Hawaiian Airlines | Boeing 787-9 | N780HA | Aviation400

Some brands in 400 scale are content to rest on their laurels. They churn out the same models to the same, or lower, quality that they have always done and get upset when anyone questions the poor finishing or mistakes. Aviation400 is not one of them. They have striven to add extra detailing to their models and regularly update their moulds. The most recent bunch of 787s has seen the mould adopt the magnetic landing gear that works so well on the A380, and will soon be coming to their A350s and 777s too. Does it work as well on the 787 though. Here I take a closer look.

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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

Arguably Aviation400 and NG Models are at the peak of 400 scale in 2023 but, each has taken a different path in recent times. NG has scaled back on interactive add-ons whereas AV400 has dialled them up, so that their 787-9 mould now incorporates a variety of features that NG have decided against, such as jewel light nav beacons, pivoting maingear trucks, see-through engine fans and now also detachable magnetic landing gear. 

I think there is definitely room in the market for these different approaches, especially when the result is often excellent for both. You may have a favourite between the two but you can't accuse either brand of not trying and AV400 have really been putting in the effort to give the customer more.

It was September 2022 when I first reviewed the 'new' AV400 787-9 mould and just over a year later the first versions of the mould with detachable gear have landed. Ignoring the landing gear for a moment and the rest of the mould was excellent. When I scored it in detail against the competition (JC Wings / Gemini, NG Models and Phoenix) it fared very well.

There aren't any major failings from nose to tailcone on the fuselage. It shares a lot of the same characteristics as the JC Wings and NG Models moulds because they are all very accurate. The wing seam has a slightly tighter join to the fuselage than the JC Wings and a better shaped vertical stabiliser, but these are small margins.

The wings are equally nice. Attached to them are a pair of great engines and pylons, although this is an area with some very minor deficiencies. I think the pylons could hold the engines slightly higher ahead of the wing. The number and shape of the rear nacelle chevrons isn't quite correct either but it's at least as good as on the NG.

From the front the engine fans are some of the best see-through fans I've seen. Perhaps. they aren't as good as the NG fanblades but they are wider and better than on the JC Wings mould.

I like the jewel light navigation beacons present on AV400 models but the aerials are a little longer than they should be. My biggest criticism of the original mould was the landing gear and this is of course the thing that has changed here. AV400 has added magnetic gear to its new A380 and A330-900 moulds. On the A380 it is a triumph but on the A339 it was a little more of a test and didn't come with the gears up components.

This new 787 landing gear has both gear down and gear up components and I am impressed with their quality. The thin wing of the 787 makes fitting magnets in a challenge but it has been undertaken here with real finesse and quality. 

All the gear fit tightly and are easily removed (the model comes with picks to enable easy removal of the gear up elements). It appears that the nosegear is slightly longer than it was before because the gear doors are deeper, however I don't think this is a bad thing. 

The maingear has been improved with a larger diameter tyre hub definitely improving the look. The gear doors still lack the angled rectangle at the base but overall the maingear is ok. Before I got this model I was, from looking at photos, concerned about engine ground clearance but I'm pleased to say it is no worse than before and no worse than the competition. It is probably a little too close to the ground but in 400 scale that is not unusual.

So, I have already said that I was a fan of this mould before the magnetic gear but has it improved the mould? I would say that on balance it has. The new maingear tyres are better and the option of showing the model gear up is great, especially when it comes with a stand as it does. This 787 is a match for any other in the scale, probably slightly better than the JC Wings version and streets ahead of the Phoenix. Ultimately it comes down to which features you want and AV400 are offering the collector a high quality Dreamliner here.

SCORE - 9

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PAINT & LIVERY

Hawaiian Airlines has a tremendous livery - a 2017 enhancement of the 2001 Pualani colours as described by Hawaiian themselves:

“The new identity retains Hawaiian’s distinctive color palette of purple, fuchsia and coral. Pualani—the singular icon of the brand—remains at its core. The new logo and livery emphasize Pualani by featuring her more prominently and liberating her from the floral “holding shape” of the former logo. She gazes proudly with the wind in her hair, adorned with a hibiscus flower and framed by a Hawaiian sunrise. The expressive, organic graphics reflect the natural forms of Hawai‘i.

The addition of the lei elements to the livery accentuate the three-dimensional contours of the aircraft fuselage while also incorporating a rich, meaningful cultural narrative that reflects the carrier’s strong sense of place and identity. Updated typography and bright, emotive imagery support Hawaiian’s positioning as a premium leisure airline, focused on warm hospitable service.”

This aircraft, the first 787-9 for Hawaiian, has still not entered service and isn't scheduled to until Q1 2024. That means there aren't a lot of photos around of it but this one on Airliners.net is very good and shows the scheme off well.

The model really shines and shows off a beautiful printing capability. Essentially all the livery elements are in the correct place and well sized, which is no mean feat given the lei wrapping around the fuselage. It also compares really well to the equally excellent NG Models version of this aircraft too but does repeat the one error that showed in that the colour of the lightest petals and leaf on the fuselage is too bright. 

The ability to replicate complex schemes and vibrant colours on 400 scale models has really come on in recent years and this is a fine example of what can be done. A really impressive rendition of a beautiful scheme.

SCORE - 9

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PRINTING & QUALITY CONTROL

Print detailing and quality is sublime on this model. I have already said how great the livery element print is, and it really shines, but there is plenty of non-livery print detailing as well. As usual this is best scene from underneath, especially on the engine nacelles and forward fuselage. 

Build quality is also really good. It requires magnification, and comparison with another AV400 787, to see that the jewel light navigation beacon isn't quite fitted properly. It is well attached but definitely not pushed in as much as it should be.

A last point I wanted to make concerning the quality and thought that has gone into this overall product is the plastic insert for the box. Firstly, the box itself is small - only just bigger than the model (a good thing when you buy a lot of models and so have a lot of boxes to store) but secondly what is impressive is that the plastic insert has been designed to not only have a separate area to store the landing gear but also an insert within it to store the stand the model comes with. Excellent.

SCORE - 9

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SUMMARY

I feel miserly detracting 3 points from this model, which has surpassed my expectations. I haven't been sure whether smaller 400 scale widebodies would benefit from magnetc landing gear but in this case I think it certainly does. What, really attracts me to this model however is the evident thought and care that has gone into its production. AV400 make mistakes, like all brands do, but they are ultimately trying to push what is possible in the scale and I applaud them for that. This is a delightful release.

FINAL SCORE - 27/30