United Airlines | Boeing 767-424ER | N76055 | Panda Models

The 767-400 is in effect a slightly reheated version of the classic 767 that was never going to be a major seller, but was designed to stop Continental and Delta buying A330s back when they had those odd exclusivity agreements with Boeing, which said they'd only buy Boeing for the next 20 years. In 400 scale it has never been a hot property either - that is until 2023 saw the announcement of 3 different new moulds for the type, from Gemini Jets, Panda Models and NG Models. It has taken a while, but finally the Panda versions are about to the hit the shelves and they've kindly sent me one in advance for review purposes.

---

---

FORMAT

​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

---

---

MOULD

I took a close-up look at the new Gemini Jets / JC Wings 767-400 mould back in July 2023 and it was a major disappointment. In fact, it lost out on points, albeit narrowly, to a Dragon Wings version from the beginning of 400 scale time. See that review here:

GJ vs DW Boeing 767-400 Detailed Scoring

Absolutely no competition! Top Gemini Jets. Bottom Panda Models

The Gemini version appeared to be a modified version of their old 767-300 mould when it came to the old fashioned engines, but had a range of its own issues - such as wing anhedral, wing to fuselage join, tailcone, nosegear height and tyre size. It was never likely Panda would make this many mistakes, and I'm glad to say they haven't.

This new Panda 767-400 is much closer in quality to the NG Models 767-400 mould sample. That had a few smaller flaws of its own, which may yet be remedied, and this Panda version successfully avoids most of those as well. The overall result is that I think this Panda mould is the best 767-400 in the scale to date. For the details of the NG sample see here:

NG Models Boeing 767-400 Mould Sample Review

Back to the Panda Models mould. Starting from the front, the nosecone and cockpit are excellent, at least as good as the Gemini version but with a little more finesse. An area where the mould is clearly superior is the nosegear. The doors are correctly sized and not recessed into the fuselage, but more importantly the gear leg is a sensible length and has a well sized nosegear tyre on it. The front end looks much better than the Delta Gemini model I own and that is before we look at the printing.

The wing fuselage join is also an area of superiority since this mould takes the correct approach of having the wing join squared off following the real lines. This means the small triangular portion with the landing lights on is part of the fuselage mould, not the wing, as it should be. This is far better than the clumsy join on the Gemini mould and in keeping with the NG Models sample.

The wings fit tightly to the fuselage as slot in elements and have a good shape. They have noticeably more dihedral than the dreadful anhedral wings on the Gemini but, in a rare moment of imperfection, lack the fuel dump pipe the Gemini has on the wing trailing edge.

The extended 767-400 wingtips are well shaped and I'm liking the pointy flap-track fairings, which are better than on the NG Models mould. 

Moving to the engines and I have no complaints with the shape and detailing of either the nacelles or pylons. That means they have a better hot exhaust section than the NG sample and are obviously miles ahead of the generic Gemini engines. The engine fans are solid core, as with the NG version, which provides for more realistic fan detailing. 

On the underside the maingear doors are correctly shaped for a 767-400. This is something that is wrong on the Gemini and on the NG sample, where both have reused the 767-300 maingear doors. I'm sure NG will fix that before production but doubt Gemini ever will.

The 767-400 is fitted with the larger maingear tyres of the 777 and this gives the aircraft a small but noticeable nose down attitude. I do think that, like the NG sample, this is rather missing here. That is an area that can be improved.

Another area of correct detailing is the symmetrical positioning of the NACA intakes, once again an error on the NG sample that I expect will be resolved. The tailbumper is nicely moulded in also. 

At the rear the stabilisers and tailcone are correctly proportioned, whereas the Gemini version has a too short tailcone. On the roofline the large rear satnav done is tightly fitted and there are three aerals fitted overall - smaller and more refined than on the Gemini mould.

Altogether I am pleased with this Panda Models 767-400. It is better than the Gemini 767-400 on almost every measure and does not share 4 of the 5 refinements I pointed out were needed with the NG sample. The only real improvement is to give the model the slight nose down stance by slightly increasing the size of the maingear tyres.

SCORE - 9

---

---

PAINT & LIVERY

This 2001 delivered aircraft has worn the Star Alliance scheme since it was repainted in December 2010 after the merger of its former owner, Continental, with United. The scheme stands out a little more as it is a two tone black and white effort. Simple and stylish.

From the portside of the aircraft there are no major complaints. The large STAR ALLIANCE titles and smaller UNITED ones are wel positioned and have good fonts. Earlier in its career the aircraft had the first window after the L1 and R1 doors blocked out but in more recent times it has been opened up again and so the model is correct here too.

Above: Spot the difference. Top in 2013 and below in 2023. Hint - tail logo, satnav dome and windows by the E

The tail looks good, although in some lighting the three tone grey Star Alliance chevrons look a little lighter. From the starboard side I initially thought I'd found a major error with the tail Star Alliance logo but once again looking at more recent photos the model is correct. It seems that originally the chevrons were reversed. This model definitely demonstrates the later and current scheme version, and it does it well.

There's plenty of small detailing present as well, such as the fleet number by the last door, small Star Alliance logo by the cockpit and whatever that tiny logo is by the L1/R1 door, which wasn't present in 2013.

SCORE - 10

---

---

PRINTING & QUALITY CONTROL

Panda Models can do detail printing as well as anyone else and certainly comparing this model to the 2023 Delta version I have by Gemini Jets really shows up the latter. The radome printing on the nosecone, for example, is a lot more delicate and the cockpit windows far superior, compared to the overly large slumping efforts on the Gemini version.

As always looking at the underbelly and the engines shows off the quality of the print best. The nacelles are particularly nicely painted with bright rims, dark titanium inners and metallic fans with black inbetween them.

The quality side of the model isn't quite up to the standard of the print. The nosegear came broken (I have glued it back for the photos). I'm not docking points for this as it can happen to any model being posted long distance and this model came in a makeshift cradle. 

Something that is a quality issue is the portside engine nacelle, which is not fitted straight and angles upwards slightly. There is also a very small smudge on the portside engine hot section.

SCORE - 9

---

---

SUMMARY

The Gemini Jets Boeing 767-400 from last year was one of the year's biggest disappointments. It seemed like a quickfix lazy effort using old components from their ancient 767-300 (engines and maingear) and getting other things wrong (nosegear, wing anhedral, tailcone). The NG sample went some way to remedy that but also came with a variety of small issues. This Panda mould has taken its time to get to market but I have to say the end result is very good, certainly the best series 400 to come as of yet.

FINAL SCORE - 28/30