Here is my review of the new 747SP sample moulds from NG Models. There was some very detailed commentary on the last photo published so hopefully this review can help clarify some of those concerns. Personally I'm happy with the pair and I doubt NG are likely to undertake major modifications at this late stage. What do you think?
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Re: New NG Models Mould Review: Boeing 747SP
I think that my 747SP collection is completed, years ago! There's nothing wrong with the GJ or JC 747SPs made over the years, and I have them all in my collection already.
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Nose and cockpit still need an adjustment. Nose pointier and the part where the cockpit sits is oversized and the angle of the windshield still is too steep. Maybe the pics are a little misleading due to the angle of phtotgraphy and maybe the model looks different when it is printed, but judged from the pics above i'd say there is still some work to do.
__________________ Please NG Models, consider these for both 1:400 and 1:200: B707-320B/321, B727-200, MD-81/82/83
Last edited by European Collector; 08-04-2020 at 07:42 PM.
The nose/cockpit still look ever so slightly off (although it looks less apparent in your images than in the original sample photo that circulated a few weeks back), but one thing they nailed was the subtle flat surfaces on the sides of the nose. Agree with your point that addition of printing may distract from the shape issues.
Nose and cockpit still need an adjustment. Nose pointier and the part where the cockpit sits is oversized and the angle of the windshield still is too steep. Maybe the pics are a little misleading due to the angle of phtotgraphy and maybe the model looks different when it is printed, but judged from the pics above i'd say there is still some work to do.
The nose is fine but I agree the cockpit is slightly too steep. Whether it is enough to worry about is another question.
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Richard
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Agree with the above comments regarding nose area, will be interesting to see the printed sample for further clarity. Definitely some tweaks required but it does look excellent so far. I only own 2 SP’s, both Gemini, on the later reissued version of their mould - Pan Am cheat line & Iraqi two-tone green. I’d gladly add the new NG offering to build up the SP type in my collection further, especially with some of the more exotic examples of the type operated in the the 1980s (Air Malawi, Air Namibia etc.) which have not been made by anybody else thus far. Lots of potential here.
The small detail issue of the hub caps with NG is puzzling - because it could be avoided quite easily if the wheel hub detail was moulded/3D printed on both sides of that part, which would be more accurate as well. As it is only detailed on one side, with one side totally blank, it then becomes a lottery as to how they are fitted on the models during the production process, with most having a combo of right/wrong side hubs. This added detail then kind of backfires in that situation.
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I think that my 747SP collection is completed, years ago! There's nothing wrong with the GJ or JC 747SPs made over the years, and I have them all in my collection already.
Quite agree! I can't see the point is spending all that money on a mould that has been adequately made by others and released in all the liveries I would want. Where is the innovation?
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Adrian
DC-8s still needed to be done in 1/400: Air Ceylon, Air Spain, Seaboard World (-63CF)
Comets still missing- Dan Air (4 & 4C), United Arab Airlines/Misrair/Egyptair, Kuwait AW, Sudan AW, East African AW, Saudi Royal Flt.
Caravelles still not made: Luxair, Air Algerie,SABENA (final scheme), Libyan Arab Airlines, SAS ( SCANDINAVIAN titles scheme)
Ilyushin IL-18s still not made: Tarom (billboard,) Malev (1st scheme),Cubana, Balkan/ Tabso-Bulgarian Air Transport,
Quite agree! I can't see the point is spending all that money on a mould that has been adequately made by others and released in all the liveries I would want. Where is the innovation?
I think you and Andrew are very much in the minority here. I would say it hasn't been adequately covered or released in all the liveries I'd want. I'd be happy to replace most of my 13 SPs and buy plenty more too.
The nose is fine but I agree the cockpit is slightly too steep. Whether it is enough to worry about is another question.
It’s very difficult to make an objective judgement from photos. To me it still looks slightly off but as you said it could be the angle of the camera/lense distortion. NG totally nailed the TriStar but I believe they had the benefit of having access to original blueprints to input their CAD modeling data - the only true guarantee of having a really accurate mould. Not sure if it’s the same case here. It’s looking pretty close, though. The nose of the 747 is one of the most subtle and complex areas of the design, especially the area immediately forward of the cockpit windscreen, where I believe a handcrafted timber former, which was carefully sculpted with hand tools, was utilized to fashion this section of aircraft skin into shape.
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I think you and Andrew are very much in the minority here. I would say it hasn't been adequately covered or released in all the liveries I'd want. I'd be happy to replace most of my 13 SPs and buy plenty more too.
Count me in the club. Never ever liked the SP and never bought a single SP from the other manufacturers. So these SP releases do nothing for me too. New mould development should have been on something not done by anyone before (nope, not going to name an airframe they should have done either). Just another 1/400 collector voicing his opinion on his level of excitement on this.
The A350 gives me a bit more excitement. Obviously I will be comparing the NG A350 with AV400's as the standard.
I’m new to 1:400 and am sure lots of people out there are new as well, and it’s fine that people established in the hobby might not find interest in these products. But I’d rather get something new than scour the secondary market for models that are priced high and inferior. Cudos to NG for creating this. I will definelty pick up every single SP they produce!
On a side note I’ve flown 2 SP’s in my life. QF and CI
Thank you for this review. I’ve been waiting with excitement for awhile now. I think you got the high marks and low marks of the mould very well. I also doubt that NG would retool it in this stage of the game, but if they did the forehead above the cockpit windows should be addressed as it’s close, but definitely not perfect and needs to be reworked. The rest of the model looks great. It’ll be nice to have SP with realistic engines and pylons. And no wing seam to boot as well. Still some companies out there that just love those wing seams. ToddCB
I think we can make better judgement after they print out the windows and the cockpit. It looks pretty good by the pics, but really hard to tell the accuracy without the windows printed.
Really excited to see this new SP coming out. I am glad to replace all the SP released by GJ I have now.
Criticizes NG for lack of creativity developing an aircraft that hasn't been touched by a mfg in years.
Excited by a mould that has gone through twice as many iterations than the SP.
???
No Sir. The B747SP, the aircraft, is just not a subject I'm interested in. Therefore, I'm not excited. I just don't like the B747SP, cool?
The A350, on the other hand, is in my opinion a very well-designed aircraft. Because I like this aircraft, I welcome another manufacturer to step up the standard, if they can. If NG comes up with an inferior model compared to AV400's, then I'll say the same thing: They should have developed something that hasn't been done before.
Very much looking forward to NG's 747SP. 747's are my highest priority as a collector, especially from 1970 to about 2000. There has not been a definitive SP mould so far. I'll probably buy about any national or trunk carrier SP NG makes. The other moulds hardly reflect adequate coverage of this 747 type. Good on NG for investing in this mould!
Jim
__________________ The greatest need in 1:400:Reissues of Major Passenger-Carrier 747 Classics: -100/200, -300, and SP, of NG / Aeroclassics / Big Bird Mk. 1 quality. Examples: American; United Blue-Star, Bass; TWA double globe, double stripe; Pan Am delivery; British Airways Negus, Landor; KLM 70's-80's blue top; Air France 70's-80's; Lufthansa 70's-80's; Aer Lingus delivery; Sabena 80's circle-s; Japan Air Lines 70's-80s; All Nippon 70's; and Qantas 70's-80's.
No Sir. The B747SP, the aircraft, is just not a subject I'm interested in. Therefore, I'm not excited. I just don't like the B747SP, cool?
The A350, on the other hand, is in my opinion a very well-designed aircraft. Because I like this aircraft, I welcome another manufacturer to step up the standard, if they can. If NG comes up with an inferior model compared to AV400's, then I'll say the same thing: They should have developed something that hasn't been done before.
Harvey
That's a very long way of saying "NG should only produce planes that I like."
I also doubt that NG would retool it in this stage of the game, but if they did the forehead above the cockpit windows should be addressed as it’s close, but definitely not perfect and needs to be reworked.
Maybe not immediately, but I wouldn't put it past them to make small tweaks down the line as they did with the Tristar engines and the 737 nose, even if it takes a while.
Curious choice of mould development, but how many collectors have seen actually seen a 1:1 version of it. How many SPs does one need in a collection? For me two or three examples.
Quite agree! I can't see the point is spending all that money on a mould that has been adequately made by others and released in all the liveries I would want. Where is the innovation?
That's very simple! And IMHO there's two good reasons:
Not all of us got the SP's we wanted and plus not all airlines ( or operators) were done
I've never really liked GJ's version of the SP as there were so many mistakes and was hoping in the long run ( back then) that someone else would come along and perfect it! I've sold off most've my GJ SP's long before NG were even around!
__________________ NG L1011's: BWIA(Teal/ yellow livery)/
RAF x3/Eastern bare metal/LAM/ Faucett Peru
NG A340: Gulf Air( Gold/Blue))Surinam/Royal Jordanian/Air Namibia (Blue tail) LAN
NG 747 SP/200 Air Namibia( yellow)/Luxair/Air Mauritius/ Saudi Arabian (Green)/Aerolineas Argentinas/ SAA 80’s Orange tail, silver belly 200/ Lufthansa black nose/ Olympic 200
NG 744: United Battleship/ Delta/ Northwest red top/ Qantas 90s livery/ BA
Excellent review. I do like the uniqueness of the 747sp, it's a very weird looking plane and I'm happy that they're making the rolls Royce engines. Quite a few of the SPs still flying use them which would apply to my collection criteria.
I'll be more excited about a 747-400 mould if NG ever decide to do it as all the moulds on offer at the moment are pretty average. I'll definitely pick up a few of the SPs though.
Here is my review of the new 747SP sample moulds from NG Models. There was some very detailed commentary on the last photo published so hopefully this review can help clarify some of those concerns. Personally I'm happy with the pair and I doubt NG are likely to undertake major modifications at this late stage. What do you think?
To me it looks great and a helluva lot better than the ones produced to date! I hope NG address the issue with the hubs as I personally don't want to see a repeat of the L1011 scenario. Other than that looks amazing to me already!
__________________ NG L1011's: BWIA(Teal/ yellow livery)/
RAF x3/Eastern bare metal/LAM/ Faucett Peru
NG A340: Gulf Air( Gold/Blue))Surinam/Royal Jordanian/Air Namibia (Blue tail) LAN
NG 747 SP/200 Air Namibia( yellow)/Luxair/Air Mauritius/ Saudi Arabian (Green)/Aerolineas Argentinas/ SAA 80’s Orange tail, silver belly 200/ Lufthansa black nose/ Olympic 200
NG 744: United Battleship/ Delta/ Northwest red top/ Qantas 90s livery/ BA
Excellent review. I do like the uniqueness of the 747sp, it's a very weird looking plane and I'm happy that they're making the rolls Royce engines. Quite a few of the SPs still flying use them which would apply to my collection criteria.
I'll be more excited about a 747-400 mould if NG ever decide to do it as all the moulds on offer at the moment are pretty average. I'll definitely pick up a few of the SPs though.
To me the SP has got something of a A380 -big tail, short fuselage, huge wings.
__________________ Please NG Models, consider these for both 1:400 and 1:200: B707-320B/321, B727-200, MD-81/82/83
Curious choice of mould development, but how many collectors have seen actually seen a 1:1 version of it. How many SPs does one need in a collection? For me two or three examples.
I have seen a Pan Am SP at SFO, that would be the only airline I would be interested in.
Last edited by Michael Magdaleno; 08-05-2020 at 03:20 PM.
In no way am I criticising those who show their dislike for the SP,because imo everyone has their likes and dislikes! I respect everybody's opinions and views! That out the way now,I do find it hard to understand that a majority of 'seven four' enthusiasts seem to have a total dislike for the SP!! At the end of the day it's still part of the 747 family but can be considered the butch body builder version of this unique family! All it needs is a big baton or baseball bat and it can be classified as the 'brother you don't mess with'!! On the serious side though, I've seen this aircraft many times and been up close to it several times in the hangers. I've seen it fly overhead coming in and going out've our local. To me,I think it's a beaut!! I've always loved the SP. Again we all have our own opinions!
__________________ NG L1011's: BWIA(Teal/ yellow livery)/
RAF x3/Eastern bare metal/LAM/ Faucett Peru
NG A340: Gulf Air( Gold/Blue))Surinam/Royal Jordanian/Air Namibia (Blue tail) LAN
NG 747 SP/200 Air Namibia( yellow)/Luxair/Air Mauritius/ Saudi Arabian (Green)/Aerolineas Argentinas/ SAA 80’s Orange tail, silver belly 200/ Lufthansa black nose/ Olympic 200
NG 744: United Battleship/ Delta/ Northwest red top/ Qantas 90s livery/ BA
What was the point of the SP? Yeah, Special Performance, I know, increased range, shorter runways, maybe a touch higher cruising speed, but I'm guessing that the DC-10 and L-1011 must have had similar capabilities at lower operating costs. Or am I missing the point? Doug
Last edited by doug seeley; 08-06-2020 at 04:09 AM.
What was the point of the SP? Yeah, Special Performance, I know, increased range, shorter runways, maybe a touch higher cruising speed, but I'm guessing that the DC-10 and L-1011 must have had similar capabilities at lower operating costs. Or am I missing the point? Doug
That was exactly the point - to compete against the smaller trijets, but the SP did have superior range to everything else.
What was the point of the SP? Yeah, Special Performance, I know, increased range, shorter runways, maybe a touch higher cruising speed, but I'm guessing that the DC-10 and L-1011 must have had similar capabilities at lower operating costs. Or am I missing the point? Doug
The point was to try and make an impact on a sector of the market that Boeing had no product for. The gap between the 747 and 737 was quite literally massive, and was being filled quite ably by the Douglas and Lockheed products that themselves were a reaction to the full scale 747.
History and sales figures show that the SP came a fairly dismal third in that contest, with even the highly regarded L-1011 selling around half that of the DC-10. Interestingly the airliner currently being described as a spectacular failure, the Airbus A380, does in fact appear to have sold more than the Tristar.
OK then. A final production tally for the three competitors:
DC-10: 446 units.
L-1011: 250 units
B 747SP: 45 units
Bit of an apples to oranges comparison, because both the DC-10 and L-1011 had quite a few production variants, but the tallies are telling.
Doug
Yeah but a direct comparison doesn’t really work since the 747 itself ate market share that might otherwise have been taken by the smaller competitors.
Yeah but a direct comparison doesn’t really work since the 747 itself ate market share that might otherwise have been taken by the smaller competitors.
Quite true - might call it the Juan Trippe effect. A sensible evolutionary transition to the tri-jets was skipped over going for big-bang, and the 747 surely got off to a shaky start, but survived and dominated in the end. Doug
In no way am I criticising those who show their dislike for the SP,because imo everyone has their likes and dislikes! I respect everybody's opinions and views! That out the way now,I do find it hard to understand that a majority of 'seven four' enthusiasts seem to have a total dislike for the SP!! At the end of the day it's still part of the 747 family but can be considered the butch body builder version of this unique family! All it needs is a big baton or baseball bat and it can be classified as the 'brother you don't mess with'!! On the serious side though, I've seen this aircraft many times and been up close to it several times in the hangers. I've seen it fly overhead coming in and going out've our local. To me,I think it's a beaut!! I've always loved the SP. Again we all have our own opinions!
Same deal for me with the C-141. Favorite aircraft of all time is the C-141B/C for me. But I couldn't care less if you put a photo or a model of a C-141A in front of me.
I would say that for most of us, it's all a matter of what personal connection you have with an aircraft. I saw quite a few SPs back in the day, but I never clicked with that aircraft. What about B747-400s? Bring em on NG!!
Same deal for me with the C-141. Favorite aircraft of all time is the C-141B/C for me. But I couldn't care less if you put a photo or a model of a C-141A in front of me.
I would say that for most of us, it's all a matter of what personal connection you have with an aircraft. I saw quite a few SPs back in the day, but I never clicked with that aircraft. What about B747-400s? Bring em on NG!!
Harvey
That's a very good point re personal connection. I also think that despite it being significant or not,it was ( most importantly) part of the beautiful Queen of the skies range!! It also set a world record. This flying machine is history now and will never be seen again! The model is a good way of conjuring up favourite memories of that particular type of aircraft, just lke with any other!
__________________ NG L1011's: BWIA(Teal/ yellow livery)/
RAF x3/Eastern bare metal/LAM/ Faucett Peru
NG A340: Gulf Air( Gold/Blue))Surinam/Royal Jordanian/Air Namibia (Blue tail) LAN
NG 747 SP/200 Air Namibia( yellow)/Luxair/Air Mauritius/ Saudi Arabian (Green)/Aerolineas Argentinas/ SAA 80’s Orange tail, silver belly 200/ Lufthansa black nose/ Olympic 200
NG 744: United Battleship/ Delta/ Northwest red top/ Qantas 90s livery/ BA
Hadn't seen these posted anywhere on here, so here is a selection of official sample photos taken from NG's FB. Notwithstanding some of the minor criticisms regarding the nose shape and hub caps, the mould looks especially good in these photos. Attention to detail on the main gear struts are incredible.
Hadn't seen these posted anywhere on here, so here is a selection of official sample photos taken from NG's FB. Notwithstanding some of the minor criticisms regarding the nose shape and hub caps, the mould looks especially good in these photos. Attention to detail on the main gear struts are incredible.
Now that looks fantastic !
Like a few others on here, the SP never especially 'floated my boat' in real life, but that model looks like it will be entering my collection on looks alone. When can we expect a first release ? Are they going to do a Boeing house colours edition ?
__________________ Let's be having, the British Airways/British, Negus & Negus BAC 1-11-500 in 1:400 please !
Hadn't seen these posted anywhere on here, so here is a selection of official sample photos taken from NG's FB. Notwithstanding some of the minor criticisms regarding the nose shape and hub caps, the mould looks especially good in these photos. Attention to detail on the main gear struts are incredible.
Looking really good.
__________________ Please NG Models, consider these for both 1:400 and 1:200: B707-320B/321, B727-200, MD-81/82/83
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Models I want to see in 1/400:
Boeing 737-300 Condor (grey), Boeing 737-500 Air France, Boeing 747-200B SAA (white belly), Boeing 767-300ER LTU süd
Agree - the detail in those pics is superb, the gear struts are a work of art. It’s looking very good indeed, lots of potential here for some cracking releases on this mould.
__________________
"If you're in a hurry, don't worry because I've got a pretty fast act. Before you get a chance to hate me, I'll be gone." - Tommy Cooper
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I think we can make better judgement after they print out the windows and the cockpit. It looks pretty good by the pics, but really hard to tell the accuracy without the windows printed.
Created the first one out of boredom, but it gives me hope that accurate cockpit windows will pull everything together quite nicely. Also threw on some basic schematics for liveries I hope to see if/when the 744 is developed.
Hadn't seen these posted anywhere on here, so here is a selection of official sample photos taken from NG's FB. Notwithstanding some of the minor criticisms regarding the nose shape and hub caps, the mould looks especially good in these photos. Attention to detail on the main gear struts are incredible.
Under carriage looks good and the JT9D's look even better!!
__________________ NG L1011's: BWIA(Teal/ yellow livery)/
RAF x3/Eastern bare metal/LAM/ Faucett Peru
NG A340: Gulf Air( Gold/Blue))Surinam/Royal Jordanian/Air Namibia (Blue tail) LAN
NG 747 SP/200 Air Namibia( yellow)/Luxair/Air Mauritius/ Saudi Arabian (Green)/Aerolineas Argentinas/ SAA 80’s Orange tail, silver belly 200/ Lufthansa black nose/ Olympic 200
NG 744: United Battleship/ Delta/ Northwest red top/ Qantas 90s livery/ BA
Created the first one out of boredom, but it gives me hope that accurate cockpit windows will pull everything together quite nicely. Also threw on some basic schematics for liveries I hope to see if/when the 744 is developed.
Nice work. I am also eagerly waiting for a 743 to be released one day.
__________________ Please NG Models, consider these for both 1:400 and 1:200: B707-320B/321, B727-200, MD-81/82/83
Not collecting anymore. Having said that, I have kept a few pieces back that I do hold dear. Always wanted to see this done in the old colors with the polished belly. If released, I will be the 1st to buy one!
Not collecting anymore. Having said that, I have kept a few pieces back that I do hold dear. Always wanted to see this done in the old colors with the polished belly. If released, I will be the 1st to buy one!
Hi Guys. To keep the anticipation going here's a video review of the 747SP samples and comparison to the existing moulds. Apologies for the minor breakage a jealous Gemini SP attacked the NG sample
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New NG Models Mould Review: Boeing 747SP
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