Boeing 757-200 Moulds in 1:400 Scale
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Updated: August 2021
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This may come as a surprise to some of you given my classic leanings but my favourite aircraft type is probably the Boeing 757. I find it to be a massively satisfying aircraft both in terms of appearance and performance. Being the workhorse of the UK charter fleet there were always plenty at Gatwick when I was a kid, flying for the likes of Air Europe, Inter European, Monarch, Air 2000, Airtours, Flying Colours, Caledonian etc and of course whenever I visited Heathrow I was quickly bored by the stream of BA 757s. How lucky we were back then.
Boeing 757-200 in 1:400 Scale
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When I originally wrote this review back in late 2016 I lamented the lack of 757 releases and the age of the moulds being used. There had been only 126 releases and substantial amount of mould sharing between Gemini, Schuco and Phoenix. Things have definitely improved primarily due to the appearance of NG Models with a brand new moulding. Since their mould appeared in 2018 the number of 757 releases has nearly tripled.
NG Models mould has been used by several other brands and has seen an impressive diversity of 757s released using it from classic 757s to modern versions, from passenger to cargo and from house colours to military. Gemini Jets and JC wings have also stepped up their game somewhat and been releasing more 757s in recent years on the modified Mk 2 mould |
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The Real Thing
Here are some shots of the 757 in action to provide some comparison to the models:
By Rolf Wallner - Website: http://www.airliners.net/photo/Eastern-Air-Lines/Boeing-757-225/0451712/&sid=02f9b4aab78ef71e6b906d1813247119, GFDL 1.2, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=16639802
By Eduard Marmet - Websites: http://www.airliners.net/photo/British-Airways/Boeing-757-236/1346198/&sid=9dc7caffa734f82615313ab4986fac79, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17745816
A mention should also be made of the engine options. 757s can be powered by either Rolls-Royce or Pratt & Whitney engines however there are more than 2 types. Early 757s built before late 1984 and powered by RRs used the Rolls-Royce RB211-535C whilst subsequently they used the RB211-535E4 (and similar looking E4B). The 535C has a shorter nacelle than the 535E4. Pratt & Whitney have used the PW2037 and PW2040 engine but the Rollers are much more popular. Here are the engines:
RB211-535C
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RB211-535E4
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PW2040
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The Moulds
Gemini Jets (2000) Moulds 1a-1d
As of October 2018 Gemini have made an 92 models (four have also been rebadged as Schucos), however 63 of those have been from the United States of America examples which I guess is hardly a surprise given the 757s popularity in the USA and Gemini's focus. Even so there are always more 757s to be done especially classic 757s. Unfortunately the Gemini mould can't be used to replicate early 757s as it is fitted with the later RB211-535E4 and not the earlier Rolls-Royce RB211-535C, which was superseded in 1984. They do have however versions with the PW2040 engines.
I actually like the original Gemini mould however as is well known its failings primarily centre around the undercarriage, which is uber-chunky (especially the nosegear). I also think that on some models the cockpit windows are too small and misplaced which impacts the beauty of the model.
The 1b version of the mould with smaller wing seam but with tail seam
Until I actually started looking in detail at my 757s I didn't realise there had been four different Gemini 757 mould variants. Prior to about 2001 the seam ran around the wing joint fairing whilst post 2002 or so they seam was modified and a smaller seam presented. Both of the first moulds still had a seam near the horizontal stabiliser but later that was remodelled and removed in the Gemini Jets II era making three moulds. Then they have in recent years also released a version with winglets for four different versions all with close ancestry. Here is a comparison two of the moulds (US Airways mould no 1a / Delta mould no 1c). Interestingly you can clearly see here the difference in cockpit printing. I actually prefer the larger US Airways printing:
Mould Version 1a (with RB211-535E4s) Mould Version 1c (with PW2040s)
Here's a selection of my Gemini 757s (the DL and UA have Pratts):
Dragon Wings (2002)
Dragon Wings entered the market rather late for them and have made only 9 757s in total. The mould is ok but again suffers from poor nosegear and often bad cockpit printing. On the plus side as with all Dragon moulds it is seamless around the wing but the tail as a separate item isn't so well fitted. I also think the nose is a bit heavy and snoopyish but its still a decent effort compared to some moulds from the same period.
Dragon Wings entered the market rather late for them and have made only 9 757s in total. The mould is ok but again suffers from poor nosegear and often bad cockpit printing. On the plus side as with all Dragon moulds it is seamless around the wing but the tail as a separate item isn't so well fitted. I also think the nose is a bit heavy and snoopyish but its still a decent effort compared to some moulds from the same period.
Herpa (2005)
Herpa have had a 757 mould for a long time and it used to be a source of frustration that they didn't use it much (as with everything Herpa in 400 scale). Now with NG's mould about the Herpa one can be forgotten about but for some years it was the best available. Herpa have so far made a paltry four models on their own mould with the Icelandair Hekla Aurora , which was the last produced sitting at pre-order for around two years before it got to market! The nose is a little pointy and the tailcone a little plump but overall it is a nice mould.
Herpa have had a 757 mould for a long time and it used to be a source of frustration that they didn't use it much (as with everything Herpa in 400 scale). Now with NG's mould about the Herpa one can be forgotten about but for some years it was the best available. Herpa have so far made a paltry four models on their own mould with the Icelandair Hekla Aurora , which was the last produced sitting at pre-order for around two years before it got to market! The nose is a little pointy and the tailcone a little plump but overall it is a nice mould.
Phoenix Mould 2 (2013)
As of Sep 2014 Phoenix have done 14 models using the earlier Gemini moulds but in 2013 they decided to modify the mould to fit rolling gears. That seemed like a sensible thing to do especially as the undercarriage of the Gemini mould is its major failing. However Phoenix have made a shocking mess of the change. Being Phoenix as per usual the wheels are far too large but worse the nosegear too is way too short giving the new version a bizarre nose-down stance which looks awful. My understanding is that this mould is now out of production, which is probably just as well.
As of Sep 2014 Phoenix have done 14 models using the earlier Gemini moulds but in 2013 they decided to modify the mould to fit rolling gears. That seemed like a sensible thing to do especially as the undercarriage of the Gemini mould is its major failing. However Phoenix have made a shocking mess of the change. Being Phoenix as per usual the wheels are far too large but worse the nosegear too is way too short giving the new version a bizarre nose-down stance which looks awful. My understanding is that this mould is now out of production, which is probably just as well.
Er Phoenix WTF have you done to this beauty?
Gemini Jets / JC Wings Mould 2 (2018 - In production)
JC wings and Gemini both kicked out a few 757s in the past couple of years using the old mould and it didn't look like it would ever get an upgrade. Then NG Models came onto the scene (see below) and all of a sudden the old Gemini 757 got a facelift. The mould was essentially sound aside from the undercarriage so naturally this has been the primary focus of the mould update.
The nosegear door is a little too small (previously it was too large) but the nosegear leg is thin and detailed albeit the two forward pointing processes look a little too long. The nosegear doesn’t roll but the maingear does. This too is new and an improvement over the old style. The tyres are closer together and the maingear doors longer. The gear leg itself, only visible from the inside, is also more detailed and correctly forked.
The mould has also been updated with aerials as you'd expect for a 2018 moulding, but still has the small fuselage seam line. Essentially this is a decent update but although I like the older Gemini 757 mould it simply can't compete with the new NG Models offering.
JC wings and Gemini both kicked out a few 757s in the past couple of years using the old mould and it didn't look like it would ever get an upgrade. Then NG Models came onto the scene (see below) and all of a sudden the old Gemini 757 got a facelift. The mould was essentially sound aside from the undercarriage so naturally this has been the primary focus of the mould update.
The nosegear door is a little too small (previously it was too large) but the nosegear leg is thin and detailed albeit the two forward pointing processes look a little too long. The nosegear doesn’t roll but the maingear does. This too is new and an improvement over the old style. The tyres are closer together and the maingear doors longer. The gear leg itself, only visible from the inside, is also more detailed and correctly forked.
The mould has also been updated with aerials as you'd expect for a 2018 moulding, but still has the small fuselage seam line. Essentially this is a decent update but although I like the older Gemini 757 mould it simply can't compete with the new NG Models offering.
NG Models (2018 - In production)
The new NG Models 757-200 mould, easily takes its place as the best 757 in 1:400 scale and one of the best ever moulds at this scale. The fuselage shape is excellent, particularly the nose shape and wingroot area. The latter is a really nicely contoured design with an exceptionally tight fit for the wings.
The wings, engines and especially the engine pylons are also first class efforts. Of course it was the nosegear of both the Gemini and Phoenix 757s that have proven their biggest problems so how does the NG Models gear compare? I hadn’t realised that the 757 had such a complex nosegear leg. This makes it difficult to realise in 1:400 but NG Models have triumphed. The gear legs are excellent – thin and detailed.
The wings, engines and especially the engine pylons are also first class efforts. Of course it was the nosegear of both the Gemini and Phoenix 757s that have proven their biggest problems so how does the NG Models gear compare? I hadn’t realised that the 757 had such a complex nosegear leg. This makes it difficult to realise in 1:400 but NG Models have triumphed. The gear legs are excellent – thin and detailed.
A comparison showing the updated nosegear (on Caledonian) and the older style (Xiamen)
In the earliest releases the nosegear bay doors were a little small and the gear leg slightly too tall but impressively NG changed this feature early on and now NG releases come with a new nosegear and nosegear door setup. The result is that the nosegear doors are now better, and correctly sized. The nosegear itself is also slightly shorter, which looks good.
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Left and above: Versions with the older RB211-535C engines
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Adding the cherry on top mould NG Models have shown a willingness to fit to the real detail of the aircraft. They have even gone to the length of producing the early Rolls-Royce RB211-535C, as well as the other engine types, whilst they can modify the number of aerials and domes on each of their models. They also have versions of the mould without winglets, with blended winglets and with the scimitar style winglets. The result is a stunning range of 757s that are near perfect. For a closer look at what has been made see here:
It is also worth noting that in 2018 Aeroclassics acquired 3,000 blank 757s from NG Models all of which came without aerials (as the Aeroclassics owner hates them at 400 scale). They produced 20 757s in 400 scale between 2018 and 2021 using them. They are ok but Aeroclassics can't match the quality of NG Models in tems of printing and the lack of aerials isn't ideal either.
A selection of Aeroclassics 757s can be found below:
A selection of Aeroclassics 757s can be found below: