Both the Revell and Zvezda Boeing 747-8 1/144 kits are quite new, and the quality really shines. These are stretched versions of the 747, much less common than the 747-400 with the familiar wing tip winglets. Both has a stand. The parts are similar, but not interchangeable. Practically no flashings to trim, everything fits perfectly. Molding is precise and extremely well detailed. It's amazing how plastic kit quality has improved, compared with the previous generation 1/144 Revell B747-400. The main connection of wings to fuselage are much improved solid designs, so much better than the older 747-400. The Zvezda even beats the Revell in using a one-piece wing bottom, snaps into the fuselage and it's done, pure perfection. Both kits have jet turbine blades that even spin if you just blow on them, if done well. The Revell has the classic Lufthansa decals, all pieces small, easy to apply, no problems (except the wing no step lines). The Zvezda decals are quite difficult. The long and thin ones break easily when wet. I tried cutting the really long ones in half and then align them wet, it works better and seems easier for me. It was a joy assembling these fine new generation models.

From the moment I got this model I was in love. The details on this thing are extraordinary. The engines are molded beautifully with individual fan blades that actually spin when completed. However, they are so thin and delicate you have to be very careful not to break them off when removing them from the spruce. The Wings are also molded with the graceful 'swoop' of the real aircraft, something that I noticed is lacking on the Zvezda version of this model. The landing gear is another bright spot with several bracing pieces that lock together in the wheel well ensuring that the landing gear will align properly and hold up well. Clear inserts are also provided for the passenger windows, and a number of small detail pieces (pitot tubes, external sensors, etc). The only problem I've noticed so far is that the two sections of the main fuselage don't line up exactly so it's going to take a lot of tape to hold them in place while the glue cures. However, this tends to be common with large molded aircraft.

This came out in a time that Zvezda and Revel were cooperating. They built the moulds together, and then each would make its own decals and box... Don't know which brand was responsible for the quality, but like I've saied in the Zvezda boxing, it is very nice and beautyfull. Almost seamless, and the turbofan blades are a killer!