 There are several new 767-300s on the market, but that doesn't necessarily mean that you should ignore those coming from other brands because often the subject matter is not being replicated across all of the possible mould candidates. That can still be the case even when you've been waiting for over 3 years for the announced model on an older mould! This colourful 767 freighter was originally announced in February 2022 by JC Wings, but didn't get to market until October 2025. That is an all too common issue with JC products, but is it worth the wait? Each review is to 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  This mould dates originally from 2001 when it was produced for Gemini Jets. Back then it had a rear seam by the horizontal stabilisers, static landing gear and no aerials.The seam was removed in the Gemini Jets II era and rolling gear was added to it in 2009. A version with winglets arrived in 2015.  Given the age of the original mould it is no surprise that this mould is easily outclassed by the newer NG Models and Panda Models castings. It is simply impossible to ovecome structural mould issues that date it - such as the cradle fit wing join with seam and the blocky join of the engine pylon to wing.  Nonetheless, the mould continues in widespread usage by Gemini Jets and JC Wings. Despite its age and structural issues it remains a surprisingly good version of a 767-300, because the original mould was good for its time.  The all important nose and cockpit region have always been one of the moulds stronger areas and here it competes well with newer versions. The updated rolling landing gear is well sized and positioned. The detail on the noseleg and shape of the maingear doors could be better but both require close inspection to really notice irregularities.  The wing seam is of course a detractor, but is quite well hidden on this model by the livery. Likewise even though they created a new wing for a wingletted version of the aircraft in 2015 they did so by simply grafting the winglets onto the existing wing. This leaves the chunky old pylon to wing join in place.  The rest of the wing has that solid classic Gemini feel to it, not necessarily a bad thing. The winglets are well sized and angled - something that can't be said for the NG Models 737-300WL. On the underside of the fuselage (still part of the wing) the NACA intakes remain only printed on rather than moulded in.  At the rear there are no major issues other than the mould showing its overall age once again by having a vertical stabiliser that attaches along its entire lower margin, rather than having a free rudder as newer versions do.  This mould has been one of the great workhorse moulds of 400 scale. Arguably it is time for it to be put out to pasture, but as long as you're not comparing it closely to the newer NG and Panda moulds it still does a decent job when alternatives are lacking. SCORE - 7 PAINT & LIVERY  If I was being charitable I might put the long gestation of this release down to the complexity of the livery, and I did hear a rumour that Panda wouldn't make this scheme for that reason. However, as this is JC Wings I suspect it is just them being their usual.  YTO Express served as the official exclusive logistics services sponsor for the 2022 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, actually held in 2023, and applied this amazing livery to their first 767 freighter. B-221F had originally been delivered in 2003 to Hawaiian and came to YTO via Air Canada who flew her from May 2011 to March 2020. She entered service with YTO in January 2022.  The centrepiece of the scheme is a complex multi-colour fuselage with colours fading into each other - exactly the sort of livery that is a nightmare to reproduce in 400 scale. I think JC Wings has done an excellent job with it. The colours themselves are bright and accurate. They wrap around the fuselage seamlessly.  The placement of the colour bands is good with my only area for criticism being the movement from orange to blue. On the model the intermediate pink area is too broad so there is not enough orange above the registration, and not enough purpley blue around the 'Future' text.  The large curving emblem on the side of the aircraft is the 'Surging Tides' emblem of the games. It is designed to to resemble a traditional hand fan from Zheijang, a running track, the Qiantang River tidal bore, and radio waves (symbolising wireless connectivity). It's size and placement are fine.  The emblem is repeated on the forward fuselage alongside a variety of text elements. The engines repeat the fuselage colour banding well, helping to make this a very well replicated version of a very complex livery. SCORE - 9 PRINTING & QUALITY CONTROL  I have already mentioned the complexity of the livery on this model, but a good chunk of its success is down to exceptional printing. There are no join lines or paint overruns, which is even more impressive when you consider that the colours and Surging Tides logo continue onto the belly underwing, which on this mould is a separate piece to the fuselage.  Additionally, the tiny text on the fuselage front is printed in such good resolution that at macro-photography levels it can be clearly read - it says 'Official Air Freight Services for the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022'. This is very impressive as it is less than 1mm tall.  Other areas of printwork, such as the nose radome and blocked out passenger windows, are printed with a fineness and subtlety that is welcomed.  This is a solid reliable old mould, which helps to make sure that build quality is robust. As mentioned the livery hides the wing seam to the extent you don't really notice it with the naked eye. The newer mould additions, rolling gear and aerials, are all fixed well.  The only minor QC issue is that the left side winglet appears to have had its top clipped off prior to painting. It is noticeably not as well shaped at the upper margin as the right winglet. SCORE - 9  SUMMARY  I spend a lot of time discussing the characteristics of moulds in 400 scale, but that doesn't make me a puritan who only buys the best version on the market. Similarly I am willing to buy from any brand if the model is right. There's no denying that this isn't the best 767 in the scale, however when there are no alternative versions for a livery and it is completed to such a high standard I have no issue at all with acquiring it. This is one of the most impressive livery finishes I have seen on a 400 scale release and the result is a great model. FINAL SCORE - 25/30 
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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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