Wings900 - Herpa Chapman Freeborn Ilyushin IL-76 1:500

Wings900 Model Review Reviewer: Michael Warfel Model Photographs � Todd McCartney Real Aircraft Photo Courtesy of JetPhotos.net
*Airline*	*Make/Model*	*Manufacturer*	*Scale*
	Ilyushin IL-76		1:500

*Introduction*
	Chapman Freeborn is one of the world's major charter companies, chartering everything from small Cessna's to major long haul aircraft. This model now comes in the 1:500 scale to represent this major charter company as an exclusive for promotional purposes

The Model

We'll the tough thing with fantasy models is to replicate them with actual aircraft. So we'll begin with the rear of this model. The stabalizers are made of plastic with the tail being moulded in green. The tail is correctly shaped and is not only sight but smoothly connected to the fuselage of the aircraft. The silver leading edge is well done and is in place to where the moulding for the leading edge should be. The horizonstal stabalizers are well moulded with the tips being painted in green.

The fuselage dimesnions are well done and it always amazes me how small the IL-76 really is similar how to the C-130 is a small aircraft, you would always think of it to be bigger. The livery represents the colors of the Chapman Freeborn company which is a major aircraft charter company. The model accurately represents the green colors of the Chapman Freeborn with the regisrtration of CFA-1973 to commemorate its intital beginning over 33 years ago. The Chapman Freeborn titles on the foward fuselage are well done and true to the actual titles.

The engine pylson are moulded in a piece directly under the wing and is cleanlydone. The engine pylson are a mixture of white and green which brings some color the the pylon. The engines are well moulded with the Chapman Freeborn logo printed directly ont he engines. The interior of the engines are of the new darker color while the exhaust area is printed in one color. The leading edge of the wings is well done printed in silver while the wing color is white with the registration printed on the top of the wings with the green wingtips similar to the stabalizers.

The gears are correctly palced to the acual aircraft and now include the printed hub details that were lacking on the original IL-76 models. The cockpit windows are well placed in my opinion and are true to the actual aircraft. It is a bit more difficult to get the cockpit windows int he correct place considering the number of window panes that need to be correctly placed and the mould to present them correctly from design to printing. The nose of the model is green to take the shape of a green nose cone.

The one thing I hope to see on all future over wing models that have yet to see the update such as the regional models are the wings that connect directly into the side of the fuselage instead of having one wing piece lay over the top of the fuselage. With the wing connecting into the sides it gives the model a fresh clean look without the over wing seam that is notorious on so many different models from various manufactures. The doors are placed true to an IL-76 aircraft with the rear cargo door moulded into the rear of the fuselage.

Final Thoughts

I'm personally not a big fan of fantasy liveries but this a nice one and it at least comes with a fake registration. The colors are nice and vibrant and it represents a major corporation within the airlines industry. For those who like to collect the entire line of Herpa models you have a new rare model to look for!

Rating

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