NG Models January 2024 Release Hints

[Irish]

What NG needs to invest in is a US spokesperson. If they can get someone from there to work with NG as to what they should release, their quality of choices would go way up.

A European one wouldn’t hurt either for those folks. They clearly have the money to do this but they’re not putting it in the right place IMO.

Honestly the best bet for NG. I know they are trying their best it just doesn’t help with that language gap. European folks may need a few extra for compensation lol

 

[pons399]

They should hire people for East Asia and Oceania while they're at it, NG's releases there have been garbage for those of us who don't collect mainland China stuff. NA/Europe majors are covered quite well, something you can't say at all for East Asia.

 

[DTcustoms]

I quite like the Qantas freight A330. The 2 TU-154B-2 Aeroflot are must buy for me, plus I can make a bunch of custom Post-Soviet airlines from them (i.e Latavio, Air Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Armenian Airlines...)

 

[Phantom]

2 KE 321neos are a waste of space

To be honest, until today I wasn't even aware of Korean operating 321s or at least didn't care. But I like this airframe livery combo, so one of them will likely join my collection - the first 321 model in my 400 scale collection.

 

[SJOIB7685]

NG needs to change their strategy ASAP! These re-releases are becoming so common now that it's getting annoying and frustrating... Not sure where they want to get by copy-pasting basically the same repetition over and over again? I'd like to think there's a (logical?) reason behind it, but at this point it is uncertain as there's no sign of change in the horizon...

I'm only getting the Avianca A320 'Surf City' and the Southwest 737 with splits just because I really need those. Let's hope NG wakes up!

 

[Irish]

NG needs to change their strategy ASAP! These re-releases are becoming so common now that it's getting annoying and frustrating... Not sure where they want to get by copy-pasting basically the same repetition over and over again? I'd like to think there's a (logical?) reason behind it, but at this point it is uncertain as there's no sign of change in the horizon...

I'm only getting the Avianca A320 'Surf City' and the Southwest 737 with splits just because I really need those. Let's hope NG wakes up!

You know I wonder if we got together and made a long informative email to them or if we all emailed them about these issues maybe that could get through to them? And Richard being more close with them could also help? I know for a fact NG does listen (sometimes) and we could get something out of them if we tried.

 

[Jazajia]

Designing and Research is the cost intensive process actually. Since it entails time and effort and specialised personnel, and a lot of iterative back and forth and approvals etc, to get it right so to speak - and also needs the creation of specialised and customised templates /screens etc to transfer onto the eventual tampo printing machinery.

@Barison400 / @Barison82 I'd imagine is more knowledgeable of the production designer process - but this is my understanding based on a lot of work I do as an architect and allied designer - where it's extremely time/cost intensive to produce something unique and customised, but economical to repeat with minor modifications

I can compare it to making decals, the design phase consumes a lot of time and energy. If one were to quantify what it costs to make decals at home, once the original design is done the cost of printing additional copies (ink, paper, clear coat, and electricity) is negligible. Making minor modifications to the original design is also quite simple.

 

[Phantom]

These re-releases are becoming so common now that it's getting annoying and frustrating... Not sure where they want to get by copy-pasting basically the same repetition over and over again? I'd like to think there's a (logical?) reason behind it,...

The only reason I could think of is a pile of models in their inventory that needs to go. I just question the reason behind this inventory.
Is it either
- unsold stock from previous releases that gets reworked and re-packaged
- or prepared "generic" livery stock to be finalized in different variations (regs, logos...) but at an over-optimistic sales planning.

Anyways, I totally agree. NG is getting frustrating.
They have the moulds, now do some 1990's A320 family, early 777s or 737NGs. Come on NG!!??

 

[Barison82]

Designing and Research is the cost intensive process actually. Since it entails time and effort and specialised personnel, and a lot of iterative back and forth and approvals etc, to get it right so to speak - and also needs the creation of specialised and customised templates /screens etc to transfer onto the eventual tampo printing machinery.

@Barison400 / @Barison82 I'd imagine is more knowledgeable of the production designer process - but this is my understanding based on a lot of work I do as an architect and allied designer - where it's extremely time/cost intensive to produce something unique and customised, but economical to repeat with minor modifications

That is absolutely correct - R&D is the most intensive period, both in terms of money and labour - and is also the most critical period for getting it right. Indeed, I'm right in the middle of that process myself, and due to the complex nature/scope of the project, a great deal of proofing is required! Followed by a good few test shots. But as you rightly say, any subsequent modifications to a finished design/master CAD should be a fairly straight-forward process by comparison.

 

[Barison82]

I was really looking forward to a TWA L-1011 in twin stripe scheme with hollow titles...

I was hoping for that one too!

 

[Barison82]

The only reason I could think of is a pile of models in their inventory that needs to go. I just question the reason behind this inventory.
Is it either
- unsold stock from previous releases that gets reworked and re-packaged
- or prepared "generic" livery stock to be finalized in different variations (regs, logos...) but at an over-optimistic sales planning.

Anyways, I totally agree. NG is getting frustrating.
They have the moulds, now do some 1990's A320 family, early 777s or 737NGs. Come on NG!!??

That has been my own assessment for some time. Lots of inventory backlog is being cleared, the CRP has also been an instrument of this. Possibly the result of over-production to get unit costs down to as low as they can be during casting runs. They're certainly not investing in original artwork development and pad-printing at the moment, that's for sure - although they've certainly been throwing money at a good few new moulds.

 

[IndyJets]

The ATA L-1011 is a major disappointment!

Even as a lifelong resident of Indianapolis (ATA headquarters), an L-1011 fan in general, and a fan of ATA and TWA L10s specifically (both airlines flew them into my home airport)..... I agree with you! This one will not be joining my collection. If it had been TWA with hollow titles or ATA full colors (particularly the vacation scheme, which I would dearly love to see on the NG mold)... different story altogether.

 

[acaymeth47]

Just a horrible set of releases. Will be getting two of the SWA 737’s because I am a serial SWA collector but I am praying that the blue is corrected. What is NG’s obsession with special liveries? And the re-releases? And re-re-releases?? It’s sad to see because the quality of the models is still leaps and bounds above GJ, Phoenix and JC, in my opinion, but the variety that really was their strength in 2020 and 2021 has evaporated. Saves me money, though, and luckily Panda/AV 400 have been coming out with some absolute heaters as of late. Still disappointing from NG…

 

[Phantom]

Even as a lifelong resident of Indianapolis (ATA headquarters), an L-1011 fan in general, and a fan of ATA and TWA L10s specifically (both airlines flew them into my home airport)..... I agree with you! This one will not be joining my collection. If it had been TWA with hollow titles or ATA full colors (particularly the vacation scheme, which I would dearly love to see on the NG mold)... different story altogether.

Speaking of ATA hybrids - while I'm not a fan of them, the following would be great to have from NG. Though it would require a fresh set of artwork.
N190AT in basic Aer Lingus colors. Saw this one a few times during Desert Shield 1990. It might even be one the first airliners I took a picture of.

This picture by Simon Brooke - my (much worse!) pic is in some photo album I think...
Lockheed L1011 Tristar 50 N190AT Aer Lingus EGPK 1991 by Mike Kell, auf Flickr

 

[LeoMuse747]

Speaking of ATA hybrids - while I'm not a fan of them, the following would be great to have from NG. Though it would require a fresh set of artwork.
N190AT in basic Aer Lingus colors. Saw this one a few times during Desert Shield 1990. It might even be one the first airliners I took a picture of.

This picture by Simon Brooke - my (much worse!) pic is in some photo album I think...
Lockheed L1011 Tristar 50 N190AT Aer Lingus EGPK 1991 by Mike Kell, auf Flickr

Wow, this one would be much more interesting!!!

 

[IndyJets]

Wow, this one would be much more interesting!!!

I would still rather have the vacation scheme on that mold though. GJ did one but the mold isn't the best.

 

[LeoMuse747]

I would still rather have the vacation scheme on that mold though. GJ did one but the mold isn't the best.

Yeah, I have that one... N197AT. Old old model indeed.

 

[Purpleplane]

Well, nothing for me this month.

 

[B767Avia]

Emailed NG to revise their Southwest colors. Gave up on trying to make them fix the overwing exit arrows on the A321neo.

 

[747438]

I'm thinking NG is not really a monthly release manufacturer, but are trying to make themselves look like one. Probably does not cost them too much to make these, since they are basically re-releases. They use them as space fillers while they - hopefully - work on the next batch of real new releases. Even if some of these releases don't get a single order from retailers and have to be scrapped, it probably does not cost them much. If anything they can write it off as a publicity expense.

Or put them up as free models on the CRP program.