China Southern Airlines | Airbus A350-941 | B-308T Vibrant Bay Area | NG Models Ultimate Collection

The technology to produce 400 scale models has come so far nowadays that it feels as if almost anything is possible. It can be easy to forget that these models are still made largely by hand in factories with staff not earning Western salaries. NG Models has been instrumental in the past 8 years in making other brands up their game. Although they have received plenty of criticism for their strategy their ability to be the best remains and their premium 'Ultimate Collection' line is made for models such as the one being reviewed here.

---

---

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

---

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

Since I last reviewed an NG Models Airbus A350-900, way back in April 2024, there have been two new A350 moulds introduced (by Panda Models and Aero Polaris respectively) and another heavily modified (by Aviation400) so competition in this space is stronger than ever.

NG hasn't been resting on its laurels however. It already had the best A350 back in 2024 and had just added the new PIP winglets to the mould. The subject of today's review illustrates further mould modifications since I compared the then 5 available moulds in September 2024 in the detailed comparison where it tied with the Panda mould:

Airbus A350 Detailed Mould Comparison

Certainly the other two A350 candidates, from Gemini Jets / JC Wings and Phoenix, remain a significant distance behind this mould and are not versions I ever consider purchasing nowadays. When you compare the NG to the Aero Polaris and Panda variants they can be hard to tell apart.

There aren't really any major, and few minor, issues with the NG Models A350 - it is that good. The front portion of the aircraft is excellent with a well crafted nose, cockpit region and finely detailed nosegear.

The updated wings with the taller, sharper PIP winglet form are also very impressive. This is one of the areas where there is an obvious difference between the mould and its close competition. NG don't model in the small fuel dump pipe outboard of the last flap track fairing, but does have a more accurate longer, thinner set of flap track fairing canoes.

The engine nacelles and pylons are another highlight of the mould. The pylon form is easily better than the older moulds and holds the engines higher than the Panda, which struggles for ground clearance somewhat. This is also one of the few NG widebodies with hollowcore fan engines, but the finish and accuracy is exceptional.

Spacing and shape of the fanblades is very accruate and the correct number (22) are present unlike on the JC and Phoenix versions, which have almost half as many blades present! The Panda has the correct number of fanblades and is once again very comparable in this area.

On the underside of the mould comes the change NG have instituted since I last reviewed their A350. That version did not have moulded in belly intakes, but this updated version does. Interestingly, NG has not taken the opportunity to remove the standhole (to support their transition to overwing stands) as they have done with their A330 in recent times.

Another small difference between the NG and most competitors is the lack of pivoting maingear trucks. That's a design choice rather than an issue. In fact when you look across this mould as a whole there is barely anything wrong with it. I'd only mention the lack of the fuel dump as anything possibly points deductible and that is a tiny thing. There are several good options for A350s in the scale but the NG continues to be ahead by a nose in my view.

SCORE - 10

---

---

PAINT & LIVERY

This livery is one of the most complex ever worn by an airliner and the fact it can be reproduced in 400 scale at all illustrates how advanced the printing technology is nowadays. It was designed to 'celebrate the spirit of the Greater Bay Area and the upcoming 15th National Games of China'. It combines '​some of the region’s most iconic symbols from the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge and the Games’ lively mascots, to soaring seagulls and blossoming kapok flowers'.

It also includes more than 50 bespoke colours and since this model is an officially licensed product for China Southern Airlines I expect NG had access to detailed design schematics. This attention to detail certainly shows as the replication of the livery on the model here is sublime.

Given the sheer number of components and colours it is stunning that I can only see a single error, and even that is very minor. That 'error' relates to the pair of seagulls on the tail, which although perfectly positioned are more of a light blue colour than the bright white they should be.

That's definitely a nitpick however as when you look at what has been achieved here to reproduce this in 400 scale is very impressive.

SCORE - 9

---

---

PRINTING & QUALITY CONTROL

Given the plaudits that I gave the livery reproduction in the previous section the printing quality on this model is obviously at the highest level achievable in the scale. Simply miles beyond what some brands, hello Aeroclassics, can achieve.NG can always achieve the finest level of printwork and a glimpse at the fineness of the base A350 print template in areas like the belly and nose radome showcase this.

There is only one area where something is lacking and that is the engine nacelles. They do have a fair bit of printwork on them but something NG leave off, perhaps intentionally, are the panel lines for the thrust reversers, which in comparison to the rest of the model does make them look a little plain.

Build quality of the model is topnotch and this is also an Ultimate Collection version. That means it comes with the excellent flip-top magnetic box. It also means it comes with the stable, solid, premium feeling metal stand that fits over the wings rather than into the hole under the fuselage.

Additionally, the model comes with a collector's booklet discussing the special livery.

SCORE - 9

---

---

CONCLUSION

This model and its associated packaging showcase the best that NG has to offer, albeit it at a premium price point. It is certainly a much superior package compared to legacy brands like JC Wings and Phoenix, but newer upstarts like Aero Polaris and Aviation400 certainly approach it. So far the model has only been announced by NG Models, JC Wings, Phoenix and Aviation400 and I can't see any of them surpassing it. Of course additionally this one has the rare distinction of also being fully licensed from the airline.

FINAL SCORE - 28/30