NG Models May 2025 Release Hints

Why did they keep the sensors on the top of the nose for the CX -1000 when no -1000 has them while correctly omitting it on the -900……. But it does seem like they’re using the old wing for the -1000 correctly and the new PIP wing for the -900.

My guess is they looked at older photos of B-LXI - like this one below taken in 2019. The Sensors seem to have been removed after 2021 or so.

b-lxi-cathay-pacific-airbus-a350-1041_PlanespottersNet_1074149_92daf5c7a5_o.jpg
 
Same mistake AV400 made.
Right. Was just recalling that. Do they outsource their artwork to the same agencies now?! lol

It's a marginal error though - not like they missed it completely - like they did on those Tu-154s
Reg displacements, if not destructive (LOL), I can live with :ROFLMAO:

I have pre-ordered 8598 - these are going to be super popular I'd think, didn't want to miss out
 
Right. Was just recalling that. Do they outsource their artwork to the same agencies now?! lol

It's a marginal error though - not like they missed it completely - like they did on those Tu-154s
Reg displacements, if not destructive (LOL), I can live with :ROFLMAO:

I have pre-ordered 8598 - these are going to be super popular I'd think, didn't want to miss out
I’ll probably commission some decal work on mine, depending on how well the 748 turns out… It’s one of those “minor” issues that can’t be unseen once noticed.
 
It's undeniable that NG has significantly altered their release strategy, and it's not for the better. I seriously can not stand them making 3, 4, or even 5 practically identical models in just a few months. NG's sets have gotten more repetitive and stale every year. It's such a shame since NG has some of the best molds out there.

I wouldn't necessarily mind these smaller sets that they've been putting out if the releases just weren't so damn repetitive. I also don't mind the Chinese focus as well (China is a big market after all). I get it's hard to fulfill everyone's preferences and wishes, but NG's releases used to be so much more diverse. These sets are generating nowhere near the amount of excitement that they used to. It just makes me sad.

NG is definitely cutting back on the amount of models they're putting out. Why they're cutting back is anyone's guess (e.g. the current geopolitical environment, financial issues for the company behind the scenes, etc.). It's honestly concerning considering how much money they've put into creating new molds (e.g., MD-80s, 747s, 753s, etc.). You'd think they would want to put more models out, and utilize those molds effectively to generate a good profit. They've bitten off more than they could chew with all of the new molds, rewards program, and collector wishes.
 
It's undeniable that NG has significantly altered their release strategy, and it's not for the better. I seriously can not stand them making 3, 4, or even 5 practically identical models in just a few months. NG's sets have gotten more repetitive and stale every year. It's such a shame since NG has some of the best molds out there.

I wouldn't necessarily mind these smaller sets that they've been putting out if the releases just weren't so damn repetitive. I also don't mind the Chinese focus as well (China is a big market after all). I get it's hard to fulfill everyone's preferences and wishes, but NG's releases used to be so much more diverse. These sets are generating nowhere near the amount of excitement that they used to. It just makes me sad.

NG is definitely cutting back on the amount of models they're putting out. Why they're cutting back is anyone's guess (e.g. the current geopolitical environment, financial issues for the company behind the scenes, etc.). It's honestly concerning considering how much money they've put into creating new molds (e.g., MD-80s, 747s, 753s, etc.). You'd think they would want to put more models out, and utilize those molds effectively to generate a good profit. They've bitten off more than they could chew with all of the new molds, rewards program, and collector wishes.

As a Delta collector, you could imagine how overwhelming it is for me to have virtually every modern fleet type and special livery released in the span of 6 months… To those who are upset they never get releases it’s almost just as unfair to get every one you want in such a short period of time that you can’t afford 😂
 
As a Delta collector, you could imagine how overwhelming it is for me to have virtually every modern fleet type and special livery released in the span of 6 months… To those who are upset they never get releases it’s almost just as unfair to get every one you want in such a short period of time that you can’t afford 😂
That’s also an issue. By doing so many repetitive releases in a short time frame, there will be some collectors out there who will struggle with buying the sudden onslaught of models for a specific airline.

It’s a little different with Delta since Gemini Jets adores them, but there’s a balance between not releasing enough of a wanted subject and releasing too much.
 
That’s also an issue. By doing so many repetitive releases in a short time frame, there will be some collectors out there who will struggle with buying the sudden onslaught of models for a specific airline.

It’s a little different with Delta since Gemini Jets adores them, but there’s a balance between not releasing enough of a wanted subject and releasing too much.

Exactly.

To your last point, my issues is I wouldn’t touch Gemini with a 10ft pole when it comes to most of their Delta releases. NG has the superior A319, A320, A321, A321neo, 737-7, 737-8, 737-9, 757-200, A330-200, A330-300, A330-9, A350-900, A350-1000, MD-80 all in which NG has released for Delta in the last year and I could care less if they’re the licensed brand if their product is weaker. I’m looking for the best on the market when I buy leading me to the dilemma mentioned above.
 
As a Delta collector, you could imagine how overwhelming it is for me to have virtually every modern fleet type and special livery released in the span of 6 months… To those who are upset they never get releases it’s almost just as unfair to get every one you want in such a short period of time that you can’t afford 😂
And then there are the folks who’ve waited years for them to do certain subjects, only for quality to nosedive just as said subjects are being released…
 
And then there are the folks who’ve waited years for them to do certain subjects, only for quality to nosedive just as said subjects are being released…
Like NG's Southwest Heart livery 737-700s, 737 Max 7s, and 737 Max 8s o_O - I honestly wouldn't mind those being rereleased, but ONLY if the shade of blue is 100% fixed.

There's still some gems that NG has put out lately (such as the Korean Air 748, and the fact that we finally got a Cathay A350), but they're still surrounded by the sea of repetition that NG swims in. I really wonder if all the repetition is a cost-cutting measure that NG is implementing due to financial constraints that have emerged after they put so much money in on developing new molds. It's definitely not as costly to slap a different registration on a model and call it a new release. I believe NG might have this with the more recent 747SP releases (such as Qantas and Australia Asia) with unsold inventory.

Even if they're splitting the production of a model with different registrations (e.g., 400 pieces of a single aircraft/livery combo are made, 200 have one registration, 200 have another), they're still cutting way back on production since they keep putting out these small release sets.
 
I understand perception matters and I share several of the frustrations here (especially in relation to mould usage) but there's a lot of hyperbole in these responses. NG's quality hasn't 'nosedived' - it is the same as it always was I would argue (and at least as good as anybody elses). They don't make more mistakes than they did before and have never been perfect (definitely some rose-tinted glasses being worn). Plus as always the level of attention their releases get I never see with other brands.

It's also worth pointing out that so far in 2025 the number of announcements has been:

NG 129
GJ 35
JC 144 (of which about 30 have actually been made)
PH 63
AC 42

So they aren't really cutting back that much and even with duplicate releases removed they are making as many models as anyone else. Certainly I would expect to see a lot less US models in the near future for obvious reasons and as I said before the general consensus is that EU releases don't sell well enough.

I should also add that even though they haven't been making necessarily what I want them to - so far of 2025 announced models I have bought 22 of theirs, which is more than everyone else and massively more than PHX (0), JC (6), AV400 (5), GJ (1) and Panda (8) so they are obviously doing something right still.
 
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