 HYJLwings had been a semi-independent brand since 2017, producing a good range of models (mostly A321s), often in partnership with NG Models. The brand closed in early 2024 and out of its ashes has appeared a new brand called Aero Polaris. In October they announced they would be producing their own Airbus A350, and also releasing some 737-800s. The 6 737s appeared last month and represented a nice geographic diversity, somewhat surprising for a new Chinese brand. The most interesting for me was the Greater Bay Airlines version, which took a while to arrive from China. Now it's here let's see what you're getting from Aero Polaris. For my earlier articles on Aero Polaris see here: Each review is to split into three key areas:
MOULD  Aero Polaris told me that this 737-800 is their own new mould and, while that may technically be true, it is clearly a direct copy (unlicensed or not) of the NG Models mould. From a collector's perspective this is no bad thing, but you have to wonder what NG think of this. Certainly Aero Polaris calling it their own 737-800 is a massive stretch of reality, since it is more or less identical. In fact, there is only one place that I can see any difference at all.  It has been a few years now since I reviewed an NG 737-800, but the mould, which dates from 2019, remains the best 737NG in 400 scale and only has any real competition from the slightly newer Panda Models version.  Considering the number of 737NGs still being made in 400 scale it is somewhat odd, and lazy to boot, that neither Gemini / JC Wings or Phoenix have created a more modern mould, especially as their efforts are so weak. This is especially strange since Gemini does have a P-8 Poseidon mould, which uses a new 737 fuselage barrel and landing gear. You'd have thought making a standard 737 from that would not be especially hard.  Anyway, since this Aero Polaris version shares all the same features, bar one, that the NG does the review of the two is very similar. Unlike the aforementioned competing 737-800s this one is near faultless. The NG mould has a beautiful and accurate transition from cockpit to nose perfectly capturing the classic traditional Boeing shape. The rest of the fuselage barrel is excellent as well.  On its underside the mould does have one dead giveaway that proves to me it is a direct NG copy. It lacks a standhole. This is highly unusual among 400 scale moulds and has been an oddity of the NG mould since its introduction. If Aero Polaris really was making its own mould clearly they would have added this in.  The only place on the entire mould where I can see a difference between this and the original NG version is on the engine nacelles. The inboard engine strakes on this version are thinner and more accurately moulded. In all other ways the mould matches the NG and has no real issues or weaknesses. SCORE - 10 PAINT & LIVERY  Greater Bay Airlines is a Hong Kong based carrier that started operations in July 2022. It had a long gestation to get to first flight, but clearly wasn't interested in spending any money on a livery as this is undoubtedly one of the most boring and worst schemes ever put onto an airliner.  That does mean it is a hard scheme to make mistakes with in 400 scale. The only colour comes in the form of a light pastel green tail and winglets (which can look blueish in some lights). The model gets the colour correct.  All that is left are the titles, perfectly realised on the model too. So there are no issues, although getting full marks for this livery should be no surprise! SCORE - 10 PRINTING & QUALITY CONTROL  HYJL wings had always had printing that was just as good as that from NG Models. That seems to have continued here. Everything is printed to the best level of detail you'll see in 400 scale.  Quality wise the model is also well constructed. There are no major issues, but when viewed from the front the starboard side engine nacelle is a little untidy.  Something extra to be discussed with these Aero Polaris releases is that they do come with some extras. The box is a nice flip-top version, complete with velcro closing. The model also comes with a small cardboard ramp section (this is something HYJL also did) and a large collector's card, which on the reverse side tells me my model is number 183. SCORE - 9 SUMMARY  I was keen to see what this Aero Polaris 737 was like in person and although it is effectively the same as the NG version I am not disappointed, since that is the best on the market. The model scores very well, partly because of the simplicity of the livery, but also because it is a good example of simply having a high quality combination of mould, print and construction. The extra details that come with the model packaging are nice and didn't add anything to the price of the model, which remains competitive with other 400 scale 737s. FINAL SCORE - 29/30 
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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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