Cathay Cargo | Boeing 747-467F | B-LID | YY Wings

It is still unclear what the difference is between YY Wings and HX Models, but for all intents and purposes they can be considered the same, as all YY releases to date have been made by HX. In recent months YY Wings have begun expanding outside of China and have started to become available in the West. So far their output has been mostly Asian, but they've released an impressive 100+ models in less than 2 years, although as most releases come with a flaps down variant and, where applicable, an interactive version the number of pure models is a lot lower.

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This review is 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

One of the most obvious signs showing the heritage between the HX factory and JC Wings, who they previously made models for, is the fact that HX has embraced both flaps down and interactive mould versions. They now have interactive moulds for the Antonov An-124, An-225, Boeing 747-400F, 747-8F and McDonnell Douglas MD-11F. 

The 747-400F interactive mould from HX only debuted in May with this model and has seen 5 releases to date. Conceptually, the mould shares a heritage with the JC Wings version, but it is on an all new casting and has some new features not present on the JC edition.

I have reviewed several examples of the 747 from HX Models, including a Pan Am 747-100 and a Cathay Pacific 747-400. I have been pleased with both of those examples and so clearly this mould will also score well as it shares much with those - mostly with the series 400. For comparison to the JC Wings version of the interactive 747-400 see my July 2022 review of a Gemini Jets China Southern example.

The HX 747s are known for standing a little tall, certainly higher than the JC Wings versions, but that isn't a big issue for me. Indeed the JC Wings ones often have a too short gearleg and I prefer the height. Having said that the nosegear door is a little oversized on the HX.

In most other respects the difference between the HX and JC 747-400F casting is minimal, a marker of their accuracy. There are a couple of small differentiators however. The dihedral of the horizontal stabs on the JC is stronger, which is probably more accurate.

The other major difference is around the portside main SCD. The upper and lower margin strakes are moulded in on the HX Models mould and just printed on the JC edition.

There are also differences in relation to the interactive elements. HX have taken a bit more care with theirs. The nose cargo door closed element has a black plastic stopper at the rear, which gives it more weight and a tighter fit when attached.

The open nose element is also constructed differently. It fits more tightly and has sturdier and more obvious metal struts. The plastic connection at the top looks a little more accurate on the JC version, but I prefer the metal connectors on the HX and they certainly hold the nosecone at a higher and better angle.

The plastic lower open belly cargo doors fit a lot more tightly than on the JC Wings version courtesy of some extra tabs along one edge. 

Both the interactive 747-400F moulds on the market are excellent and although very similar they both approach various aspects around the undercarriage and cargo doors differently indicating that they do not share the same heritage. The HX Models version is arguably slightly better for me but they are within margin of error territory when ranking one against the other.

SCORE - 9

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PAINT & LIVERY

Cathay Pacific Cargo was rebranded as Cathay Cargo in March 2023 and from a livery perspective the change resulted in much larger main titles, subequently applied to the entire Cathay fleet. The cargo division is one of the few of any size to still operate an entirely 747 focused fleet. This includes 6 late build series 400Fs. B-LID was only delivered in March 2009.

The Cathay livery has been getting simpler and simpler over the years so that it is hard to mess up in 400 scale. The base colours of grey and green look fine, but whereas the brushwing logo on the tail should be pure white on the model it looks distinctly greyish. Perhaps this is due to printing it over the top of the green?

Elsewhere smaller livery details, such as the Swire logo and the airline name and brushwing under the nose are present and correct.

SCORE - 8

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PRINTING & QUALITY CONTROL

There's a lot of print detail on the model, certainly a lot more than on the Gemini China Southern 747-400F I own, however GJ are known to skimp on some details that JC Wings would probably print on their models. This extra detailing on this model is most obvious on the model's belly and in the panel lining on the engine nacelles.

The print and paintwork are of a very high quality throughout, including on the additional plastic interactive cargo door elements. It is worth mentioning that the model comes with a better quality door removal tool than the simple wire effort JC Wings uses. It is a lot more sturdy and fit for purpose, not that I had any issues extracting the doors on this model anyway.

Build quality is very good and the model comes with the usual YY Wings add-ons in the plastic version HX stand (with printed on detailing) and a credit card style collectors card.

SCORE - 10

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CONCLUSION

What is impressive about these HX Models and YY Wings releases is that they typically retail for less than the standard major brands, and yet not only come with a top quality mould and excellent printing, but also include extras like the stand, collectors card and a better quality extraction tool. The quality of the base product alone would make them a bargain in a world where model prices keep rising, but there is evident care and attention being paid here despite the competitive pricing. This is a great model at a great price (it cost me 238rmb on Taobao (that's about $34)) and one I can highly recommend.

FINAL SCORE - 27/30