Much like the A340, the 767 is a type that hadn't seen a lot of love in 400 scale for sometime, but now has a renewed focus on it. Despite being the first variant in service, the series 200 is the last to get the refresh the type has needed, but now there are two new contenders and a whole lot of potential to exploit. Panda themselves rarely make models under their own name anymore so it comes down to brands like C Models, Z2 Models and V1:400 Models to get the ball rolling with Panda's new 767-200.
Each review is to split into three key areas:
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MOULD
Whereas there have been over 560 767-300s made in 400 scale, with 35 announced in 2025 alone, there have only been 179 767-200s, but pleasingly 22 have been announced in 2025 (compared to only 11 in 2024). Additionally, V1:400 Models will also soon be announcing a further 8 series 200s.
The uptick in 2025 for the series 200 is due to the new Panda Models mould, which this model uses. Of the 30 this year 14 use the Panda mould. The rest are split between the old JC Wings / Gemini and Aeroclassics moulds, with the NG Models 767 having vanished after a single airline release in 2024.
In truth the Aeroclassics 767-200 itself actually isn't that old, having debuted in 2018, however it has the feel of a mould that is easily 10 years older so although it has seen nearly 100 releases covering a worthy list of airlines it is very much not competitive with the two newer moulds. I'll take a closer look at competing 767-200s soon.
I have already reviewed a Panda Models 767-300 (see Air Sahara | Boeing 767-322ER | VT-SDL | VTJets / Panda Models) and this series 200 shares the majority of its features. That means it is superb, with no significant failings.
The shape of the fuselage barrel is exceptional from nose to APU. The wings slot in tightly to the fuselage and the wingjoin is lovely too. Only the NG Models 767-200 comes close.
The wings, engines and pylons all show excellent detailing. The attachment of the pylons to the wing and engine detailing is a major improvement over the older moulds. I also think the hot sections of the Pratt & Whitney engines fitted here are more accurate than the NG samples had. Also of note is the fact that this mould uses solidcore engines enabling a very accurate level of fanblade detailing.
At the rear of the wing one of the small points of difference from the NG 767 mould is that the flap track fairings are slightly longer and protrude very slightly further beyond the wing margin. I think this is more accurate. The only other difference I have noticed is in the maingear where the Panda 767 shows a little more gear leg than the NG. In this case I'd say the NG is better, but both of these callouts are very minor.
On the underside there's more obvious differences with the NG version. The NACA intakes are moulded but the rectangular grills moulded into the NG are not printed. The most obvious difference is the position of the standhole - much further forward on the NG.
As this is a series 200 the tailbumper present on the 300 is correctly absent. Overall this is another exceptional casting from Panda to join their equally impressive MD-11. The variation with the NG mould is small, but the Panda looks better given current output helped massively by the printing.
SCORE - 10
PAINT & LIVERY
Air China inherited CAAC's 4 delivered 767-2J6ERs in 1987/88 and added a pair of new aircraft in 1988/89 for a total of 6. B-2556 was the last of them, arriving in February 1989 and flew with the flag carrier for 20 years. Nowadays she still serves, but with the Colombian Air Force as a tanker transport.
Air China's livery seems timeless, so much so that it may well survive long enough for the return of the cheatline to popularity. It is such a commonly reproduced livery by Chinese brands that they rarely make any mistakes with it. Certainly the VIP / Phoenix tail logo and cheatlines look great.
The Air China blue can often look very dark in photos, but in close up it matches the lighter tone being used here (see this photo for reference). One thing that is correct, but slightly disappointing for me is that the model wears the Star Alliance logo. Air China only joined the Alliance in late 2007 so this airframe operated for over 18 of its 20 years without having the logo and I think that would have been more representative of the type in Air China service.
SCORE - 10
PRINTING & QUALITY CONTROL
I mentioned printing in the mould section vis a vis the NG 767-200 and you can see the issues that the NG had in the review I did for that model in August 2024 (American Airlines | Boeing 767-223 | N313AA | NG Models). Fortunately, Panda don't have any issues with windowline or cockpit height.
The print detailing here is excellent with very fine linework. So fine in fact, that it is sometimes hard to see against the grey belly. The paintwork is also majestic, with particularly lovely finishes around the engine rims and inners.
There are no major problems on the quality front in terms of build either. I do have a trio of small nitpicks though. Firstly, and only visible in macro, is that the tyrehubs lack detailing. Secondly, the right wing has a slight curvature at the wingtip, not present on the leftside. Thirdly, there is some plastic chaff in the portside maingear visible from the front.
C Models is one of the more active up and coming brands in 400 scale and while they have produced a nice bespoke designed box for this model they do not go in for the collectors cards that many of the smaller brands choose to add nowadays. For more on C Models see my video:
SCORE - 8 
CONCLUSION
I've been really looking forward to the Panda 767-200, and not only because, V1:400, the new US brand I'm working with have used it for 8 models. Although the existing 767-200s are all decent middle of the road models, this one really knocks it out the park and will have you considering wholesale replacement of your 767 fleet. Of course, whether that is an option is dependent on which brands use the Panda mould, and for what. However I have no issue in replacing the older JC Wings mould Air China 767-200 I own with this one. It is at the pinnacle of what is possible in 400 scale today.
FINAL SCORE - 28/30 
1 Comment
Gaz
11/11/2025 09:21:33 pm
Golden Age of 1:400 scale for ya! Spoilt for choice now for brands that ARE delivering in my view! Older brands having to NOW pull their socks up too meet the new standards! Leave a Reply. |
AuthorI'm Richard Stretton an aviation enthusiast and major collector of 400 scale models. On this page I take a detailed look at new releases. This site is free. Please donate to keep it going.
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