Flaps Down Models in 400 Scale

[YesterAirlines]

There has been a lot of innovation in 400 scale in the past decade and, although the increasing complexity of the models can cause QC and delivery issues, overall it has been a pleasure to see. Flaps down wings is a feature that was pioneered by JC Wings in 2016 and is now also available with HX Models too. Here I take a look at what moulds feature it and production to date:

Flaps Down in 400 Scale

A look at the history and concept of flaps down models in 400 scale

www.yesterdaysairlines.com

 

[LeoMuse747]

Richard, I think you're missing Hogan?

They already had a B747 with flaps down which dates back to 2010.



Jorge owns a B747-400D and even had a thread about it:

Thread 'Throwback... ANA Pikachu Jumbo Flaps-down by Hogan'

Jul 5, 2023

If I recall correctly, I posted this on Facebook a while back, but I don't think it got a lot of attention (the algorithm didn't like it ), but I think it is interesting enough that I will give it a second chance.

This is an "ANA Precision Models" (Hogan/Herpa) Boeing 747-481D in the landing configuration. In typical Herpa fashion, the mold itself is not ultra-sharp, but in contrast, all the detail of the flaps deployed is superb. The runway itself is also very precise (minus the rubber stains).




A few years after receiving...

• Jazajia
• Replies: 10
• Forum: 1:400 Scale

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This B747-400D Pikachu is a 2012 release... way before JC and GJ had their FD stuff

 

[YesterAirlines]

You're right @LeoMuse747 I always forget about Hogan! Tell you what I'll chuck a link in to Jorge's piece!

Hogan focused solely on the Japanese market - they're such an afterthought in the scale for me.

 

[LeoMuse747]

You're right @LeoMuse747 I always forget about Hogan! Tell you what I'll chuck a link in to Jorge's piece!

Hogan focused solely on the Japanese market - they're such an afterthought in the scale for me.

Yeah, Hogan had their bread and butter with those ANA and JAL exclusive models... both in 1:400 and 1:500 scale.
They had some cool innovations and other features, but sadly very exclusive and expensive

 

[Jazajia]

Hogan also did 1:400 die-cast models for other airlines, but they did focus on Japan. Most of mine were bought new in Japan, but it was until an older release got on my radar (The World Air Network 767) that I realized how hard they were to find in the second hand market, and outside Japan.

I will be stocking the recent GJ Edelweiss flaps down A350 so. It will be my first time taking a closer look at other flaps-down model. I also have a few JC's on pre-order, but heaven knows when they will show up.

Nice historical article Richard.

 

[YesterAirlines]

If you can't get enough of the flaps down models I pulled together a short video for my Youtube subscribers seeing as the models were all out of their display:

 

[bakejobb_23]

As someone whom was absent during the initial rollout of these types of models during those years, what is the appeal other than a niche market? do they usually sell well? I’d personally only pickup a flaps down “duplicate” registration if it was an airline/plane type I was super attracted to, and even then I would personally go for the regular versions well before i’d grab the duplicate with flaps down which are usually even more expensive. Maybe that’s a personal preference for me but idk. I’ve always thought of them as useful for having an aircraft on a runway diorama as either “just landed”, mid landing, or crossing the threshold. Or the obvious stand on a shelf with the collection but that’s about it. Anyone have any super positive experiences or uses with these types of models that they’d like to share?

 

[JJ Skippy]

As someone whom was absent during the initial rollout of these types of models during those years, what is the appeal other than a niche market? do they usually sell well? I’d personally only pickup a flaps down “duplicate” registration if it was an airline/plane type I was super attracted to, and even then I would personally go for the regular versions well before i’d grab the duplicate with flaps down which are usually even more expensive. Maybe that’s a personal preference for me but idk. I’ve always thought of them as useful for having an aircraft on a runway diorama as either “just landed”, mid landing, or crossing the threshold. Or the obvious stand on a shelf with the collection but that’s about it. Anyone have any super positive experiences or uses with these types of models that they’d like to share?

I agree with you on this, but the appeal of Flaps Down hasn’t kept me away for very long. I’ve got two, both are Gemini and they are lovely models. I’d love to add more but I don’t have a super realistic diorama available to me so they get displayed on my shelf as with my other models.

 

[LeoMuse747]

I have a diorama, but I still don't see a need to collect these Flaps Down models. If someday I pick up a FD version, I guess i'll also have to pick up the regular version aswell

 

[bakejobb_23]

I agree with you on this, but the appeal of Flaps Down hasn’t kept me away for very long. I’ve got two, both are Gemini and they are lovely models. I’d love to add more but I don’t have a super realistic diorama available to me so they get displayed on my shelf as with my other models.

When I got back into it I just figured these models didn't sell well and would come and go more or less. I guess if they've been doing them this long, they sell good enough to keep around. That, or they just know how many they sell all together and only make so many compared to normal versions. Who knows.

 

[JJ Skippy]

When I got back into it I just figured these models didn't sell well and would come and go more or less. I guess if they've been doing them this long, they sell good enough to keep around. That, or they just know how many they sell all together and only make so many compared to normal versions. Who knows.

They definitely sell, it’s probably more targeted toward diorama builders who like that little “flare” in their diorama with a plane landing/taking off. I’m guessing casual collectors also make up a good chunk of the purchases too since it looks cool.

 

[planes_on_a_shelf]

Huge fan of the JC FDs - have quite a few - 1:400 so it means that they're mostly 787s, 777s & 747s, with only a couple of A350s given my avoidance of that particular mould.
Recently got a couple of HX/YY LH 748s

Looking forward to the future FDs

Don't have a diorama (yet) and with limited display space, thus I love the majestic appearance of the FDs on a stand hovering over the other models