Let's answer the inevitable question first: Zvezda's 767 kit is not a repop or re-engineered Revell kit. It is an all-new mold - and, boy, it's a beaut!
Molded in medium gray plastic, the major components feature some of the finest engraved surface detail I've ever seen. In fact, it's so fine, it all but disappears under coats of primer and paint. Given the small scale, the panel lines are about right. Unfortunately, the fine work carries over to the control surfaces - they could benefit from deepening with a scriber.
The fuselage halves feature open cabin windows with strips of windows to be glued in. Unfortunately, the window openings are too big and too square. This is the kit's only major problem, and it's easily overcome by using decal windows.
A one-piece lower wing, incorporating a section of the fuselage, easily establishes dihedral.
The General Electric CF6 engines include separate one-piece intake rings, nicely molded fans, and a separate hot section that is locked in place after being sandwiched between the cowlings.
The landing gear is outstanding, with multiple tiny linkages coming together for a very in-scale appearance. The nose leg includes two tiny, clear landing lights.
Decals provide markings for one aircraft in two different schemes: Aeroflot's most recent livery and Boeing's so-called Dreamliner scheme in the manufacturer's house colors. The decals look pretty good, but for the complicated Dreamliner scheme only titles and one stripe are provided. Also, I couldn't find any evidence this 767 ever wore the Dreamliner scheme.
Fit throughout is good. I used a little putty to completely eliminate the centerline seam. I left the cabin windows out, preferring to make windows with clear-part cement after painting. The windshield fits tight and needs to be squeezed into place - but don't squeeze too hard! If the part gets loose and drops inside, you may never get it back.
The wings and stabilizers presented no problems; a swipe of a sanding stick was all that was needed to remove the seams. The engines have to be built and painted in stages, but they look good once together.
After priming and correcting blemishes, I applied Tamiya spray-can gloss aluminum to the fuselage, and Daco Boeing gray to the wings and horizontal stabs. I masked the upper fuselage, then sprayed Tamiya royal blue, a good match for Aeroflot's color. (The instructions call for Testors bright blue, which is way too light.)
The decals are very thin, separate from the backing paper quickly, and don't need setting solution to conform to detail.
I added the engines and landing gear - the latter's doors have thin edges. The legs lock into place and have the correct stance.
Despite some self-inflicted paint problems, I loved building Zvezda's Boeing. Shapewise, the model looks dead-on to me; the nose, tail, and vertical stabilizer are just right. For ease of construction and attention to detail, this is one of the best airliner kits I've built. I plan on building one with Draw Decals' Australian Airlines decals, and one in Siberia's S7 livery, and ...
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