NG Model 1:400 February 2026 Release Hints

[MIAv8Diecast]

I agree.

The USA collector can wait? A reminder that only B- regs are being made by NG these days. I want other countries to be made too, (especially Japan) but the US has many models that need to be made as well!

Seems as though every quarter there is a long thread about whom deserves more models to be made with everyone pretty much falling into the same place at the end of the day. Has me thinking, wouldn’t it be reasonable to assume that the 1:400 market has grown so rapidly the brands can’t fit in their own shoes anymore? At the end of the day there is only so much manufacturing capability. I collect several different flag carriers / retro and modern North America and can confirm there A LOT of American airlines that I want to see made that span over five decades but I am trying to manage expectations. I’ve been collecting since 2014 and can assure you with all these small boutique brands popping up, the diversity has only increased but it will take a lot of time with this hobby for the shoe to fit with demand.

 

[Starz10p Aviation]

Seems as though every quarter there is a long thread about whom deserves more models to be made with everyone pretty much falling into the same place at the end of the day. Has me thinking, wouldn’t it be reasonable to assume that the 1:400 market has grown so rapidly the brands can’t fit in their own shoes anymore? At the end of the day there is only so much manufacturing capability. I collect several different flag carriers / retro and modern North America and can confirm there A LOT of American airlines that I want to see made that span over five decades but I am trying to manage expectations. I’ve been collecting since 2014 and can assure you with all these small boutique brands popping up, the diversity has only increased but it will take a lot of time with this hobby for the shoe to fit with demand.

Totally agree. Not every brand can make everything at once. I collect Japanese models too and I also wish more brands could make those. Only time will tell in this hobby on who makes what… hopefully NG does switch things up from mostly China though.

 

[YesterAirlines]

Sadly, brands will A) make what sells the most and B) the majority of the new brands are Chinese and made by young people. Unfortunately, 'A LOT of American airlines that I want to see made that span over five decades' do NOT fit what they will make because of both A and B.

If Westerners want model airliners then Westerners need to step up and make models either by creating their own brands (like V1:400) or making their own manufacturing facilities (in China presumably).

Otherwise I don't see the current trends changing a lot. There will still be US and EU models but the majority will be Asian. This will only get worse once Aeroclassics is retired as a brand (I give it 5 years maybe).

 

[JJ Skippy]

If Westerners want model airliners then Westerners need to step up and make models either by creating their own brands (like V1:400) or making their own manufacturing facilities (in China presumably).

In that case, for the Westerners who want what they want made, why don’t you consider pulling back the curtain and helping those folks out that are interested? Could get a lot of momentum going for those audiences.

Regardless of trends, these conversations aren’t going anywhere. Whether it’s US collectors, European collectors, African collectors, there will always be those vocal people. They are a minority, but when they use their voices right, they can represent a wider audience. I, for one, will continue to remain vocal about what I want, and I’m sure others will continue to do so for their own interests. You can’t deny that it’s fun seeing others agree on the subjects you’re wishing for

 

[Starz10p Aviation]

In that case, for the Westerners who want what they want made, why don’t you consider pulling back the curtain and helping those folks out that are interested? Could get a lot of momentum going for those audiences.

Regardless of trends, these conversations aren’t going anywhere. Whether it’s US collectors, European collectors, African collectors, there will always be those vocal people. They are a minority, but when they use their voices right, they can represent a wider audience. I, for one, will continue to remain vocal about what I want, and I’m sure others will continue to do so for their own interests. You can’t deny that it’s fun seeing others agree on the subjects you’re wishing for

Agreed, lots of people with good ideas that can’t get representation. I for one think many people here have some great ideas. If the brands aren’t making what you want, gather some like minded people and make it yourself, am I right? 3DD is a perfect example of this, but they have their own niche, so subjects of larger more popular aircraft aren’t being made

 

[planes_on_a_shelf]

When are the April hints dropping

 

[JJ Skippy]

When are the April hints dropping

Whenever NG feels like it.

 

[YesterAirlines]

In that case, for the Westerners who want what they want made, why don’t you consider pulling back the curtain and helping those folks out that are interested? Could get a lot of momentum going for those audiences.

Agreed, lots of people with good ideas that can’t get representation. I for one think many people here have some great ideas. If the brands aren’t making what you want, gather some like minded people and make it yourself, am I right? 3DD is a perfect example of this, but they have their own niche, so subjects of larger more popular aircraft aren’t being made

This is business. You can get representation if you front up the cash in the same way the teenager who runs Z2 has done. I wasn't aiming what i said at collectors on here anyway. The cost barriers aren't low (the V1:400 models for example come out costing well over $250,000 up front) but that hasn't seemed to stop a lot of people in Asia from doing it.

There's no curtain to pull back it is easy to contact any of the manufacturers, but it costs money to get models made. If the business model is as good as several people here seem to think then you'd have thought retailers, distributors and people with $ to invest in the US and EU would be falling over themselves to do it. They clearly are not in the same numbers as those in Asia are.

 

[keji833]

This is business. You can get representation if you front up the cash in the same way the teenager who runs Z2 has done. I wasn't aiming what i said at collectors on here anyway. The cost barriers aren't low (the V1:400 models for example come out costing well over $250,000 up front) but that hasn't seemed to stop a lot of people in Asia from doing it.

There's no curtain to pull back it is easy to contact any of the manufacturers, but it costs money to get models made. If the business model is as good as several people here seem to think then you'd have thought retailers, distributors and people with $ to invest in the US and EU would be falling over themselves to do it. They clearly are not in the same numbers as those in Asia are.

250K is a lot to be put down up front, much more than I thought...

 

[YesterAirlines]

250K is a lot to be put down up front, much more than I thought...

Well V1:400 was making 26 models in decent volumes.

Say you want to make a 180 model run of a 767 with Panda. At that production volume the unit price will probably be $25+ so the cost of the single model run is something like $5K and that is before shipping and import taxes etc. V1:400 runs were larger but the unit cost was more competitive.

If a new brand wants to make a decent number of models the costs go up quickly and you're paying for the models before you see any money back.

 

[AJC]

Well V1:400 was making 26 models in decent volumes.

Say you want to make a 180 model run of a 767 with Panda. At that production volume the unit price will probably be $25+ so the cost of the single model run is something like $5K and that is before shipping and import taxes etc. V1:400 runs were larger but the unit cost was more competitive.

If a new brand wants to make a decent number of models the costs go up quickly and you're paying for the models before you see any money back.

I see you are talking about V1:400 in the past tense, did I miss something? Learned a lot from your website by the way.

 

[YesterAirlines]

I see you are talking about V1:400 in the past tense, did I miss something? Learned a lot from your website by the way.

No sorry it is just that V1:400 has made the 26 models so far.