NG Models: The Story So Far

Published: January 2023

NG Models appeared seemingly out of nowhere late in 2017 and over the past 5 years has grown into a major force in 400 scale (and dabbled in 200 scale as well). In that time they have built up an impressive mould catalogue, almost universal in its excellence, and have overcome organised attempts to put them out of business by competitors. Their models have in many ways become the benchmark in the scale for quality and accuracy. Certainly nowadays they are one of, if not the biggest, manufacturer in 400 scale.

The details of who is behind NG remain largely unclear however they have set themselves apart from all other brands by adopting a willingness to engage directly with collectors and take onboard feedback. Part of this has included working with myself at Yesterday's Airlines, by sending me mould samples prior to their announcement so that I can review them and get feedback from the community.

In this article I want to take a look at the progress they have made in terms of mould creation and release production.

THE EARLY YEARS: 2017-2020

Above: The first released images of NG Models first mould - the Boeing 757

I first became aware of NG Models in December 2017 when they posted at the wings900 forum announcing their new 757 mould. I quickly got in contact with them and suggested they move to the more popular DAC forum. This was the start point of my relationship with NG and the growth of their profile among collectors. To read my first ever blogpost announcing NG Models see here:

NG Models & a New 757-200 in 1:400

Two of NG's earliest Boeing 757s to appeal to the Western market were the United Airlines 'Saul Bass' and Northwest Orient. Both showed amazing detailing on an exemplary mould - aspects that have become the hallmark of NG releases. Gradually into 2018 NG models began to become more common at retailers in the West, although their appearance in US stores was initially challenged behind the scenes by vested interests not keen on the competition, who went so far as to threaten retailers with the withdrawal of their products if they stocked NG. Thankfully this was not successful.

Technically the 757 wasn't the first mould NG had created as they had been making models for the new brand HYJLwings since mid-2017 with HYJL's own A321 in 400 scale and a 200 scale CRJ. The CRJ mould would go on to be used by NG Models quite quickly but it wouldn't be until January 2020 that the HYJLwings A321 would see production under the NG brand name. HYJLwings would also use the NG Boeing 757 quite regularly in 2018.

The Boeing 787-9 was the first major new mould for NG's own use after the 757. The first example was a test Qantas Balarinji Dreaming model. Since the initial 787 releases NG has modified the mould several times to improve it (mostly for the 787 in respect to the undercarriage). This willingness to take onboard feedback and make changes to moulds already in, or about to be in, production has been a feature of NG, which has been strongly welcomed by the community.

Note also the old style NG Models logo used over the first 2 or 3 years of the brand.

The first 787-9 release from late 2018

Following up the 787 was the Boeing 737-800, which was the first mould I received samples for prior to it going into production. The initial range of NG Models moulds showed a high level of variety with both classic and modern types being created. Both the 757 and 737-800 were used at this point for a wide array of models across the 1990s and up to the present day.

The Boeing 737-800 Samples Received in November 2018

Below: NG Mould production 2017-2020:

The appearance of the NG Models Tristars really elevated NG's standing among collectors, although the moulds haven't seen the use that many, including myself, would like them to have they are exceptional.

Interestingly in May 2019 NG acquired the use of the 400 scale COMAC ARJ21 mould previously used by Panda Models. This wouldn't be the last ex-Panda mould to appear in the NG lineup and has seemingly caused some animosity between the two brands.

For 200 scale collectors the appearance of a pair of bizjet moulds in mid-2019 was an interesting change of direction. 200 scale has never been a major component of NG production but they have used it to make smaller types largely unsuitable for 400 scale or Chinese homegrown airliners.

Another important release for NG Models was the Honeywell 757 in late 2018. This was one of the first times that a manufacturer had gone to the trouble to produce such an unusual and bespoke aircraft. In recent years it has become more common for brands such as Panda and JC Wings to produce more unusual aircraft but at ths point making, what was in effect, a one-off mould adaptation was almost unheard of.

NG MOULD SAMPLE REVIEWS

I continue to have the honour of receiving NG Models mould samples before anyone else for review. To read the series of mould sample reviews click below:

NG MODELS MOULD SAMPLE REVIEWS

Below: A selection of the mould samples received and reviewed here at Yesterday's Airlines:

NG GOES LARGE: 2020-2023

By early 2020 NG Models was really making waves in the scale and had already grown to become one of the larger and more prolific manufacturers. 2020 would continue to see new moulds come online. As already mentioned, NG started making A321s using the HYJLwings mould in January but also added the Airbus A350-900 and Boeing 747SP that year. In addition they tookover the old Panda Xian Y-20 mould and redeveloped it to remove the wing seam. NG has consistently shown a patriotic streak and has celebrated all of China's recent homegrown aircraft types.

NG has also shown some playfulness with its first A350 being in the colours of Easyjet. This fantasy first release was repeated recently with a Cathay Pacific 'Lettuce Sandwich' Boeing 777-300ER as their first triple-7.

By late 2020 NG's popularity was huge and unsurprisingly given the intense attention and willingness to engage with collectors they have struggled a bit to meet everyone's wishes. It seems nowadays that they are constantly bombarded with wishlists and requests, which they often do their best to try and meet.

There is also a level of expectation around NG Models that doesn't exist around any other brand. They have at times had some QC issues but when they have they have attempted to address these in a far more collaborative way than competitors. Certainly they are not perfect but I would argue their QC is as good as anyone elses and their honesty and openness with collectors second-to-none.

One aspect of NG's success has been a broader range of modern airliners. Not only are they now trying to appeal to a much larger global audience but they also appear keen to compete head-to-head with existing brands like Phoenix, JC Wings and Gemini Jets. That has meant a lot of their more recent moulds have been for modern types that offer greater sales potential and allow direct competition. The flipside of this is obviously that there has been less room for 'classic' releases, which is a shame.

That doesn't mean there are no classic releases and certainly NG has made some outstandingly beautiful classics, especially on their 747SP and Tristar moulds. However, it does mean that these classic models are outnumbered quite heavily.

Even among a sea of modern A330s, A350s, 737s, 777s and 787s NG has not lost the ability to surprise and the creation of both Tu-204 and Tu-154 moulds has come as a major shock, even if the usage of both moulds has once again veered rather towards more modern examples and neither mould has seen the sort of usage that the Airbuses and Boeings have.

Below: NG Mould production 2020-2023:

In 2021 NG announced they would be opening a second production facility and for a time this impacted the number of releases made, however in the longer term it has enabled much greater production capacity. Into 2022 monthly release sets of 25 models have become commonplace, which must be putting some pressure on competitors, especially Phoenix.

From a mould creation perspective 2022 has proven impressive with a staggering number of new moulds created. Especially important has been the creation of an entire line of A320 family aircraft from A318-A321NEO that will surely play a major part in NG's future production. It has also meant the HYJLwings A321 is now no longer in use by NG, although it continues to be used by HYJLwings.

This means that going into 2023 NG now has the majority of the major modern airliner families well covered.

The rumours I hear suggest that new mould creation will continue apace in 2023 and it will be interesting to see how NG manages the rather large mould catalogue they now have. See the next section for an analysis of NG production to date.

NG RELEASES TO DATE

The table to the right illustrates the production of NG models over the years. In terms of total models the growth in production year on year is clear, with just a dip in 2021 when the factory shake-up was ongoing and Covid was having a major impact. In fact, production between 2021 and 2022 has increased by nearly 100%.

It can be seen that the 757 was extremely popular in the early years. Even with all the other moulds it remains one of the more commonly used types and easily the most used mould to date. Two of the other early moulds, the 737-800 and 787-9, also remain heavily utilised.

The other core moulds used in 2022 were the A321, A330, A350, 737-700 and 777. Usage of the L-1011, 747SP and Tu-204s have decreased or at best flat-lined. Late in 2022 Buchannan Models appeared as a sub-line of NG making some more classic releases and the table includes their four announced models to date.

For 2023 I would expect the recent A319/320 and 787-8 moulds to see increased output but there also to be further new moulds - including possibly the long awaited 747s.

INTO 2023 WITH THE CRP

I'm sure NG will struggle to please everyone, myself included, but the journey so far has been an impressive display of how to run a company in the 400 scale world and has produced hundreds of outstanding models. I look forward to seeing what new ideas and results they bring to the scale next year and beyond.

NG Models appears to have weathered a challenging 2022 well. There seems no sign of a slowdown in their growth and recent bumps in the road related to QC appear to have been navigated well.

There are also signs that the delayed 'Collectors Reward Plan' is close to launch. Over the past year NG has been including a collectors card with its models - each with a unique code for entry into their website. A few weeks ago NG published a process flow illustrating how it would work in principle and collectors would obtain the benefits. NG has faced some criticism for the delays with this but what other brand has even attempted such a thing before?