NG Models have been using their 777 moulds a lot, with 54 released or announced in only about a year and a half. Thirty three of those have been series 200s, but this version is only the 2nd that I have acquired since most of the releases have been either Qatar, too modern for me or cargo airlines. There is fertile ground for older 777-200s, many of which are represented mainly by very old Gemini and Dragon releases from the turn of the century, so it is good to see the appearance of this iconic scheme closer to my collection time period, especially as I never acquired the earlier variants.
Each review is to split into three key areas:
MOULD
I reviewed the first samples of the NG Boeing 777s back in January 2022 and they received the most criticism from me of any sample I've ever been sent by NG. In fact, I have maintained that I preferred the JC Wings edition overall, but this model is changing my mind somewhat and it is perhaps time for a re-evaluation. I might even publish a detailed mould scoring comparison for the type in the next few weeks.
To see my original review of the samples click the button below. NG did make some modifications to the mould off of the back of the review but also didn't change some aspects too.
Starting from the front and the form of the nosecone and cockpit region is excellent. On the samples I was concerned with the angle of the curve up to the fuselage roofline but I have to say on the actual models it appears far less of an issue. I'm not sure if there were modifications made or not but obviously on a model with a non-white base any issues are masked anyway.
The nosegear leg and tyre remain really good but I still think the nosegear door is a little shallow. The maingear has a similarly high-level of detail. The maingear door shape is particularly accurate considering the complex shape it has. The maingear trucks do not pivot as in other brand's moulds of the 777 but this does allow greater accuracy in the gear leg. Unlike the sample I was given the maingear correctly doesn't have the hydraulic actuator on it, which is reserved only for the series 300ER.
The mould accurately demonstrates the slight nosedown attitude of the real thing. The wings connect very tightly to the fuselage and have a delightful curving forward profile at the fairing join. The shape and dihedral are accurate aside from the innermost flaptrack fairing which is too flat along its lower margin.
The vertical stabiliser is one area that NG has modified since the samples and now has the correct full height rudder with rectangular hingebox at the top. They also added the lower separate rudder section in as well. Tail height and shape are good.
The tailcone is surprisingly simple and has the form of the wedge but without the small upper and lower protrusions. APU exhaust detailing depends entirely on print detail rather than moulding. This is a little disappointing and one of the areas I'd like to see modified myself.
NG has put a lot of effort into the engine variants on their 777s and has a separate distinct mould for the GE90s that equip this aircraft. In the pursuit of realism NG have also ditched the see through fan blades other brands use. It was never something that I particularly cared for an did introduce inaccuracies in terms of blade numbers and size so I'm fine with that.
The size of the engines and shape of the pylons is good. The number and detailing of the fans is also exemplary.
In my original sample review I picked out 8 items related to the mould that could be modified. As far as I can see NG has fixed 4 of them with 3 of the others being very minor (nosegear door height, inboard flap track shape and curve of the fanblades). The only issue that I think marks this mould down much is the simplistic form of the tailcone. How does it compare in detail to other active 400 scale 777s? You'll have to wait to see the review.
SCORE - 9
PAINT & LIVERY
This livery was designed by the famous pop-culture artist ​'Peter Max' to celebrate New York's place as self-titled 'The Millenium Capital of the World'. Certainly the resulting livery was incredibly eye-catching and typical of Max's use of bright colours. It was almost a more modern version of the classic Braniff Calder bicentennial schemes. There's an impressive short video of the aircraft being painted on Youtube here:
The aircraft was delivered in the new scheme on October 21, 1999 and wore it for around a decade until January 2008. Aside from the white the fuselage has 6 colours, of which the green and orange are used sparingly. I think the colour shades here look pretty good, maybe the green's a little dark, but obviously the colours are one of the easiest parts of this scheme.
The positions of the many blotches and lines is very complicated, not helped by the grading of one colour into the other in places. Mostly it looks quite correct but there are some mistakes too. The pink shape under the nose is not quite correct and the yellow stripe behind the main titles is too yellow, when it should grade to orange.
A bigger issue is the colour by the MAX signature where the red should grade more into pink and it should be intermediate in colour by the time it reaches the L2 door. On the model it looks too block pink, but in magnification the outside line of the graded part is there, it is just too feint to be seen obviously by eye.
On the starboard side there are small differences in shape and form around the wingroot, at the rearmost windows and in the green region that goes under the horizontal stabiliser. None of these are major and considering the high complexity of the design (which as I understand has limited the initial production run of this model) the result is impressive.
The standard Continental tail is delightful and the Statue of Liberty and NYC 2000 logos look good. You have to magnify the images quite a bit to see some unnecessary lines on the NYC and a bit of pixellation.
The last point is not an error but a design choice I wouldn't have made. The aircraft has the Skyteam logo present on both sides of the nose and it seems this wasn't added until the second-half of 2004. I'd have preferred the model as delivered without the alliance logo.
SCORE - 8
PRINTING & QUALITY CONTROL
Printing is obviously paramount when representing such a complex livery and the model doesn't disappoint. It is crisp and fine. All the usual detailing is present with the engines being particularly attractive, helped by the good colouring and depth of the engine fans.
Build quality is high and you have to look in real detail and at magnification to spot a couple of very minor issues. One is that the rooftop dome has a small gap between itself and the roof on the starboard side. The other is that the starboard horizontal stabiliser has a little more of a gap at its rear than the port side one.
Overall the finish here is excellent aided by the mould design choices taken with the maingear and engines. I do think in this case less interactive options makes for a more realistic finish.
SCORE - 9
CONCLUSION
This model has been made before three times: by Dragon Wings in 2002, Gemini Jets in 2003 and most recently by Phoenix in 2009. None of those versions are bad, but all are products of their time. None have modern features such as aerials or modern printing standards, although the Phoenix comes close. Also none of the moulds can compete as well with this NG version, although again the Phoenix 777 is still a contender. I missed out on all three of those old versions anyway so for me it is a no-brainer to get this one. Whether you think you need to replace your old version is up to you but I can confidently say this 4th edition is really good. It is also the only one with the Skyteam logo on it.
FINAL SCORE - 26/30
3 Comments
Garry
23/8/2023 02:17:02 pm
UMMM......Like the box art,the model....is it good as the original one from a decade ago by Phoenix?? I have the Phoenix and i was amazed to see this one re-done by NG,this livery! Too old and dated i thought for them but hey ho,if they can do this one ,HOWS ABOUT the Delta Winter OLYMPICS one that was adorned on a B757 and B777-200ER back15yrs ago maybe more i think,20yrs ago but i have only ever seen Gemini and Dragon wings i think that attempted it!
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Bernard
27/8/2023 02:23:40 pm
Actually the Phoenix one also has the Skyteam logo on it.
Reply
Garry
30/8/2023 09:24:51 pm
Yes,i have seen right now Dragon Wings version of this ,the oldest version i am led to think going for $150 dollars asking prices! Seen many before over $120 dollars bids /asking prices with Gemini version,Phoenix (the best version as of the GE 90 engine details superior to the other 2 brands ) and all much more vibrant looking colours to this NG! Just seems 'duller' this NG one ,expecially the blue?
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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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