2008 Airliner Group Build

cdclucky;

Thanks. I used trusty old Tamiya tape. I cut it into thin strips and applied, then covered the other parts, as you can see, with foil and tape to keep the red, or most of it, off of the model.

Chris;

Looking awesome. Decals look like they are painted on. I've found patience is a must when appling decals on airliners. Lining up the windows and making sure the logs and such are symetrical on both sides.

AJB93;

Thanks, Looks like you maybe in SLC? I went to college in Cedar City for about 5 years. SLC is a very nice city. Been there several times. Beautiful state. Looking forward to seeing some of your work.

Neil

Lookin' good, Chris! The lack of a flash doesn't detract at all, IMHO.

I have a general question for those of you who've built a number of airliners. Do you do any panel line shading on them, or are they just too clean to be realistic with panel lines? If you do panel lines, what's your method?

Thanks.. Not sure what I am going to do with panel lines at the moment. I am still thinking about doing a realistic version, or a clean Travel agency version..

As for the build, I have completed one side of it, and have the other to go..　I hate decalling...

So I have decided to do a retrospective of how this build got to where it did..

Ahh look. Some goodies in the box.. I must re-do those bad boys for the group build.. 

Now to strip her back and fix that massive hole in the tail...

Hopefully now those nasty seams wont pop up, and we that tail will look better than it originally did..

Ok, painted the hull and well, lets do it as an Ansett Australian bird hey!

Umm, well maybe not. I did like that "nwa" scheme better. Oh well, back to the drawing board..

Ok, that looks better... Errr. What is it with the tail of this thing, why, why, why.. Lets re-do..

Much better. Happy with that. For a minute there I thought the tail on this thing was cursed..

Finally, my favourite part! (NOT) The decals.. Oh happy happy joy joy..

One side done, one more to go.. Atleast the windcreen has windscreen wipers now! 

How long is this GB again?. I think I am going to need it.. I havn't even looked at starting the wings and engines as yet, and my idea of flapping it and setting the landing gear to simulate it comming into land is seeming like a big ask at this point in time!. But As I always say. Slowly as she goes!

Cheers, Chris 

The build runs until the end of the year, Chris. Take your time!

Ok, I have Oficially Started my project. Ok guys Bear with me as this will be my 1st Airliner. I usually build "Prop Powered" models. There may be some questions along the way or maybe even a lot of questions. But I have been searching web sites for most of my info so far.

  I build Mostly OOB, so dont be looking for working Flaps on this one.

Summit;

Glad to have you in the GB. That livery should look very sharp on the B757. Check out page two or three on this post under Chris from Japan as I provided some good airliner places on the web that I've used. Keep the inprogress pics coming too.

Neil

Thanks Neil for refering me back to the Links.  Lining up the Fuse with the provided pins did not match the panel lines, So Off they went !  There seems to be about a .005" difference between the two halves. Overlap on the bottom as it will be harder to see... The wings had a nice little bow to them , I added a piece of .030" styrene to flatten it out. Most likely will be my mistake #1 , but at this early in the assembly it looks like it should solve the problem.        This is some of the softest and thinnest plastic I have ever encountered in a kit.

Brushed on some primer along the Top Seam to try and make it dissapear ...

Guys. I have a question.. If I was to convert the Revell 1/144 A340 into an A330-200. What engines could I use to replace the dated small engines on the Revell A340 kit?. I am wanting to do an Australian JetStar A330-200, but the engines on the A340 are all wrong...

Chris 

Sorry Chris - I wouldn't have a clue ! Is the A330 - 200 similiar to the A340 fuselage wise ?

Frank - In response to your window drilling question, I think I remember reading an article about it some years ago, but I've gone through mountains of modelling mags and I can't find it. I remember the guy drilled them out, then used a rat tail file , two swipes top and two swipes bottom to get the oval shape.

I've been sanding out some Welsh Models Super VC 10 Fuse halves, so my dream of a model of ASGH is getting closer.

Sprayed the first paint onto the B707 too. Pics soon.

Glad to report that the CV-118 is assembled, except for the engines. I painted the engine faces with silver, tonight I'll be finishing them by painting the gearbox and such and hitting it with a wash. After I close the cowlings up I'll hit her with paint.

Looks like folks are coming along nicely with their builds.

Chris; I'm not all that familiar with the engines on those two planes so can't help but I'd suggest visiting airlinercafe.com and ask in their forums. It's free to sign up and those guys are quite knowledgeable.

Summit;

You're Iron Maiden decals are from Twosix. I have a set of Air India from them also. Do they need to be clear coated before applying? I checked their web page but found no information on how to apply them.

Thanks

Neil

I've finished my gearboxes, and instead of using a wash I used a fine line Sharpie. After that, I got a grand total of one cowling closed last night. (Note to self: Never, ever, use liquid super glue again. Ugh!)

I'm hoping I'll finish the other cowls and get the seams dealt with tonight. If so, I'll finally be shooting paint on this bird tomorrow.

The 707 is coming along in a series of disasterettes.

First I got the demarcation line wrong for the white ( on top) and aluminium ( bottom ) the aluminium would have shown above the cheatline.

F-Decals are beautiful BUT they are incredibly fragile. I have applied the tail marking ( on one side and it broke right across the middle. The windscreen decal likewise. I've been too scared to try any more ! Re masked and painted fuselage.

Neil thanks.. I do pop over to airlinercafe from time to time and have a look at all the great builds..

Simon, I feel yer pain mate.. I had a similar situation on a RAAF F/A-18 that I was doing and used Aussie Decals.. They just fell apart right before my eyes..

Chris 

Simon--Ouch! I know that frustration, and it's maddening. I did a search on broken decals and couldn't find much, but I seem to recall reading that if you spray your decals with a clear coat they'll stay together.

Hope that helps. Anyone else got advice for Simon?

BTW, for once I was correct in my "time of completion" estimate, and I finished the engines last night. The bad news is that I won't be painting tonight as I had anticipated. There are gaps on the mounting stubs for the engines; I thought those gaps would be covered by the cowls, but no such luck. They should be easy to fill, however, and I'll be pushing paint soon. I also darkened the recessed lines around the flight controls with a fine-line Sharpie.

bablenw wrote:

.....but I'd suggest visiting airlinercafe.com and ask in their forums. It's free to sign up and those guys are quite knowledgeable.

Hi Neil,

   airlinercafe charges a $ 9.95 registration fee, payable via credit card ot paypal.   I attempted to pay via money order because I don't use either of the payment methods mentioned, but never recieved an address to send it to.   How'd you get to register for free?      

They have a lot of informative things on that site and it's sure interesting to look through it all, but can't 'interact' with the forums.

Still haven't recieved the "Playboy" decals for the DC-9!    There's so many hold-ups, I'm about to abandon the project altogether and scoot everything on my desk off and start on someting else!

Take care,

Frank

My Air India is almost complete. Need to begin the decaling process. Speaking of that, I asked Summit about clear coating Two Six decals. I emailed the owner, Ray Charles(gotta love his name), and he confirmed that you do not need to clear coat them. So I'll be working on finishing up the engines and then moving on to the fuesleage.

Simon; I used the FDecal El AL B737 set.  I did clear coat them with the Testors clear coat from their decal making set. I clear coated with several light coats moving left to right then top to bottom. When I began applying the long fueselage strips they began to stretch and crumble a bit. I had to use a ton of Micro Set to keep the decal well lubricated while positioning it. I agree they are very touchy and require a very delicate touch. I have another set for a DC-8 that once I get around to doing that jet I'm planning on doing a few more a bit heavier coats.

If you look closely at this photo you'll see the slight mared decal on the stripe close to the point. That's where it got messed up. The next one shows a good overall look.

cd; Sounds like your tackling your issues well. I'd love to see some pics.

Frank, I didn't know that about airliner cafe.. I have looked over there a few times, but never tried to join, and am very surprised that they ask for a fee?.

Personally, although they probably are a great bunch of guys, I don't know what more I could learn or share with a community, if I have to pay for the privilage to join..

Simon L wrote:

The 707 is coming along in a series of disasterettes. F-Decals are beautiful BUT they are incredibly fragile. I have applied the tail marking ( on one side and it broke right across the middle. The windscreen decal likewise. I've been too scared to try any more ! Re masked and painted fuselage.

Brush on some Microscale Decal Film on the decals and let them dry for half a day before you wet them.  Future will also work, but the decals probably won't respond to setting solution as well.  This is also a very good idea for kit decals that are old.  It is only the carrier film that holds them together, not the pigments.

Airliner Modelling Digest on Yahoo.com is a good bunch of Airliner modelers.  No charge there.

I've been a member of the cafe since 2005 so they may have changed their membership. The owner is a fellow named Ahmed, who also owns Liveries Unlimited too I believe. There's been some talk about upgrading the entire web site so that may be why. There is the "Upper Deck" membership which does charge a fee but I've never used that. I'll see what I can find out and let folks now.

Ditto on the Airliner Modelers Digest. That's an excellent place. There are probably some of the same folks their as on airlinercafe.

Neil

I just rechecked the registration area and it does in fact require a one time fee of $9.95. I don't remember paying this fee but since it was long ago and that old age issue as slowly crept in I may have paid the fee.  If I've led folks astray I most humbly apologize.  It's still a good forum though.

Neil

Thanks for the tips Guys. I tried the 'Klear' (Future) option and it worked to some extent. The cheat lines are quite long and depite my best efforts, still broke into two or three pieces, not too disastrous. The decal doesn't confrom well in the nose area and also seems to be a bit short - doesn't meet up with the windscreen, so I'll have some infilling to do with paint.

The nightmare is , I have about three sets of VC10/Super VC 10 decals form the same manufacturer to go!

Mind you , they do look the busines when on !

Frank, I hope that "something else" is another airliner!

bablenw wrote:

cd; Sounds like your tackling your issues well. I'd love to see some pics.

So would I! Still haven't gotten that digital camera yet! (Will keep hinting!)

cdclukey wrote:

Frank, I hope that "something else" is another airliner!

 CD,

Yes, it will be, but haven't figured out which one yet.         The B738 I was going to make a B739 out of for this GB no longer exist.      While waiting for the DC-9 decals, I spliced the extentions into the 738 fuselage and had brought it in last night to show my wife.     Got up this morning, and the little Whippet we're watching after for my daughter had got it down somehow and used it as a chew toy sometime through the night!        So, instead of the B739 build, could you put me down for a stuffed Whippet in Continental livery instead?      Part of my boot is stuck in the APU, but I think a little putty and paint can fix that.

JK.....  (I think?) [

Now, a replacement......

Can anyone tell me anything about this kit?

In the discription is says: "Made by Kepuyuan, this 1:144 scale model kit is a discontinued item. It is has never been open and still in the orginial plastic wrapping around the box."

I was wondering if the cabin windows are cut out of the plastic, or if has solid sides?     Any info would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Frank

Neil , How is you Decal project coming.. Your being quiet has me scared....

Frank I have heard those Wippets are pretty quick, you sure you get close enough to place that Boot ?  Sorry to hear of your setback, And I thought I had issues with panel lines not matching up..... 

Summit wrote:

Neil , How is you Decal project coming.. Your being quiet has me scared.... Frank I have heard those Wippets are pretty quick, you sure you get close enough to place that Boot ?  Sorry to hear of your setback, And I thought I had issues with panel lines not matching up.....

Here are the engines I've been working on. They have been a hassle to paint and decal. I'm very disappointed in the Twosix ENGINE decals. They aren't opaque so the orange color of the sun bursts get drowned out by the red cowl!  They weren't printed on white backing paper, I guess. They are a bit thick as well as the other decals so I've used tons of Solveset, not Mirco Sol. Also, on one decal I cut the decal out as a whole unit, found out they didn't conform to the contours so I began cutting them while they were doused in Micro Set. If you look closely you can see some of the shredding that occured. I've applied Solvest and dabbed and reapplied but can't get it quite right. The other decal engine I cut individually(wish I had done that at first.) and it went on much better. You really can't see the burst very well. The picture shows how they are supposed to look. Well I'll press on with the main aircraft. I'll post again soon.

Frank - extremely bad luck with the whippet.

The 707 and VC 10 are coming along . The VC 10 is still going thru the "fill,sand, paint' sequence - the number of gluey fingerprints on it was amazing and they all left indentations. The engines had been glued on the incorrect sides and were upside down to boot, so I had to break them off and now I have to deal with the broken areas when reattaching them.

I have sort of got used to the F decals on the 707 and they are going on sort of OK........

Here's the VC 10 Fuse :

Here's the B 707 Fuse :