Check Your Gemini Qantas 747SPs

I own over 2,200 400 scale models and 252 of those are Gemini releases. On the whole they are decent models, however there is a worrying trend for a small number of Gemini's from relatively recently to show degradation over time. I was checking out my Qantas 747SP recently, as with the new NG Models versions upcoming I was considering selling it, and sadly I came across just this problem. 

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No doubt some people will think this is a case of my bias against Gemini but surely if you buy a model it should survive at least 20-30 years. I bought this Gemini release of VH-EAB, with the Brisbane 1982 Commonwealth Games titles, second-hand from a Waffle Collection sale a five or six years ago now but it only dates from 2011 and it should be in perfect condition considering it is kept in a glass display cabinet out of the sun. Sadly it is not.

Bubbling on the fuselage midline

Zinc Rot has been an issue that has plagued 400 scale on and off and I've written about it in some detail here:

Zinc Rot

There is a small selection of Gemini models that date from the 2010-2013 period that have been impacted by rot. Now I'm not sure this release is necessarily one of them but close inspection did reveal that there has been significant bubbling on the fuselage midline and wings to the extent that I'm not going to be able to sell it.

Bubbling on the wing undersides

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As I understand it bubbling can also be caused by impurities in the paint. This sort of bubbling is similar to that which appears regularly on some Magic 747s.

Presumably it is only going to get worse, even if it is not rot but just bubbling due to paint issues. It is disappointing but hopefully this kind of thing is a rarity. Nonetheless, I suggest you check your Gemini Qantas 747SP to see if they too have a similar issue. At distance the model still seems ok so I'll keep it on display for now and keep an eye on how bad it gets.

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UPDATE: Shortly after posting about this on Facebook Terence Au sent me a picture of his version of the model, which is far worse than mine. Image courtesy of Terence and used with permission: