[PHOTOSHOOT] 2025 Patriot Models NASA B747-123 N905NA “Shuttle Carrier Aircraft”

[quanng]

Patriot just joined the 1:400 world for a relatively short time but have brought innovative products, albeit in limited numbers. They rely on other manufacturers to produce the main aircraft (e.g JC Wings - these models come fully equipped with antennas) and in some cases add additional details (like the antenna for House color DC-10-10 produced by AC, water-boom for the firefighting tankers, etc). Their latest corporation with HX factory comes in the shape of the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, which has been produced in larger quantity. The shuttle which stayed on top ship 905 is Endeavor. HX factory previously produced Patriot’s House Color with fuel boom (KC-33) and an engine testbed. The scarcity of these 2 models are well-known.

A bit into the history of the airframe: this is one of the two 747SCA which are specially modified for NASA to carry their shuttle around. Ship 905 as made by Patriot had most time of its carrier at NASA. The aircraft was equiped with 3 struts to connect with the shuttle. The fuselage at the strut area was strengthened thoroughly. Due to the profile of the aircraft when carrying the shuttle, the performance was compromised severely. The aircraft currently sits at Houston Space Center with a Space Shuttle mockup.

Now, let’s get into the first part - where multiple angles of the models are shown.

Front port-side profile.


Moving towards the center of the aircraft.


Quite a side-shot.


Towards the tail where the extra vertical stabilizers were installed on the tip of the h.stab for better stability.


A close-look at the shuttle.


Starboard side from the front.


Moving towards the back.


A “real” sideshot.


Starboard side from thr above.


Starboard side from the yail.


That’s all for the first photo part. See you on the next part.

 

[quanng]

Continuing in the next part.

Port-side with the main box artwork.


Starboard side with the aircraft on stand and the artwork on the box flap.


Shuttle with the sun in the afternoon.


SCA on stand with the sun on the vertical stab of the Shuttle.


And finally, the SCA with a black and white look.


My comment on the model overall:
- Price would be a hot topic for discussion. It is for me justifiable since the additional tasks carried out compare to normal models: 3D printing (?) of the support struts, extra v.stabs and shuttle. Drills into fuselage for the shuttle strut. Larger packaging to accomodate the shuttle, etc…
- Quality: well-detailed and well-executed. Patriot might have had better supervising than other brands. Even the tiniest letters are meticulously printed.
- Mould: which is a big topic for discussion. No 1:400 747 mould correctly reflect the real Queen, which is quite a shame. Each mould has their own advantages and disadvantages, more or less. HX is currently the better modern offering for the 747s - but not flawless either. The gear height does need some improvements. So as the wing flex and nose.

But anyways, Patriot has done a splendid job making this iconic one-of-a-kind aircraft available in the 1:400 scale, despite being a newcomer. I would eager to get their other releases in the future.

P/s: if things go smoothly, I would be able to have a photoshoot for incoming classics before my return to study. Stay tuned.

 

[planes_on_a_shelf]

Fabulous Photos! It's great to have a 'modern' SCA in 1:400. The Shuttle looks fantastic!
And on the stand, the two of them look just stunning.

I'd pick up an FD version if they ever make one.

 

[quanng]

Fabulous Photos! It's great to have a 'modern' SCA in 1:400. The Shuttle looks fantastic!
And on the stand, the two of them look just stunning.

I'd pick up an FD version if they ever make one.

Thank you for your compliments. The FD would surely look great on the stand. For the House color, HX has made a FD version, which is not well known and cost 50% more than the regular version. In the case of this SCA, a magnetic gear version is also available, but at a very limited amount and cost a hefty extra.

 

[Phantom]

Great photos. I love the light and colors in these!

The model however... I can't understand all the hype around this mould on the forums. You correctly pointed out some of the more glaring issues.

 

[planes_on_a_shelf]

For the House color, HX has made a FD version, which is not well known and cost 50% more than the regular version.

Whoops. That would make it at least 10pc more than JC's 744 FDs.

HX is currently the better modern offering for the 747s - but not flawless either. The gear height does need some improvements. So as the wing flex and nose.

Also the leading edge of the wing is too thick and chunky?
The FD version would camouflage some of these flaws - upon the stand, with the flaps and slats, the wing's flex may work better, and the taller landing gear wouldn't draw as much attention.
I also am not too convinced about the hump.

The model however... I can't understand all the hype around this mould on the forums

I do agree, though I'd be sympathetic to those who've been waiting for a better classic 747. While it's definitely better than the ancient moulds around, I wouldn't call this mould exquisite or shower superlatives, there's definitely scope for improvement.

 

[LeoMuse747]

The model however... I can't understand all the hype around this mould on the forums.

For the time being, it's the best B747-100 mould in 1:400. NG failed in making a good one, and the other competitors are quite old, obsolete and overall inferior. The gear height on this one is still an annoying issue, though.

By the way, is there really a "hype" for this mould? Because at least here at MAF, I swear I don't see people talking too much about HX Models at all I mean, the RA001 and this SCA sure had some attention because they are remarkable models but, other that that, I fail to see much interest

 

[bakejobb_23]

Thank you for the write-up! I never see the hype surrounding these types of models but seeing it this up close makes me interested in trying to get one. My only question would be on the shuttle/strut quality? It looks quite nice but curious as to what it is made of? (some kind of molded plastic?) Does it feel as quality as it should or does it feel cheaply made compared to how the fuselage of a normal die-cast model is made?

 

[quanng]

Great photos. I love the light and colors in these!

The model however... I can't understand all the hype around this mould on the forums. You correctly pointed out some of the more glaring issues.

Thank you Phantom for your kind words. I am now enjoying the time I have back here photographing aircraft models when they arrive. I actually thought a lot on your previous remarks and they were noticeable on the models.

 

[quanng]

Whoops. That would make it at least 10pc more than JC's 744 FDs.



Also the leading edge of the wing is too thick and chunky?
The FD version would camouflage some of these flaws - upon the stand, with the flaps and slats, the wing's flex may work better, and the taller landing gear wouldn't draw as much attention.
I also am not too convinced about the hump.


I do agree, though I'd be sympathetic to those who've been waiting for a better classic 747. While it's definitely better than the ancient moulds around, I wouldn't call this mould exquisite or shower superlatives, there's definitely scope for improvement.

The price difference on HX House 741 was already insane in China. Had it come to the international market, that would bring up a large eye-watering sum. Patriot's House color 744 also offers the FD option but there is not a big gap in price.

After your comments, I also feel that the leading edge is a bit too thick. Would more photos (standalone or compare with other moulds) would justify this better.

For my quick look, the hump seems just fine. Maybe I will need to look further in.

For your last statement, that aligns with my previous comment. As a Chinese manufacturer who had been making and selling models primarily in their homeland, I do not know whether classic scheme of other airlines are in the works. But fingers crossed.

 

[quanng]

For the time being, it's the best B747-100 mould in 1:400. NG failed in making a good one, and the other competitors are quite old, obsolete and overall inferior. The gear height on this one is still an annoying issue, though.

By the way, is there really a "hype" for this mould? Because at least here at MAF, I swear I don't see people talking too much about HX Models at all I mean, the RA001 and this SCA sure had some attention because they are remarkable models but, other that that, I fail to see much interest

That's true Leo. NG brought the 741s but filled with errors and they try to reach the lower-end of the market by marking it "lite" - a smart business move. Hopefully they take their time to perfect the 747s this round.

I think the "hype" for this mould lies within the domestic market - where the HX-branded House Color is priced similar to JC's narrowbodies (a note here: YY Wings also has access into this mould and sells 747 even cheaper than HX - at a price lower than JC narrowbody). They also got the hype to have a modern 747 mould in 1:400 without screwing things up. The scarcity for the already HX products in the west did not help to "bring the hype" either. I only have 2 747 with the HX mould despite an array of dozens already made - particularly owing to the scheme they produced.

Talking about price, it is understandable that Patriot would mark up these models a bit as compared to the original version owing to the further refinements on the models. However, their House color DC-10 is actually cheaper than a new-released AC DC-10 there. Surprising!

 

[quanng]

Thank you for the write-up! I never see the hype surrounding these types of models but seeing it this up close makes me interested in trying to get one. My only question would be on the shuttle/strut quality? It looks quite nice but curious as to what it is made of? (some kind of molded plastic?) Does it feel as quality as it should or does it feel cheaply made compared to how the fuselage of a normal die-cast model is made?

The struts and shuttle are made out of plastic. The structs are quite firm and can support thr shuttle easily - which is hollow. Despite that, the quality is comparable in my opinion as the details are great on both.