Exclusive: New NG Models 1:400 Stand

A few weeks ago I received my latest box from engtaobao, which had survived the attention of the Chinese postal service despite their best attempts. Nonetheless one of the models was missing something rather important. Thankfully NG are the decent sort of company to help out a collector and they included with the part an extra surprise too.

Err something isn't quite right here!

The model that was actually missing the part was technically not an NG Models release but was made for HYJLwings by them using their 757-200 mould. It was B-2848 of China Air Cargo, which I admit until the release was announced wasn't even an airline I knew existed! Not to be confused with China Eastern's cargo arm China Cargo Airlines (something that both airfleets and Wikipedia seem to be doing), China Air Cargo started operations in August 2017 with a couple of ex-Xiamen Airlines 757s converted into freighters. B-2848 was the first.

Unfortunately despite the model box being sealed when I opened it the aircraft was missing its nosegear. About the only failing of the NG 757 is a tendency for the nosegear to detach in the packaging but up until now I'd always been able to reattach it easily. This time however it appeared the gear had fallen out in the factory itself and never made it into the box.

Fortunately NG Models are friendly and responsive and after a quick email back and forth agreed to send me a replacement gear leg. Above you can see the model re-united with her nosegear. To their credit they also sent along something else - a prototype of the new NG Models stand. One of the minor criticisms of the NG 757 is that it doesn't have a standard circular stand hole. NG had said that that was because they wanted to solve the model moving around the stand unaided and were working on their own stand.

Please bear in mind that this is not the finished product but a pre-production sample.

The stand itself is metal and made of two pieces attached together via a screw. It is attractive, fully black and has a rectangular base. It sits quite a bit higher than the standard size Witty Wings / AV400 stands that are commonly found for sale on Taobao (and came free with Witty models) but a little lower than the larger Witty stands designed for bigger widebodies. Overall it is a nice effort and although perhaps a little tall for the 757 looks good even as a pre-production sample.

Thanks to NG for sending it to me. Great customer service is much appreciated.