The Gemini Jets 727-200

The big house move is very much on, which means I have had to box up all 1111 1/400 scale models in the collection. The last to go were some of my older Gemini Jets, which gave me the opportunity to take a photo of all my Gemini 727-200s together at the same time. This is the old Gemini Jets I used to love, lots of classic trijets on an excellent mould.

As I have explained in the 727-200 mould review the Gemini Jets 727-200 still compares well to much newer 727-200 moulds and is a pretty damn good representation of the world's biggest selling trijet. Gemini have made 53 727-200 models. Mostly they date from near the dawn of 1/400 scale model making: 2001, and 51 examples were released between 2001 and 2008. Just recently Gemini have refitted the mould with rolling gears and released a pair of Pan Am examples but Gemini really isn't into the classics arena anymore so I wouldn't expect very regular new releases in 2016.

The mould is pretty damn good and holds up well to the other 3 available 727-200 moulds. In addition in keeping with many older Gemini moulds it is also rock-solid. This is partly because it predates rolling gears but many of Gemini's old moulds can withstand some rough treatment and not show any marks.

I own 43 727-200s and 25 of them use the Gemini mould. It is just a good mould and on top of that in keeping with older Geminis the models are generally plentiful and available at cheap prices on the second-hand market. Anyway as I said I was able today to get together 23 of my 25 GJ 727-200s for a photo-shoot before they were boxed away ready for transport to the new hangar.

All but one of my Gemini 727s is from the USA (and the Lufthansa aircraft was already boxed up when I took the shot). This fits with Gemini's release pattern where 42 of the 53 models are from the USA. They cover the breadth of the US trunk airlines from the 1970s to 1990s as well as a small sprinkling of local service airlines (like Ozark, USAir and Republic) and the occassional deregulation startup (like Kiwi International). Despite this (and Aeroclassics also having the mould type) there is a plethora of 727-200s still to be made since the 727-200 was the most important aircraft type throughout the 1970s and 80s.

I'd like to see all of the following just from the USA:

Braniff Ultras                                         Pride Air                                                   Air Florida

Northwest / Republic hybrid               US Air / Piedmont hybrid                  Continental / PeoplExpress hybrid

Trump Shuttle                                        Northeastern                                         Eastern 'Grey'

Air 1                                                         Air Atlanta                                              Kiwi International

I'm sure there are more too.

Despite the age of the mould there are still several existing models I'll probably add at some stage; like the Northwest bowling shoe, United battleship and Delta Ron Allen. Of my 95 current 727s the Gemini series 200 is the second most prolific mould (after the Aeroclassics series 100) in my fleet and if you don't own at least one you are a sad pathetic loser :)! Just joking but I strongly suggest you pick one up as they are great and available for peanuts.