Zinc Rot |
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Updated: July 2022
The vast majority of 1:400 scale models have shown absolutely no signs of deterioration since they were built, but there have been a small percentage of models, which have been impacted by various rots, bubbles and cracking. The most serious of these issues is that of Zinc Rot, a phenomenon especially linked to one particular period in 1:400 history but also found in a few other places too. That doesn't mean that just because your model has some bubbles it has Zinc rot, but nonetheless for certain models the risk of self-destruction is high.
What is Zinc Rot?
Zinc Rot is a well-known and understood process whereby the zinc used to make die-cast models deteriorates over time due to intercrystalline corrosion caused by lead impurities within it. The impact of Zinc rot is irreversible and is not affected by the manner of model display or storage. The damage can be variable across models and even units of the same release. So, it is entirely possible that of two examples of the same model one is fine while the other rots. Likewise depending on the levels of impurities within the Zinc some models are worse affected than others.
At its worst huge cracks appear across the model, wings bend upwards and snap, and the model eventually falls apart. It may start as small cracks, blisters or pitting, but if it is zinc rot then it will steadily get worse.
It may also only impact specific parts of a model i.e. engines and undercarriage. I have had several examples where one or both of the main undercarriage legs on SMA and Aeroclassics 737-200s has rotted but the rest of the model is fine. There have also been examples of Aeroclassics 707s where only one engine has rotted.
Some brands are notorious for bubbling (Magic Models for example) but bubbling is not necessarily the same as zinc rot and may be caused by other production failings. A model with bubbling will not necessarily develop Zinc rot symptoms. Likewise there are other types of rot out there such as powdery rot which impact models, many of which aren't made of Zinc at all - see here for more on this.
Rot here impacts only one maingear of this 737
When has Zinc Rot Occurred?
Jinbo Factory 2002-2004
There are examples of cracking and 'rot' in models dating throughout the history of 1:400 scale but it has only been seen on a large scale once. This became apparent in 2007 when models made during 2002 and 2003 at the Jinbo factory began to show signs of the rot. The Jinbo factory was responsible at the time for the production of Aeroclassics, Big Bird and Seattle Models Co, so it is these three brands that have been primarily associated with the problem. The discovery of the problem was a major reason for Aeroclassics leaving the Jinbo factory in 2007.
It is highly likely that the vast majority, if not all, of models from the 2002-2004 period have already rotted so if you have surviving models from that time period they are likely to be fine. There have been no reports of any Aeroclassics or Big Bird models being impacted from outside this relatively short period.
Phoenix Factory 2006-2007
Increasingly it is becoming clear that there are two further reasonably major Zinc Rot periods. The first was from when Phoenix and Gemini Jets were sharing factory space between 2006 and 2007. Quite a few models appear infected - the three below are all Phoenix examples:
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Gemini Jets 2010-2013
Gemini moved to the JC Wings factory around 2009/2010 but sadly that hasn't stopped Zinc rot impacting their models. Quite a few from the 2010 to 2013 period have been clobbered too. The Portland Timbers 737 is notorious. Quite why only specific models across multiple years seem to be impacted is hard to say.
Image by Vyacheslav B.
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Image by BlueAngel_78
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Image by asj410
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Image by 747438
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Image by N907CL
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This is a really poor show as there has been no accountability from Gemini over this and the problems seem to be spread across multiple years and random releases. It doesn't exactly instill confidence. The below Aeroflot IL-62 is from 2013 and is the latest model I know of that is impacted. The photos are from the collection of Minh Quan Nguyen and Dang Tung:
What Models Are Impacted?
The below is a no doubt incomplete list of impacted models by manufacturer. Starting with the Jinbo factory problem from 2002-2004:
Images by WSobchak
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Here are other models reported to be impacted by Zinc rot. It is possible that some do not have true zinc rot:
Image by 747438
Lastly these are more recent Gemini releases impacted by Zinc Rot:
Image by Matt_Cruiser