Gemini Royal Air Force A330..Up close and personal

crownvic · 10-17-2020, 10:09 PM

Incredible details...

CdnAir · 10-17-2020, 10:54 PM

Very nice. I had already preordered the Inflight version so I did not order the Gemini. Do you think the Gemini will be a better release?

KLM4me · 10-17-2020, 11:07 PM

Gorgeous. I realise quite a few don't like this updated livery but I think it's so nice. But then, I'm rather partial to anything that has the Union Jack design on it. The only thing missing are figures of the Royal Family.

SuperKungFu · 10-18-2020, 04:50 PM

This one just landed in my collection:

GeminiJets, Gemini200
Airbus Voyager K.Mk 2
RAF No.32, ZZ336
Boris Force One
Item: G2RAF919, 1/200 Scale

This is one incredible piece of art with all the little antennas and details, very appropriate for the United Kingdom's VIP plane to carry top government officials. The $1.1 million dollar paint job sporting the Union Jack and the United Kingdom's name in gold lettering looks top notch and elegant (more than I can say for the U.S.'s proposed 747-8 Air Force One that just resembles Trump's old aircrafts). I know Inflight200 also made one with the same livery, I personally don't have it but will be interesting to see it side by side. Here's some pictures of Gemini's model:

crownvic · 10-18-2020, 04:52 PM

SuperKungFu, if I had to guess I think your pics are better then mine

Brian J · 10-18-2020, 04:57 PM

Impressive detail. Show stopper for sure.

Aussiejets · 10-19-2020, 07:22 AM

I was going to pass entirely on RAF ZZ336. Well I certainly held back on the Inflight200 edition anyhow as they were first to release. Now thanks to Crownvic and the awesome photos from SuperKungFu. GJ just sold another copy. Thanks very much gentlemen.

On his particular copy of RAFZZ336 Voyager A330 MRTT GJ wins. That's just my opinion though

SuperKungFu · 10-20-2020, 12:09 AM

I feel like the tail and nose is better on the Gemini model. In addition there are a few details I liked better on Gemini rather than inflight

carparadrom · 10-20-2020, 01:09 AM

Impressive looking model

The Gemini version is much nicer than Inflight's

I can barely control the impulse, of adding this to my collection...

Aussiejets · 10-20-2020, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperKungFu

I feel like the tail and nose is better on the Gemini model. In addition there are a few details I liked better on Gemini rather than inflight

I think I can elaborate a little bit further. Gemini's Camera's lenses are painted black on every camera giving a more authentic look over the Inflight copy. Gemini's Rear camera above the APU is as close to the real MRTT. Inflight's is barely noticeable.

Gemini's main mast attenena array is more proportionate to the real A330 MRTT's and not oversized like Inflight's
Both Gemini's and Inflight's front two winodows have plug in's. Tick correct, the third wind from the front is opaque on both sides. This on GJ but not on Inflight's copy. Here is a previous thread on DAc by Travsuz link here Inflight 200 United Kingdom MRTT - Boris Force One

Counter measures on GJ ? I believe so. On inflight I am not sure. Don't get me wrong I love Inflight200 Airbus models. On this occasion, GJ did a better job

Agent X20 · 10-20-2020, 11:05 AM

The minutae always gets noticed... the bleedin obvious however tends to get missed....

Length of fuselage between nose and door, position of front undercart... ????

You are looking at two different subjects wearing the same costume... one therefore must be more of a 'what if' than the other....

Both bloody nice models... but there is a clear winner here....

CdnAir · 10-20-2020, 11:27 AM

I decided to can the Inflight and picked up the Gemini instead. Thx for the detailed analysis.

wildpig · 10-20-2020, 11:41 AM

well look like inflight is getting behind the curve compared to gemini...lol....for the air force one also in addition to boris force?
But at least inflight a321neo mould is still ahead of gemini. they are a bit expensive though

DouglasDC5 · 10-20-2020, 11:42 AM

I got mine last week (as well as the new Air Force One) This is indeed a stunning model. I love everything about it. In fact I displayed it alone on its own shelf in one of my all Airbus Detolf cabinets. I just wish I take pictures like most of you guys in this forum.

Aussiejets · 10-22-2020, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildpig

well look like inflight is getting behind the curve compared to gemini...lol....for the air force one also in addition to boris force?
But at least inflight a321neo mould is still ahead of gemini. they are a bit expensive though

One more thing, and I will leave this thread alone. I don't know how this aircraft got called " Boris One ". Maybe it was US media or maybe UK media or some where else on fake media, who knows? It sticks right?

This aircraft was and remains a Royal Air Force Aircraft, however, while it could perform it's primary use, it has been converted to a VIP transport. It's intended use is for the entire immediate Royal family see crest on door L2 and the current and future Prime minister's in office for future engagements and their entourage in the UK and abroad. Hence, and please note this, there is HRM crest beside door L2. Boris one can now be dropped.

RAF ONE might be the tower call sign when RAF and the authorities choose when a UK Prime minister or member (s) are on board. I expect when Royalty is on board the call sign would be something else totally different every time. Again, just my opinion.

wildpig · 10-22-2020, 10:30 AM

they should have gone with the a350-900 or -1000 IMO. newer design, longer range, more room, probably more efficient with the newer engines too.

dennypayne · 10-22-2020, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aussiejets

I don't know how this aircraft got called " Boris One ". Maybe it was US media or maybe UK media or some where else on fake media, who knows? It sticks right?

IIRC it was Boris himself who pushed for this repaint.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aussiejets

Boris one can now be dropped.

Good luck with that

- it's like Kleenex - once a name is stuck in use it's hard to put that cat back in the bag.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildpig

they should have gone with the a350-900 or -1000 IMO. newer design, longer range, more room, probably more efficient with the newer engines too.

They didn't "go" with anything, they just repainted one of the MRTT's they already had. This wasn't a new purchase.

DouglasDC5 · 10-22-2020, 12:34 PM

I hope someone makes this. Prince Charles crashed this aircraft in 1994.

wildpig · 10-23-2020, 09:22 PM

mine just arrived also. I already got a gray RAF mrtt but this looks so nice i guess i have to have one too....lol..

flaps · 10-23-2020, 11:56 PM

Wow, that's a really nice picture of that Aircraft

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aussiejets

One more thing, and I will leave this thread alone. I don't know how this aircraft got called " Boris One ". Maybe it was US media or maybe UK media or some where else on fake media, who knows? It sticks right?

This aircraft was and remains a Royal Air Force Aircraft, however, while it could perform it's primary use, it has been converted to a VIP transport. It's intended use is for the entire immediate Royal family see crest on door L2 and the current and future Prime minister's in office for future engagements and their entourage in the UK and abroad. Hence, and please note this, there is HRM crest beside door L2. Boris one can now be dropped.

RAF ONE might be the tower call sign when RAF and the authorities choose when a UK Prime minister or member (s) are on board. I expect when Royalty is on board the call sign would be something else totally different every time. Again, just my opinion.

flaps · 10-23-2020, 11:57 PM

Got mine today, Beautiful Livery

Ryanairflyer · 10-26-2020, 04:09 PM

Got mine today, another one sold after I read this thread, beautiful model, better get on the phone guys for your commission

DavidUK · 11-29-2020, 07:30 AM

Could anybody please help to explain what these markings on the side of several A330 MRTTs are, including on ZZ336?
On both sides of the fore and aft fuselage are 3 grey lines with 3 yellow lines beneath. They appear in photos of several A330 MRTTs, but I can’t tell if the markings on the tail are part of the same pattern. The attached photo of the underside of another MRTT shows the same pattern, but the Gemini model doesn’t have them underneath.
I received my Gemini 1/400th model yesterday, and after much deliberating, I’m pleased that I bought it.
When the paint job first appeared in the press, I was a bit bah-humbug about making a military jet look so garish, pretending that the tail job is supposed to be painted as though it were on a flagpole, and I think that the words United Kingdom aren’t prominent enough.
However now that it’s on my shelf, it does look impressive, and people will never agree on what makes a suitable design. I love the attention to detail with the antennae and markings, but I’m really curious about these grey and yellow stripes.
Thank you.
Photo montage from Crownvic’s post below plus airspotters.com, thaimilitaryandasianregion.wordpress.com, ashutterbugslife.wordpress.com

Upkeep · 11-29-2020, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crownvic

Incredible details...

I have to agree completely. IMHO, Gemini is the master of 'surface detail' which goes a long way to bring magic to the model.

dennypayne · 11-30-2020, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidUK

Could anybody please help to explain what these markings on the side of several A330 MRTTs are, including on ZZ336?

This is a complete guess, but considering that they are on every MRTT example image I'm finding, no matter the operator, I'm thinking they might be some sort of reference markers for station-keeping for other aircraft. But I have not found any definitive answer for this.

crownvic · 12-01-2020, 12:06 AM

google:

the luminescent strips are for nighttime and low-light formation flying. The user, yellow lines are for normal ops and the lower, black lines are Infra-Red, for NVG flying. These formation lights are placed at various points around the aircraft.

DavidUK · 12-01-2020, 05:33 AM

Thanks Crownvic, good find.

"...luminescent strips which enhance visibility of the plane and aid identification at night"

— just in case a bright white aircraft with a Union Jack on it isn't visible enough!

Source: https://community.infiniteflight.com...rkings/94482/3