NG Model 1:400 April 2026 Release Hints

[BubblesAviation]

I’ll be getting the Delta MD-88, but I just got the last release… United 787-8 rerelease was not needed imo. Would much rather of had a Unicon -8.

 

[MIAv8Diecast]

I’ll be getting the Delta MD-88, but I just got the last release… United 787-8 rerelease was not needed imo. Would much rather of had a Unicon -8.

Yeah considering this is the 3rd UAL 787-8 in less than a year…

 

[KamiSchmolz]

At least the MD-80 mould is back...

But Gulf Air 787 Retro tho, might end up getting it or wait for the A321neo in the same scheme to come out, whenever it does

hope that's the new make of MD-80 mould Instead of a repainted version of N999DN

 

[panda_CAT]

I’ve decided to buy a Virgin Atlantic aircraft, registration number G-VRNB, nicknamed “Purple Rain”—after the classic song by the legendary singer Prince. Purple is also the main color scheme of Virgin Atlantic’s cabin, and its registration number just happens to be RNB (R&B)—hahaha, I just thought it was funny. I’ll also buy a 502DN; my Delta 350 fleet is just missing a few of the smaller liveries.

 

[planes_on_a_shelf]

hope that's the new make of MD-80 mould Instead of a repainted version of N999DN

I didn't understand
New md-80 mould?

 

[AJC]

I’ve decided to buy a Virgin Atlantic aircraft, registration number G-VRNB, nicknamed “Purple Rain”—after the classic song by the legendary singer Prince. Purple is also the main color scheme of Virgin Atlantic’s cabin, and its registration number just happens to be RNB (R&B)—hahaha, I just thought it was funny. I’ll also buy a 502DN; my Delta 350 fleet is just missing a few of the smaller liveries.

Perhaps a silly question, but are all three virgin ones the same other than the registration / name on the front? Everything else the same? Same thing with the DL A350s - Is N501DN any different at all to N514DN other than being the first one into service?

Thanks

 

[jkim1123]

Perhaps a silly question, but are all three virgin ones the same other than the registration / name on the front? Everything else the same? Same thing with the DL A350s - Is N501DN any different at all to N514DN other than being the first one into service?

Thanks

Besides the names/registrations, the cabin configurations differ between the three VS 35Ks. VPRD and VRNB have the standard layout with the Loft, whereas VBOB has a denser leisure layout with the Booth:

Our Airbus A350-1000s | Virgin Atlantic Fleet | Virgin Atlantic

Meet our super stylish Airbus A350, with The Loft and The Booth in Upper Class, as well as being super stylish in all cabins. Book your Virgin Atlantic flight today.

www.virginatlantic.com

As for the DLs, 501 has the original shorter sharklets while 514 has the taller PIP ones.

 

[AJC]

Besides the names/registrations, the cabin configurations differ between the three VS 35Ks. VPRD and VRNB have the standard layout with the Loft, whereas VBOB has a denser leisure layout with the Booth:

Our Airbus A350-1000s | Virgin Atlantic Fleet | Virgin Atlantic

Meet our super stylish Airbus A350, with The Loft and The Booth in Upper Class, as well as being super stylish in all cabins. Book your Virgin Atlantic flight today.

www.virginatlantic.com

As for the DLs, 501 has the original shorter sharklets while 514 has the taller PIP ones.

Wow, thanks for taking the time on that explanation.

 

[planes_on_a_shelf]

As for the DLs, 501 has the original shorter sharklets while 514 has the taller PIP ones.

I'm hoping they don't mess this up, again.

 

[panda_CAT]

Perhaps a silly question, but are all three virgin ones the same other than the registration / name on the front? Everything else the same? Same thing with the DL A350s - Is N501DN any different at all to N514DN other than being the first one into service?

Thanks

This is more intuitiveFor your reference.501 is Delta Air Lines' first A350 ，In addition, NG also produced an original version in the early days.

 

[jkim1123]

I'm hoping they don't mess this up, again.

NG noted on its database that 514 has the taller winglets. Hopefully they'll remember this distinction since it's been a while after the DL A350 trio was first announced.

Wow, thanks for taking the time on that explanation.

There's also another difference in that older 350s up to MSN315 were built with several side slip angle (SSA) probes on the nose. Those sensors are missing on MSN316 onwards since they are now deemed redundant.

This means that 501 (MSN115) came with the SSA probes (although not sure if it still has them after recent cabin mods in Singapore), but 514 (MSN395) doesn't have them.

 

[AJC]

NG noted on its database that 514 has the taller winglets. Hopefully they'll remember this distinction since it's been a while after the DL A350 trio was first announced.


There's also another difference in that older 350s up to MSN315 were built with several side slide angle (SSA) probes on the nose. Those sensors are missing on MSN316 onwards since they are now deemed redundant.

This means that 501 (MSN115) came with the SSA probes (although not sure if it still has them after recent cabin mods in Singapore), but 514 (MSN395) doesn't have them.

Excellent, thanks.. that's impressive that the models reflect such subtle variation the layman wouldn't even notice. Appreciate both yours and @panda_CAT responses.

 

[MIAv8Diecast]

NG noted on its database that 514 has the taller winglets. Hopefully they'll remember this distinction since it's been a while after the DL A350 trio was first announced.


There's also another difference in that older 350s up to MSN315 were built with several side slide angle (SSA) probes on the nose. Those sensors are missing on MSN316 onwards since they are now deemed redundant.

This means that 501 (MSN115) came with the SSA probes (although not sure if it still has them after recent cabin mods in Singapore), but 514 (MSN395) doesn't have them.

I can confirm ship 3501 does have the additional probes still.

 

[planes_on_a_shelf]

NG noted on its database that 514 has the taller winglets. Hopefully they'll remember this distinction since it's been a while after the DL A350 trio was first announced.


There's also another difference in that older 350s up to MSN315 were built with several side slide angle (SSA) probes on the nose. Those sensors are missing on MSN316 onwards since they are now deemed redundant.

This means that 501 (MSN115) came with the SSA probes (although not sure if it still has them after recent cabin mods in Singapore), but 514 (MSN395) doesn't have them.

I'm hoping they'll get all of it mostly accurate and correct, just like they did with the recent SQ trio.

 

[planes_on_a_shelf]

I can confirm ship 3501 does have the additional probes still.

Any specific reasons DL didn't get the PIP upgrades on older A350s ?

 

[Critical Aviator]

Any specific reasons DL didn't get the PIP upgrades on older A350s ?

If it is possible to upgrade to the PIP on older A350s, I don’t know. But the PIP was introduced around 2018 so it really depends if A350-900s built before the introduction of the PIP are compatible to receive the upgrade at a later stage of their service. That being said, Delta could have easily deemed the upgrade unnecessary for their older A350s. But again, that depends on if it is possible to upgrade older A350s with the PIP.

 

[MIAv8Diecast]

Any specific reasons DL didn't get the PIP upgrades on older A350s ?

Most likely that they’re still not that old and were first delivered in 2018. Probably didn’t make financial sense. Delta is still flying 757’s without the winglet kit

 

[jkim1123]

If it is possible to upgrade to the PIP on older A350s, I don’t know. But the PIP was introduced around 2018 so it really depends if A350-900s built before the introduction of the PIP are compatible to receive the upgrade at a later stage of their service. That being said, Delta could have easily deemed the upgrade unnecessary for their older A350s. But again, that depends on if it is possible to upgrade older A350s with the PIP.

I know some airlines such as Cathay have removed the SSA probes on their older 350s.

But AFAIK the only -900 that changed from original winglets to PIP ones is Airbus' very first prototype (F-WXWB). Haven't heard of any other frames receiving this upgrade.

 

[TrijetTrilogy]

Most likely that they’re still not that old and were first delivered in 2018. Probably didn’t make financial sense. Delta is still flying 757’s without the winglet kit

Delta actually removed the winglets off some of their 757's because it doesn't make economical sense to have them on very short haul flights.

 

[Phantom]

Any specific reasons DL didn't get the PIP upgrades on older A350s ?

Yes, winglets on the 350 are optimised for the airframe's specific wing profile - and there are three different profiles hence three different winglets.
The PIP wasn't just a winglet, but an upgraded wing profile requiring an adjusted winglet.
"Old wing" = "old winglet"
"new wing" = "new ("PIP") winglet"
"35K wing" = "35K winglet"