AN225 Mriya : Herpa, Blue Wings, HX review

[TrijetBlast]

Ok, here are the 3 contenders of the 6-engine behemoth competition

We have the Herpa, HX and Blue Wings version here. HX is the newest of the 3, and Blue Wings is the only one that is partially interactive with openable nose cargo door.




Let’s start with packaging. Herpa and HX both have flappy cover to show the inside. Blue Wings has the biggest box and also the worst in terms of quality. The one I received has a weird deep scored mark running across. Herpa and HX have the softer type of paper material and tend to crease and crush easily.

Packaging/design/quality:

Herpa: ★★★☆☆
HX: ★★★☆☆
Blue Wings: ★★☆☆☆




So Herpa is the oldest and obviously lacks a lot of details such as antennas or imprints/markings here and there on the fuselage, engines, wings, etc. HX, on the other hand, is the newest and no doubt the most detail oriented with extra imprints of markings or panel gap lines on engines or undercarriage than the other two, as well as the best looking wheel hub caps. If you have other HX/YY models you know all their releases are like that.




The moulds: HX seems to have the most precise panel gap moulded lines than others - not imprint lines but lines that are casted into the mould. Example is the vertical stabilizer rudder gap lines. Herpa is the weakest of 3 probably because it’s the oldest and mould casting technology was less advanced back then. Blue Wings is missing undercarriage landing gear door panel moulded lines. HX doesn’t have moulded panel gap lines on top of the wings while Herpa and Blue Wings have them.




All have acceptable paint quality and finish nothing noticeably bad looking or catches attention.

Details/mould/quality:

Herpa: ★★☆☆☆
HX: ★★★☆☆
Blue Wings: ★★★☆☆

 

[TrijetBlast]

Since Blue Wings is the only one that has interactive nose door, I took my Korean branded 7000k LED camping light to blast through the compartment to see how deep inside

One thing though: the cargo door is made out of plastic feels cheap and kind of loose , so eventually it might not be able to stay up if the mechanism wears out.

Conclusion:

All 3 have some weaknesses and I guess if you really want interactive then Blue Wings is the choice but if you are looking for things like new mould, lots of details and quality then HX is a worthy addition.

 

[guanyi0724]

Is the mould used for the An-225 released by YY Wings a few years ago the same as the one HX is using now?