23rd Beijing Hobby Expo China (HEC) Preview
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Modified: April 2025
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The 23rd Beijing Hobby Expo runs from April 18-20th 2025. It represents a massive hobby expo for model and diecast manufacturers. While only a small portion of the exhibitors are in the 400 scale diecast airliner market its importance in the scale cannot be underestimated as an opportunity for businesses to show off their products, network and announce model news. This year there will be a wide range of brands from 400 scale present at the show including several of the newer startup brands. Many will have new mould announcements to make or exclusive models for sale so let's take a look at what to expect.
The Expo is to be held at the Beijing Exhibition Center and has its own Hobby Expo China website. It was founded in 2001 and is China's only model exhibition approved by the Ministry of Commerce. It is split into various categories of model including: remote control vehicles, model engines, remote control electronics and tools, diecast cars and aircraft, railways, science fiction merchandise, figurines, plastic models and pretty much everything in between. In 2024 there were 269 exhibitors, 3,200 business attendees and 65,000 model enthusiasts.
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N509FZ, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
You can see from the Expo map how large it is - but it seems most, if not all, of the 400 scale exhibitors will be in section 7 in the top right of the image below (coloured in yellow):
Even though the 400 scale portion of the Expo is small many brands will be present. Those I know are attending include:
In this preview I'll relate what has been divulged by these brands and what I've learnt so far about what they'll be exhibiting at the fair.
C Model is a brand that started up in 2022 that has so far used entirely Panda Models moulds. I wrote about them a while back here at the site, but since then they have continued to release new models - most recently using the new Panda 767-300 and MD-11, as well as 737-800s and A321s.
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C Model has said that they will be giving out gift bags containing exquisite pendants or 2025 Beijing Exhibition limited collection cards. They will also have some limited editions of their CAAC 737-300 - 30 of which have electroplated silver rather than grey painted bellys. Apparently these will be hidden among the standard models for collectors to hunt out.
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C Model also appear to be going into the mould production space themselves and will apparently announce a new mould in 400 scale at the Expo. They have released this pixellated image of it:
From the image I'd say it is definitely a widebody twin and if I had to guess I'd say it was possible an A310 or much less interestingly another 787.
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HX Wings and their 200 scale partner SQ Wings will also be present at the show. HX have been making a splash in 400 scale with their 747s and flaps down variants of various types (see Flaps Down Models for more). They apparently have a lot of new moulds to showcase at the Expo, but at the moment it is a little unclear which will be in 200 scale and which 400. I have been told however that anything they have in 200 scale will get made in 400.
Possible moulds in 200 scale that could be seen include Ilyushin Il-76s and Boeing 737s. Possibilities in 400 scale include Airbus A320s, Boeing 777s, and Ilyushin Il-76 series. There has even been the suggestion of Airbus A330s, Comac C919s and ATR42/72s in 400 scale. I hope to hear more later in the week.
I haven't heard much from JC Wings (who may be sharing space with Patriot Models) but they do seem to be bringing along a shuttle (see image to the right). Not sure if it'll be 200 or 400 scale.
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Panda Models will have at least two unannounced models for sale at the Expo, although presumably both will be general releases and not exclusives. There has also been talk of a possible new mould (although this might just be the 767-200). It's a little uncertain, however I know the two new models are:
Patriot Models have already announced several models that, although billed as HEC exclusives, will also be sold outside the Expo. These include the 400 scale Iranian Air Force 747 Tanker two pack. There is also a 200 scale 747 tanker with SR-71 - not sure if that'll get sold outside the Expo or not. Patriot are sharing their table with Turbulence Aviation Photography Group who will be selling their 2024 yearbook of photos.
Patriot will also be announcing a new mould at the show. The image below clearly tells you what type of aircraft it is! If you can't work it out think of a number between 11 and 13!
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Undefined Collectibles is a newish brand that has featured at the site before too. So far they have collaborated with both Panda Models and JC Wings to make 10 models, of which I own 4 (with another on order).
Nelson at Undefined Collectibles has told me he'll have four new models at the show. Three are Chinese A330s, which will are part of a new collaboration with Aeroclassics. The other model will be a Boeing 767-300 freighter - G- reg I'm told.
I believe one of the A330s will be the below aircraft - B-18392. One of a pair of Trent powered A330s leased for 18 months from Virgin in 2011. The rest of China Airlines A330s are CFM powered. |
Paul Spijkers (GFDL or GFDL ), via Wikimedia Commons
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YU ModeL is a brand that has been going now for 5 years and has made a great range of Chinese classics using moulds from Aeroclassics, HYJLwings and Panda Models. I own quite a few of their models and have written about them here at the site - see:
For a list of their production to date see:
Of course YU have also been working on their own moulds and now have a completely independent self-built factory - Yu ModeL Yujia Dream Factory.
I have been tracking the development of their new A300 mould here at the site for some time. For that see here: |
The A300 now appears to be fast approaching readiness and samples should be present at the fair. These are the latest photos:
YU has also provided the following teaser image for the Expo:
The second mould here is surely the Tupolev Tu-124, which I first wrote about way back in 2021!! I wonder whether it has gotten further than the resin sample stage now?
That's all the news I have at the moment. It'll be exciting to see what appears at the show!!