 NG Models hasn't had a great 2025 by any measure, but they are still releasing the odd winner aimed at a non-Asian market, even if the majority of their releases recently have been firmly Asian focused. This rocket equipped L-1011 is a model that is a product of the NG Wish and Commission centre, another NG concept that has promised a lot but so far not delivered that much. It also illustrates that when push comes to shove NG can still make unique and energy intensive products. Hopefully it is a sign of things to come. This review is split into three key areas:
This review is sponsored by Northeast Diecast. Check out their store for an excellent range of hard to find 200 and 400 scale collection sale models and get 15% off!  MOULD  I haven't reviewed an NG Tristar here at the site since January 2023, which is partly because they have barely used the mould in recent times and what they have made has often been re-releases or annoying hybrids. There has only been a trickle of L-1011s, 1 in 2024 and now 3 in 2025. At least the mould remains available, although somewhat surprisingly rather than make more standard L-1011s NG's last two have both featured special extras (the underbelly lounge fairing on the PSA and this model).  The base mould remains one of the finest in 400 scale, and certainly one of my favourites. There is simply no competition between this mould and the other Tristars available in 400 scale - be they ancient versions like the 1999 Gemini and 2005 Blue Box, or newer moulds.  In fact, the newer versions, from JC Wings / Gemini Jets and Lockness / Aeroclassics are arguably inferior to the pre-2010 moulds let alone this NG version. I actually compared those two to each other prior to the NG's release in mid-2019. For that review see:  As for the NG Tristar, it is a mould that I struggle to find fault with. No other Tristar in 400 scale captures the forward cockpit and nosecone region as well, or the complex and graceful tail region.  The only area of any inaccuracy I can find relates to the angle of the maingear doors but it is very minor and not enough to detract any points in my opinion. Of course it is not just the Tristar itself that matters in this case as it has the Pegasus air-launched multistage rocket fitted to it. This is designed to deliver small payloads into low Earth orbit.  The Pegasus is attached to a pylon, which itself attaches to the underside of the Tristar launch vehicle. This isn't the first time that the Pegasus has been made in 400 scale as BlueBox did so themselves in 2008. That model has featured at the website before - see:  The BlueBox version is nice, but the pylon for the rocket is too deep. The NG version here is better proportioned and its contours better fit to the rocket itself.  The Pegasus rocket itself is a four stage machine with a blunt rounded nose. The NG version is excellently shaped and has more detail than the earlier BlueBox, such as a hollow exhaust and better angled lower rear stabilisers. There's lot of nice shaping and detail to be seen.  Alpacaaviator, CC BY-SA 4.0  What would be nice is if the rocket was detacheable. I don't think it is and am not willing to tug it hard enough to find out for sure!   Overall, the combination of the excellent Tristar with a really nicely detailed Pegasus rocket and launch rail is a winning combination. It doesn't get much better than this from a mould perspective for me. SCORE - 10 PAINT & LIVERY  N140SC was modified for the Pegasus rocket in 1994 and has worn at least 4 liveries, of which the version the model wears is the second to last. Northrop Grumman took over Orbital ATK in 2018 and that had been formed from the 2014 merger of the first owner, Orbital Sciences Corporation, with Alliant Techsystems (ATK).  The aircraft is based at Mojave and although it doesn't seem like a Pegasus has been launched since 2021 the aircraft remains active. The current scheme worn matches the one shown on the model aside from the titles. It is simple but smart. A single thin blue line runs from a point at the nose, along the lower fuselage and sweeps up onto the tail.  Placement of the cheatline is fine, as is the US flag on the tail. The STARGAZER titles on the no 2 engine nacelle should definitely be lower. The Northrop Grumman titles match those worn after the 2018 merger, but are different to the current style of titling on the aircraft. SCORE - 9 PRINTING & QUALITY CONTROL  NG have had their share of print issues in recent times, usually related to windowline height or the position of wing registrations. This Tristar doesn't show any of those problems on the aircraft itself, although the logos and flags on the Pegasus rocket itself all appear to be too low.  Otherwise print and paint is of the high level I expect from NG. What might be nice is if they painted the inside of the number two engine nacelle black or dark grey, like they do the wing engines.  Build quality for the model is good. The left side wing engine is slightly out of alignment but only by a tiny amount. The box cradle has space for the rocket to sit into and it all fits together well. It is worth pointing out that the Pegasus itself covers the area of the model where the standhole would usually be and so the model won't fit to a traditional peg stand. SCORE - 9  CONCLUSION  This model, and the recent PSA, show that there are still signs of life at NG, even if the majority of their releases are nowadays modern Asian widebodies. As NG work their way through the wish centre model lists it is hoped that more diversity will return, but I suspect a lot of that is dependent on the ongoing tariff and world economic situation. For N140SC and this Pegasus mould, there are at least 3 other versions of this airframe that can be made and I'd welcome seeing them myself. FINAL SCORE - 28/30 
1 Comment
Gaz
3/9/2025 05:35:51 am
If NG are reading,can we have a BWIA Tristar 500 in retro livery!!! Leave a Reply. |
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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