Air China | Airbus A330-243 | B-6076 'Capital Pavillion / Zi Chen' | NG Models - Ultimate Collection

I've been quite critical of NG Models recently, but even so it is hard to deny that the majority of what they produce is still being made to a superior standard than almost all their competitors manage. They have also been innovating with their products and the latest concept is 'The Ultimate Collection' - a premium offering that comes with a redesigned box, stand and pamphlet. Interestingly, despite the extra additions, at the majority of retailers it seems the price difference between Ultimate Collection models and standard ones is negligible or non-existant, although there are a few retailers I have seen where that isn't the case. As always shop around before you buy!

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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

The A330 series is unsurprisingly one of the most hotly contested aircraft types in 400 scale and there have been 513 announced models just for the A330-200 itself. It is one of the few types where all the main manufacturers have (or had) a casting so you can find new versions from Aeroclassics, Aviation400, Gemini Jets / JC Wings, NG Models and Phoenix. Only Panda seems to have lost use of their version in recent years.

The NG Models A330s are some of their oldest moulds, dating from 2019, but they are still the newest A330 and as is usually the case with NG Models' moulds they are also the best. 

That isn't to say that competition isn't strong however. None of the existing moulds are awful but I tend to avoid the Aviation400 and Gemini / JC versions where I can. I did actually cover the A330-200 over in a Youtube review video back in 2021 so check that out. Little has changed aside from that I believe Phoenix has now fixed the oversized horizontal stabilisers that were present on their mould for years.

Back to the NG Models mould and it is as close to perfect as any 400 scale mould. The fuselage and wings are excellent. The nose and cockpit region is the best around and the wingjoin to fuselage delicate and tightly fitting.

The slight nose down attitude is captured correctly and the undercarriage detailing is superb. On the nosegear lower leg the scaling of the two forward prongs (steering actuators) and the rear torque link are spot on, while on the upper portion the hydraulic actuator is equally well paired with a correctly sized gear door.

I actually own the older Phoenix version of this exact model, which dates from 2014. In direct comparison the Phoenix version has chunkier landing gear, oversized gear doors and less accurately shaped winglets. Given its age it still compares quite well but in detail the NG mould beats it across the board.

LEFT: NG Models. RIGHT: Phoenix Models

Although NG has steered away from see through engines in recent years their A330 still has that feature and it is carried off very nicely, without being too gappy. The mould is fitted with four aerials, with the under-fuselage rear one offset to port. There is also a small forward rooftop dome, which is an attachment rather than being moulded in as on the Phoenix version. The two much smaller bumps on the mid-roofline are not present aside from printing detail.

While the Phoenix A330 remains a good casting in a head to head with the NG version the latter wins due to the finesse and detailing of the mould. The same can be said when it comes to proportions and this holds true against other 400 scale A330s as well.

SCORE - 10

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PAINT & LIVERY

China has had an outstanding selection of specials schmes and arguably more beautiful ones than anywhere else. This scheme, and its sister the 'Forbidden Pavillion', are two of the most lovely schemes that have been made. Designed to celebrate the new Business Class product Air China introduced in the run up to the Olympics, this aircraft entered service in this scheme on September 19, 2008.

The livery is designed around the Chinese national flower, the Peony, and uses shades of gold and dark blue. The shades being used on the model match the photos picture perfectly and the deep blue is richer and more accurately darker than on the Phoenix version.

The scheme includes colour bands or ribbons wrapping around the fuselage with stemlike structures and a single large blue flower. The printing is exquisite and the position of all the elements is also excellent. There are some minor elements fractionally out of position ahead of the wing but it has no impact on the look of the finish. The most misaligned is the curling stem directly under the flower but it's probably out by about a mm.

Smaller details are all present and correct with the nosegear doors proving a wonderful case of the sort of print detail that is possible nowadays. This is a near perfect rendition for me.

SCORE - 10

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PRINTING & QUALITY CONTROL

The fineness of the printing on this model is exceptional. The linework on the golden elements is amazing. The nosecone radome and gear door outlines are all excellent but so fine as to be almost invisible in certain lights. Then you turn the aircraft and the light catches them and they gleam.

The engines are another area of amazing print accuracy. There are over 40 separate print elements on each nacelle including panel lining. There has been criticism of the windowline printing on NG A330s (and recently the A320s too), however I think the issue is somewhat overblown. NG don't print the fairing line around the wing, which when missing accentuates the space between wing and windowline. On this model I don't really see a problem and the fact that all the livery elements are in the right place goes to prove this further.

Cockpits aren't usually an issue on NG A330s but it does seem that the central cockpit windows are placed a little lower than they should be here. It doesn't have a major impact to the looks. From a QC perspective I can't see any issues with the build quality.

SCORE - 9

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ULTIMATE COLLECTION

Given this is an 'Ultimate Collection' model I will take a bit of time to discuss the packaging, although it doesn't impact the scoring. Arguably it should, and in a positive way, but I'm not at the point of giving bonus points quite yet!

The new magnetic lid box is excellent and no larger than the standard NG A330 box. It certainly is a much more solid box than normal and reeks of quality. Inside the plastic insert is actually two - one of which contains the model and one of which contains the stand.

The stand is a lovely metal effort with a screw attachment of the upright to the base. The model also comes with a rather nice double sided pamphlet. This is in both Chinese and English and contains the history of the livery. Once again, these add-ons really do add an extra air of quality to the model. Are they necessary? No, obviously not but they are very, very nice.

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SUMMARY

I have pondered in recent times whether there is any value in replacing older models in my collection with newer examples. As the recent American Airlines 747 by Aeroclassics showed, sometimes there is definitely not. Then again, even when the original model is a perfectly decent effort (as the Phoenix version of this is), when the new model comes with such quality I think there is a good case to be made. This is a top, top model with an impressively considered product around it. As an overall concept the 'Ultimate Collection' is an idea I can take or leave, but looking at it with just this individual model it is another triumph from NG. All the more impressive when you consider there is little or no price differential.

FINAL SCORE - 29/30