 NG Models gets a lot of stick but I'm still finding that even with some lacklustre release choices they usually have several models a month that either warrant review because they look amazing or because they are a new type or mould for the site. The A330-800 falls into the latter category as although there are 3 moulds for the type its limited customer base means there have only been 12 models made and none really fit my collection criteria aside from house colours. Each review is to split into three key areas:
This review is sponsored by Northeast Diecast. Check out their store for an excellent range of hard to find 200 and 400 scale collection sale models and get 15% off!  MOULD  There are increasingly orphan types at the lower capacity end of the scale for the major Airbus and Boeing families be they the 737 MAX-7, A319NEO or A330-800. Historically, these models never made it into production, think 757-100, A350-800 etc, but the earlier similar sized variants of all 3 sold well so the failure of their sucessors really illustrates a change in airline requirements.  Only 8 A330-800s have been delivered, for 3 airlines (Air Greenland, Kuwait Airways and Uganda Airlines), however that hasn't stopped 3 manufacturers producing the type since it is basically a shortened A330-900, a type they all have moulds for already.  So far JC Wings has made 3 models, as has Phoenix, while NG have made 6. Airline coverage is good, although NG is the only one to have made the Uganda. The Phoenix mould is the oldest, dating from 2019 and hasn't been used since 2022. The JC dates from 2023 and the NG was first used in production in May 2024.  The production debut of the NG version came about 18 months after I reviewed the samples in September 2022. The samples were good, but had a couple of issues that needed fixing. For those original sample reviews see:  It is not controversial to say that NG has the best A330 from a mould perspective at least. That basic excellence follows through with their NEOs. It shares the fuselage of the CEO and so looks excellent.  The big changes with this version are at the wings and engines. The wings have excellent dihedral (something overdone on the JC Wings version) and really well moulded winglets. The winglets are correctly shorter than on competing moulds and wonderfully curved.  The largest issue with the original sample moulds was the shape of the wing flap track fairings. Originally too pointy they now have the correct squared off profile.   The Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines are another highlight. The engine pylon and nacelle are picture perfect. NG has decided on solid core engine fans, which allows for greater accuracy of fan blades including the correct number (20). The blades also curve in the correct direction. Overall, I prefer this accuracy to the novelty of see through engines and rotating fans. They certainly look better than on the JC and Phoenix versions.  From the underside all 3 triangular NACA intakes are moulded in and the maingear doesn't pivot (another design decision by NG). There are no complaints with this mould, which has a level of accuracy and detail that the other A330-800s in 400 scale can't quite match. SCORE - 10 PAINT & LIVERY  Unbelievably, this aircraft F-WTTO is currently being dismantled by Airbus despite being less than 8 years old and no doubt having flown a tiny number of cycles. I guess it illustrates the lack of demand for the 800 variant. The only livery it ever wore is smart and simple.  Even so, I'm not 100% convinced by the colours being used for the large neo titles on the fuselage and tail. The neo on the fuselage should be brighter and the neo on the tail is definitely too dark, even at the top before it starts grading to a slightly darker tone.  Positionally everything is fine, but the small A330-800 titles on the portside fuselage do get rather lost in the outline of the door itself, which is more prominent than it appears on the real thing. Arguably, this is a print issue, but it impacts the livery more. SCORE - 8  PRINTING & QUALITY CONTROL  Printwork is of the usual high quality you've come to expect from NG. They manage noticeably finer line detailing than the majority of other brands, especially noticeable in areas such as cargo and undercarriage doors.  The finish of the engine rims and fanblades is especially strong and tidy. Although the fans are largely very dark the finish glistens showing off each blade well and contrasting with the inside of the nacelles, which are a block colour.  Something missing from a print perspective is the strong black outline to the wing join fairing. NG A330s regularly get criticised for the height of the windowline, but it looks good here to me.  Build quality is decent, with everything in place. The model does fall foul of a fairly persistent NG issue though, in that there is variability of the detailing of the undercarriage tyrehubs. In this example the portside nosegear shows less than the starboard, and both are less detailed than the maingear. SCORE - 9  SUMMARY  Yes, I would like to see NG using Tu-154s, Tu-204s, MD-80s and Tristars rather than A330NEOs but I can only review what they make. Despite some rather boring modern choices NG still more often than not produces a high quality end product. This model is certainly one of those and a fine addition to my collection while I wait for some more exciting models to review here at the site! FINAL SCORE - 27/30 
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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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