Ace Freighters 749 Constellation

A new release from Bees Models is the Ace Freighters L-749 Constellation. This has an impeccable finish with a mixture of decal and hand-painted detail, the overall airframe showing a highly realistic satin metal sheen. All joint lines are filled, giving the impression in every sense of the smooth airframe shape for which the Constellation was renowned.

Cabin and cockpit windows are all applied by decal, with some of the former being surrounded by fine push-out escape hatches. In 1:200 scale, decal or painted cockpits and windows are by far the most realistic method of reproduction; real transparencies just don't look the part.

Wing walkways are finely painted, with grey paint applied to both upper and lower surfaces of the wing behind the exhausts. The Ace Freighters colour scheme is simple but most attractive, with the airline titling in a short cheatline behind the cockpit, a black ace of clubs on the outer fin/rudder and with red tips to wings, fin and rudder.

The fuselage top bristles with aerials (less than on an EC-121, but bristling nevertheless), these being metal and seemingly fairly robust. Nevertheless, this is in every sense - including the price tag - a model, and needs and deserves careful handling. Far removed from a mass-production model, Bees' Constellation fully justifies its price.

Aircraft Illustrated, May 03

Ace Freighters 749 Constellation (click on image to view in close-up)

Invicta Viking (click on image to view in close-up)

Invicta Viking

The Invicta Viking 1 immediately impresses by its standard of finish, with faultless red cheatline and the characteristic square windows, registration G-AOCH and the Kentish horse emblem on the fin/rudder.

The propellers rotate (too many 'production' 1:200 models have fixed spinners but rotating propeller blades, which looks far from realistic) and detail extends to incredibly finely scribed wing and tailplane panel lines, exhaust stacks and two fuselage-top ADF loops.

Although the model has its origins in multi-part castings, all joint lines are filled and there are no un-prototypical screws or rivets in the lower fuselage. Decal detail includes outlines to doors and baggage hatches and escape exit markings, while the mainwheel tyres are rubber, no less.

The whole aircraft is finished in a low-sheen varnish and is a most convincing replica of a lovely British type. The Viking is a limited issue, meaning that 25 or fewer will be produced.

This is a superb example of workmanship at the price. Further liveries will be produced on the type, including RAF Valettas.

Aircraft Illustrated, June 03