WingLux Models

I literally wrote last week about the fact that Panda Models make as many models for others as for themselves (see Panda Retailer Exclusives) and yesterday the news dropped of a new brand releasing a trio of A321s that appear connected to Panda. Who are they and what are they using? Here's my take.

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The new outfit call themselves WingLux models (I have seen the alternate version Wind Wings used also) and there isn't a great deal of information about. The models are however being distributed via Panda Models so the expectation is that they will be using the Panda Models Airbus A321 mould.

It is very hard using photos alone to tell the Panda A321 from the NG Models version as the main difference is actually the position of the stand hole and not any aircraft feature itself. The announced models are a little random and are as follows (part numbers are 0001 to 0003:

All three are expected to be available by the end of August and are being sold through a decent number of stores (Prairie Diecast, RM Models, Waffle Collectibles, Diecast Airplane etc), which suggests a good sized production run in the 200-300 range. 

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Usually when Panda makes models for others they are retailers and the subject matter is often specific to that store's region. It is more unusual for a store to make a wider range of models, although not unheard of. There are several aspects here which suggest to me this isn't just a retailer brand:

• They have their own name and logo
• The releases are geographically variable
• They are being sold widely

This instead seems more like the recent Miniature Models Thai 737s as I am told they have pretensions to produce more models under that brand name and be a separate manufacturer. 

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NG Models continue to run a separate sub-brand in HYJL Wings (HYJL was once independent but is now fully controlled by NG) and it can be useful for the usual licensing dodge reasons or to focus on specialist markets. Panda have made licensed models for TAP before but these clearly are not licensed or they would be more expensive than the non-TAP versions as TAP always adds a significant margin.

Looking around Taobao I think I have found the new WingLux store, which currently only sells these 3 models and a couple of Panda releases. This does suggest that they are a new Chinese based brand but one that has just recently been started rather than an established retailer - similar to YuModeLs perhaps. It will be interesting to see if they create further releases.

Perhaps in the end it doesn't matter who they are assuming that the models are accessible and of good quality? From the photos they appear as if they are.