2024 has seen a lot of chatter around 747 classics, but not a lot of delivery. NG Models have tried and failed to produce a quality 747 all year, and their updated moulds are still in the production phase. Meanwhile a new brand, HX Models, has emerged with their own 747-100 and 747-400. So far their production has mirrored that of NG and JC Wings, and with limited international distributors their 747s haven't been widely available in the West. I think that will change and with their version of N7470 having just arrived at the hangar, it is time to take a look. Is this the future of 747s in 400 scale?
For those of you unaware of HX Models (and their 200 scale brand SQ Wings) see my intro video here:
Each review is to split into three key areas:
MOULD
HX Models have proven controversial already, especially with JC Wings, however this 747 classic mould is definitely all new and shows an array of features that are significantly different to what has been offered in the 747 classic space before. There have been few new moulds as requested as a series of modern 747s and it is a mark against NG that they have so far failed to deliver on the promise they made of them more than a year ago.
I reviewed the NG Lite version of the 747-100 back in July here at the site. From a mould perspective there was plenty of work to be done still, and so far we have seen no updates as to whether that is underway or going to be successful. Despite that NG have continued to announce 747-400s and there are plenty of 747s in the wish centre marked for pre-production. Only time will tell whether NG can deliver on the 747s, but it is clear that in HX Models they already have some strong competition, on a mould that is already offering a lot more than the NG 747 is.
I had seen photos of this HX 747 already, but I must admit that in person the mould does not disappoint and in several areas it shows real attention to detail that is very praiseworthy.
First of all, focusing on the forward fuselage and I am pleased to say that I think they have it spot on. Certainly it has a much superior nosecone form to that of the current NG 747-100 and much more in keeping with the excellent old Big Bird moulds. Likewise the hump form has a longer more gentle rear margin than the NG, which I think is more accurate.
Impressively the mould features an add-on SATCOM fairing dome at the rear of the hump. These fairings were fitted to early 747s, but mostly removed in the mid-70s. Until now they have never been featured as a 3D element on a 400 scale 747, plus the form of the dome is excellent too.
The wingjoin is tight and accurate, for a really smooth mid-section. Of course this being a slot-in-wings mould there is no seamline. There is a flaps-down version of this mould in existence but I haven't seen it. Towards the rear of the fuselage the vertical and horizontal stabilisers have no obvious issues, and detailing at the APU exhaust is very nice.
At the wings HX have clearly got the basics correct (something NG failed to do with their messed up wingspan on the 100/200). There's plenty of strong flap detailing, and towards the wingtips some very impressive HF antennas. These are the best modelled HF antennas I have seen in the scale. They are not just spikes following the wing edge profile but independently moulded elements with impressive detailing. Additionally, the fuel dump pipes are moulded in just inboard of the antenna.
At the engines the model exhibits the correctly shaped early engine pylon configuration used on the first series 100s and 200s. The engines hang nicely and the Pratt & Whitney JT9D engine nacelles are slightly smaller and better sized than on the NG mould. There is actually a lot of great detail on the engines. From the front, if you hold them up to the light, you can see that they are even hollow core, but the fanblades aren't compromised by this and have outstanding detail on them.
On the underside of the fuselage the mould also illustrates attention to detail. Not only are the three NACA intakes moulded in, but so are the three rectagular grilled intakes behind them. Up till now these have always only been printed on.
The only achilles heal the mould has, in my opinion, is the undercarriage. It overall looks good, but does appear slightly too tall. This is certainly better than it being too short (as on the JC Wings 747-400), but does mean the aircraft sits slightly higher than other 747s in my collection. The gear legs themselves do have very good detailing on them and the main bogey units do pivot.
There is a huge amount to like about this mould. It looks and feels like a 747 in the way the classic BigBird mould does, but comes jam-packed with modern features and extra detailing that elevate it way above that. Extra-detailing on the HF antenna, underside, engines and SATCOM dome have never been seen in a 400 scale 747, while the base features of a 747 have been reproduced accurately. Certainly, this is far superior to the NG Lite offering and the dreadful Phoenix 747s that constitute the only other vaguely modern 747-100 castings.
This mould has the feel of a 10/10, but I will dock a point for the slightly too long undercarriage. Nonetheless, I am impressed.
SCORE - 9
PAINT & LIVERY
After no House colours 747s since 2007, 2024 has seen new examples from NG Lite, HX Models and JC Wings - with multiple versions from the first two and modified examples using the HX mould also from Patriot Models. As I said in the last review of this scheme, the 747 prototype livery is simple, but iconic, with the red cheatline and flash on the tail.
As with the NG version, HX Models correctly colour the BOEING 747 titles dark blue not black. I have no complaints about the size, colour and position of the titles, cheatline or tail elements.
This is the first flight edition of the scheme so is not named 'City of Everett' and has the Western Air Lines logo after the main titles. The airline logos are all present and look good. In extreme magnification they don't hold up quite as well as the NG Models equivalents, but are more than good enough.
SCORE - 10
PRINTING & QUALITY CONTROL
Print quality on this model is up there with any other of the top brands in 400 scale. There is plenty of detailing of elements such as door rain gutters, the nosecone ring, the engine nacelle logos and access panels. On the underside the central fuselage fairing is a triumph of fine linework and indented moulded in features.
The model is well built and has no obvious quality issues. Even the complicated join of the SATCOM dome to the hump and roofline is well executed, unless you are zooming in at magnification, where there is a small gap at the front of it.
Another aspect of this release that helps it standout is the overall package. The model comes with an attractive and sturdy plastic collectors card featuring information about the real aircraft. It also comes with a very nice stand, of excellent design - far better than the plastic one that came with my YY Wings / HX Models 747-400.
This stand is fully metal with a pentagonal base that doesn't take up too much room. It also has a stalk that holds the aircraft at a good height. The whole stand looks very stylish. Even better, the attachment of the stalk to the base is strong and works very well, using a screw. NG Models Ultimate Collection models came with a stand, but that stand was much inferior to this and had significant QC issues when trying to fit together. One last point is to note that the standhole on this model is triangular and has an inner, possibly plastic, liner to it. While that means that generic stands won't fit the model it also means the model doesn't spin at all on the stand and the stand fits the hole very well.
SCORE - 10
SUMMARY
I had seen photos of this 747 online, but I hadn't necessarily appreciated the small elements and details that together give the entire product a really high quality feel. What is even more impressive is that in China this model is at the cheaper end of the 400 scale price range. It illustrates an attention to detail that NG Models used to be well known for before they seemingly got distracted by a range of side programmes, often of dubious value. There is clearly a lot of potential at HX Models and this 747 should be the centre of that potential's realisation. My only query is whether HX themselves will deliver unique products to a Western audience, or continue to copy other brand's release choices. I hope they do the former.
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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