October Announcements from Panda & Skywings

3/10/2017

Both Panda models and Skywings continue to produce a great range of mainly Chinese airliners both modern and historical. The sheer number of Chinese releases each month shows where the market sales are with JC Wings recently announcing a bevy of A320s and 737s representing Chinese airlines. This month Panda fight back with reciprocal releases of some of those plus both Panda and JC Wings are opening a new frontier with pre-delivery models.

First let me say that I have been working with Waffle to keep the DiMA database somewhat up to date with Panda and Skywings releases so check it out as your no 1 source of what models have been made. There are currently 172 Panda (or Skywings Panda) releases - see here. The releases Skywings has made using JC Wings moulds can be found under JC Wings. The only models missing are the very latest releases and those for Cathay group airlines.

Skywings - October

Of last month's trio of Skywings releases the pair of Air China 767-200ERs haven't seen the light yet, however leapfrogging them is a pair of historical Chinese releases that have been on my wishlist for sometime. These are China Northern McDonnell Douglas MD-90s. China Northern was the biggest operator of the MD-90 in China and one of these represents the first China assembled MD-90 (of only two produced).

These seem available now and I'm hopeful that JC Wings (this is the JC MD-90 mould) can fish out their MD-80 mould too for more China Northern.

Panda Models - October

Panda meanwhile fall back on their more usual moulds with a return for the narrowbody A320ceo, 737-800 and 737 MAX-8 moulds plus more A330s. As with JC Wings they appear keen to go down a new avenue for releases, that of pre-production aircraft. This month they have both the first Airbus A330 for Shenzhen Airlines and the first MAX for Air China in primer base colours.

They also continue their assault on Cathay Group possibilities with a pair of Dragonair A320s (both VR- and B- reg). I assume it is only a matter of time until we see some CX A340s too, but not this month.

JC Wings has been announcing a lot of Chinese narrowbodies recently with a selection of Hebei Airlines and Kunming Airlines 737s, plus Tianjin, West Air, Chongqing A320s and a Capital A321. Unfortunately their A320 is rubbish and their 737 inferior to Panda's effort too. Fortunately Panda has at least replicated some of the Hebei Airlines 737s this month and I know where my purchase will be going. I hope they also put out some Kunming 737s soon.