Is Panda Model The Next Big Thing in 400 Scale?

Jazajia

Well-known member
I started putting this article together about three weeks ago when there was a lot of buzz surrounding Panda. They were struggling to fulfill 767-400 orders, which led me to think that they were going to be sold out before reaching us retailers, and they had just announced their first MD-11 releases.

I could not have been more wrong about the 764s. Each one of them is still widely available in at least two of the four retailers that I checked (JetCollector, Eztoys, Waffle and my own Yankee Victor 400).

So by now, I have tweaked the article a bit. I think it is still a valid opinion, a good insight into the status of the hobby, a hard look at the endless debate between buying what you like and liking what you buy vs. waiting for who can do it best, and an eye opener as to why many brands don't bother going for the perfect mold.

Enjoy:

Is Panda Model the Next Big Thing in 400 Scale?
 
There’s plenty of popular subjects ignored by NG that Panda can gobble up, as long as they expand their mould catalogue. That alone’s a very stable, lucrative source of revenue.

I doubt Panda will become a major player, but they’ll likely be around for quite some time catering to collectors who appreciate more niche subjects.
 
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@Jazajia you'll never sell Aeroclassics writing articles about the bottomfeeders like this!!! I've been writing about Panda since 2016 and own 233 models using their moulds, which have always been excellent.

Their model is very different to everyone else as they mainly operate as an OEM and their own releases are quite secondary. For example there are already multiple MD-11s, 767-300s and A350s in production or completed for Chinese or other customers and few of their own are done or announced

I have been working a bit with Panda recently (news to come in 2025 hopefully) and the one thing I would say is that their production schedule is quite tight. There appears to be a hard limit to how much they can produce and that alone will stop them from competing too heavily with brands like Phoenix, JC and NG who release 20+ models a month.
 
@Jazajia you'll never sell Aeroclassics writing articles about the bottomfeeders like this!!!

Well, looks not writing articles like this wasn't helping either :)

I've been writing about Panda since 2016 and own 233 models using their moulds, which have always been excellent.

Maybe you need to write more, not enough people getting the message there chief.

Their model is very different to everyone else as they mainly operate as an OEM and their own releases are quite secondary. For example there are already multiple MD-11s, 767-300s and A350s in production or completed for Chinese or other customers and few of their own are done or announced

I have been working a bit with Panda recently (news to come in 2025 hopefully) and the one thing I would say is that their production schedule is quite tight. There appears to be a hard limit to how much they can produce and that alone will stop them from competing too heavily with brands like Phoenix, JC and NG who release 20+ models a month.

This is all fine and dandy, but does not explain why a 767-400 mold then. They seem to have banked on how much better they could make it, which they did. But that was just a small piece of the puzzle in this case.
 
Well, looks not writing articles like this wasn't helping either :)
:ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO:
Maybe you need to write more, not enough people getting the message there chief.
I can lead the horse to water...
This is all fine and dandy, but does not explain why a 767-400 mold then. They seem to have banked on how much better they could make it, which they did. But that was just a small piece of the puzzle in this case.

Yeah they do make some slightly odd choices but as you say first to market matters most.
 
I started putting this article together about three weeks ago when there was a lot of buzz surrounding Panda. They were struggling to fulfill 767-400 orders, which led me to think that they were going to be sold out before reaching us retailers, and they had just announced their first MD-11 releases.

I could not have been more wrong about the 764s. Each one of them is still widely available in at least two of the four retailers that I checked (JetCollector, Eztoys, Waffle and my own Yankee Victor 400).

So by now, I have tweaked the article a bit. I think it is still a valid opinion, a good insight into the status of the hobby, a hard look at the endless debate between buying what you like and liking what you buy vs. waiting for who can do it best, and an eye opener as to why many brands don't bother going for the perfect mold.

Enjoy:

Is Panda Model the Next Big Thing in 400 Scale?
What would you think of doing a Continental 737-300 (1991 scheme) as an exclusive?
 
does anyone know what their 767-300 mould looks like ?

Not yet, but if they keep the quality of the B767-400ER, then they're up to something very promising!!!
I really hope they can also develop a B767-200 mould, to serve as an alternative to NG.
 
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What would you think of doing a Continental 737-300 (1991 scheme) as an exclusive?
Not something high on my list if I were to commission an exclusive production run. It has been done already and I wouldn't be surprised if we see another one from JC one of these days.
 
Not something high on my list if I were to commission an exclusive production run. It has been done already and I wouldn't be surprised if we see another one from JC one of these days.
Who did the CO final colors 733 in 1:400??? When was it released and what was the item number?

The red meatball was done, but not the final scheme.
 
Alright, I stand corrected. But still, I would be worried about making a COA exclusive and then JC or GJ killing your thunder with a release of theirs. It is Continental after all, not your typical obscure airline whose only shot at being released is via an exclusive. Maybe we can see if Altitude Models are interested. They did commission a United A321neo from Panda.

I'm just getting started and that alone was a sizable investment. How about you guys get yourself a Christmas present from my store :)? That will get me a few hours closer to being in a position where I could consider writing Panda a check for a few thousand $$$.
 
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Alright, I stand corrected. But still, I would be worried about making a COA exclusive and then JC or GJ killing your thunder with a release of theirs. It is Continental after all, not your typical obscure airline whose only shot at being released is via an exclusive. Maybe we can see if Altitude Models interested. They did commission a United A320neo from Panda.

I'm just getting started and that alone was a sizable investment. How about you guys get yourself a Christmas present from my store :)? That will get me a few hours closer to being in a position where I could consider writing Panda a check for a few thousand $$$.
The 737-300 and MD-80 would make a neat twin pack wouldn't they?
 
The 737-300 and MD-80 would make a neat twin pack wouldn't they?

I definitely see a lot more demand for a Continental MD-80 in the globe livery than a 733. The issue is Panda doesn't have an MD-80 mold. That'd be NG or JC and their terms for an exclusive run are a lot less favorable than Panda's. For one, getting in touch with NG or JC is not an easy feat.
 
I definitely see a lot more demand for a Continental MD-80 in the globe livery than a 733. The issue is Panda doesn't have an MD-80 mold. That'd be NG or JC and their terms for an exclusive run are a lot less favorable than Panda's. For one, getting in touch with NG or JC is not an easy feat.
JC won't make the MD-80 for anyone because of their agreement with Gemini. As for the 737-300 - you never know what might happen in the future!
 
Alright, I stand corrected. But still, I would be worried about making a COA exclusive and then JC or GJ killing your thunder with a release of theirs. It is Continental after all, not your typical obscure airline whose only shot at being released is via an exclusive. Maybe we can see if Altitude Models are interested. They did commission a United A321neo from Panda.

I'm just getting started and that alone was a sizable investment. How about you guys get yourself a Christmas present from my store :)? That will get me a few hours closer to being in a position where I could consider writing Panda a check for a few thousand $$$.
Altitude did the A320 not the A321neo
 
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