 I am happy to admit I am not a very skilled photographer and, with the volume of model photos I take, I need a quick solution for decentish shots. I'm not looking to win any prizes, just be able to take a lot of passable photos in a short time for use at the site and as a record of my collection. With that in mind is a cheap lightbox a good solution?
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 I've been steadily upgrading my Xīn Lóng layout and one of the areas that needed improvement was the intersection between the apron and the background. I think I've accomplished this now with the addition of new foliage and blast fences to soften the space and provide some layering.
 I've built model airports since I was a kid, initially for my 600 scale Schabaks and in later years for my 400 scale fleet. The largest has undoubtedly been the modern Chinese layout I named Xīn lóng (New Dragon) International. This diorama dates from mid-2015 but saw construction well into 2018. Since I moved back to the UK, from NZ, it has been moved around a few times but never really properly setup. Finally, I have gotten back to it and in 2024 it is being revitalised with an extension and overall upgrade.
 Recently I've been working to get my large Xin Long International Airport layout set back up properly for the first time since I left New Zealand. That has included looking to upgrade it in certain areas, which includes buildings and GSE. The recent discovery of AvGeek Models has made that a lot easier. In this post I take a look at their trucks and vans.
 Today is the first day of the China Beijing International Model Expo 2024, being held at the Beijing Exhibition Hall Theater for the next 3 days. Panda Models have a stand at the fair and are using it to announce their latest new 400 scale mould, which is the big MDD trijet the McDonnell Douglas MD-11.
 Inflation has been a serious issue for the World economy in recent times, even when you don't take into account your Prime Minister trying to tank the economy. This has led to price rises everywhere and, although inflation rates in the US have been relatively sedate compared to the UK, Gemini Jets latest releases, announced yesterday, come with a hefty price tag increase attached to them.
 The Chinese market for 400 scale is showing an impressive level of diversity in 2024 with a variety of sources utilising Panda Models and JC Wings as OEMs to make their own models. Mostly their products can be found on Taobao stores in China but that doesn't mean they are not of the highest quality and for a Chinese collector like myself, quite sought after.
For a long time it seemed Phoenix was content to just churn out the same old Asian models on weak moulds ad infinitum, while more active newer brands stole their marketshare. That is no longer the case. In the past year Phoenix have shown commendable agility, and have pivoted towards a wider diversity, of often classic models. They have also updated several moulds and now they are going to be making a type all new to 400 scale - the Ilyushin Il-96-400.
 It was way back in October 2022 that HYJLwings announced they would be making a model of the Air Transat A330 C-GITS that as Flight 236 ran out of fuel over the Atlantic in August 2001 and glided all the way to the Azores. Now I see some images of the final product I can see why that is the case! If you thought NG's 'Ultimate Collection' packaging was premium wait until you see this!
JC Wings has a huge mould back catalogue thanks to it being formed from the brands Blue Box and Jet-X, plus making a lot of new moulds over the past 16 or so years, plus acquiring the BigBird / Witty Wings / Apollo mould catalogue as well. Some of these old moulds are excellent and some are a lot less so. One that definitely falls into the latter category is the Airbus A300, but that hasn't stopped Gemini Jets from finding the old casting, dusting it off, upgrading it a little and releasing a new Emirates version on it.
 Every now and then some weird 400 scale models appear advertising something not airline related. In 2021 there was the Bruce Lee inspired 'Be water, my friend' 747-400 using the JC Wings mould and now the Hong Kong store Tiny has followed that up with another 747-400 on the JC Wings mould in the colours of the bumbling British character Mr Bean, played by Rowan Atkinson.
 With increasing regularity new brands are appearing in 400 scale in China and it can be a challenge to work out who they are and where their models come from. Just recently another new brand has appeared, calling itself YY Wings and using what looks like a new Boeing 747-8I mould. With the help of some friends I've been able to do a bit of digging on them.
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I'm Richard Stretton, an aviation enthusiast and major collector of 400 scale model aircraft. This blog discusses ongoing events in the world of 400 scale. This site is free. Please donate to keep it going.
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