Comparison among NGModels 1:400 and Herpa 1:500 Eurowings A320WL "BVB".

[Charter]

Hi to all.
Being NGModels the BEST 1:400 scale airplane models manufacturer and Herpa the ONLY 1:500 models manufacturer (at least until Aether Models will not start to produce narrowbodies), this comparison should be considered a "clash of the Titans".
Looking at NGModels airplane i can say that Herpa did a good job, a small decent model compared to a monster of beauty.

 

[Charter]

 

[YesterAirlines]

Both nice models. A little ironic that the nosewheel is larger on the Herpa and it probably cost more than the NG. I was looking at 500 scale pricing in the US the other day - crazy!

 

[JJ Skippy]

Pretty cool to see the size difference in action. About 2/3 the length I would say?

 

[Phantom]

Pretty cool to see the size difference in action. About 2/3 the length I would say?

4/5

 

[LeoMuse747]

Herpa looks nice, just need a better cockpit window placement and smaller gears

 

[MIAv8Diecast]

Both nice models. A little ironic that the nosewheel is larger on the Herpa and it probably cost more than the NG. I was looking at 500 scale pricing in the US the other day - crazy!

How is it that 1:500 costs more than 1:400 per model it seems?

 

[Charter]

How is it that 1:500 costs more than 1:400 per model it seems?

Herpa has a monopoly since many years about 1:500 scale (i am not considering Aether Models because they started now, i am still waiting for the first two models) so they decide how much a 1:500 scale model must cost.
Second, producing in China has become more expensive: if since some years ago, before Sars Cov-2 we can say, shipping costs by ship were covered by low manufacturing cost, now higher job costs are summed to higher shipping costs. So It would be more convenient producing in Europe.
Third, Herpa misteries: many questions, few or no answers, just words like "war" "shipping costs" "job costs" and so on.
These crazy prices for small pieces of plastic and metal (few) are not justified at all.
On the other side It Is true that in 1:400 scale world, where there are about 10 manufacturers, a NGModels airplane costs up to 60 euro and this is crazy too so the "1:500 monopoly" has no more sense anymore.
Until few years ago a 1:500 model costed 25 euros arriving to 30 euros for a biggest model and 1:400 model costed from 30 to 40 euros; today a 1:500 Azul A330-900neo costs 45 euros and a NGModels A320 costs 55 euros. It Is like a Cappuccino in Venice: 8 euros!!! Really crazy and insane, we are witnesses of a not justified rising of cost of our dear hobby. Models are not made in Gold or Platinum materials in 2025, it is always the same zinc alloy; there could be more cost for better quality check and more details on the model fuselage, but this Is a 1:400 matter (and not regarding all manufacturers because some of the are shameful even in 1:400 scale) because about Herpa quality check and details are non esistent!
Collecting has become a hobby for rich people, no doubts.

 

[guanyi0724]

I really don’t understand the point of the Herpa 1/500 market. Why would someone spend the same amount, or even more, to buy a smaller model with worse details compared to 1/400?

 

[pons399]

I really don’t understand the point of the Herpa 1/500 market. Why would someone spend the same amount, or even more, to buy a smaller model with worse details compared to 1/400?

Scale uniformity. If you already have dozens/hundreds of 1:500s, even one 1:400 sticks out like a sore thumb.

 

[Charter]

I really don’t understand the point of the Herpa 1/500 market. Why would someone spend the same amount, or even more, to buy a smaller model with worse details compared to 1/400?

And because, honestly speaking, It depends on the space you have for storage. 1:400 models are big, an A380 Is very large, and without so much space many prefers to dedicate to smallest airplanes, even with few details, even with poor quality, hoping for the production of their preferred airlines and liveries. And also consider that yes, 1:500 prices are crazy, but a 1:500 A330-900neo still costs 15 - 20 euros less than a 1:400 A330-900neo.

 

[YesterAirlines]

And because, honestly speaking, It depends on the space you have for storage. 1:400 models are big, an A380 Is very large, and without so much space many prefers to dedicate to smallest airplanes, even with few details, even with poor quality, hoping for the production of their preferred airlines and liveries. And also consider that yes, 1:500 prices are crazy, but a 1:500 A330-900neo still costs 15 - 20 euros less than a 1:400 A330-900neo.

I think Herpa survives purely on the European (and mostly German) market. The pricing I was seeing at Ezytoys, which usually has decent pricing, had the Herpas more expensive than 400 scale!! $64.50 for an A330-900

 

[Charter]

86 US$ for an A321neo??? They are about 75 euros but this is out of market even with the discount. And these are recent models so i don't understand how It Is possible to make these prices. Import fee? Yes. Duties? Yes. But this Is really insane!

 

[Critical Aviator]

Interesting thread.
Yes Herpa's prices are insane. I just checked on the website of one of the retailers I buy my models from and the announced Herpa KLM 787 in the updated livery in 500 scale is priced between the announced JC wings China Airlines 787s (standard and flaps down) in 400 scale. The Herpa 787 costs 43,95 euros (51,43 US Dollars) whereas the JC 787s cost 39,95 euros (46,75 US Dollars) for the standard version and 44,95 euros (52,60 US Dollars) for the flaps down version. And the JC 787 is going to be more detailed than the Herpa one. Of course, other 400 scale brands can be more expensive than JC wings but the point is that the price gap between 500 scale Herpa models and a 400 scale is either tight or non-existent . That's one of the reasons why I stopped collecting 500 scale models. The new 500 scale manufacturer, Aether models is more reasonably priced 36,95 euros (43,24 US Dollars) for a 787. I think the higher prices in the US are tariff related.
Even European collectors are struggling with Herpa. For instance there has been a lot of demand in 500 scale for an Austrian Airlines narrowbody model in the standard livery. Well Herpa did announce an Austrian A320neo recently but it has the "Yes to Europe" sticker which is no longer flying around. The same collectors were also asking for a CSA A319 but Herpa made yet another A320. Lufthansa standard livery models ? There are still some missing. Condor 757-300s in the beach towel liveries ? Only one is available as far as I can see but there is also the matter of Condor having retired their 753s so collectors wanting the current stuff are out of luck. Why is that ? Because Herpa models are almost always delayed. But things are worse for non-European collectors.
And don't get me started on other 500 scale struggles (Herpa's box design from who knows where ?, QC issues and more ).
That doesn't mean that 500 scale is bad or without interest. In fact, I believe it has potential if used right. It's just that Herpa have got too comfortable in their monopoly in 500 scale.
Ranting aside, I think both NG and Herpa did a fine job on replicating that Eurowings A320, considering the standards of each brand. Whether any of those models will be of interest to you will depend on how much you like football and even more so how much you care about Borussia Dortmund or German football, which is not my case.

 

[LeoMuse747]

Interesting thread.
Yes Herpa's prices are insane. I just checked on the website of one of the retailers I buy my models from and the announced Herpa KLM 787 in the updated livery in 500 scale is priced between the announced JC wings China Airlines 787s (standard and flaps down) in 400 scale. The Herpa 787 costs 43,95 euros (51,43 US Dollars) whereas the JC 787s cost 39,95 euros (46,75 US Dollars) for the standard version and 44,95 euros (52,60 US Dollars) for the flaps down version. And the JC 787 is going to be more detailed than the Herpa one. Of course, other 400 scale brands can be more expensive than JC wings but the point is that the price gap between 500 scale Herpa models and a 400 scale is either tight or non-existent . That's one of the reasons why I stopped collecting 500 scale models. The new 500 scale manufacturer, Aether models is more reasonably priced 36,95 euros (43,24 US Dollars) for a 787. I think the higher prices in the US are tariff related.
Even European collectors are struggling with Herpa. For instance there has been a lot of demand in 500 scale for an Austrian Airlines narrowbody model in the standard livery. Well Herpa did announce an Austrian A320neo recently but it has the "Yes to Europe" sticker which is no longer flying around. The same collectors were also asking for a CSA A319 but Herpa made yet another A320. Lufthansa standard livery models ? There are still some missing. Condor 757-300s in the beach towel liveries ? Only one is available as far as I can see but there is also the matter of Condor having retired their 753s so collectors wanting the current stuff are out of luck. Why is that ? Because Herpa models are almost always delayed. But things are worse for non-European collectors.
And don't get me started on other 500 scale struggles (Herpa's box design from who knows where ?, QC issues and more ).
That doesn't mean that 500 scale is bad or without interest. In fact, I believe it has potential if used right. It's just that Herpa have got too comfortable in their monopoly in 500 scale.
Ranting aside, I think both NG and Herpa did a fine job on replicating that Eurowings A320, considering the standards of each brand. Whether any of those models will be of interest to you will depend on how much you like football and even more so how much you care about Borussia Dortmund or German football, which is not my case.

Great words!
Sadly I think 1:500 is a dying scale, specially if someone don't step up soon. There's this new brand, Aether Models, bringing in some hope for the collectors. I've been a 1:500 scale collector for years but had to switch to 1:400 because keeping it with Herpa only was really unsustainable for my projects.

Herpa models are too expensive, the quality is often mediocre and their releases are very hit-and-miss

 

[MIAv8Diecast]

I think Herpa survives purely on the European (and mostly German) market. The pricing I was seeing at Ezytoys, which usually has decent pricing, had the Herpas more expensive than 400 scale!! $64.50 for an A330-900

View attachment 63043

That's nuts.... No thank you I never realized this. I saw a Herpa 767-200 "Spirit of Delta" selling for $65 at the Delta Museum in ATL and I almost fell over. I just thought that was an upcharge exception.

 

[Jazajia]

Even Waffle has Herpa 1:500 more expensive than equivalent 1:400 models. I tried to retail Herpa, since to me they are the father of the hobby as we know it today (I firmly believe Herpa 1:500 models are the closest ancestors of current-day 1:400 models), but unfortunately, it is almost impossible to do so. Their 1:200 line is better, but also far from trouble-free (they have a number of plastic molds that they try to price as diecast). In my experience, their U.S. distributor doesn't help the cause either. Oh well...