Introduction
Manufacturer: Jet-X/Voyager Models (Inflight200)
Scale: 1/200
Airline: Aeromexico Quetzalcoatl Special Livery
Type: B787-9
Registration: XA-ADL
Item No: VL2019001
Price:£109.95
Release Date: June 2019
Limited Edition: 100 Pieces
Supplier: Bundys Aviation Books and Models (UK)
I fancied a Christmas treat to me from me and this was what I ended up with. The seller is a well respected ebayer called Bundy, he gave me an excellent deal and with enough change from £110 for a handful of penny bubblegum, I had a new model on the way.
This abstract livery was first revealed in 2016, off the back of a competition ran by Aeromexico. The idea was to paint an aircraft in a scheme that celebrated the rich cultural history of Mexico. There is clear Aztec inspiration on the aircraft, with birds, fish and animals making up this very intricate scheme. Quetzalcoatl is her name which translates into English as Feathered Serpent. I first saw this particular aircraft in Madrid in the May 2018, you know in the times when we could travel, and enjoy life, I would then catch up with her again a year later in Amsterdam. Every time I have seen this livery in the real world I have been amazed by intricacy of the detailing.
The Package and First Impressions
Lets quit the nonsense, this is an Inflight200 product. There is an old maxim, that you can’t put lipstick on a pig. They can call it Voyager, Jet-X or any other creative names that are crawling over the internet but it still a Inflight200 package. As ever when Inflight200 do something like this, they do a very small run and they disappear without a trace very quickly.
You can always tell when Inflight200 are up to something as the box does not feature the typical rising sun artwork or the logo. However the styling, layout text and graphics is without a doubt Inflight200 style.
The nicely decorated sleeve gives me to the white box with its opening lid and foam insert. I love to see models packed in dense foam, I find it reassuring. As would be expected with Inflight200 the model comes with a cast metal stand that has an identifying plaque on the front. There is no collectors card or coin in this model.
A quick look over the model reveals an pleasingly shaped aeroplane, with bold bright colours and the intricate details appear to be accurately positioned.
As I inspected the model, I noticed a slight scratch in the wingtip which was down to the basecoat. I contacted the seller about this and he gave me a partial refund. I am taking 3 points from Inflight200 for this as it shows quality control may not have been as rigorous as it should have been.
22/25
Mould
The mould is beautiful, I can find nothing to pick up on that is blatantly letting this model down. The nose shape appears accurate with nicely positioned cockpit windows and nose wheel bay. The main undercarriage bogies are detailed with both the rear and forward struts modelled. However the wheels are rough and not perfectly round with some flashing in places. I am forced to deduct 1 point for the poor finish on the wheels.
The model is solid either on her wheels or on her stand, I do not recommend rolling this model backwards and forwards and the gear is magnetic. In the package their are parts to show Quetzalcoatl either gear up or gear down, I prefer the gear down option on all my models. It just adds a little visual interest.
The tail on the Dreamliner is unique, having a graceful curve from the leading edge to the top of the fin. This is nicely modelled, from the trailing edge to the fuselage the angle is very acute and looks as though it is folded back in on itself with a tiny flick out in the top corner . Whilst the shape is accurate the flick at the top is not particularly pronounced, the transition from the top to the trailing edge of the tail is too much of a right angle. I am not going to take a point for this as it is such a minor detail, than would be very hard to recreate at this scale anyway.
It is always nice to see aircraft with jewel type lights, this model has the upper and lower beacon with a jewel. There are no modelled taxi lights, and the navigation and wing lights are painted in.
The engines are nice and round, with delicately moulded fan blades. The engine rim is unusually thick on the 787 and actually it is not flat, there is an inward taper on the leading edge, which has been noticeably recreated here. It is good to see the spiral on the core of the fan is there too.
We have all seen photos of the 787 wings in flight, with that long thin curve, this model has the wings very straight, as they are on the ground. From the engine mounting to the wingtip there is noticeable slope upwards, which has been recreated. The wings ends with a gentle upward flick which can be seen in photos of the 787 on the ground and inflight. On many commercial aircraft the wings only flex slightly towards the end, however the 787 has a progressive curve inflight. I do not blame the manufacturer here going for the safe option showing the ground default. The trailing edge of the wing, has a number of subtle changes of direction, especially around the flaperon these are noticeable on the model too.
There is detailing for the spoilers, flaps and aileron, as is to be expected on an Inflight200 model, these are very subtle, the etching is very faint. It is personal choice, I prefer slightly bolder details.
One final point of note, at the front of the wing box there are two air intakes and two ridges which I believe are there to strengthen the fuselage. These minor parts have been moulded very nicely onto this model. I have seen some B787 moulds that do not have these parts so nicely integrated.
The correct number of aerials has been included with three on the top and one on the bottom, with WiFI antenna is also included and sitting in the correct place.
24/25
Detail and Paint
The most striking think about this livery is the large green serpent head by the 1L/R door, you absolutely cannot miss it and it fills me with confidence to see it correct positioned and the dimensions look right too. I have looked very closely at the decaling on this aircraft and cannot find any mismatches or anything that appears glaringly out of place. That is credit to the attention to detail Inflight200 have bestowed on this model.
That being said there is one small error that is the tail design, which finishes about half way up the tail on the model, but in reality sits more towards the two thirds mark. I am going to deduct 1 point for this.
I am also deducting 1 point as the body mounted wing lights are missing. These would sit just behind the 2L/R door, though this is such a minor detail it is almost pedantic to pick up on it. But I’ve been known for worse through the years.
The engines on this model are simply stunning, the Quetzalcoatl logo has been applied with care and looks to be accurately positioned, the markings for the safe zone, Rolls Royce etc are also carefully applied.
The technical details of this model are nicely applied as well. Some 787 models have suffered from poor cockpit shaping and positions, this is not an issue here. I think the cockpit windows look spot on, the nice is accurate and they are positions where they should be in. In line with the portholes on the main doors.
Aeromexico has the aircraft registration on the upper side of the wing on the right hand side, on the bottom of the wing on the left hand side, this has been accurately incorporated along with the wing box markings and appropriate No Step markings.
I really do think the livery and technical details on this model are simply exquisite.
23/25
Conclusion
At the time of writing this model has been awarded the highest score in the history of Vanquish Reviews, a show stopping 69 out of 75. None of the little things I have picked up really effect the looks of the model, they are minor details. The shape of the body, wings and nose looks as true to life as I have ever seen. The ship looks and feels right, it is balanced and there is nothing that I look at I think, what is going on there?
The detailing is equally beautiful, the intricate scheme has been recreated exceptionally well. For an aeroplane with such minor details, such as dots and crosses, each one is there. I have not been able to find anything that is out of line, shape or missing.
Finally I always get excited when I buy an Inflight200 model as its a package not just a diecast aeroplane. The box art, the stand and finally the aircraft come together to offer the collector something really special. In this case it is special, I have to say I absolutely love this model, and firmly believe anyone else would too!
Final Score – 69/75
