Qantas | Boeing 747-338 | VH-EBU Nalanji Dreaming | HX Models

The 747-300 was very much a stopgap design between the series 200 and next generation series 400. That status accounts for the small production run of only 81 units and the correspondingly low number of 400 scale versions. There has however been something of an uptick in 747-300 releases in 2025, as the type benefits from the renewed interest in 400 scale 747s in general. Mostly this has been a straight fight between JC Wings and HX Models, the latter with its new moulds has really been pushing the envelope, and Nalanji Dreaming must be one of the hardest schemes to reproduce in 400 scale. Let's see how they've done.

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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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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!

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MOULD

Until 2025 there had been 116 747-300s produced in 400 scale, of which 109 were made prior to 2016, and none made between 2017 and 2020. As with other 747 types there are a surprisingly high number of moulds, but many haven't been used much or are obsolete.

In the past 5 years the only casting that has seen much usage has been the classic BigBird / Apollo version, nowadays used also by JC Wings. The rather toylike DeAgostini / JAL Collection mould and the, arguably worse, Phoenix version can be easily dismissed. That leaves only the new HX Models 747-300, of which this model is the second release (it has flaps up and down variants) although the first with the correct 747-300 wing on it.

The other 747-300 release using an HX mould (Cathay Pacific's VR-HON made for YY Wings) has the modified wingjoin fairing fitted to a few late model 747-300s and uses the basic 747-400 wing with the winglets cut off. That isn't correct, but I can understand why they did that given how rare that wing/join configuration is for a 747-300. Fortunately, VH-EBU has the original 747-200 style wingjoin so has the correct wing for the variant.

NG Models hasn't shown any interest in a 747-300, so for now the only competition for this mould is the old BigBird version. Good for its time, it is now rather obsolescent and easily beaten by this new HX Models casting. 

I have been a big fan of the HX 747s and reviewed series 100s here at the site (see 
Pan Am | Boeing 747-121 | N747PA 'Jet Clipper America' | HX Models ) as well as featured the mould in a detailed comparison scoring - see ​Boeing 747-100/200 Detailed Mould Comparison. 

Most of what I said in those reviews remains 100% true for this 747-300, as the 300 shares largely the same stucture, aside from the SUD, as the 200. There are imperfections certainly: the nosegear door size, angle of the inner maingear doors and tail curve to join roofline at the leading edge for example all could be modified. However, these are easily overshadowed by what the mould gets right. 

In comparison to the competing BigBird / Apollo 747-300 this version has far superior detailing and modern features. Engine pylons, join to wing, engine detailing, underbody detailing, wingtip HF aerials and tailcone form are all much better.

This is a lovely mould and I hope to see plenty more models using it.

SCORE - 9

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PAINT & LIVERY

Nalanji Dreaming was the less famous of the two extremely colourful Qantas 747 liveries. Unveiled in November 1995 to celebrate Qantas 75th anniversary as a celebration of 'balance and harmony of nature in 'our place' Australia' since Nalanji in this aboriginal language means 'or place'. Of course the best place on the web for information about Australian airliners is Aussie Airliners and their page for VH-EBU has many good photos of this aircraft - see: Aussie Airliners VH-EBU.

This is clearly a fiendishly hard scheme to get correct. One element misplaced will throw out others so it is a triumph of hardwork that given the huge number of individual components present here I am struggling to find any issues.

The colours are vibrant and fit well with the images I'm looking at. None are wildy off and I find myself just staring at the beautiful rendition produced here. This is another example of why licensing has no impact on the quality of the finished product as there's no way this model would be better if Qantas had been involved in its production.

This is a superb livery application from the main Nalanji scheme down to the tiny Qantas logos on the rear of the engine nacelles.

SCORE - 10

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PRINTING & QUALITY CONTROL

HX Models overall printwork is top quality and although the livery overshadows all the other print on this model the underlying details are still clearly good. The only area of any complaint here are the cockpit positioning. Ever so slightly out of position they maybe, but they don't impact the overall look of the model.

HX Models do focus on a lot of nice modern detailing. Wheel tyre hubs and engine inners show the level of quality that you're getting with these 747s. Build quality also remains strong, as does the overall package.

The model comes with the lovely top-spec metal stand plus a collector's card. The only grip is that there is a minor crack in the portside outer engine pylon, which means it wiggles a little.

SCORE - 9

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CONCLUSION

I can't deny I'm impressed by this model. I love the mould, and the livery application here takes this into the top tier of 400 scale models ever made for me. My only complaint about HX 747s isn't the models themselves, but the slightly uninspiring set of releases to date, which have featured a lot of samey Asian models - many too modern for my tastes. If HX could release 2 or 3 more representative classic 747-100/200/300/400s a month under their own brand name then they would be making an even bigger name for themselves than they are. As it stands this model is a showcase for what HX can deliver. If you haven't been paying attention to their 747s by now, hopefully this model will help you to focus more on them.

FINAL SCORE - 28/30