Another New 1:400 787: NG Enters the Fray

The manufacturers view modern widebodies as akin to a cashcow so I guess it is no surprise that NG Models are also interested in competing in this space. Certainly Phoenix and Gemini are vulnerable but given the recent attacks from the latter one can only imagine how they'll react to this move. And does 1:400 really need another 787 anyway?

All photos are of a mould sample and not the finished product and are courtesy of NG Models

NG Models have certainly made an excellent name for themselves in their short history. Not only do they have an amazing 757-200 mould but they also have a Comac C919 and build HYJLwings exceptional A321s for them. In 1:200 scale they have an equally impressive CRJ-100/200. Of course great moulds are not the only thing they have. They also have a great attitude and have spent a lot of time listening to and discussing releases with the collectorate. Not only that but they have actually followed through and released models collectors have asked for.

Most of this has been happening over at the DAC forum but NG certainly seem like the real deal and have been a pleasure to speak with and see develop. Interestingly they actually had said they were working on a 787 to me ages ago but I kind of forgot about it and assumed it had been put on the backburner. Apparently not and the reason given for making a new one is that the NG Models owner is a big 787 fan.

That's a bit of an odd reason but hey who am I to judge? I am sure that the 787 will sell if it is good, although as with many collectors on DAC I was slightly disappointed as I'd rather they focused on under-resourced types. There are and will continue to be plenty of 787s made after all - from the likes of JC Wings, Gemini Jets and Phoenix.

The existing Gemini mould is old and obsolete. The Phoenix mould is decent but far from perfect, whilst the new JC Wings mould is as close to flawless as I have seen in 1:400, plus it comes in flaps up and down versions. NG have said they will use the 787 sparingly so it'll be interesting to see what they make. I assume there will be some Chinese 787s like the trio of Juneyao examples just shown in promotionary articles, and probably the new Shanghai Airlines 787 too.

If however NG are looking further afield than China they will have to once again brave the minefield of Gemini Jets who jealously guard their licensing arrangements with carriers like Qantas. 

Either way it'll be interesting to see how this plays out. I do think that Phoenix should be worried. Their moulds are inferior and QA poor, plus their release range very limited. JC Wings should be safe but only fully if they can up their game in terms of the time between announcements and actual models shipping. Certainly already this NG 787 looks pretty damn good.