New Panda Model Jan 2017 Releases

Panda Models are really kicking bottom at the moment. Fresh from beating everyone that matters to market with an A320NEO they are now moving into widebodies and gazumping JC Wings with an A330-200F. Plus they have more new GSE. Compared to the other manufacturers they are really setting the pace for the new year.

Here's a summary of their latest announcements with some sneakpeaks at the finished products literally just released.

Below are the latest releases announced by Panda models for January/February. In fact the GSE is already out on the market.

Panda also seem to be upgrading their boxes:

A330s!

The A330s represent a big shift for Panda Models, which up until now have made only narrowbodies (not counting the Y-20). They look like new moulds and are complete with aerials and satnav domes. Plus there is variety too. Panda had already announced a pair of A330-200s (for China Southern Guangzhou Games and Air China Olympic Torch) but these A330-300s represent a new pair of moulds since one is equipped with Rolls Royce Engines and one with Pratt & Whitneys. The P&W version is in fact the first release ever in standard CZ colours with those engines. Thanks to a Mandarin speaking friend I've managed to source some official shots and the A330 looks really very good:

A330-200F

The A330 freighter version is a bit of a niche product and difficult to do in 1/400 since it is externally different to the passenger A330. Interestingly JC Wings have just announced a new mould for a pair of A330-200Fs but with their long wait times after announcements it seems Panda are about to gazump them with its own version. Again I have sourced a photo via a Facebook friend and the moulds looks awesome. Here it is:

Great to see aerials and also the distinctive nosegear bay bulge in place.

More NEOS

I think it's safe to say that Panda's excellent A320NEO mould will get a major airing in 2017. In this batch their 5th NEO is announced in the form of Hong Kong Express:

Ground Service Equipment

Lastly Panda is making good GSE. This announcement there are new buses in AirAsia colours plus more Fire Engines representing Kunming and Hong Kong Airports.