 The past 5 years has seen an increase in the number of models being made for small brands and retailers with Panda Models being at the forefront of this OEM market. In 2025 so far Panda have made 14 models under their own brand, but 25 for others such as Aviation Retail Direct, Airplane Diecast ID, C Models, Creating Dreams Wings, Geministar, GP Model, Patriot Models, VTJets and Z2 Models. CNX Model Store is a new retailer based in Chiang Mai, Thailand and they have also commissioned a retailer exclusive, which they have kindly sent me. Each review is to split into three key areas:
 MOULD  The Panda A321 is one of several excellent Airbus A321 moulds available in 400 scale, but considering how popular the type is nowadays it is surprising that there are also still some very weak offerings around as well.  The mould debuted in 2018 but somewhat surprisingly since then has only garnered about 45 uses for individual releases with three this calendar year (Delta 100 Years, an EasyJet for ARD and this one). That is a lot less than the 108 A321s NG have made in a shorter period.  Unlike the heavily inferior JC Wings / Gemini Jets and Phoenix moulds the Panda A321 looks very much like a real life aircraft. That accuracy makes it difficult to distinguish it from the equally excellent NG Models mould (and the HYJLwings mould too).  The only obvious differences between this mould and the current NG version are visible on the underside of the fuselage. The NG version has the raised areas on the maingear doors, but it is the standhole position that is the giveaway. It is much further forward on the Panda mould.  Another minor difference comes at the maingear where the gap between the struts is filled in. While this may look like a QC error it has been like this on all the Panda A321s I own.  The rest of the model is near perfect. The fuselage barrel is far more accurate at the nose than the Phoenix and JC Wings versions and has a much better wing to fuselage fairing than the Phoenix.  The wings correctly illustrate the double slotted flaps of the A321. This is something I've complained about before, and though Phoenix have fixed their sharklet equipped A321 Aeroclassics persist in using an incrrect A320 wing for theirs. This aircraft is fitted with CFM engines and they are well sized - significantly smaller than the too large engines of the JC offering.  The Panda A321 easily holds its own against the NG Models and HYJLwings moulds. In fact, for most people I suspect they are virtually indistinguishable. That is because all three are very accurate renditions. I try and keep my A321 purchases to those 3 moulds. SCORE - 10  PAINT & LIVERY  This aircraft is something of an enigma. It was leased to Thai VietJet in October 2019 following the collapse of WOW Air of Iceland who it has been delivered to when new in 2017. It entered service in this curious hybrid scheme with WOW's fuselage livery and engine colour but as of May 2025 it is still wearing the scheme and has never been repainted into Thai VietJet's own colours.  That isn't to say the aircraft scheme hasn't been updated. The origina VietJet tail decal, applied somewhat crudely over the old Wow paint underneath, was originally too small for the tailplane (here's the original look) and has been replaced with a larger version as recently as mid-2023 - see this latest image. That larger decal itself has already begun to get frayed and tattered at the leading edge.  Additionally, the aircraft has had VietJetair.com titles added to the inner and outer Sharklet surfaces in 2024. They, the the tail and the engine cowling are the only things to betray the current operator and even they don't mention the Thai subsidiary of the Vietnamese parent.  The livery has been replicated well here on the model. The WOW Air purple base colours look great, although the vertical tailplane of the aircraft within the WOW logo is too thin. On the real thing the purple leading edge of the vertical stab can still be seen slightly and that is also missing on the model.  Those are minor nitpicks though and the rest of the livery detailing, such as the Sharklet titles, is excellent. SCORE - 9 PRINTING & QUALITY CONTROL  Panda Models exhibit some of the best level of print fineness and detailing in 400 scale. The printing on this model is of the highest quality.  Unfortunately, Panda's QC isn't always quite as impressive, although fortunately the impact on the model is minimal. This example arrived with the starboard wing loose. Fortunately, there wasn't any paint damage and I was able to shimmy it back into place easily enough. Clearly not enough glue had been used.  Another recurring issue on quite a few Panda models, especially A320s and 767s, has been the fit of the engines to the pylons. It is a minor issue once again here too as the portside engine is slightly tilted up. SCORE - 8  CONCLUSION  Panda's strategy of working directly with retailers seems to be a successful one. They get paid upfront, so there is a lot less risk, and it allows models to get made for specific markets that would probably be overlooked if not for the attention of the individual retailer or local brand. The only issue for the general collector is that it can make the models hard to come by. Fortunately, the internet makes it possible to contact most retailers even when they are located a long way off. Thailand has had quite a few exclusive releases in the past and this intriguing hybrid is a great way for a new store like CNX to make a name for themselves. FINAL SCORE - 27/30 
0 Comments
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.
|
RSS Feed