China Southern Airlines | Airbus A380-841 | B-6136 | HX Models

The factory behind the HX Models brand has been undertaking a burst of new 400 scale mould production focused on widebody moulds, most of which come with standard configuration and flaps down variants. They already had a 200 scale Airbus A380 and December saw the release of their 400 scale A380, which has been used so far for a series of China Southern and Global Airlines examples (releases mirrored by the reborn Apollo brand). That makes 5 active A380 moulds now, but where does this one fit in the ranking of best to worst?

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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

I reviewed a China Southern example of the Aviation400 A380 mould in January 2023 (in fact it was exactly the same registration as this one). That mould is superb and it would take an impressive casting to compete against it. The Aviation400 mould offers detachable magnetic gear, which this HX example does not, but conversely the AV400 does not have a flaps down version whereas the model being reviewed here is in the flaps down configuration. For my review of the AV400 version see here:

Model Review - China Southern Airlines | Airbus A380-800 | B-6136 | Aviation400

Overall, this is a highly competitive A380 that compares well to the Aviation400 mould. As is the case with good modern moulds it is only in small details that a comparison shows differences between the two. The old and obsolete Gemini Jets / JC Wings casting is miles behind this, and in my opinion this HX version is at least on par with the Phoenix version, probably slightly ahead of it.

The fuselage barrel shows an excellent overall form, especially at the rear, which has an excellent blade like tailcone and strong APU detailing. On the roofline the small ADF fairings at the mid fuselage are not in relief, as they are on the AV400, and are printed on, as with the Phoenix. Similarly, the beacon lights are printed, however the other rooftop dome is nicely formed and the four aerials are well sized and shaped.

At the nose the broad form is good, but it definitely feels a little pointier than the AV400 and Phoenix versions. It isn't enough to be a real problem. The nosegear is highly detailed and well finished, but the nosegear door doesn't seem to be quite long enough ahead of the gear leg.

The wingroot join to the fuselage is excellent and tight. The Rolls-Royce Trent engines are hung from finely shaped pylons. The nacelles themselves are equally well shaped and despite having the cowling ring as a separate piece, to allow the fitting of the fans, there is no untidiness between the ring and nacelle body.

The engine fans themselves allow for a hollowcore engine. The fan shape is good, but the spacing is a little wider than on the AV400 mould, and the real thing. There are 16 blades compared to 18 on the AV400 and 24 on the real engine. It's a compromise that is needed with see through engines.

An area where the mould is superior to the AV400 edition is at the maingear. On the Aviation400 mould the triple bogey inside maingear doesn't overlap with the outer double bogey gear. The slight overlap on the HX Models mould is present.

Moving to the wings in general and obviously this example is fitted with a flaps down wing. The wing doesn't quite have the curve of the AV400 or Phoenix wing towards the wingtip, but I suspect that is a characteristic of the flaps down wing and not a criticism of the wingform itself. The flaps and slats themselves are excellent. The massive flap track fairings especially look amazing, with a lot of detailing present only when you hold the model at angle to look between the fairing and the flap itself.

This mould trades the wow factor of the beacons and magnetic gear of the AV400 mould for the wow factor of the flaps down wing (the first on an A380 in 400 scale). Arguably, the nose, nosegear door and engine fans aren't quite as nice as the AV400 version, but the spacing of the maingear and detail on the APU are probably better. It is another high quality offering in the mega-jumbo space.

SCORE - 9

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PAINT & LIVERY

I've reviewed quite a few China Southern models over the years and the classic livery remains effectively unchanged since CZ's creation in the late 80s. It is a favourite of mine and the huge red Kapok flower on the blue tail always looks lovely.

I note on this model that the medium blue is a little lighter than almost all the other China Southern models I own. It is only a minor difference and depending on the photos you choose of the real aircraft matches or looks too light. 

The rest of the livery application is faultless to my eye.

SCORE - 9

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PRINTING & QUALITY CONTROL

HX Models may be a new brand but the factory they operate from, run by Diecast Plane Master, has been making models for years and that experience shows, with their level of print detailing being as good as the other top end brands on the market.

There are however a couple of minor paint application issues. The portside winglet has some untidy finishing on both its outer and inner side. Likewise, under magnification at least, the upper margin of the striping under the cockpit on the starboard side shows a little bit of unevenness. 

Build quality of the model is very good. Despite the flaps down wings the massive flaps are a lot more solid and strong than the more complex flap structure of the 747 - models of which often come with damage to the flaps.

As with all HX Models releases this model comes with a stand, however it is the cheaper plastic version rather than the nicer pentagonal metal example. It doesn't fit the A380 quite as tightly as I'd like, but ultimately it is an optional extra and nice to have as a freebie.

SCORE - 9

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SUMMARY

This is another excellent widebody from HX Models, which not only has a high quality finish, but comes at a very competitive price (in China at least). Ultimately, I'm not sure there was really a need for another A380 casting and so far HX have shown limited interest in producing more than China specific models, which will limit its utility too. Additionally, all of a sudden Apollo Models has reappeared on the scene with the old, but good, Witty Wings A380 with aerials added and also being sold at a very competitive price. That means there are lots of 400 scale A380s about. That doesn't in anyway decrease the attractiveness of this model, but does illustrate how capricious and personal the 400 scale market can be, where sometimes it seems the customer is an afterthought. Great A380 nonetheless!

FINAL SCORE - 27/30