Etihad Airways | Airbus A340-642 | A6-EHJ | Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2017 | HX Models

HX Models have been making a splash in 400 scale in 2025 mainly with their 747s, but they also have plans to become a major established brand in the scale and so have plenty of other moulds in the pipeline. One of the other moulds they have ready is the A340-600, in both flaps up and down configuration. Releasing 18 variants of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix A340, each with different years and both flaps up/down variants, was perhaps a bit much but it certainly got them noticed.

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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

For many years the standard bearer for the A340-600 in 400 scale has been the 2010 Phoenix Models version, whose seamless mould has been well thought of and garnered 53 releases. The only other competition of note has been the 2003 vintage Gemini Jets mould. That has an old-fashioned cradle mount and hasn't been used by Gemini since 2019, although JC Wings continue to release on it, here and there, for a combined total of 29 models (+6 older Phoenix versions that also use it).

The remainder of A340-600 releases are made up of Dragon Wings and Herpa / Hogan versions that can be safely ignored. In 2025 HX Models have introduced their own A340-600 and to date there have been 25 releases - although that number is heavily inflated by flaps up/down variants and the 18 Etihads wearing this scheme with just the year of grand prix altered.

In truth there have really been only 4 individually different releases and they have not garnered the same fanfare as the 747s have. In many ways the HX Models A340-600 is a clear improvement over the Phoenix edition, but at the same time there are aspects that detract from it too, although not all these are mould related.

Initially when I've seen images of the HX A340-600 something seems off at the nose-end, however I think a lot of this is not mould related and is to do with the cockpit windows (see later). The nosecone could be slightly pointier, but the forward fuselage barrel is generally good.

The nosegear has also been a source of concern. I had originally thought it was too short but inspection here makes me think that isn't the only issue. Instead if the nosegear tyre was smaller then the gear leg could be slightly taller. The end result would be the same , or a only slightly higher, height but it would have better proportions.

The model certainly does show a nose-down attitude, which may be slightly exaggerated compared to the real thing. The rest of the fuselage barrel is of a high quality. The wing join and associated fairing are a high point. At the rear end the tailcone correctly shows the APU exhaust's slanted angle and lower lip, but I feel the length of the tailcone beyond the vertical stabiliser is slightly too short.

The vertical stabiliser is well shaped and shows the cut-in at the lower margin of the rudder. The form of the maingear is excellent and all three gear units pivot up and down nicely, without impacting the form of the gear itself.

The model is fitted with the four main aerials (3 rooftop and 1 on the forward belly) plus two rooftop domes. They are all well shaped. 

This version of the model is the flaps down variant and the wings are of a very high spec. The level of detail, especially on the large extended rear flaps is excellent. I particularly appreciate how the flaps themselves are separate parts attached to the wing so that there is a gap between their upper margin and the wing trailing edge.

The detail on the underside of the wings is the best I've seen on an A340. The flap track fairings are correctly squared off and the third from the inside has the fuel dump pipe mould in as well. The slats on the wing leading edge are equally nicely done ​and overall the wings are a real highlight of the mould.

Likewise the engine pylons are great too. They are well-shaped and the join to the wing is excellent. I don't see the wing thickness issue that has been criticised on the HX 747s. The engines have hollow-core fans but they are not in your face and the blade count remains high.

This A340-600 mould has outperformed my expectations and in many ways (nosegear door, engine pylons, maingear, flap tracks, wing join, tailcone) is superior to the older Phoenix (stay tuned for a closer comparison of the two). Minor changes to the nosegear and a slightly longer tailcone would be improvements, but this is a strong contender.

SCORE - 9

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PAINT & LIVERY

This aircraft was one of 7 A340-642s delivered to Etihad and flew with them from December 2008 until October 2017. During her entire career she wore this F1 livery updated with the new year as needed. The other change was that in 2014 the aircraft was updated with the white rear Wi-Fi dome on the roofline. For a load of photos of the real thing see here.

This is an attractive livery, although when my wife saw this model she suggested the colours reminded her of menstruation, which rather puts a dampener on it! Ignoring that schemes were colours blend into one another are always hard to replicate in 400 scale. HX have done a decent job here, but I'd still argue the red is a little too strong around the main titles and that the black isn't strong enough by the registration.

The chequered tail and large F1 titles at the rear are superb, as are the engines. On the underside the stand hole rather obliterates the A in ETIHAD but there isn't much that can be done about that.

SCORE - 9

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PRINTING & QUALITY CONTROL

HX Models are already showing that despite their price point being very competitive they are no budget brand when it comes to finish and detailing. There is a lot of fine print detail about this model and the finish is as good as you'll see anywhere in 400 scale. 

The one area where the print template lets them down is the cockpit windows. They have been modified since the initial China Eastern release but I'm still not happy with them. The issue appears to be both positional and size. From the side it just looks off.

Flaps down models are prone to QC Issues but there are none with this edition. The model also comes with the plastic stand and a collector's card. I prefer the metal stand sometimes used but it's hard to complain about something that is a free extra and the HX stands don't come with any build issues.

SCORE - 9

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CONCLUSION

I am surprised by this model. The early shots of the HX A340-600 had led me to almost avoid it, although the subject matter to date hasn't been in my ballpark either. That was clearly a mistake as taking the mould overall, it is superior to the older Phoenix version in most details. Modification to the nosegear and cockpit windows would make this a clear favourite between the two, but even so I doubt I'll go to the trouble of replacing my existing Phoenix A340-600s. Apparently NG Models will also release an A340-600 next year too, but even if they do I'd argue this HX version is in a strong position to compete and of course it has the added option of flaps down variants as well.

FINAL SCORE - 27/30