| HW - BB - SJ - Reviewed |
| Herpa Wings, Big Bird, and Star Jets, all being the top three manufacturers for quality in the 1:500 scale. (A selection of pictures is at the end of the two reviews.) Each manufacturer though, has its strengths and weaknesses. To highlight this, I have a review / comparison of the Big Bird Boeing 747-400, VS the Herpa Wings Boeing 747-400, and another review / comparison of the Star Jets Airbus A330-300, VS the Herpa Wings Airbus A330-300. They all wear the Thai Airways 'Royal Barge' livery, as this is common to all three manufacturers. The points below apply generally to each manufacturer's aircraft of this type. Thumb Guide: 1=poor, 2=average, 3=good, 4=excellent. |
| Big Bird Boeing 747-400 VS Herpa Wings Boeing 747-400 |
| Nose Shape |
| Comparing them both, I found that the Herpa Wings model had a slightly more accurate nose shape, but the cockpit windows are a bit too high. The cockpit windows from each manufacturer both feature cockpit window frames, but the Big Bird model has the imprint of windscreen wipers. Big Bird Herpa Wings |
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| The Herpa models printing is not as detailed as the Big Bird. Where the Big Bird has passenger window frames, the Herpa does not, neither does it have any light printings, or extra doors details like the Big Bird. The Herpa model has a blue belly that is way too bright, where the Big Bird one is correct, nearly black. Finally, the wingtip printing on the Big Bird model is on both sides, as with the real aircraft, where the Herpa model does not. The actual Dragon Boat's printing is slightly more detailed on the Herpa model. Big Bird Herpa Wings |
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| Engines |
| The engines on the Big Bird model are far better than on the Herpa. The reasons for this are: they have realistic printing around the exhaust area, and are the correct size with a better shape, the last point is that the fan blades are the correct colour. The good point about the Herpa model, though, is that the pylons are the correct lengths, the Big Bird ones are a bit too long. Big Bird Herpa Wings |
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| Landing Gear |
| The landing gear between the two models are totally different, the Herpa model uses plastic, but has greater detail, where the Big Bird uses metal, which is less likely to brake, however is still to scale and looks very realistic. The main under carriage of the Big Bird model also pivots as with the real aircraft. Big Bird Herpa Wings |
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| Wing Tips |
| The wing tips shape on the Big Bird is of the correct size and thickness, where as the Herpa model has wingtips that are too pointed. Big Bird Herpa Wings |
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| Tail End |
| The Big Bird model has a far better tail end than the Herpa model. This is because metal has been used for everything. Herpa has used plastic which on bright days can appear almost transparant on lighter liveries, but the plastic can get sharper edges, that look more realistic. The Big Bird model has the moulding of the APU, where the Herpa model has nothing. Big Bird Herpa Wings |
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| Wings |
| The wings actual shape is very similar for each model, however the way in which the Big Bird ones are attatched is far more realistic. The detailing on each wing mould is very good. Big Bird Herpa Wings |
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| Overall Score / Final Comment |
| Overall the Big Bird is the winner, it has many features that are slightly better than the Herpa can manage. Overall they are both of a VERY high standard, and happily stand along side each other. Big Bird = 26 's Herpa Wings = 21 's |
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| Star Jets Airbus A330-300 VS Herpa Wings Airbus A330-300 |
| Nose Shape |
| I think that the Star Jets nose is a slightly more realistic shape than the Herpa one is, that is not saying the Herpa one is bad, though, its very good too. The cockpit windows look slightly better on the Star Jets model again, as they have no frames like the real aircraft, where the Herpa model does carry them in silver. Star Jets Herpa Wings |
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| The printing on the Herpa A330, is very much like the printing on the 747, the Dragon Boat is very detailed, more detailed than the Star Jets infact, but does not have some extra details that the Star Jets does have, such as; lights, markings on the engines, and more detailed doors, and wings. Both aircraft have the registration number printed on the wings. Star Jets Herpa Wings |
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| Engines |
| The Star Jets engines are better than the Herpa's. This is because they are the correct size, where as the Herpa ones are too small, the actual engine mould has extra detailing around the exhaust, and the painting is more detailed, finally the Star Jets engine has correctly coloured silver fan blades. Star Jets Herpa Wings |
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| Landing Gear |
| The landing gear between the two models are totally different, the Herpa model uses plastic, but has greater detail, where the Star Jets uses metal, which is less likely to brake, however is still to scale and looks very realistic. The Star Jets landing gear is very similar to what is used on Big Bird models. Star Jets Herpa Wings |
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| Wing Tips |
| The wingtips on each model cannot be told apart, they are pretty much exactly the same. They are the correct size and shape. Star Jets Herpa Wings |
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| Tail End |
| The Star Jets model has a far better tail end than the Herpa model. This is because metal has been used for everything. Herpa has used plastic which on bright days can appear almost transparant on lighter liveries, but the plastic can get sharper edges, that look more realistic. The Star Jets model has the moulding of the APU, where the Herpa model has nothing. There is, however a very small seam on the Star Jets model. Star Jets Herpa Wings |
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| Wings |
| The wings actual shape is very similar for each model, however the way in which the Star Jets ones are attatched is far more realistic. The detailing on each wing mould is very good. Star Jets Herpa Wings |
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| Overall Score / Final Comment |
| Overall the Star Jets is the winner, it has many features that are slightly better than the Herpa can manage. Overall they are both of a VERY high standard, and happily stand along side each other. Star Jets = 27 's Herpa Wings = 22 's |
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