The Ultimate 1:400 Scale Model Tier List - Rating 1:400 Model Manufacturers!

Welcome back! Today we will be rating most of the 1:400 Scale model manufacturers such as Gemini Jets, NG Models, Phoenix Models, Panda Models, JC Wings, Aviation 400, AeroClassics, Apollo, Velocity Models, Dragon Wings and Herpa.
We will be rating them in a Tier list which, for those of you who are unaware, is a rating system where we rate the companies. S is best and going down through A, B, C, D, E, and F is worst.
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[@Aviation18]

Fun fact that I didn't include in the video: 20.1% of my Gemini Jets models have arrived broken. While Phoenix is at 4% and NG is at 0%

[@aquatikat]

That is sad.

[@swisscheeseaviation590]

Honestly I’m not surprised, GJ’s models are too expensive, it’s over $65 for me to buy a 1:400 Q400 at the hobby store I go to.

[@SomeGuyFromMalta]

he said

[@sanchez9225]

Pls unbox a AVIATION400 A350-900

[@sto1017]

One of my NG models one came broken

[@acs777x2]

Awesome video!! *Me flexing with 22 NG Models* And 3 of my NG models were broken but are now successfully fixed, and 2 are currently broken, I still need to fix them

[@Aviation18]

Thanks man and I hope you get your models fixed!

[@acs777x2]

@@Aviation18 Thank you so much for replying sir!

[@alphabravoindia5267]

Aeroclassics needs some more love. Who else agrees?

[@alexaviation4202]

Me

[@bearabletable7527]

they make awesome retro jets and RARE jets such as the Caravelle, BAC one eleven, Trident, DH Comet...etc

[@MileHigh_Aviation]

Awesome list!! I agree with you on pretty much all of them! Liked!

[@rmaviationtravel]

Nice you got a feature

[@MileHigh_Aviation]

RM Aviation & Travel thank you!

[@Aviation18]

Thanks man! I'm glad

[@Redriveraviation]

Enjoyed it! Very much agreed with all those rankings! I’ll be excited to see you collect more of those other brands in the future!

[@stevensaviationspotting]

Redriveraviation I hope NG!

[@Aviation18]

Thanks and I'm glad you agree!

[@ASAviation]

Herpa over Gemini?? Hmmm maybe I could agree with that one actually. Brilliant vid mate.

[@Aviation18]

Yeh, I don't have a huge amount of experience with Herpa but the AN-225 that I have it amazing! and Thanks man!

[@muhammadhaider1885]

Hi as aviation

[@rmaviationtravel]

I was waiting for you to pull out a picture of AS Aviation’s Herpa A346 that was absolutely garbage lol. Amazing video, and I agree with your rankings as well. Very fair.

[@Aviation18]

😂 and Thanks man!

[@MileHigh_Aviation]

Also thank you for using my clip!

[@CitrusAviation]

Fantastic models company ranking list and yes, I agree with these! I’m super happy to have helped out, and it is awesome that people are helping you make amazing content!

[@EKC2024]

NG RULES!!! To be honest, I don’t think anyone has received an NG models broken yet.

[@planespottersimulatorplaye6882]

Model Airplane Collector OH YEAH!

[@stevensaviationspotting]

Model Airplane Collector Indeed!

[@stevensaviationspotting]

PilotLogan12 Aviation Videos and playlists Oh F

[@stevensaviationspotting]

PilotLogan12 Aviation Videos and playlists Ah

[@EKC2024]

Plane spotter, simulator player and model collector yeah!!

[@bagels377]

I've got a panda sas a340. Its a fantastic mould with really nice quality and detail.

[@Aviation18]

I've heard they're really good and I'd want to experience that myself!

[@jlaviation6207]

I have a lot of respect for Aeroclassics since they make some very rare airlines

[@pacificcy3182]

I would rate AeroClassics at a C, since they are basically kind of like a budget sort of aircraft. They don't come broken, they are good quality, but they are rather basic, it's kind of like the Hornby RailRoad range of starter models for model railway blokes like me. I hope you get what I mean.

[@HenrysAviation]

I agree

[@TheSlipSoap]

You know what, I agree on most! GeminiJets does have the breaking problem, whereas I collect Jc wings or in-plane models

[@user-ot4wm2fh8g]

I think you may have treated Aeroclassics somewhat unfairly. Their modern models may not be as good as other manufacturers but I’ve heard good things about their moulds of older aircraft such as their DC-10 and older Douglas Aircraft. I’ve also heard pretty good things about their A330.

[@michealgo9646]

I agree with your opinions almost entirely. I know nobody cares, but I'd put Panda in S, simply because of how they are like Robin Hood. The steal from the rich (they produce Easy Jet models without license) to give to the poor (us, who have almost no other source for them). Then considering I haven't seen any Dragon produced after 2012, the models and molds, and they're Paint work and detailing is of today's standard. They did have too much plastic, but unlike plastic on today's models, it didn't fall off and somehow it was fairly sturdy. Anyway, great video, great topic, really happy your discussing this.

[@planespottersimulatorplaye6882]

Awesome video man! NG is best models of all time! NG definitely at A and GJ at F since they are the worst

[@Aviation18]

Thanks man and well fair enough 😂

[@planespottersimulatorplaye6882]

Aviation18 You’re welcome and ye lol 😂

[@oneworldman0]

F should’ve been called Gemini gets

[@dyeet6861]

lol yeah

[@stevensaviationspotting]

oneworldman2009 Yeah I agree!

[@mickeywys8524]

no just.......no

[@aviationw12-4rd3]

don't judge gemini jets by what you heard, you should judge them by your personal experiences with them.

[@joeyyy4864]

😂 saying what we’re all thinking

[@rickbear7249]

Although I found this an interesting video, you should bear in mind that most of the manufacturers are actually just "brand names" who share each-other's moulds. So you can't really say "brand x is better than brand y" with any certainty. When looking for where to buy the best models, it's best to concentrate on the aircraft model MOULDS rather than the brand names on the boxes. You can find who is using which mould, and I'd advise using this as your starting point. That said, it's always a pleasure to hear from new reviewers.

[@redsbricks5993]

You seriously need to get Panda. Good video!

[@CAFC_DANBRO]

Yay you actually did it

[@magdalenakwiecien4606]

I think NG Models because I personally think that they don't really mess up with there models

[@ScienceGuy5610]

12:29 To give you some information Dragon Wings went out of business in 2016..so there's actually not much to be up-to-date...

[@BlueRockerPR]

I believe Dragon Wings no longer make aircraft models, but I would have definitely NOT put them under D. They're about the only company that put a stand, extra tires and "in-flight" configuration on all their models.

[@vcchannel4191]

Dragon wings were a different era so can’t compare, I would never got into collecting if I never came across DW

[@Adriatic1290]

I have a U.S. Navy P-3 Orion and a Lufthansa A340-300 aswell as an Air Canada A340-500 aircraft from Dragon wings. And they are amazing

[@joshhedges6472]

Checking out this video, really enjoying your content. I see this video is 3Y old…would you say ratings hold true now?

[@Aviation_-st7yu]

Been waiting for one of these vids

[@JJ_Skippy]

Your video ended up on the Diecast Aircraft Forum (DA.C)! Two things I want to say regarding your ratings: - I think Aeroclassics should be a bit higher on the list, maybe up to a C. While the molds and detail aren’t that great, you have a much better chance of getting a model clean than broken with Aeroclassics. - NG and has some awesome molds, far superior to their competition; I think they should bet at the S rank, considering their customer service is excellent. This is all my opinion, and I respect your ratings. Great video nonetheless.

[@Liza_F2P]

I agree with the list. Also, I was gonna get the Singapore A330 MRTT since my country Air Force has it but it was sold out

[@mrman0-095]

This is gonna be good!

[@AdventureswithaaronB]

Just an honest question, I’m only recently getting Into this, what is Gemini 200? Is that the same as Gemini jets? If so, is it just as bad?

[@Aviation18]

Gemini200 is the 1/200 scale version of Gemini Jets. I didn't include them in this because this list is just about 1/400 models but they're actually Very Good! A lot better than their 1/400 variation

[@AdventureswithaaronB]

Aviation18 o wow, thx so much

[@yb6.]

Phoenix a380s B777s are on point

[@dannyliu214]

I have three aviation400 and I love it!’s a350 is so good! 777’s are even more outstanding!

[@mariosaviationmore4982]

Great video!

[@keidfilms6782]

Though Gemini Jets are expensive They are extremely high quality. I’ve had great luck on Gemini jets. Even though I am a beginner, my favorite model I have is an A330 and I love it. The glossy texture is really nice and they get a lot of details. Good but I have heard they come broken but that still does not stop me from buying their products.

[@Ryan_a339]

Yes the quality of the models are relatively high (if you don’t count the broken ones) but NG models is just better

[@RoyMcTaggart]

Great video! One small point, Dragon Wings quit the 1:400 scale in 2012.

[@hyrengan]

Yep, now they only make military and space equipment models

[@LeeAviation]

My Phoenix A350 MAS looks really good! They got the molding right for me :)

[@BradleyPennyAviation]

Great videos! I normally go with NG models or Pheonix!

[@Rqpturrrr]

I have 2 Dragon models from 2011 (USAF B-1 and C-5) and they are very good. You can take off the landing gear and put it back on.

[@elijahhuang5393]

Next time you do an update, can you please do an Emirates 777-300ER to Dubai international?

[@johnsappleseed]

Phoenix's 767 mould is amazing.

[@__Pathfinder__]

The list is a nice idea. JC Wings should be on same tier like Gemini. Beside problems with broken parts Gemini has really good and detailed models. Herpa is special. They do 1:500 scale for building compact airports. In this scale they know what they do. They do more airlines from Europe and historical airplains like the beautiful JAT Yugoslav Airlines 707-300c. The newer JC Wings 747 moulds are really nice. Should be the same mould Gemini uses for their 747... Gemini and JC Wings share a lot of moulds for makeing the newer models.

[@coconutdreams1238]

Yeah, I've noticed that too! I have Gemini and JC Wings 1:200 scale MD-11s and they both have the exact same mold!

[@Ryan_a339]

I want to agree with you about the JC wings situation but the model I ordered from them (a320neo) the landing gear came broken and the nose gear is detaching

[@MrPr3stige]

I’m in the uk, where is the best place to buy these models

[@user-ot4wm2fh8g]

I have: 8 NG Models (5 on order) 15 Phoenix Models (3 on order) 2 Gemini Jets (1 on order) 1 Aeroclassics I would personally rate them as follows: NG Models (By Miles) Phoenix Models Gemini Jets Aeroclassics In regards to Phoenix, if you avoid the 747-400, 737 and A300 the rest of their moulds range from decent to great.

[@bearabletable7527]

2024 for me: NG - S Gemini Jets - A Aviation 400 - B Herpa - C JC wings - S Aeroclassics - S Phoenix - A Panda - A Dragon - A

[@JoshuasPHXAviation]

Nice video👍👍. Liked

[@aviation0197]

Could someone pls explain me the trend of rolling gear. I personally don’t mind it rolling or not but the fact that most rolling landing gears are terrible makes me prefer non rolling

[@Aviation18]

Literally same!

[@tl7773]

yeah, they seem to be very "kid friendly" with the rolling landing gears and the CRJ 900 mould with the main wheels attached to the fuselage.

[@kenmann7406]

I also agree. For me, the issue is how rolling landing gear on some models makes their proportionality warped. It also also find their "utility" pointless, since I imagine many collectors are so gentle with their models that they'd rather not drag them across any surface.

[@JPsAviation]

I agree with you no most. I collect some Herpa wings 1:500 and they always come late and always broken so I would put them in D.

[@SomeGuyFromMalta]

I also collect 1:500 Herpa Models, sadly I have 2 damaged models Really small damage however Usually a Front Landing Gear tilted

[@alexaviation4202]

I managed to get the emirates a380 normal livery by Gemini Finnally since I do Dubai airport updates

[@alexaviation4202]

When it comes

[@rosscurrie3979]

Gemini jets are better than c man Great Video loved seeing you rate the company’s and see some I have not bought from up with ng. maybe I will buy some of there models.

[@RiceCookerAviation]

JC Wings 787s are the best

[@HenrysAviation]

YES!

[@mksaviation7270]

Agree with your list 91%😆 I would have put GJ in B and herpa in D otherwise I think it was a very accurate assessment 👍🏽

[@parthabanerjee7670]

Confused about phoenix and ng model. What should buy...

[@Mo-ij8re]

which company makes the best 747 and a380 would you say ? in terms of detail and accuracy.

[@bearabletable7527]

NG for 747SP, Dragon for boeing 747-100 to 400 , and gemini for 747-8.

[@diegoandalexcockatiel7540]

NG Models 1 : 400 all the way!

[@AotearoaAviation]

JC wings is the best! They actually make air new zealand atr-72s!

[@adamreynolds2372]

Ah you missed hogan. Got the oasis Hong Kong for 20 quid brand new. Decent, looked like a 747 and looks nice but no aerials and rolling gear so I’d say they’d sit with Apollo or dragon. Not the best but cheap.

[@dennypayne]

Asking which brand is the best is completely the wrong question to ask in the first place. Phoenix 777's have historically been very good. Their A350's nose looks nothing like the real thing. Gemini probably has the best printing and color matching in the industry, but their A320 is an awful mould. Aeroclassics has the best A320 mould by far, but they often get their colors too dark. (And how can you possibly rate a manufacturer objectively when you only have one model?) Aviation400 has the best A350, but they've also made color goofs. JCWings shares a lot of moulds with Gemini - but not all - their 787 is tops, but Gemini has an inferior one. Herpa is such a niche player in 1/400 as to be irrelevant. Etc. etc. The point is: you really have to review individual moulds and models - anyone that claims any particular manufacturer is 'better' than another is just fanboying and I wouldn't take their opinion seriously.

[@Aviation18]

Although that is true and I agree, It's also like saying which is the best airline, all companies have their weaknesses but to find the best company, you must look at the best all-round. So by taking into account the bad side and the good side you can then come out with an opinion as to which is the best or, more realistically, lest bad

[@dennypayne]

@@Aviation18 how do you claim to have looked at the bad side and good side of a whole manufacturer when you have one or two models from them?

[@Aviation18]

dennypayne Reputation

[@dennypayne]

@@Aviation18 reputation from a bunch of people that don't actually have that many models it seems then - which doesn't mean jack. Sorry to sound harsh, but these aren't informed opinions. I stand by my assessment - declaring manufacturers as 'better' or 'worse' than another is pointless.

[@Aviation18]

dennypayne Yeh I get your point and it is valid, I do agree but to some extent you could judge it by reputation because over many years being part of a community that has collected millions of models over all, the companies gain reputations, although I agree with you that companies have their ups and downs, in the assessment they would balance out each other to reveal if they are more or less bad or good, you get me? It’s not an in depth analysis of each company but as a generalisation. I do hope to go into more detail on specific aircraft, later on in future videos

[@H.R.King.]

What app/ website/ program do you us

[@Crm_Spotting]

My list: NG=A 400 Aviation=N/A Phoenix=S Herpa=S Gemini Jets=B JC wings=A Pandamodel=B Apollo=N/A Dragon wings=B Aero classics=A Velocity=N/A The N/A is I have never heard of them and have never seen or had one of their models

[@CalAviator]

I find it weird JC Wings models seem to always have better quality compared to Gemini Jets even if they share moulds/are made in the same factory.

[@jarnold1236]

My Phoenix broken percentage is 100%. I do only have one, a BA A321, but it had a missing inside tyre on the rear set of gear. The actual wheel was there, but not the tyre, and the outside one was there.

[@alexis_ian]

From my personal ranking based on my current models 3 Aviation 400 A350-900, 1 Aeroclassic A321neo, 5 Gemini jets 1 A319 1 A320 and 3 A321, 2 JC Wings A350 and 1 NG Models B787. 1,) NG Models 2,) Aviation 400 3,) Gemini Jets 4,) JC Wings 5,) Aeroclassic My ranking will likely changed if I acquire Phenoix and some more NG models, JC Wings, Gemini Jets and Aviation 400.

[@abhibejgum704]

I think NG models should get an s because they are great quality models and the never come broken and there models look so realistic

[@Aviation-fi3sv]

Nice list I would go Phoenix or NG

[@pusheen7329]

Awesome but NG is more expensive than the others and I’m on a budget so I don’t have any NG’s :(

[@discomau5]

In my opinion Herpa should be in A.But great video.

[@ckasala4]

Where do you buy your models?

[@airbus7379]

Great vid I agree

[@aviation67yt]

what song is Aviation18 playing in the beginning of the video

[@rexhall1130]

Can you make a video on how to get good deals on models?

[@tallenbakrr2278]

My favourite is Gemini but they come broken so I think that it’s either Phoenix, Herpa or NG but I really like Ng more

[@XabiExplores]

I like Herpa best

[@VeselinVasilev-hz6wb]

I can say that the models I might need I am not sure but phoenix and Ng models maybe

[@_bubinka]

Dragon wings have very good quaility! My opinion

[@cptyolowaffle]

I had quite the experience with Phoenix For Christmas I’m asked for an Etihad 787 for Christmas and instead *3 days* later I got a pheonix model. It was the wrong one, I got a trip 7, a Kuwait trip 7. Wtf Phoenix come on! But a very good model tbh

[@cptyolowaffle]

Oh and the landing gear came broken

[@aidenaviation]

Do you know what company has the best 777-300er?

[@Oatmealgoat18]

I would say av400 or jc wings. The Gemini jets new mould is also pretty good I think. The NG one is decent.

[@eriknilsson1686]

I have an AeroClassics 757-200 (livery is United Blue Tulip) and the mold itself is decent, but the decalling is terrible. I have a Herpa E170 (also United Blue Tulip Livery) and besides the landing gear being on the plasticy side, it is a solid model, though the stripes come to a point at the nose and rear of the plane instead of wrapping around, but that’s my only complaint with the Herpa mold. Edit: I forgot to mention that I also have a Herpa Swiss CS100/A220 and that is also another good model as well.

[@aviationsaltlakecity6164]

Yeah I cannot find any Gemini or NG JAL or ANA aircraft

[@Aidan_-xv8cm]

Lol I said gemini200, I meant gemini jets because I have more of those than ng. Oops

[@Aidan_-xv8cm]

Honestly I did not see the 1:400

[@wolcas5756]

Please make a video about the 1:200 scale model tier list.

[@antonioquental809]

“None of my NG models came broke “ *laughs in future*

[@danielbulletcubing]

Gemini, if they don't produce "Gemini Snap Don't Fit" models.

[@jamesnewcombe3551]

Hey could you do this for 1:200 scale?

[@Elias-xy9kc]

Long live NG models 😁😁😁😆

[@nzrn2345]

Why does nobody remember that Dragon wings make the best A300-600ST Beluga models because only they made them - and they are brilliant. JC wings make the best Airbus BelugaXL models.

[@thatonebanglakidofficial]

My first Gemini Jets is not a 1 400 it is a 1 200 scale and the left horizontal stabilizer came broken and I bought it off of Amazon and I glue it back and it was fine

[@aviationproductions2663]

So cool

[@sliferxxxx]

I collect 1:500 and imo it's probably Starjets. Unfortunate, Herpa pretty much has the monopoly on 500 scale, so I'm stuck with them.

[@DeryaBaygan-Robinett]

I think AeroClassics should be rated higher, I love their Continental 767-200, miles ahead above what GeminiJets offers. AC is hit or miss, but when it hits it hits HARD

[@Rqpturrrr]

I have 12 models and never got any broken, 2 NG, 2 Dragon, 1 herpa an 225, and the rest are Geminijets. I will say, the Gemini Jets are the best, followed by NG, DRAGON,AND MY 1 HERPA.

[@OldWolflad]

Wow....just wow!! Sorry bud, but quite staggered at some of these ratings, totally opposite to many collectors views I know, and they ignore the whole history of the hobby. I think your poll is probably more representative of modern collectors / models. Totally agree NG Models, as new kids on the block, are right up there so far, but incredible that you dismiss Aeroclassics like that...."Not good" - sorry it betrays you as being ignorant of the history of the hobby, its laughable I'm afraid. Alongside GJ they have provided the backbone of the hobby for many of us, perhaps predominantly those who loved civil aviation between the 1950s - 1990s - so yes the older lot maybe who don't do all these modern social media clips. But without Aeroclassics, you wouldn't have good Constellation, DC-3, DC-4, DC-6, DC-7, DC-8, SCDC-8, DC-9, DC-10, Boeing 377 Stratocruiser, 707, 720, 727, 737, 747 (before the mould got cloned/wrecked), 767, CV440, CV880, CV990, TriStar (not quite as good as NG admittedly), IL18, IL76, Tu154, Bristol Britannia, Viscount, Vanguard, HS748, Comet, Caravelle, BAC 1-11, Trident, VC10, and Airbus A300, A310, A320, A340. I have over a hundred of their wonderful 707 alone! Ok GJ and others have done some of those listed (the more modern airliners especially), but the quality of 80-90% of AC moulds is unsurpassed, without them the hobby would just be a regurgitated production line of boring modern twin-jets (sorry thats my prejudicial view). Aeroclassics would be up there at 'B' for most collectors of my age, equal top. Panda (Tu134), JC Wings (Guppy), Phoenix (Tu154 / A340), Herpa (AN124 and AN225) have each done a few very good bits of older aviation subjects but just not with the same consistency and variety as ACs. Andrew Klein's social media skills and political rants may leave a bit to be desired, but you can never say his heart and sole doesn't shape this hobby and to label or dismiss them as "Not good" is a disgraceful summary I'm afraid mate. Freedom of speech of course though. I'm probably not on Andrew's Xmas card list having criticised him for some comments, but when it comes to his models, I will defend Aeroclassics loyally and to the hilt for their contribution to this hobby for many many years.

[@reazyy9667]

Bro wrote a whole essay

[@jetblueaviation2757]

​@reazyy9667 exactly dude

[@jacobt1366]

How many of these manufacturers planes do you have

[@aviation_tus]

I like NG best

[@modelaviation6930]

I think Phoenix should be in group A because most of their models are great and they have the best a380 mold but I agree with u that their a350 mold is not that realistic.

[@elite_facts_10140]

I thought you had the Virgin Galactic aircraft by JC???

[@seriesofaqrobloxoffcial]

Ill go with JC Wings

[@philiplokodi6754]

The NG-Models A350 is a very nice Model especially in the Livery of Qatar Airways

[@rnospotter8740]

NG hands down is the best in my opinion.

[@aviationin4k258]

Hey guys enyone els a OG plane fan

[@HODCHANNEL]

I have an entire collection of GJ from 2000 to 2002 with the exception of a fokker 70 from 2015