered a lot of people up and produced 8 Braniff Jellybeans (which Aeroclassics hadn't rereleased themselves). The mould is actually very good. The engines are a better size than on the Aeroclassics mould and the nose is pointier. On the other hand the wheels are too large unlike on the Aeroclassics. I have a few of the Braniff releases and here are some shots:
Soon after Aeroclassics entered the market with their new One-Eleven Gemini did the same. In fact for a while they went head to head producing several comparable airlines to Aeroclassics (American and Mohawk for example). They haven't made nearly as good use of the mould though with Gemini themselves only making 5 models on it. JC Wings are probably the true owners of the mould but themselves only used it 5 times up to 2012 when they cheered a lot of people up and produced 8 Braniff Jellybeans (which Aeroclassics hadn't rereleased themselves). The mould is actually very good. The engines are a better size than on the Aeroclassics mould and the nose is pointier. On the other hand the wheels are too large unlike on the Aeroclassics. I have a few of the Braniff releases and here are some shots:
Gemini Jets / JC Wings Series 500 (2008) - Used 7 times
At the same time as they made a short One-Eleven JC and Gemini also produced a long One-eleven and this mould has unfortunately been criminally under-used. It is an excellent mould and aside from some sloppy printing on the BCal release what has been made is uniformly excellent. Sadly the production only amounted to 6 models (4 Gemini and 2 JC Wings) until 2016. They all featured UK airlines except for a rather lovely Bahamas Airways. There had been no new releases since 2010 and both Gemini and JC Wings seemed to have forgotten about classic releases until thanks to Adrian Balch's work with JC in mid-2016 a new One-Eleven 500 was announced in BEA Red Square colours. Hopefully this will be the first of several BEA One-Elevens and this great little mould will see some much needed usage.
At the same time as they made a short One-Eleven JC and Gemini also produced a long One-eleven and this mould has unfortunately been criminally under-used. It is an excellent mould and aside from some sloppy printing on the BCal release what has been made is uniformly excellent. Sadly the production only amounted to 6 models (4 Gemini and 2 JC Wings) until 2016. They all featured UK airlines except for a rather lovely Bahamas Airways. There had been no new releases since 2010 and both Gemini and JC Wings seemed to have forgotten about classic releases until thanks to Adrian Balch's work with JC in mid-2016 a new One-Eleven 500 was announced in BEA Red Square colours. Hopefully this will be the first of several BEA One-Elevens and this great little mould will see some much needed usage.
Here are some shots of the new BEA One-Eleven courtesy of Adrian Balch. It should be available for sale in July 2016:
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