KLM 747-400 landing at SXM!

...how much work is involved in modifying the landing gear to the "landing configuration"...???

Hi Eric,

     I didn't use any of the kit gear pieces.    Made some prints of close-up in flight pictures to use as a reference, then found two old rotor actuators in the spares box to make the main struts, then attached them.  (I cut the bottom of the wing gear strut at a sharp angle, and the inner strut at a slight angle)      Then using sections of stretched spru, made the various legs and arms.     For the axles I used a sqaure cross sectioned piece from the spares and glued the wheels (also from the spares) to the four outer ends, and glued it onto the bottom of the pre cut strut. 

    Reference photos keeps you from making the strut too long.     (in one of the ref pictures, I measured the distance between the pivot point and fuselage, then found another set of landmarks on the fuslage that were the same.    I crossed referenced the landmark on the kit fuselage, measured it, which gave me the exact length I needed to cut)        Done the same when making the gear doors from sheet plastic.

    The nose gear was made from a round piece of spru sanded flat on one side; two small elongated triangular pieces joined at the small end made half of the shock absorber, and a "starter" from an ols model care engine made the thing that comes back from the top part of the strut beside the gear door.   (all pieces must me attached TO the half strut while it is on a flar surface)     The wheel was glued to the bottom side of the strut... then hold it against the FS mirror to make final adjustments.

    Hope this helps.

Take care,

Frank

Thanks fellas! :)  

   I took it out to LHS today, walked in, set it on the counter in front of the assistant manager and just stepped back to watch and listen.     Everyone in the store came and looked at it, but it was fun seeing the asst mgr (who's one of the seen-everything judges at shows in the area) swishing around looking all over it with his jaw hanging open!      Classic! :)

  Here's a photo from a little different angle and contrast than the first one, but you see the whole plane:

  Thanks again and take care,

  Frank

Heres the real thing...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hvh7KrW8jV0

...Guy

That is amazing stuff. Like was mentioned, i thought it was the reference photo at 1st. Thisll shake up the judges at your next model meet.

...Guy

Wow, amazing set of real-life pics; never have seen an airliner so close to folks while landing...yep, those refs look just as you portrayed the runway: like asphalt...great work and kudos on selling your dio idea...

...how much work is involved in modifying the landing gear to the "landing configuration"...??? 

When I saw that first pic... I thought it was your reference!  Jebus that is absolutley amazing.  I had to stare at it for a good min or two before I realised you used the mirror box method.  You sir are absolutley amazing.  Great job!

Nice work... Amazing look....

Too bad you can't REALLY do that kind of "plane watching" here anymore...  At DSM, you'll get visited very quickly by guys with guns if you're spotted hangin' around the fence...

Frank, first of al--congratulations on a tuly superb model; a unique, eye-catching piece which is one of those kinds that just stop you in your tracks and make you stare slack-jawed!

But even more so than that, CONGRATULATIONS on your triummphant business "coup" in selling your design to FlyteLine models! That's truly something to be supremely proud of!

Thank you Steve and Buddho!    It was fun building it and watching the 'effect' take shape.

Manstein's revenge, here are the answers to your questions:

    KSXM is Princess Juliana International Airport on the southern part of St. Maarten / St. Martin Island, located almost due east of Puerto Rico.   (the northern side 'St. Martin' is governed by the French, and the southern side 'St. Maarten' by the Kingdom of the Netherlands.)     The end of runway 09 is about a stones throw from the sand of Maho Beach, and one of the best known locations for some "in your face" plane spotting.   

Google it for further details, or go onto YouTube to see videos of the action. :)

    A while back I built my first MID (mirror image display/diorama), and just so happens the owner of Flyteline Models, Inc. saw the pictures I'd posted of it and offered to pay the Patent Fees in exchange for an exclusive license to manufacture the technique, providing there were no conflicts in the patent search.     There weren't, so Flyteline now carries the individual mirrors, and two mounting kits for this type display ('open air' version like the one in the photos or one that has a 'curved-front' acrylic case), which officially come on the market October 1st and should be showing up in hobby shops soon there after.         Yes, one of them "dream come true" scenereos!      http://flytelinemodels.com/flyteline/email/wholesale.shtml

    The "sky" provides a natural backdrop for the display.

    The runway surface used in the display was referenced from photos.

Take care and thanks again!

Frank

Just when you think youve seen about everything...along comes a diorama like this that blows holes in all things conventional.....just incredible Frank....I truly love this setting...

Just incredible! I love it! Massive amount of talent to pull this off convincingly, and I am in awe

Steve