The 727 was the most important jetliner of the 1960s and 70s in terms of aircraft sold and thoroughly deserves a wide range of releases in 1:400. In my collection it certainly is a major feature as I own 149 727 models ranking it third behind only the 737 and A320 families. 84 of these models represent the series 200 so I'm in a good position to compare the 5 different moulds of the series 200 that exist, which is what I'll do in detail here.
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Lockheed Tristars are coming thick and fast in 1:400 scale in 2019 with two new and active standard length moulds now in the market since mid-2018 and a third on the way soon. The present pair are made by JC Wings / Gemini Jets and, most recently, Lockness Models (note it isn't Lochness Models - that defeats the purpose of the pun). Considering these two are both active now it pays to compare them to each other and that is what I'll do here.
It has been pleasing for me that I have been able to build a relationship with NG Models, who have been easy to work with and open to suggestions, as anyone on DAC can attest to. In recent months they have taken to sending me sample models of new moulds for review and for me to publicise. So far this has involved the 737-800s and the Beluga but it was a surprise to receive a package a couple of days ago with two new moulds I didn’t even know were being developed!
 You'd have to have been asleep for most of the year by now to have avoided the discussion that has been started by NG Models. They have been more proactive and friendly than any other 1:400 scale manufacturer and have firmly backed up their words with deeds. The effect on the 757 in this scale has been impressive. Not only have they created an excellent mould for the type but they have stimulated JC Wings/Gemini Jets to update their old mould and at the same time shared the NG 757 with Aeroclassics.
 Back in April I undertook a detailed review of the 737-800s available in 1:400 scale and at the time given the MAX was coming on the market I didn't expect to have to update that review for a long time. NG Models have surprised me by producing a completely new 737-800 in 1:400 scale and as with their other moulds straight out of the box you can tell it is topnotch. In this post I'll compare it to the older 737NG moulds.
 In part 1 I began to look at the 4 extant 787-9 moulds and gradually work through the features of each assigning scores. At the halfway point the JC Wings mould was out in front by a small margin. After concentrating on the nose, landing gear and engines in part 1 in this part we turn to the wings, and rest of the fuselage.
 As of November 2018 there have been 142 Boeing 787-9s made in 1:400 scale by 5 manufacturers and given the popularity of the type, the publicity around Dreamliners in general and the selection of popular special schemes being used on the type it is surely one of the most hotly contested aircraft types in this scale. Of course the spur for this post is the arrival of a new 787-9 mould from NG Models. How does that alter the equation?
 The A350 is rapidly making its mark in the aviation industry and therefore also in 1:400 scale. However unlike its rival the Boeing 787 the moulds used in 1:400 differ from each other significantly and have caused some disagreement about which is the most accurate. A lot of that disagreement centres around the shape of the nose. Now that Aviation400 have joined the scene it seems timely to let the moulds fight it out to see which is best.
 The 737 Next Generation series successfully revitalised Boeing's short haul family after its classic 737-300-500s received rather a mauling from the newer and more advanced A320 family. The extended series 600-900ER have been going toe to toe with Airbus ever since the late 90s and although the 737 MAX family are now taking the strain Next Gen 737s will be a major feature of almost every decent sized airport for a long time yet. They are also a common subject in 1:400 scale so here I take a detailed look at the currently active moulds for the type.
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I'm Richard Stretton: a fan of 1/400 scale model aircraft and airports. This blog reports work on my model airport dioramas and discussion of the model manufacturers output. Archives
June 2020
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