Gemini Jets 200 SWA 737 NC - Anybody have a good one?

planemark · 07-25-2015, 09:13 AM

I have made three attempts to purchase the Gemini 1:200 New Colors Southwest 737-700, and all have failed. On the first the vertical stab was so far tilted is was crazy -- got a replacement from Waffle and it was better, but still pretty far off so I attempted to fix it, botched, and then sold it at a reduced rate. Tried a third time, this time with Airline Museum, and the nose gear is broken and the windscreen (true with all three tries) was quite crooked, so I am sending it back.

It seems like more than any other Gemini model, the QC on this one is non-existent. Did anyone get a good model in this run.

Also, on all three the main gear just did not seat well in the fuselage. This removable landing trend is not for me, though I know others really like it. Perhaps if they could do it well like with some of the wide bodies.

I don't think I'll attempt a fourth try on this, although I would like the new livery.

JTS97Z28 · 07-25-2015, 02:34 PM

I feel very fortunate to live in an area that has 3 diecast model stores!! I can actually hand pick my model and buy the one that best suites me. What's sad though is I have gone through sometimes 5+ models before finding one in acceptable condition. I'm not sure what goes on at Gemini and what's involved with inspecting models prior to packaging, but sometimes it doesn't seem like much. Landing gear are always the absolute biggest issue when I'm going through the models. Always bent or broken or missing altogether. Weird.
As for the SWA 73 you're speaking of, I have yet to see a picture of one that looks decent. And even if everything is intact the lower front fuselage is so messed up that ruins it anyway. Glad it's not a must have for me. I have the original canyon blue 737 and love it!!! Eish the new ones were that good!

Surinam Air 747 · 07-25-2015, 02:49 PM

@ planemark I know some what how you feel, when I first started collecting in 1:200 scale I was very picky also, just like how you are now but you learn & mature in this hobby and then you release after making many purchases from a lot of retailers & people that you don't always get the 'perfect' model in your hands! I see it as, sometimes you win and other times you loose...

neilc777 · 07-25-2015, 04:15 PM

Sadly, you won't find a single perfect example of this model. If there is a problem with crooked printing, it will usually be found on every model in the run. The same with cockpit and pax windows being too high/low. The other thing about this model is the excessive dihedral, it's comically bad and makes it appear that Gemini was asleep at the wheel on this release.