Introduction

Manufacturer: Inflight200
Scale: 1/200
Airline: British Airways
Type: B747-400
Registration: G-CIVF
Item No: ARDBA05
Price: £134.96
Release Date: January 2021
Supplier: Aviation Retail Direct

The story behind this model starts in a very different time. A world people speak of with hushed tones and darting eyes, there was a time we travelled freely and ate with our friends and did not have the storm whipped out by an out of control media fanfare. In July 2020 Aviation Retail Direct (ARD) announced two new British Airways B747-400 models. These would be manufactured by Inflight200 who have worked with ARD for many years. The first model would depict G-CIVP the February 2020 record breaker, the second and more special of the two for me would be G-CIVF this was the first 747 I ever flew on in 2019.

At the moment global shipping times are simply ridiculous it is taking months for anything to get anywhere, but six months later I had a knock at door and a large box had arrived. I like to use local model suppliers where possible and can vouch for the excellent service of ARD both at Heathrow and Hillingdon.

As G-CIVF is a very special aircraft I could barely contain my excitement and as I write this review I will seeking an answer to the question was this model worth the wait.

The Package and First Impressions

Inflight200 have been very consistent with their packaging over the years, this model would be exception. The package has a blue sleeve, with a cartoon impression of the aircraft within and the ARD serial number, once the sleeve is removed a sturdy white box protects the jewels within. When opening the flap on top of the box it is reassuring to see the dense foam surrounding the aircraft.

In the box you will find, one beautiful B747-400, a stand with the engraved metal plaque and finally a new feature we have seen from IF200 in the past year or so a collectors coin.

The stand is made from solid metal, in a complimentary mid grey consistent with many IF200 stands in recent years, previously they had a habit of colouring the stand to match the main colours on the aircraft. The plaque on the stand states the airline, type and scale of the model. Gemini still do not do this, JC Wings have started painting this information on making IF200 well ahead of the competition here.

The collectors coin is something we have seen recently, whilst issuing collector cards is nothing new for IF200 the coin seems to be a step into the modern world. On one side is a drawing of the aircraft, on the other the union tail and around the edge is the registration and details of the first flight.

As I cast my hawk eye over the aeroplane I was in awe. Without looking too closely at the detail I was amazed, the paintwork appeared crisp and clean with sharp lines and detail. The first B747 I flew on flies again today and she has caught my heart in the way the original aircraft did all those years ago.

25/25

Mould

There is no doubt that the B747-400 mould from Inflight200 is a classic design and has been around a long time. This has two drawbacks depending on your point of view, it does not bother me personally, because overall I think it really is the best B747-400 mould on the market today. As I look at this model to compare it with pictures and memories I have to say the overall shape looks spot on, there is nothing that sticks out as clumsy or unrefined.

Unusually for a 1/200 model these days the gear comes attached to the model, this is a feature on all Inflight200 B747 moulds. Personally I always display my aircraft gear down but for some people it is a point of contention. I think IF200 have adapted the mantra of if its not broken don’t fix it.

The other thing many people pick up on is the cradle fit wings. This is something we have seen less and less of the past few years especially at 1/200 scale. I have always thought the B747 has a very pronounced wing box anyway, so it doesn’t really matter. On lighter coloured schemes though it can be a bit distracting. I am going to take 3 points away, however on this scheme because the blue belly line comes so high, you don’t really notice it.

Starting at the front of the aircraft with the nose, the elegant shape has been captured nicely, with that gentle curve from the cockpit windows down to the radome. The same is true from the nose gear up to the radome, where the curve appears graceful and lifelike.

Running from the top of the cockpit windows along the bubble and towards the tail there is a gentle slope down to the main roof line and along the to the tailfin. The tailfin is so distinctive on the B747, and the broad, flat shape looks as it should.

From the tail around the APU outlet looks fine and then the fuselage starts to deepen as we go to area between the horizontal stabiliser and rear cabin door, from the number 5 door the curve of the body seems to finish about 7 windows forward of the cabin which is exactly where it needs to be.

Unlike the other four main cabin doors, the rear door is tapered with the narrowing fuselage, on this model I think it is too narrow around this area, it looks to me like it tapers in too far. I am not taking any points as it is a bit subjective on some photos it looks about right on others it doesn’t look right.

The wingspan of the 747 is always impressive, the wing changes shape as it runs out towards the winglet. The subtle curve up towards the outbound engines is ok, at the very tip of the wing the shape changes and curve drops down to the winglet a subtle detail that does make all the difference. I am less keen on the fuzzy lines where the flaps, spoilers and ailerons should be, they lack definition either as a consequence of the etching or paint that is too thick, I will be deducting 2 points.

I have previously touched on the landing gear for this model, and despite it being solidly anchored in place, they are still nice to look at, the support struts are detailed well and the rubber tyres have tread marks.

The engines capture the long thin shape of the RB211 with smooth rims and nacelles, the pylons have a suitably sharp leading edge. I sometimes question if the engines are a bit bulbous in the middle the jury has returned a verdict of inconclusive, the fan blades are intricate and detailed.

Finally all the minor details are there too, the upper and lower beacon are jewel type and glint in a very attractive way when the light catches them. There are 5 aerials two on the upper and three on the lower, which is correct and finally the two communication boxes on the roof between the number 3 and 4 doors and there too.

20/25

 Detail and Paint

The British Airways Chatham Dockyard flies into her fourth decade now originally making her debut in 1997. Originally this livery came with the world tails, each design was inspired by traditional artwork and patterns from countries across the route network. By the middle of the 2000s the world tails had been phased out and the union flag design became standard.

The livery here is simple with a white upper fuselage and dark blue bottom with red accents on the speedmarque and tail. The blue paintwork comes to the correct point on the body and is a suitably rich colour. The upper white has a slight ivory tint, which some aircraft in the BA fleet are painted gloss white, others have a more ivory colour. There is no bleed on the paintwork, it is always nice to see clean sharp lines especially around areas of high contrast.

The main titles, registration and speedmarque and placed exactly where I would expect them to be. There are a few other smaller details too, such as One World alliance logos by the doors and the Royal Mail sticker adjacent to the registration, it is nice to see these very small parts included, whilst it would probably not make much difference whether they were there or not it is still great to see.

The engines and pylons are something of a let down, there is no detail on the nacelles such as for the hazard area and the pylons look equally flat and lifeless. I deduct 3 points.

Overall the level of painted detail is good, with the pitot tubes, sensors, cargo hatches and other technical details appearing true to life and accurate.

22/25

 

 Conclusion

The question I asked at the start of this review was is this model worth the wait. The first consideration is that the IF200 B747-400 has been around a long time so certain modern features such as gear that cannot be detached and the cradle fit wings are a product on their time. The gear does not bother me, and on this model the wing joint is hidden by the livery anyway.

I have never been able to critique the IF200 B747 mould though in real terms it captures the elegance of the Queen beautifully. If its not broken, don not fix it.

The main detail is very nice with all the core components of the livery applied well. The technical detailing is sharp and clean too, it is just a shame the engines are so flat and lifeless.

I always think of an IF200 purchase as a package, a beautiful model, a well made stand and sometimes a collectors card or coin. In this case the package is everything I would want from a manufacturer.

As I look at this model, I admire the precision of IF200 to recreate an iconic scheme on an iconic airliner from an iconic airline. I will take this model with me into whatever lies ahead because she is beautiful. I lover her and have no doubt you will too.

Final Score – 68/75

IN LOVING MEMORY OF VICTOR FOXTROT MARCH 1995 – OCTOBER 2020