Anyone who knows my collection habits knows that I can’t resist African flag carriers, let alone ones flying Soviet metal. Phoenix has been a rare bright spot among 2026’s rather disappointing releases, in that they continue to announce multiple models of the same aircraft type each month that aren’t just modern Airbuses and Boeings. That is something almost nobody else, aside from Aeroclassics, is doing and gives me hope that their new moulds will be used properly, rather than the random slapdash nature of releases from most brands. These releases include Ilyushin Il-62s of which I have been a regular purchaser. Although I previously did review one of their early Il-62s it was an Il-62 basic rather than the later Il-62M variant, so this review is well overdue.
Each review is to split into three key areas:
- The model mould
- The paint and livery reproduction
- Printing and quality control
Each section can get a maximum score of 10 for a maximum combined score of 30
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MOULD
Phoenix has been the only brand in 400 scale to release an Il-62 Basic but alongside that they also produced a new mould for the later Il-62M (the difference is mainly associated with the engines). The arrival of the Phoenix moulds in 2025 has not stimulated Gemini Jets or JC Wings to use their own shared mould and there remain only 19 releases using that version. The last of those was yet another Air Koryo edition (their 7th), released in January 2025.
I reviewed one of the early Phoenix releases back in September 2025 (see Aeroflot | Ilyushin Il-62 | CCCP-86675 | Phoenix Models) and since then, in less than a year, Phoenix have released or announced an impressive 22 models using the two different Il-62 versions they have. This is most welcome given GJ/JC’s lack of adventure with their own version, even before I compare the relative qualities of each mould. This is even more welcome when you take into account several of the Gemini Jets Aeroflot editions, dating from the 2010s, suffer from paint bubbling and / or zinc rot.
Just over half the Phoenix releases have been of the M variant fitted with the Soloviev D-30KU engines that sport clamshell thrust reversers on the outer engines rather than the cascade thrust reversers of the earlier Kuznetsov NK-8s. I haven’t got any complaints about the shape or attachment of the engines. Indeed even from behind there is some nice detailing inside the engine exhausts.
The Phoenix mould captures the rather graceful nose profile of the 62 and the fuselage barrel in general has a very well-defined form, complete with dual underbelly strakes, just forward of the wingroot. Also nicely moulded in is the unusual strengthened ‘ski keel’ on the rear underside fuselage, originally designed to allow for a gears-up emergency landing.
The nosegear has a lot of nice detailing and is very fine. It also includes the tiny nosegear doors, missing on the Gemini, but the nosegear tyre is a little too small and I think I prefer the Gemini tyresize.
Unlike the older Gemini this is a slot-in wings mould, which means it doesn’t have any issues with seamlines (mainly visible on the underside of the Gemini). The wings have a lot of nice strake and flap detailing.
The Il-62 maingear is very distinctive, with very large tyres and short maingear legs that give the aircraft a slight tail down attitude. This is all replicated well on the model. Of course, the 62 also features the unusual retractable tail strut designed to stop the aircraft from tail-sitting on the ground due to changes in the centre of gravity caused by load and fuel changes.
The model comes with both stowed and deployed versions. Unlike the Gemini versions these actually fit the hole for them so will stay in place. The Phoenix variants are better proportioned as well, and the height of the deployed version has been modified as it was previously slightly too tall.
Compared to the Gemini Il-62 this Phoenix mould feels more precise and daintier. The older mould only has an advantage when it comes to the nosegear size but given its lack of usage there isn’t a lot of crossover in terms of output anyway, which makes the quality of this mould all the more important.
SCORE – 10
PAINT & LIVERY
TAAG has been an airline that has been conservative with its livery and one that has previously also joined the ranks of Air India and PIA in failing to bed in a new scheme and having to fallback on the previous one. That has now changed with the 787s and A220s wearing a simpler livery, but the scheme worn by this Il-62 in the 1980s and 90s is effectively the same as that worn by the 777-300ERs today.
TAAG operated a pair of Il-62s from 1987 primarily to operate between Luanda and Havana in Cuba. Angola had a longstanding relationship with Cuba during the Cold War and Cubana had been operating its own 62s on the route flying military forces back and forth as part of its involvement in the Angolan Civil War.
I reviewed an Aviation400 TAAG 777 here at the site last year and at the time I was quite happy with the colours but in hindsight and in comparison to the Il-62 I now think they were too dark. Certainly, the tone and brightness of the red/orange cheatlines is lighter here and accurately fits with the imagery I’m seeing of this aircraft in photos like this one.
Phoenix has also done a better job of replicating the tail logo, which features the Sable Antelope / Palanca Negra Gigante. Aviation400 had not included the eye, eyebrow or ear linework. Although the ear isn’t perfect the rest of the antelope shows a lot more detail and with the naked eye accurate.
I can’t see any concerns with this livery replication and the accuracy can be seen towards the nose with the cheatlines continuing onto the tiny nosegear doors.
SCORE – 10
PRINTING & QUALITY CONTROL
Phoenix have come a long way with print and paint and this model is a really good example of that progress. Printing on the wingtops, engine nacelles and under fuselage is fine and plentiful.
Paintwork is equally nice. The size and shape of the anti-glare ahead of the cockpit, and the radome tip are both excellent. From the front the inside of the engine fans shows nice dark paintwork that doesn’t obscure the fan detailing. Equally the paint separation between the cheatlines is really good even under high magnification.
Phoenix packaging is fairly standard but you can rely on a attractive box design and nowadays a well put together model too. There’s no major QC issues here and if I’m reaching the only thing I can see are a few very small tyre tabs on the nosegear and stabiliser gear leg.
SCORE – 9
CONCLUSION
When Phoenix deliver this kind of model it is like the sort of model you wish Aeroclassics could deliver, but just doesn’t have the same level of skill or will to do so. Not only are these Phoenix Il-62s wonderful models on every quality level but they also show a real willingness from Phoenix to deliver a good range of releases on the moulds they have developed. This is something that brands like NG Models and JC Wings have been failing to achieve and because Phoenix don’t make tons of retailer exclusives, like Panda and HX do, they are also able to release a centralised planned volume of releases giving you hope that the Il-62 will get the release coverage such a unique and wonderful aircraft deserves. Superb!
FINAL SCORE – 29/30
