HX Models, like several others, make plenty of models for others and that has enabled the creation of new brands like YY Wings and now Legacy Jets that to date have only worked with HX. Both of these have also got priority usage of new HX moulds, which in the case of Legacy Jets enabled them to release brand new E-Jets recently. In this review I take a look at the first A320ceo using the HX mould, also made for Legacy. Legacy Jets have advertised using some questionably grandiose language and AI nonsense speak, but that doesn’t say anything about the quality of the models so let’s see what they’re like.
Each review is to split into three key areas:
- The model mould
- The paint and livery reproduction
- Printing and quality control
Each section can get a maximum score of 10 for a maximum combined score of 30
This review is sponsored by Northeast Diecast. Check out their store for an excellent range of hard to find 200 and 400 scale collection sale models and get 15% off!
MOULD
There’s no shortage of A320 releases in 400 scale, but despite there being active moulds now from at least 8 manufacturers (Aeroclassics, Aviation400, JC Wings, Kylin Model, NG Models, Panda and Phoenix) the quality of several of the moulds is questionable. Plus it is often the weaker moulds being used a lot and even when it isn’t the variety of airlines made is poor and repetitive.
That means there’s plenty of room for another A320 in the scale, especially if it is going to get better usage. The relatively unusual subject matter of this model suggests that this is a possibility with this HX mould (although I’m sure HX themselves will just release the same as everyone else).
There’s a lot to like about this HX A320 and straight away it can be seen that it is superior to the JC Wings / Gemini and Phoenix offerings. That’s no big deal though and a comparison to the other A320s available, especially the NG, is more instructive. The general shape of the fuselage barrel here is good.
The fuselage does however seem a little fat and comparisons to the NG version do show it is slightly wider. The difference is minimal, but alongside the IAE engines being slightly smaller (see later) sometimes the proportions can look a little odd from some angles.
An area of criticism is the angle of the nosegear leg. A320s have a very obvious forward leaning leg and this one is definitely lacking that.
Another small area I do think the HX A320 is inferior in is the shape of the rounded wing fairing ahead of the wing. On the real thing is is clear and obvious but on the HX A320 the upper line of it somewhat disappears. It should really be printed anyway, but almost nobody does that in 400 scale except for Aviation400.
The wingjoin itself is a little gappy, although it only stands out at magnification.
The wing is another area of difference as the HX version has been pointed out as having a wider chord at the fuselage join. It is about a mm wider than the other moulds and seemingly more accurate, however since nobody has ever pointed this issue out until now I’d argue it isn’t very noticeable. Even so, the HX appears more accurate in this respect.
At the rear the vertical stabiliser lacks the rather heavy panel lining present on the NG version. That’s not a criticism – I’ve never been entirely convinced of the need for it. HX has also packed more detail into the tailcone, which has the lower lip created by the tailcone mounted light. That’s a nice bit of extra detailing.
The model has four aerials and all are fine, except for the one directly ahead of the tailfin, which isn’t the right shape. It should be smaller and square, not tall and bladelike.
On the underside HX mould in detailing like the triangular NACA intakes and the bumps on the maingear doors. The former are missing on the NG, but the latter are present. The rest of the available moulds lack both in relief.
Moving back to the IAE engines and I am minded to think they are a little too small and not deep enough. On the plus side somehow it looks like HX have managed to make the engines hollow-core, although it is almost impossible to tell except at max zoom.
From the front the incorrect engine shape is more obvious as the underside of the IAEs isn’t visible behind the nacelle intake and the thickness and shape of the fan rims is noticeably inaccurate.
As I said there’s a lot to like in this A320 and it compares well to others on the market. HX deserve credit for creating an entirely new casting and not working from existing versions. That has allowed them to add in welcome new accuracy at the tailcone, underbelly and wing chord. It also however means that there’s room for new issues, such as the nosegear leg angle, wing fairing, wing join and the engines. None of these are dealbreakers by any stretch, but despite the extra detailing I still prefer the A320 moulds from NG, Panda and Kylin.
SCORE – 8
PAINT & LIVERY
This aircraft, along with another trio, were flown in AirTran colours for about a year and a half, from mid-2003-November 2004. They were operated by Ryan Intenational Airlines to fly West Coast routes while AirTran waited for 737-700 deliveries. That might make it classic to some, but in all honesty it is really too modern to be part of my US collection, which in theory is supposed to stop at the year 2000!
The fact it has never been made and is frowned upon as a subject by major brands illustrates their lack of curiosity, aviation knowledge and the poor diversity we too often see in 400 scale. It takes a brand with some actual knowledge, like Legacy Jets, to see it as a viable subject – bravo to them.
AirTran is poorly represented in 400 scale and could do with new 717 and 73G releases. It is kind of weird we have got an A320 before them. The old AirTran colours used here have a sandy fuselage with teal tail. For photos of N951LF at JetPhotos see here. The main sand and teal colours on this model are great, as is the blue and red stripe that splits the two colours on the rear fuselage.
So far, so good. The only issue I can find is extremely minor. The ‘Operated by Ryan…’ text looks black rather than blue on the model. Apparently N381LF and N391LF had black text and N941LF and N951LF blue, so I’m really nitpicking there!
SCORE – 9
PRINTING & QUALITY CONTROL
There is undoubtedly a lot of printing detail on this model and HX have been lauded for the amount they include on their releases. The underside of the model is a good example of just how much linework they add. Then again on the minus side HX have struggled somewhat with cockpit printing and continuously had to modify their 747s and A340s cockpit shape, position and size. On this A320, while the shape and position are good, the windows are perhaps slightly too large.
When it comes to paintwork the model has a rather glossy finish to it and some of the printwork at doors and windows isn’t as sharp as it perhaps could be. There is also a paint imperfection / splotch on the right side of the nose radome.
From a quality perspective the model exhibits no flaws in terms of the build. I have however noted that it has a far greater tendency to tailsit than other A320s in my collection. That’s perhaps a mould issue rather than a QC one. Only further purchases will tell.
The model comes with the sort of high quality packaging you expect from HX plus their higher quality metal stand (printed up in AirTran colours). There is also a collector’s card, or ‘Certificate of Authenticity’ as LegacyJets call it. As an overall product the model certainly has a high quality feel about it.
SCORE – 8
CONCLUSION
This is a promising start for Legacy Jets with an excellent choice for the subject, lovely overall product and decent A320 from HX. They have received some backlash as to their excessive hyperbolic language talking about ‘next-level precision, unmatched innovation’, ‘the moment the bar gets raised’ etc but that doesn’t impact the delivery, which is good. The E Jets have gained similarly good reviews. Their production partner HX Models have gained a lot of fans and praise since they appeared so partnering with them makes sense, however their moulds have often been less impressive overall than NGs even if they have extra details. That continues with this A320 in my opinion, but it is still a solid contender and if Legacy Jets can continue to produce more interesting subject matter like this they should do well.
FINAL SCORE – 25/30
