Bagpuss

My collection so far numbers four and they are all Gemini Jets 200 scale.

I'm mightily impressed by the brand and I love my models, so bear this in mind when you read the next bit .........

But, I'm afraid even a great brand is capable of doing dumb things and I think this example serves as a cautionary tale both for Gemini and other brands.

The BA Concorde is lovely, just like the other models from Gemini, but they did a couple of stupid things, or at least one thing that merits the word. They might have been well meaning in attempting to give us realism and a degree of working parts, but in execution it was a dumb move, both potentially spoiling the look of the model and rendering it unsaleable in the atermarket

Why oh why, did they have to give us fiddly and ultra fragile 'working' exhaust nacelles ? In individual little bits too , that just come off and lose themselves behind furniture. Even with them recovered, they're nigh impossible to affix, especially with fat, fluffy paws. They may have been well intentioned with this bright spark ( not ! ) but the end result is a beautiful plane that has noticeable missing bits.

If you are thinking about getting one, still do so, but do totally avoid touching the nacelles !

The other unfortunate thing - and again a heads up to those thinking of getting one - was the antenna protruding from the nose. I suppose in an effort to be scale realistic, they have finished the antenna to an extreme fine point. I swear I touched it in the most gentle way and the very tip of it broke off. You wouldn't really notice if someone hadn't told you, but still.

I hope Gemini read this and consider not to repeat the like of this nonsense with the Concorde nacelles on other aircraft. In the meantime buyers, watch out and keep them paws away. I do not mean to discourage you from buying one though, as it is an inconic, handsome model to have and is otherwise very well made.

DC-10_Tony

Thanks for the heads-up. Can you post some photos of your unfortunate tale? I have both of the newest Concordes from Gemini (BA / AF) and don't want to chance damaging them. Cheers.

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AIR FRANCE 340

You are absolutely right.

I am very happy with my old Hogan and lesser known Historic Aircraft Models Concordes.

Jean Pierre.

Aviaction

I hve to admit thehogan still has the right look of concorde despite its faults whiah are mostly due to it being an old mould.
I have a couple of Geminis and the implementation of the nose is toylike. then there are the nozzles....I keep third GJ200 BA Chatham as a hangar queen.
Herpa seem to have done a better nose job on their Ty144



This is a custom Hogan where I added a metal nose probe to scale after checking the length of the real thing. It comes in at about 3mm and even this is too thick. So still feel better without.

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Bagpuss

Apparently replacement nacelle bits are available and Gemini are aware of the issue. But like I say, fat, fluffy paws don't make for dexteritous modelling work.

I wish they'get their factory to do a run of complete and robust nacelles, ready to snap into place, if that's possible. I'd be perfectly happy with non-working versions and I feel that the moveable ones are a gimmick just inviting breakage.

Gemini do actually provide a little cardboard stick to 'play' with the nacelles and in the paperwork do say not to touch them directly with fingers. But who expects 'instructions' with a diecast metal model ? Even the simple act of lifting it up out of the packing to take a first look, caused the first bits to drop off, as the rear of the aircraft rested on my hand. Noticing the fallen piece I looked closer to find movement on the nacelles ........... which caused another bit to fall away ! THEN I saw the instruction !!!!

DC-10_Tony

I respectfully disagree. Before Gemini graciously offered the positional nose, there were many of us here on DA.C wishing for the opportunity to have that option. I had often considered purchasing the Hogan Concorde, but when the Gemini mould was announced, I was sold. I am completely happy with my models and treat them with care because they are not cheap "toys" meant to be played with. But anyone absolutely has the right to play with them as they wish if it was their money spent.

I also have a Herpa Tu-144 and if it did not have the positional nose and canards, then I wouldn't have it in the first place. To me, a fixed nose on these birds does not represent the 1:1 accurately.

At least we have the option to purchase a fixed, or movable nosed Concorde thanks to the various manufacturers.

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Upkeep

Yeah—I have agree echo sentiments of Aviaction and Air France 340. I'm really good with my Hogan Concordes.

For the record, I've never been very fond of anything moving except wheels—which in and of itself, is hypocritical and doesn't add up. —!

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Élégance en vol . . . Airfrance-style!

Jumper

I prefer the option as well.

Sean's AA DC-10

I stay away from those engine parts!


How is everyone not from losing the windshield??? That's what I'd like to know.. Mine just fall off if I breath on them.

DC-10_Tony

Lol, right? If it should ever get lost, does Gemini offer replacements? I agree, the attachment of the windscreen seems to have been an afterthought.

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Aviaction

If manus can offer flaps up and flaps down versions, might have been better to have 2x versions of Concorde 1x Nose up and 1x Nose down (with elevons down?)


Ideally I think a Hogan concorde but with Gemini Gear...

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Eagle_Flyer

The exhausts I knew about, thanks to postings on this forum hence I didn't go anywhere near them. I think the reason for the moving parts is Hogan's model proved to be a very popular seller with collectors. Gemini needed to do something different otherwise it might not sell because people already have the Hogan. Got me convinced anyway as I have both brands

Aviaction

I was hoping with the Gemini release of a Landor Concorde some Hogan ones might appear for sale.

I still need to obtain 4x Hogan Landor Concordes. PM if selling.

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Jay..

I read about the delicate engine problems beforehand so never tried moving them. I sold my Hogan when the Gemini turned up and dont regret it tbh

carparadrom

Those engines nacelles on the Gemini Concorde models, are indeed delicate and can easily fall apart. I did have that experience once.
I remember of being, one of the most frustrating situation.

While trying to put back into place the upper nacelle piece that fell off by just touching it, in the process of putting it back into place, the bottom piece fell off. I remember that I ended up "gluing" the nacelles in place and it really looked awful!
Because of this I didn't keep that model, but I ended up buying another one instead.

As for the windscreen, I did not consider putting it into place, as I don't like seeing the lowered windscreen through.
Besides, in my opinion the Concorde model looks more realistic with the windscreen lowered and the nose cone slightly lowered.

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DC-10_Tony

Like another member said, at the distance you're gonna look at the model, it won't be at all noticeable. I prefer articulation.

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NYCAAer

I had this problem with the second release of the BA Chatham Dockyard livery Concorde, G-BOAF. I tried to put it back using tweezers and only ended up knocking off the other one on the same engine, same problem you had. Then I broke the one that I was trying to put back in, it just snapped in two.

I had more luck with one of my AF Concordes, it came delivered with one of the exhaust nacelles loose in the box. I attached it and used a tiny, tiny bit of Krazy Glue and it’s okay.

But you also have to be careful handling them, and even taking them out of the box, they fall right off!

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Kevin

Aussiejets

I too, also like Articulation. I also have fat fingers and knocked off one of the buckets, while trying to put it back all the buckets where off starboard side. Thanks to my good mate Hu with good eyes and steady hands back together again! I also like the stone gards on the rear landing gear on the GJ/JCW Concorde's

Mr Burns

You can put me in the "no movings parts on 1/200 scale club". The seams are usually to big, the parts are to small, and they tend to make the model look toyish IMO.
I DO however love the added details that GJ added. antennas, water deflectors etc.
I DON'T love the added detail that GJ added, non-existent APU exhaust!
Has anyone tried removing the APU exhaust? What happened?

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DC-10_Tony

No. Let us know how it goes for you.

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Mr Burns

I'm still waiting for GJ to release the British Airways Negus (delivery) livery to be released, hopefully without an APU

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