Phoenix April 2023 Release

[KL808]

Here’s the April list.

I’m laughing at how Richard called them on IG.

Nothing for me this month. Not touching those holy grail 747s with a 6’ pole.

11792 Eva Air Boeing 787-10 Star Alliance B-17812 1:400
11793 Air India (Polish) Boeing 747-200 VT-EGA 1:400
11794 Air India (Polish) Boeing 747-200 VT-EFU 1:400
11795 Asiana Airlines Airbus A380 Star Alliance HL7645 1:400
11796 Thai Airways Airbus A380 Star Alliance HS-TUG 1:400
11797 Air Senegal Airbus A330-900neo 9H-SZN 1:400
11798 Air Koryo Tupolev TU-154B P-552 1:400

04483 JAL Aloha Express (Polish) Boeing 747-200 JA8149 1:400
04511 Lufthansa Cargo Kuehne + Nagel Boeing 777-200F D-ALFK 1:400
04512 Lufthansa Airbus A380 Star Alliance D-AIMO 1:400
04513 Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 Star Alliance 9V-SKX 1:400
04514 British Airways Boeing 747-400 The World's Biggest Offer G-BNLC 1:400
04515 American Airlines (Polish) McDonnell Douglas MD-11 N1762B 1:400
04516 Finnair Airbus A350-900XWB Moomin OH-LWP 1:400
04517 Finnair Airbus A350-900XWB Bring Us Together OH-LWR 1:400
04518 Kalitta Air Boeing 747-400 N708CK 1:400
04519 British Airways Boeing 747-100 G-AWNP 1:400

04520 British Airways Boeing 747-200 The World's Biggest Offer G-BDXO 1:400
04521 Qantas Airbus A330-200 Pride Is In The Air VH-EBL 1:400

 

[pons399]

Great release set... until you realize what moulds they're on.

 

[1/400collector]

If only that moould was shit
Maybe JC will make more classics 747s grails to compete with NG (JC or NG if you seeing this please make a EL AL 742)

 

[SmallTimeAviation]

 

[SmallTimeAviation]

Though I am curious about the Air Koryo TU-154 and the American MD-11. How do they compare to the GJ MD-11 and the NG TU-154?

 

[Alzyerpal]

The 747 toolings leave a lot to desire but the 100/200 series is infinitely better than the 400. I'll take the BA Landor 200 and one of the Air India. I recently predicted we'd start to see classic 747 releases from the other players, once NG started getting closer to doing 747 stuff. Granted they're only doing the 8 and SP for now but this set is class evidence that an NG Classic mould is getting closer All IMHO of course.

 

[Atlspotter]

I would order the Finnair and Lufthansa models immediantely, but the moulds are not the greatest

 

[Barison82]

Phoenix are cashing in on the demand for 747 classic ‘grails…shame it’s from them and not someone else with a better mould A BA Landor B.747-136/236/436. When was the last time we saw that!? Inflight400 did the BA Landor 100/200 back in 2012, so that’s the first since then. The -436 I’ve no idea, but must be ages as well, and again this must be a first with “The World’s Biggest Offer” titles. Then x2 Air India 747B's with polished belly in revised late 80s/early 90s delivery c/s + 8/10 upper-deck windows…pale grey cowlings and blue/black anti-glare shields...also combinations not previously done (in fact, only 1 Air India classic 742 has ever been made in 1/400 thus far)...then finally a JAL 741 with 10 upper-windows, polished belly and expo logos. Another original classic subject, all joining recent classic Qantas & Aerolineas Argentina releases, but on an old, crude, sub-par mould that is just not for 2023 standards.

Phoenix will be fully aware of it’s obvious shortcomings but know that old trick of putting ‘Holy Grail’ classic liveries on them so they will sell. Shame JC won’t get in on the action with the BB400 tooling, that’s what we should be seeing here until NG possibly comes up with the 747 classics.

 

[Jazajia]

Phoenix are cashing in on the demand for 747 classic ‘grails…shame it’s from them and not someone else with a better mould A BA Landor B.747-136/236/436. When was the last time we saw that!? Inflight400 did the BA Landor 100/200 back in 2012, so that’s the first since then. The -436 I’ve no idea, but must be ages as well, and again this must be a first with “The World’s Biggest Offer” titles. Then x2 Air India 747B's with polished belly in revised late 80s/early 90s delivery c/s + 8/10 upper-deck windows…pale grey cowlings and blue/black anti-glare shields...also combinations not previously done (in fact, only 1 Air India classic 742 has ever been made in 1/400 thus far)...then finally a JAL 741 with 10 upper-windows, polished belly and expo logos. Another original classic subject, all joining recent classic Qantas & Aerolineas Argentina releases, but on an old, crude, sub-par mould that is just not for 2023 standards.

Phoenix will be fully aware of it’s obvious shortcomings but know that old trick of putting ‘Holy Grail’ classic liveries on them so they will sell. Shame JC won’t get in on the action with the BB400 tooling, that’s what we should be seeing here until NG possibly comes up with the 747 classics.

Can't blame Phoenix though, JC and NG need to get their heads out of their behinds! I'll tell you, Phoenix has been getting a good chunk of my model budget recently with all of their 1990s stuff from the western world that they have been releasing. I have been trying to steer clear of the 747s, but mainly because they have not produced any subject that I really like. That suddenly changed with those three Landors

Who knows, I might even go ahead and grab the Aerolíneas Argentinas 742 that I have been thinking about for a few months now.

Certainly not the best mold available, but certainly not all the gloom and doom that some collectors make it sound like, in my eyes at least, which is all that really matters to me anyway

 

[Purpleplane]

Nothing for me. The AA MD-11 is tempting, but I already have the Gemini version... I think I'll keep it.

 

[Mark22]

The 747 toolings leave a lot to desire but the 100/200 series is infinitely better than the 400. I'll take the BA Landor 200 and one of the Air India. I recently predicted we'd start to see classic 747 releases from the other players, once NG started getting closer to doing 747 stuff. Granted they're only doing the 8 and SP for now but this set is class evidence that an NG Classic mould is getting closer All IMHO of course.

The 747 classics are just as terrible as the 744, but often it doesn't look like it because of the retro liveries.

JC would be swimming in money if they actually use their 747 moulds for the liveries that Phoenix now does.

 

[Jazajia]

Nothing for me. The AA MD-11 is tempting, but I already have the Gemini version... I think I'll keep it.

I also have the GJ AA MD-11 but the cockpit windows are way too high on my example, has always bothered me. Just because of that I might get this Phoenix one.

 

[Purpleplane]

I also have the GJ AA MD-11 but the cockpit windows are way too high on my example, has always bothered me. Just because of that I might get this Phoenix one.

Wow, after all these years I never even noticed. I'll check mine out and see.

 

[Purpleplane]

They are just a bit too high....now I can't un-see it.

 

[SmallTimeAviation]

They are just a bit too high....now I can't un-see it.

Neither can I now.

 

[Barison82]

Can't blame Phoenix though, JC and NG need to get their heads out of their behinds! I'll tell you, Phoenix has been getting a good chunk of my model budget recently with all of their 1990s stuff from the western world that they have been releasing. I have been trying to steer clear of the 747s, but mainly because they have not produced any subject that I really like. That suddenly changed with those three Landors

Who knows, I might even go ahead and grab the Aerolíneas Argentinas 742 that I have been thinking about for a few months now.

Certainly not the best mold available, but certainly not all the gloom and doom that some collectors make it sound like, in my eyes at least, which is all that really matters to me anyway

Phoenix do have some responsibility here - they could have produced some nice new toolings to compete but would rather not make that investment in their products, and instead grab easy money with their current offerings because people will still buy them - all of which will be left in the dust if NG comes on the scene with their own 747 classics!

Each to their own, however - I'm not going to give you a hard time because you're adding Phoenix Jumbos to your collection

 

[Jazajia]

Phoenix do have some responsibility here - they could have produced some nice new toolings to compete but would rather not make that investment in their products, and instead grab easy money with their current offerings because people will still buy them - all of which will be left in the dust if NG comes on the scene with their own 747 classics!

Each to their own, however - I'm not going to give you a hard time because you're adding Phoenix Jumbos to your collection

Well, I haven't clicked on the buy button yet (though I will likely do it at some point ) I love the Landor livery but try to limit myself to the types that visited CCS. I had a disproportionate amount of L1011s, so about 6 months ago I went and got an old (and pretty ugly) GJ British Asia Airways 744 to balance the collection out; these Phoenix 747 would do a better job at that. In fact, not long ago I had such an urge to add more BA Landor 747s to my collection that I ordered ARD200 G-BNLL (still waiting on the Phoenix's UA772 and LH A346 for combined shipping). I very seldom drift into 1:200, but I figured it was a way better deal than chasing around one of the BigBirds, which beyond the beautifully shaped nose are not all that fantastic anyway.

I'm still hoping JC and the NG folks get their heads out of their rear and stop ignoring the contemporary classics. Look at all the excitement surrounding the JC UA Saul Bass 744s, and the GJ TWA MD-80. A fair amount of people are also talking a lot about Phoenix's purple top FedEx MD-11 and the Battleship grey 772. We also know that these Landors that just got announced will sell well, Phoenix mold and all... But hey I guess we need another A350 or 748 first...

 

[OscarBravo992]

If only this was an NG release… Literally the best 747 release I have seen for a long time, it’s a shame the 747 mould is dogsh*t. I’ll be getting the Qantas A330-200, unless NG or AC release it too.

 

[Mikeymag]

Phoenix are cashing in on the demand for 747 classic ‘grails…shame it’s from them and not someone else with a better mould A BA Landor B.747-136/236/436. When was the last time we saw that!? Inflight400 did the BA Landor 100/200 back in 2012, so that’s the first since then. The -436 I’ve no idea, but must be ages as well, and again this must be a first with “The World’s Biggest Offer” titles. Then x2 Air India 747B's with polished belly in revised late 80s/early 90s delivery c/s + 8/10 upper-deck windows…pale grey cowlings and blue/black anti-glare shields...also combinations not previously done (in fact, only 1 Air India classic 742 has ever been made in 1/400 thus far)...then finally a JAL 741 with 10 upper-windows, polished belly and expo logos. Another original classic subject, all joining recent classic Qantas & Aerolineas Argentina releases, but on an old, crude, sub-par mould that is just not for 2023 standards.

Phoenix will be fully aware of it’s obvious shortcomings but know that old trick of putting ‘Holy Grail’ classic liveries on them so they will sell. Shame JC won’t get in on the action with the BB400 tooling, that’s what we should be seeing here until NG possibly comes up with the 747 classics.

If only this was an NG release… Literally the best 747 release I have seen for a long time. I’ll be getting the Qantas A330-200, unless NG or AC release it too.

Been wanting that JAL in those colors like forever, I will be ordering it. And also will be getting the Qantas A332.

 

[Barison82]

Been wanting that JAL in those colors like forever, I will be ordering it. And also will be getting the Qantas A332.

Fair enough. JAL classic 747’s are tough to find that’s for sure!