The ugliest joint or seam competition

[LorenzoLommus]

Which manufacturer's models have the most ugliest joint or whatever hell it's call "seam"?

There are some 747 models don't know made by who with a wing joint that's ugly as hell and a red line running over it. Looks absolutely like a POS. Yuck!

 

[abdulmohiuddin]

Maybe a hot take but I would say the AC 727's have the ugliest mould seams I have ever seen. It's very clear the mould is aged from the gaps in the seam and in dire need of an update. My Alia 727-200 example from June 2024 is rather grim to look at.


The seam isn't as smooth as it could be.

Light is able to pass through parts of the front of the seam. The 727-100 mould is worse from what I've seen, big reason as to why I've avoided the recent Saudi Royal Flight 727-100, not willing to drop that much money on a product like that.

 

[YesterAirlines]

Maybe a hot take but I would say the AC 727's have the ugliest mould seams I have ever seen. It's very clear the mould is aged from the gaps in the seam and in dire need of an update. My Alia 727-200 example from June 2024 is rather grim to look at.
View attachment 40531
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The seam isn't as smooth as it could be.
View attachment 40533
Light is able to pass through parts of the front of the seam. The 727-100 mould is worse from what I've seen, big reason as to why I've avoided the recent Saudi Royal Flight 727-100, not willing to drop that much money on a product like that.

To be fair that is a QC issue not a mould problem. The usual AC 727-200 seam isn't anywhere near as bad, in fact it is arguably quite good since it at least follows the fairing line. This EA version was later than the Alia

 

[YesterAirlines]

I admit seam lines don't offend me dramatically, but two that really do are the Gemini Antonov 124:



and the Jet-X A300/A310 (being reused in 2025 by JC and Gemini):



For prop moulds the large rear rectangular seams on the Viscount and Constellations are quite obvious, which is a shame because the rest of those moulds are excellent.

 

[Phantom]

To be fair that is a QC issue not a mould problem. The usual AC 727-200 seam isn't anywhere near as bad,

Yes, there's a dozen reasons why I'm 110% avoiding any AC 727 but the seam isn't the biggest issue.

 

[LeoMuse747]

Aeroclassics B727-100 must be up there! The fitment is simply terrible on latest models.

 

[Jazajia]

Aeroclassics B727-100 must be up there! The fitment is simply terrible on latest models.

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I've always thought AC's 721 mold is as basic as they get. I was never very mold savvy until I started customizing a series of Avensa 721s using AV400, GJ, and AC. GJ is the best; it has an ugly wing seam, but everything else is spot on for its age. AC is last, but they make some very nice subjects on it.

A seam I remember as particularly bad is that of the wing box on the Magic/BlueBox 747-100/200. It's a copy of BigBird's mold, but very unrefined. I'm also not a huge fan of early GJ seams under the horizontal stabilizers.

 

[Jazajia]

To be fair that is a QC issue not a mould problem. The usual AC 727-200 seam isn't anywhere near as bad, in fact it is arguably quite good since it at least follows the fairing line. This EA version was later than the Alia

View attachment 40540

That's a nice seam indeed. But don't worry, we will get you with the cockpit windows

 

[LeoMuse747]

I've always thought AC's 721 mold is as basic as they get.

The shape is fine but it's a very "early 2000s" mould. Everything looks too round and in dire need of refinements. Well, it screams "I need a replacement" I quite like the Gemini 727s, I think their 727-200 is good, even the older models.

 

[YesterAirlines]

The shape is fine but it's a very "early 2000s" mould. Everything looks too round and in dire need of refinements. Well, it screams "I need a replacement" I quite like the Gemini 727s, I think their 727-200 is good, even the older models.

The older models are better! The new GJ may have no tailseam but it comes at the cost of an incorrect shape at the top rear. I'd argue the old static gear is better too.