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
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MOULD
I last reiewed an Aero Polaris 737 back in December 2024 and since then the series 800 has been the primary model for the brand with 55 releases. Aero Polaris have recently announced upcoming 737-700/900 and A320 family moulds so will be releasing a wider variety, albeit not especially a surprising one.
I have heard there is a connection between NG Models and Aero Polaris, and there certainly was between their predecessor HYJLwings and NG. Regardless of that this 737 is almost indistinguishable from the NG Models series 800. Of course that is a good thing as it means the mould is up there with the very best 737 in 400 scale.
Although JC Wings / Gemini have shown a new 737NG mould family it being JC means the timescales associated with its appearance are unknown and it could be years away. The Phoenix mould has never been good, which leaves the Panda 737s as the only competition for the NG and Aero Polaris.
Getting back to this mould and it is effectively faultless. There’s nothing to criticise across the entire aircraft. Looking for differences with the NG is something of a eye spy exercise. There are a couple, but they are very minor.
Firstly the strakes on the inside of the CFM engine nacelles are thinner and slightly higher up. The shape of the torque link on the rear of the nosegear is also subtly different.
Something new that has been added to these latest Aero Polaris 737-800s is the drain mast on the portside of the rear fuselage, near the tailbumper. This is the first time I have ever seen such a small detail on a 737.
There are actually four other aerials / masts on the underside of the model, which is probably a record in the scale too.
There are still plenty of 737-800s to make in the scale, especially European ones, so it can’t hurt for Aero Polaris to have such a good one, especially when a lot of the competition is so incredibly weak.
SCORE – 10
PAINT & LIVERY
Donghai Airlines is the sort of smaller Chinese airline most Westerners probably don’t know about, although it has a fleet of 21 aircraft and flies from the massive hub at Shenzhen. This aircraft wears a special scheme advertising the Chimelong Ocean Kingdom theme park (the 6th most visited theme park in the world). It is well known for a Whale Shark aquarium and that animal features on the portside of the plane. Controversially they also look like they may display a pair of Orca they have acquired from Russia, and one is on the starboard side.
In recent years Donghai has replaced the blue wave scheme it had with a simpler billboard titles livery, but has pleasingly kept the multi-coloured bird logo on the tail. The standard livery elements look great, are well coloured and well placed. The tail logo is correctly replicated on the engine nacelles and both sides of the winglets.
Looking at the special livery aspects and the overall form of both the animals is accurate, but both leave rather a lot to be desired when it comes to their detailing. The Whale Shark has an element of its blotchy patterning on it and the eye can just about be made out, but it certainly lacks the sort of detail the real thing has.
Similarly the Orca on the other side is well-shaped but in close up it is quite pixelly and the white areas rather blue than white. These are small and complex parts of the scheme but I do think both could be better than they are.
SCORE – 8
PRINTING & QUALITY CONTROL
I have criticised the print definition of the animals in the livery, but elsewhere the level and quality of print is very good. Interestingly, Aero Polaris print their logo on the underside of the models, which is a little bit retro and not done by many brands anymore.
Of the 13 Aero Polaris 737s I just unboxed a couple had some build quality issues – 2 had loose wings, 1 had a slanted tail and 1 had a slightly bent nosegear. This model has no major issues aside from the starboard engine exhaust pipe being bent. The majority of my Aero Polaris models have come perfectly put together.
Aero Polaris models come with a nice set of extras. They have a flip-top box, individually decorated, but also come with a plastic collectors card and a section of ramp printed on card. It makes a nice complete package for Aero Polaris models.
SCORE – 9
CONCLUSION
Aero Polaris have been releasing a more diverse set of Chinese 737-800s than other brands, which means several airlines that have not been well represented in the scale, such as Donghai, have featured. I’m hopeful they continue this approach with upcoming Western releases because the combination of an excellent mould, good printing and nice extras is a winning one.
FINAL SCORE – 27/30
