Model Review - Continental / Alitalia DC-10 by Aeroclassics

[YesterAirlines]

This month was a rarity in that I didn't buy any of the Aeroclassics releases, but last month I picked up four including a pair of CO DC-10s. It is somewhat surprising that it has taken so long for them to make Globe scheme Tens, but with four versions in the past two months they are now well covered. Considering the unusual nature of this split scheme aircraft it seemed like a good candidate for a closer look with a review:

Continental Airlines | McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30 | N68060 | Aeroclassics

The Continental globe scheme has become a rather iconic livery, so it is surprising that it has taken until late 2024 for Aeroclassics to release it on a DC-10, with the only previous releases being from Dragon, in 2001, and Gemini, in 2004. Split half an

www.yesterdaysairlines.com

 

[LeoMuse747]

Cockpit windows look smaller on this release. Not sure if I like them, but they don't ruin the model, so I guess it's okay. The rest is fine, very cool model!

 

[planes_on_a_shelf]

The cockpit printing messup is strangely only on the Alitalia full/part ones. This and the DYNC. As the Continental ones from the same batch seem unaffected.
I speculate that the Alitalia artwork file must have had the wrong window template - and somehow escaped QC.

 

[Jazajia]

What about the landing gear?

Cockpit windows look smaller on this release. Not sure if I like them, but they don't ruin the model, so I guess it's okay. The rest is fine, very cool model!

Yeah, I noticed that too, the windshield seems slightly squished, but it's not a big deal.

 

[Jazajia]

This month was a rarity in that I didn't buy any of the Aeroclassics releases, but last month I picked up four including a pair of CO DC-10s. It is somewhat surprising that it has taken so long for them to make Globe scheme Tens, but with four versions in the past two months they are now well covered. Considering the unusual nature of this split scheme aircraft it seemed like a good candidate for a closer look with a review:

Continental Airlines | McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30 | N68060 | Aeroclassics

The Continental globe scheme has become a rather iconic livery, so it is surprising that it has taken until late 2024 for Aeroclassics to release it on a DC-10, with the only previous releases being from Dragon, in 2001, and Gemini, in 2004. Split half an

www.yesterdaysairlines.com

View attachment 35942

Nice review and write-up. Nice model too.

 

[LeoMuse747]

What about the landing gear?

They are fine this time I have no issues with the AC DC-10 gears. They're underdetailed for today's standards but I'm ok with them lol

 

[Shrek 2 on VHS]

So I've purchased the 10-30 Globe/Alitalia split, the Regular Globe 10-30, and the 10-10, and while I love these models, something that I've noticed on all three of them is that they have a weird printing defect where I see what look like waves/folds along the entire side of the aircraft where the gold cheatline meats the grey underbelly, I've included an image of the 10-10 where you can see it with the reflection of the light, you can see a faint line that goes almost about halfway towards the bottom of the model but that's how far the marks go where there is also a minor color shift in the grey where its darker with the folds and lighter where its not. Its on all three, it doesn't bother me personally but that was a personal observation I saw on my examples from that release.

 

[YesterAirlines]

So I've purchased the 10-30 Globe/Alitalia split, the Regular Globe 10-30, and the 10-10, and while I love these models, something that I've noticed on all three of them is that they have a weird printing defect where I see what look like waves/folds along the entire side of the aircraft where the gold cheatline meats the grey underbelly, I've included an image of the 10-10 where you can see it with the reflection of the light, you can see a faint line that goes almost about halfway towards the bottom of the model but that's how far the marks go where there is also a minor color shift in the grey where its darker with the folds and lighter where its not. Its on all three, it doesn't bother me personally but that was a personal observation I saw on my examples from that release.

The sort of slightly amateurish finish you get on quite a few Aeroclassics I'm afraid

 

[Ciderman]

The Alitalia titles look condensed and off. Don't agree with "The replication of the Alitalia livery is very good."

Cf. https://modelairlinerforum.com/threads/til-alitalia-continental-spilt-dc-10-livery.1578/

 

[YesterAirlines]

The Alitalia titles look condensed and off. Don't agree with "The replication of the Alitalia livery is very good."

Cf. https://modelairlinerforum.com/threads/til-alitalia-continental-spilt-dc-10-livery.1578/

They may be short but it's by less than a mm but they aren't bad. I wouldn't call them 'off':



The model got 7/10 for the livery so not exactly a perfect score. What would you have given it? Compared to a lot of Aeroclassics livery replications this one was a triumph

 

[Ciderman]

6/10 or 7/10 seems fair but I was puzzled that the titles were not mentioned. They even look too short in the comparison although the perspective should minimise the effect (same level in your model photo vs from a lower point of view in the photo).

I make custom models myself. Vectorising airline titles is not rocket science.

 

[Jazajia]

6/10 or 7/10 seems fair but I was puzzled that the titles were not mentioned. They even look too short in the comparison although the perspective should minimise the effect (same level in your model photo vs from a lower point of view in the photo).

I make custom models myself. Vectorising airline titles is not rocket science.

Especially a geometric font like Alitalia's. I bet the titles on the artwork were a copy-paste from a profile photo, and when applied to the model perspective messed them up.

 

[Phantom]

I wouldn't call them 'off'

...but solid 2024's AC standard.

Vectorising airline titles is not rocket science.

True, but let's not forget the difference between the enthusiast and a professional. The latter needs to deliver the done artwork after two working days while we take our time to research and tweak until we are happy. I sure spent more time researching certain details than the pro for getting the whole set done. Obviousely the outcome is different as well.
And then these models enter production - and that's where I see AC's biggest problem.

AC proudly announced they didn't raise their prices in recent years. And that's what I see all over their recent releases. Cost savings wherever I look at.
Pylons, fairings or wings that remain undetailed to omit one or more steps in the production process. Changes to the processes like brushed instead of printed detailing. Looking at all the cast issues I guess on stretched out tool life or sped up cycles.
And then there's obviousely no time to properly set up and check the tampo (or wrong or overmatured tampos get used?) resulting in badly aligned or crooked prints. The logo on the engines or the print on tail has been mentioned by Richard. Add to that the "too short" grey print of the door artwork.

I love AC's subjects and wish they'd go the premium way instead of "budget". I'd much rather pay 60$ for a quality model than 40$ for a rushed one. In a theory I mean. Practically, AC are the most expensive models at door step.

 

[Ciderman]

Personally I love Aeroclassics because of their choice of vintage airliners. I have also proof-checked artwork for AC from time to time. I just feel that these Alitalia titles look distorted (and the Continental titles look too bright at least in the pictures), which is not AC's standard. The United 737 for example is excellent IMHO.

 

[Phantom]

Personally I love Aeroclassics because of their choice of vintage airliners. I have also proof-checked artwork for AC from time to time. I just feel that these Alitalia titles look distorted (and the Continental titles look too bright at least in the pictures), which is not AC's standard. The United 737 for example is excellent IMHO.

That would be a first time correct Saul Bass titles for AC
But let's be fair, NG isn't better at that.
Sure I'm nitpicky at titles.

 

[Ciderman]

That's why I was suprised by your forgiving stance on the Alitalia.

Do you mean NG's Luf-thansa or Aeroclassics' United?

 

[Phantom]

That's why I was suprised by your forgiving stance on the Alitalia.

To be honest, I just try to ignore AC releases as much as possible these days. Like I said, the subjects are great, the quality is far from it.

Do you mean NG's Luf-thansa or Aeroclassics' United?

I wasn't talking about these obvious screw ups, but more about the basic artwork on which both seem to have a "good enough" approach. And yes, it is usually just that. But I can't help, my eyes keep telling me the Saul Bass titles on the Uniteds isn't correct. The curvature radii of the letters "U", "E" and "D" in the artwork are relatively constant, while in the original Saul Bass, they are exactly not. Yes, I know, this is nitpicking way over the top...