Model Review - Monarch Airlines A330-200 by Phoenix

[YesterAirlines]

My experience with Phoenix in 2024 was largely positive, partly because they chose some great release selections and partly because I am careful with the moulds of theirs I buy. The Phoenix A330 has been a decent option for years and the series 200 was one of the moulds they upgraded last year as well, so putting it together with the excellent Monarch livery was a no brainer and G-SMAN is 2025's first review candidate:

Monarch Airlines | Airbus A330-243 | G-SMAN | Phoenix Models

The UK has a rich history of charter airlines, nowadays heavily diminished by the internet and low-cost carriers. The loss of Monarch, in late 2017, was particularly keenly felt by enthusiasts, but didn't result in any 400 scale releases. Since then there

www.yesterdaysairlines.com

 

[planes_on_a_shelf]

Was looking forward to your review of this! Mine is awaiting delivery along with the Rwandair from the same set.

But was eager to address my apprehension regarding the landing gear issue - and your review confirms that it's still a huge problem. Don't know how PHX can overlook this error while updating the mould - I mentioned this to @DTcustoms as well. The same issue affects the Rwandair A333 from the same set as photos on Waffle clearly show, as also the A332 prototype and the LH A332 of previous months. This means it'll affect the forthcoming KAL as well .

While the H stabs issue on the A332 got fixed , they invented a new problem now, messing up the landing gear heights on both the A332 & A333, and thus, the overall appearance and posture of the aircraft - that is their distinctive feature. Why oh why

 

[YesterAirlines]

Was looking forward to your review of this! Mine is awaiting delivery.

But was eager to resolve my apprehension regarding the landing gear issue - and your review confirms that it's still a huge problem. Don't know how PHX can overlook this error while updating the mould - I mentioned this to @DTcustoms as well. The same issue affects the Rwandair A333 from the same set as photos on Waffle clearly show, as also the A332 prototype and the LH A332 of previous months. This means it'll affect the forthcoming KAL as well

Yeah my Airbus house colours was actually worse (the nosegear was a bit bent) and quite disappointing.

 

[Mikeymag]

Looking forward for the Hawaiian A332 N399HA.

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[LiveryCollector]

My biggest issue with the Phoenix A330's is that quite often the wing curve is wrong. Luckily I could bend it a little on the airbus house release (got that one as well).

Added 2 release foto's (NG vs Phoenix) for comparison.

It's not only a Phoenix issue though. For example, the JC wings 747-8 wing curve I also dislike most of the time.

 

[YesterAirlines]

My biggest issue with the Phoenix A330's is that quite often the wing curve is wrong. Luckily I could bend it a little on the airbus house release (got that one as well).

Added 2 release foto's (NG vs Phoenix) for comparison.

It's not only a Phoenix issue though. For example, the JC wings 747-8 wing curve I also dislike most of the time.

Yeah my house colours has that wing issue, but this Monarch doesn't.

 

[DTcustoms]

Here is a photo of the KE A330 and the staff confirmed that they have fixed the main gear assembly issue

 

[planes_on_a_shelf]

My biggest issue with the Phoenix A330's is that quite often the wing curve is wrong. Luckily I could bend it a little on the airbus house release (got that one as well).

Added 2 release foto's (NG vs Phoenix) for comparison.

You do realise, that this excessive dihedral in the PHX A332 prototype wing, is a consequence of the main gear being too short, right?

 

[planes_on_a_shelf]

Here is a photo of the KE A330 and the staff confirmed that they have fixed the main gear assembly issueView attachment 36974

It doesn't look okay STILL. The fuselage is barely parallel to the ground.
It should be tail up, nose down. There's zillions of reference photos of the real thing, I mean.

 

[LeoMuse747]

It doesn't look okay STILL. The fuselage is barely parallel to the ground.
It should be tail up, nose down. There's zillions of reference photos of the real thing, I mean.

I just noticed the same thing. While it looks much better than nose up/tail down, still isn't correct (nose down/tail up)