Boeing 737-600 1:200 Scale New Mould Sample
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Modified: August 2023
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NG Models continue their progression into 200 scale with their second non-Chinese and non-regional airliner following the 757s. Somewhat surprisingly it is the smallest member of the 737NG family, the 737-600, that has been chosen. It is a type with very little representation in the larger scale, although two other moulds do exist. Presumably, and I don't have any intel on this, the appearance of a series 600 foreshadows more 737NGs of other variants in the near future? NG has now produced 12 737-600s in 400 scale so it wouldn't surprise me at all to see several of those replicated in 200. Certainly it suggests there will be a lot more than the paltry 3 737-600s in 200 scale currently in existence within the next few years.
The Real Thing
The aircraft itself is a simple shortening of the 737-700 by 2.39 metres seating in a maximum 1 class layout up to 130 passengers, although 108 was more usual in a two class configuration.
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Aero Icarus from Zürich, Switzerland, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
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Olivier CABARET, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Competing 737-600 Moulds in 200 Scale
Ignoring Flight Miniatures models there have only been 3 other 200 scale 737-600s made to date. Two are from Herpa and made in 2000 and 2006 respectively. I'm not 100% certain but I think they may both be resin and not diecast models. Considering their age they don't look dreadful but at the same time they don't look like they're much competition either.
Boeing 737-600 Lauda Air "Tyrol" OE-LNM Herpa 551281 1:200
The only other 200 scale 737-600 was released this year by Gemini Jets, an EG&G example. I can't really comment on it as I haven't seen it in closeup. From distance it looks fine, better than the 400 scale version they released around the same time but I'm not convinced by the nosegear or engines. Obviously with only 3 models in 23 years there isn't a lot of competition for NG to worry about and I can't see Gemini releasing large numbers of 737-600s in 200 scale anytime soon.
GeminiJets 1/200 Janet Boeing 737-600 G2EGG1200
737-600 Release Options
With only 69 frames produced for, I think, 8 original customers between 1998 and 2006 the options for model production are relatively small, however there were a small group of secondary operators as well. Way back in 2019 just after Panda Models had their 400 mould up and running I wrote a wishlist for the type which is fairly comprehensive and still works for 200 scale:
Nowadays most 737-600s are in storage or scrapped with the only airline operators remaining being Air Algerie (6) and Tunisair (4). Tunisair has added a new scheme though with TS-IOP operating in a retro scheme:
Additionally. I note that there is a new operator of the type in Canada. Kelowna Flightcraft have acquired a pair of former Westjet examples and are flying them under the Aeroflyer brand on charters out of Western Canada in this attractive scheme:
NG Models has already made the Aeroflyer in 400 scale along with two variants each of the following: Air China, WestJet, Malev, Air Europa & flyglobespan. I suspect several of those will be replicated in 200 scale.
200 Scale Mould Sample
I admit to not being an expert on 200 scale but in the past some 737 moulds I've seen in this scale have seemed a bit off to me. Usually it relates to the nosegear form and size. Having said that a cursory look around some of the recent JC Wings and Gemini efforts of both 737-300/400/500s and 737-700/800/900s and they actually look really good. I'm not going to compare them to this sample because to do so would massively increase the scope of this piece. I'll stick just to a comparison to the real thing.
To be honest this is another NG mould where the photos speak for themselves. The existing NG Models 737NG moulds are superb for 400 scale and in 200 scale this looks even nicer. The sample comes fully printed too, which really adds to the realism. From the front it looks basically 100% accurate to me.
I have no real complaints from the front either. The engines are solid core but look really good. The pylons and wing angle are accurate. The undercarriage form from the front also closely replicates the real thing.
The tail and tailcone are impressive capturing details not possible in 400 scale such as what I presume is a light above the APU exhaust. In this photo the samples tail top looks wrong but that is merely an artefact of the photo.
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Unlike most samples NG send me this one is so far along that it has its aerials fitted already. There are 5 and if I'm being ultra-nitpicky it is one of these that provides the only area of criticism. It is the small aerial just ahead of the vertical stabiliser I'm not happy with. On the real thing it is quite square but the one on the model tapers a little too much. Hardly a biggie!
Detailing on the underside of the model is topnotch and as you'd expect the landing gear is removeable and magnetic:
SUMMARY
When the samples are as good as this calling this a review is a little over the top. I can't see anything wrong with this 737-600 aside from the shape of the rear rooftop aerial.
