Model Review - CityFlyer Express (British Airways) ATR-72 by JC Wings

[YesterAirlines]

It really feels like its mainly widebody Airbuses and Boeings nowadays in 400 scale so it's good to see that the odd regional release still slips out in diecast form and not just 3D printed. The ATR is a splendid little mould and the Utopia tails have always been a fav of mine:

CityFlyer Express (British Airways) | ATR-72-212 | G-BYTP | JC Wings

400 scale seems increasingly dominated by widebody releases and the Airbus/Boeing duopoly, to the exclusion of everything else. Thankfully there was a time when JC Wings put a lot of effort into smaller regional moulds so they at least have the potential

www.yesterdaysairlines.com

 

[josecolme]

I still wonder why there aren't many more turboprops made. I understand costs are almost the same as for a larger model ,(proportionally more expensive) but I feel they would sell.

So many to be made in diecast.

Dash 8 300
Dash 7
Saab 2000
Emb-120
BAe ATP
B1900C/D
Jetstream 32/41
Twin Otter
Let410

And a few more I know I'm missing

 

[YesterAirlines]

I still wonder why there aren't many more turboprops made. I understand costs are almost the same as for a larger model ,(proportionally more expensive) but I feel they would sell.

So many to be made in diecast.

Dash 8 300
Dash 7
Saab 2000
Emb-120
BAe ATP
B1900C/D
Jetstream 32/41
Twin Otter
Let410

And a few more I know I'm missing

There's no way props (modern or old) sell anywhere near as well as A350s and 737s so you need to be able to accept smaller production runs of less than 150 units, which nobody aside from Aeroclassics does. Most brands aim mainly to maximise profits so follow the money. Hopefully 3D printing will fill the niche because I would be surprised to see another regional prop 400 scale mould by anyone other than JC and even then as with the Antonovs they barely use them.

 

[LeoMuse747]

I love these smaller props, too bad they don't sell well. It seems to me that people who don't seriously collect don't like smaller models. I've seen some say that these tiny models resemble keychains and proceed to give them zero interest. Usually, people who enjoy aviation but don't collect in a regular basis tend to buy larger models: 1:200, snap fits or maybe 787/777/A380/747 in 1:400.

Tiny models are quite overlooked and only please a small niche of collectors.
Another issue is the fact that smaller models (props like ATR, SAAB, etc) are usually in the colors of regional airlines, so it's once again something very niche. Would a collector from Europe be interested in a turboprop model from Venezuela, Brazil or somewhere in Southeast Asia? Someone will probably say yes but we all know most will ignore it right away.

 

[abdulmohiuddin]

This model has been on my radar for a while now, despite not really fitting into my collecting criteria. This review is only pushing me to get this model more. These little ATR's are wonderful when done right, with this model not having the ill placed cockpit printing or horribly misfitted landing gear(never forget the tragedy of the JC Iran Air ATR 72).

Now that I think about it, I don't think a Landor ATR was ever released, I'd love to add that into my collection if such ever sees the light of day.

 

[Transnat]

I love these smaller props, too bad they don't sell well. It seems to me that people who don't seriously collect don't like smaller models. I've seen some say that these tiny models resemble keychains and proceed to give them zero interest. Usually, people who enjoy aviation but don't collect in a regular basis tend to buy larger models: 1:200, snap fits or maybe 787/777/A380/747 in 1:400.

I agree. There are so many wonderful opportunities however if they don't sell, there is little point in manufacturers producing them. As a long time enthusiast, I like to build my collection around examples from specific airlines. For example Qantas, TAA, Ansett Virgin Blue and Virgin Australia, Air New Zealand, American Airlines, Pan Am and TWA. There seems to be a better variety of turbo prop twins available in 1/200 than 1/400, however there are still so many to be made. Twin Otters, SAAB's, Brasillias, Friendships and so on. We live in hope

 

[josecolme]

It makes sense as to why they don't make them. Just doesn't sell. I guess most of the market for these large brands is people who want shiny new jets. But how much would any of these other models that haven't been made sell if made? Hypothetically.