Twin Model Sets in 1:400 Scale by Gemini Jets
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Modified: May 2024
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Recently I wrote about Gemini Jets triple pack releases and since that was well received I thought I'd also look at the twinpacks. As many peple said in the same period Gemini was making triple sets they also produced twinsets as well - nine in all. To read about the Triple packs see here:
While no doubt the triple packs were often a tough sell I guess the twinpacks were cheaper and easier to offload, although they still ran the risk of containing one model out of the two the collector might not want. As with the triple packs several were made for specific reasons or retailers, but although retailer exclusives where multiple connected models are released at the same time are still common today, nowadays it is standard for each model to come separately. Nonetheless, the twinpacks have something of an allure to them that individual models don't, partly no doubt because of the packaging.
As with the triple packs it wasn't only Gemini producing twinsets. Aeroclassics made them in this period also (TMA and Iran Air 747/707 packs standout) and would usually include GSE with them. Jet-X also made a lot of twin packs of MD-80s for US airlines like PSA and Hawaiian.
Before I get started I wanted to thank Simon at Bedfordshire Diecast. Several of the below images were lifted from his site's old listings! Check out his store now - or after you've read the article at least! :)
Orbis Douglas Jets
The first twinset made by Gemini appears to have been this pair of Orbis International jets. Orbis International is an international non-profit non-governmental organization dedicated to saving sight worldwide. I'm not sure if the set was made specifically for Orbis or as a general release. Being such an early release both models have the rear seam around the horizontal stabilisers that would be subsequently removed as part of the Gemini Jets II reset.
BA World Tails
The Utopia scheme from British Airways was a real marmite livery. Personally I loved it and thought it illustrated some lovely colours and a UK engaging with the world with confidence. Sadly, in the end it just illustrated the little-Britain mentality of many on the right. Anyway, Gemini seems to have liked it and made a lot of World tail schemes. I have recently acquired this pair of delightful 737-200s, which were released in 2001, possibly to celebrate the retirement of the type from BA service.
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The Gemini 737-200 isn't as good as the later Aeroclassics but this pair look superb.
The other World Tail scheme is a really nice pair of 747-400s sporting the Australian variants of the World Tail scheme. BA's closeness to Qantas allowed them to borrow the Wunala and Nalanji dreaming IP and use them to create a pair of Utopia tails.
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Retrojets Nines
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Retrojets was a brand created by the store Jet Collector, who historically made quite a few exclusive models in the early 2000s, although the rest appear to have used SMA or Aeroclassics and not necessarily had their own branding. This set uses the Gemini DC-9 mould for a couple of Pacific Southwest editions. The first is in the late 60s scheme from when PSA had plans to have a DC-9 training establishment. That didn't pan out and PSA went with the 737-200 instead so the DC-9s left the fleet in the early 70s only to reappear when PSA picked up a quartet of Air Canada aircraft to assist their fleet growth in the 80s deregulation era. Once again the Gemini DC-9 mould is inferior to the later Aeroclassics mould but it still looks pretty decent in these schemes.
Corgi Concordes
Corgi are a storied UK brand that has made diecast model vehicles for decades and still does make them - see their website. They have made a lot of aircraft models as well including a lot of military jets across a wide range of scales such as 1:48, 1:72 and 1:144. As far as I'm aware however their only foray into 400 scale is this pair of Concordes made by Gemini that came in an unusual box. The box is basically the same side as a 747 box but can fit both Concordes in to it with a custom plastic insert.
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Alaska NGs
Gemini had already made an Alaska Airlines 73G in 2003 but that one didn't have blended winglets. In 2005 this pair were released as a boxset, possibly to celebrate the introduction of the 737-800 into Alaska service. Somewhat surprisingly Gemini have never made another 737-800 with the same scheme and winglet configuration as this, although they did remake the 73G in 2014.
HP 737-200 Retirement
Another pair of 737-200s Gemini made and I own is this lovely pair of America West models made to celebrate the type's service and importance to the airline at the time of its retirement. The box has a potted history of the type at HP on the back and talk's about its pending retirement. This was the last twinpack Gemini made on its own but there were two further sets made for a retailer.
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British Independents
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The last two twinsets made by Gemini are branded as 'British Independent Airlines: The Early Years' and I believe they were made for Aviation Retail Direct in the UK. Both sets should be really nice but I admit I don't own either because of the contents. One of the issues with twinsets is that you might only want one of the two models and although all four models here fit directly into my collection criteria I am no fan of the Gemini Jets 707 mould, which make up half the four models here.
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Fortunately, the Britannia 737-200 has been made by Aviation400, and more recently by Aeroclassics. Annoyingly, none of the 707s have been made by anybody else. The cockpit printing on the Dan Air 727 is also very poor.
Obviously, these sets are quite old nowadays and none of the moulds featured are particularly accurate by modern standards, however overall I still think that they are fine models illustrating the solid reliable output you could expect from Gemini in the early 2000s, with the addition of some nice packaging.