 Even though I'm now back in the UK I still buy a lot of models from abroad and sometimes I have no choice about that, such as for retailer exclusives. Panda Models are the main player in that space and have partnered with a good number of retailers to produce some great models. I've had good luck with receiving packages from distant places historically, but this one went walkies, somewhat ironically, only a few miles from my house, after making its way all the way from Indonesia! Fortunately after much shouting at the courier firm they eventually found the missing box and my house. The result is this review! Each review is to split into three key areas:
MOULD  This isn't the first time that I've reviewed a Panda Models 737-800 but it is the first time since early 2022. It is somewhat surprising that since then Panda are still the only firm to have directly responded to the advent of the excellent NG Models 737NGs by creating their own new mould, especially when you consider how incredibly weak the other existing moulds are from Gemini Jets / JC Wings and Phoenix.  I have heard rumours that there may well be a new Gemini / JC 737-800 in the works, and you'd have thought it would be easy to modify their excellent P-8 Poseidon into a new civilian 737, but at the time of writing they still haven't done so. Even without the often bizarre high wing fit on the existing mould it is in no way competitive with either the NG version, or for that matter this Panda one.  Indeed it is a straight fight between the NG and Panda versions with none of the others coming anywhere near close. This Panda mould, in its civilian guise, has been used 31 times now, with more than half of those models representing retailer exclusives. Seven have been for Airshop Diecast of Indonesia alone.  Side by side the two moulds are hard to distinguish from each other, which is a testament to their quality. The fuselage barrels are near identical, and excellent. The only obvious difference is that the tailcone of the Panda mould is less accurately slightly shorter behind the vertical stabiliser.  The Panda version is also equipped with a standhole - something the NG mould has always lacked. There are also minor differences at the nosegear. The Panda nosegear door is a little smaller and doesn't hide as much of the gearleg as it should. The fit isn't quite as tight at the front of the nosegear door either. These are minor gripes.  The wings and engines are near identical aside from the control surface detailing not being quite as strong on the Panda version and the flap track fairing join with the wing trailing upper edge not being as well defined.  The mould has all 5 aerials and they are well sized. This is a superb little mould that is the only current competition for the NG Models 737NG. In very small details this is slightly inferior but it is close, to the extent that the two are hard to tell apart. SCORE - 9  PAINT & LIVERY  Jakkrit Prasertwit (GFDL 1.2 I do like a retro-scheme and there are so many around nowadays that you could probably build an entire collection based around retro-flavoured airliners. This one features Garuda's scheme between 1961-1969, which was worn by such aircraft as the Convair 990.  The dark-orange is on the darker side but I think still passes muster here. The rest of the scheme is really well recreated. In fact, I can't see anything wrong with it, even though it contains a surprising number of details.  There are lots of lovely little details well replicated such as the 'BRAND LOGO 1961-1969' small titles, which are easily readable. The Garuda wing logo with Indonesian flag shield on the tail, winglets and engines look fabulous too. SCORE - 10 PRINTING & QUALITY CONTROL  This model was advertised partly on the quality and detail of the printwork and rightly so. As I intimated above it is certainly better than I've seen on recent JC Wings models and obviously miles ahead of anything Aeroclassics can manage. Fine detailing like the lines on the nosecone radome are excellent. There have been issues in the past with the height of the windowline on Panda 737s but it isn't an issue on this model.  I've got to look hard for nitpicks here but there are couple. The colour of the emergency exits, where they meet the belly, is too grey and they rather blend in with the belly colour. Also the fanblades are a little too silvery. The engines are also an area of QC concern. The port engine is fitted at a slightly upwards angle. Likewise the portside maingear is slightly pushed forward.  As you'd expect this model also comes with a nice box advertising Airshop Diecast and the number of pieces manufactured (120). Fundamentally the mould, printwork and box design come together to make a very pleasing product. SCORE - 8 SUMMARY  I like these retailer exclusives and I especially like them from Indonesia, which is a geographic area I have a special interest in. Airshop Diecast has been making some excellent little A320s and 737s using Panda Models and I know Kenney from Airshop has worked hard to get the models replicated with great quality. This model is undoubtedly a success in that area and a massive upgrade on the Gemini Jets version made all the way back in 2011. FINAL SCORE - 27/30 
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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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