Koryo IL-62s: The Classic Lives On

There are precious few IL-62s still in service anywhere in the world and in fact it takes an outcast state to see one nowadays. Its isolation has long been a boon for the more adventurous plane-spotter looking to log some time on a TU-134 or such. Unfortunately with their focus on active aircraft very few IL-62s have been made in 1:400, however recent livery changes in the DPRK have opened the door to double the number of Korean IL-62 releases.

North Korea is once again a hot topic – the parasitic state that is a disgrace to the world and an indictment of the selfishness of both the Chinese and Soviet governments. At least relations appear to have been pulled back from the brink recently – perhaps Kim Jong Un is scared of Trump’s unpredictability. One idiotic madman recognises another! Anyway the DPRK is also a hot topic in 1:400 and has given the much under-used IL-62 mould a mini rebirth.

The latest and 4th Korean IL-62 model

See my IL-62 mould review for more information on the type in 1:400 scale.

P-881 in the oldest colours at Beijing. From Wikipedia

With recent releases there have now been 4 different IL-62s in the colours of Air Koryo produced or announced. The first was a 2008 Gemini Jets release on the static geared version of the IL-62 mould in the then standard Air Koryo colours with the straight –edged North Korean flag on the tail. To be honest Gemini rather made a mess of this release around the cockpit windows where the shape of the black anti-glare and cheatline are plain wrong.

The first release with the unfortunate cockpit cheatline detailing

Next came a 2015 version of the slightly modernised Air Koryo scheme, with wavy tail flag, on the rolling gears version of the mould. This is a much improved model and Gemini resolved the issues around the cockpit to produce a fine model.

The 2nd release from Gemini

Last month Gemini announced a 3rd IL-62. This time it will be P-885 wearing the much simplified Air Koryo scheme she wore at the North Korean Wonsan Air Show on 24 September 2016.

Gemini's new IL-62

The fourth IL-62, and only non-Gemini release, is P-618 – the North Korean Government IL-62, which in this model version wears a mainly all white scheme. This model was originally announced by Skywings but appears, as with a few others, to have been realised as a standard JC Wings release. The aircraft in question has since been refreshed into a fuller scheme with grey detailing so perhaps there will be a 5th IL-62 coming.

I assume the primary market for these DPRK IL-62s is once again China, given the closeness of North Korea and the close relations between China and its buffer state ally. Either way it’s good to see the Classic out of mothballs in 1:400.