2008 Airliner Group Build

Chris_in_Japan wrote:

Thanks mate, on the last page I posted a picture of the Ansett Australian 747-400 that I will be representing.. I always knew they flew to Singapore, but forgot they also went to Osaka.. There was one that sat at Brisbane airport for the longest time, not sure if it is still there, but its just a shame that the Airline industry is so fickle.. In 2000 they were the airline to the Olympics, and then a year later they are out business? I need to get me one of those Ailine CEO jobs. It seems you don't have know what you are doing to get your $20,000,000 a year salary..

Well, and I must say that this is just hearsay, they were taken over by Air NZ as you know, and had a NZ CEO - apparently a lot of Air NZ jets were being refuelled all over the world with the fuel bill going to ...you guessed it , Ansett, they were basically bled dry.

Ahhh yes, I do remember that.. I had just moved to Japan after it all happened, and was surprised when a year or two later when I went home to Brisbane with the family and saw one just sitting there. Kinda sad really... I forgot all about the Air New Zealnd take over.. Thanks for helping me remember, and that is exactly how I remember it.. Didn't Singapore Airlines also have a stake in it aswell?

I always miss all of the good stuff.. I was in the process of moving to the US a year earlier when Virgin Blue started up, so didn't get to see all the fanfair.. Now its just ho-hum to see their planes..

As for my current build, I won't get anymore done until the weekend.. I have to try and find some decal spray for the decal paper I board.. The paper I used for the tail only had two sheets, and after I printed all the decals out, realized that I printed them back to front, so wasted it.. Back to the drawing board.. I was going to use the Decals from my 1/200 kit that I had, but the font was a little too small to get away with on the 1/144 one I am building.. 

Chris 

Well seeing as I'm in the forum now, I may as well join .

Is that OK ? I'll do a minicraft 707-420 in Classic BOAC / Cunard livery.

Oldhooker, I must add my congratulations on your 737 plus runway display - that is truly breathtaking. I've often thought about doing something similiar but never have had the guts to try and hang out the flaps on an airliner kit. I though about using a concorde, no flaps, but have to droop the nose.

 Your kit and display is brilliant thanks for sharing it with us all. Did you do a little tutorial on how you dropped the flaps  ?

Regards

Guys.. Any good links for purchasing 1/144 airline kits from?

I am after:

1/144 Boeing 777-200ER

1/144 Boeing 737-800/900

1/144 Airbus A330

1/144 Airbus A340

And does anyone make a model of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner yet?

Chris 

Oh, sorry - getcha.

No stores in Japan that stock them ? Plenty of International ones, Hannants are usually pretty good.

Well I normally do my buying from www.hobbyeasy.com in Hong Kong because they are cheap.. But no decent places here.

Chris

Chris_in_Japan wrote:

Ahhh yes, I do remember that.. I had just moved to Japan after it all happened, and was surprised when a year or two later when I went home to Brisbane with the family and saw one just sitting there. Kinda sad really... I forgot all about the Air New Zealnd take over.. Thanks for helping me remember, and that is exactly how I remember it.. Didn't Singapore Airlines also have a stake in it aswell? Chris

I'd been living in Arkansas for several years when Ansett stopped flying. There was an outfit that started at the then brand new Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport called Ozark Aircraft Systems that specialised in refurbishing airliners and they got several of Ansett's A320s. Seemed so odd seeing Ansett tails in the Arkansas winter. 

Simon L wrote:

Well seeing as I'm in the forum now, I may as well join .   Is that OK ? I'll do a minicraft 707-420 in Classic BOAC / Cunard livery.

That is most definitely OK! Welcome aboard.

Aaron Skinner wrote:

Chris_in_Japan wrote: Ahhh yes, I do remember that.. I had just moved to Japan after it all happened, and was surprised when a year or two later when I went home to Brisbane with the family and saw one just sitting there. Kinda sad really... I forgot all about the Air New Zealnd take over.. Thanks for helping me remember, and that is exactly how I remember it.. Didn't Singapore Airlines also have a stake in it aswell? Chris  I'd been living in Arkansas for several years when Ansett stopped flying. There was an outfit that started at the then brand new Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport called Ozark Aircraft Systems that specialised in refurbishing airliners and they got several of Ansett's A320s. Seemed so odd seeing Ansett tails in the Arkansas winter.

Its funny you know.. Imagine the amount of aircraft built and are around the world Aaron.. I really wonder how they keep up with them all, and how they end up where they do?.. Amazing..

Thanks for sharing,

Chris 

In other news, I will be preparing to use the decals that Neil kindly helped me out with, and will try and get the windows and doors on aswell as the cockpit decal.. I have one question.. I will be using for the first time decal solvent and setting solutions, and as I have never used them before, what can I expect?

I decided to paint the hull in a smooth matt finish, and will gloss it on the clear coat at the end of the build.. But how should the liquids react with the matt finish?

Chris 

Another update,

While sitting at work today, I was going through the Japanese "Airliner" magazine, and was looking at an article about Northwest Airlines.. For a couple of weeks now, I have been wanting to do a 747-400 in the new-ish nwa livery.. Well, although I like the work on the Ansett Australia livery that I am doing, I am simply not feeling it.. So have decided to remove the decals from the tail, and re-do the 747-400 in the nwa scheme.. I know I have changed my mind a few times, but this is it and I should have just gone with it when I decided on not doing the JAL scheme.. But after seeing philo's olympic bird it stird a fire in the belly to do an Australian Airline.. But considering I usually like to model "in service" aircraft and schemes, the the nwa scheme is the way to go..

Chris 

Good luck with the new scheme then Chris.

I've dug out a Revell A319 I got as a gift ( my usual fare is 1/48 fighters ), and I'm going to attempt to lower the flaps on it, a la Frank's effort. I fear however that mine will look like it was done in a kindergarten by comparison.

For sake of economy I am going to use the kit decals, I have a choice of Austrian Airlines or BMI. Typical Revell - both choices require the ridiculous mixing of revell paints for the appropriate shades - why do they do this ? I'm going with the Austrian option, does anyone know any good colour matches for the blue on the belly and the nacelles ?

The 707 is still a goer as well, I have it out, but will take the safe option and leave the flaps well and truly up ! F Decal BOAC decals for this baby.

Hey Simon.. WIll be an interested spectator with the flaps plan on the A319.. I was going to do it on my 747-400, and do it comming in to land.. But we will see..

Also, the 707 is an old fave, so look forward to that also..

Chris 

OK I've done some basic assembly on the A319, and managed to cut out the flaps, and scratchbuilt the 'lowered' flap parts, see below pictures. I'm not too unhappy with it for a first effort in this area.

Can anyone give me some ideas on how to do the leading edge spoilers ? Frank , what did you do ?

Here's the kit box with the scratchbuilt flaps on top..

Early assembly with the flaps cut away from the wings.

Outboards attached in lowered position

.....and the inboards

G'Day Chris

Yes, it was with some trepidation that I have taken the razor saw to what is a lovely little kit, anyway so far so good, it's not perfect but looks okay, won't win any IPMS prizes I'm tipping.

Now a 747 with lowered flaps would be spectacular - That's what I've fantasized about for years, maybe this build will give me the skills/confidence to tackle one, perhaps on a 1/200 scale first might be the plan, move up to a 1/144 in Qantas or BA on finals.......how good would that look ?

Haven't started the 707 yet, the kit looks like its got maybe 20 parts so the build shouldn't take long - it's be the stenciling and other decals that will take the time. I've now got involved in the flaps on the A319 so I'll press on with that build for the time being.

This GB has finally given me the motivation to try something I've always wanted to do !

Excellent stuff, I love what I see so far on that little guy.. They are an ugly but at the same time cool, compact little aircraft. I was searching around for one on Friday, as well as a 737-800/900.

I just can't find any decent online stores that carry everything.. I have about 4 or 5 kits I would like to get, but can't seem to find them stocked all in the one spot.. I would like a 777-200, A319, 737-800/900, A330, A340, 767-200 in 1/144 scale.. Some stores one or two of what I want, and other stores have the other..

As for my builds.. I am at a standstill at the momment. I ended up in hospital yesterday.. I had just been to the daughters kindy for her open day, came home, and thought I was going to pass out.. Didn't know what was going on, kinda scary.. So the wife ran me up to the hospital and found out that my body lost its balance due to being outside in the cold, and then going into the kindy where they had the heating up full stick and full of people.. It was the strangest thing.. I started to feel funny strait away but soldiered on, and it wasn't until about an hour later after we had walked home, that I just about colapsed.. I started to shake and get tinggling all though my body, and thought I was going to pass out.. Honestly thought I was on my way to a heart attack or something. (I am only 33). Strangest feeling.. But after getting to the hospital, the doctor said my heart was perfect, and that my body went into pannick mode because it was the first time anything like that happened and my brain compensated.. Never wish that on anyone let me tell you! Today feel a bit sluggish but fine..

Chris, that's no good mate, hope you are on the mend and feeling better. Perhaps some plastic therapy will help.The rapid change in temp must have affected your inner ear or something.

Yes I like the A319 it looks a little ugly as you say, but functional. We flew on one once from Paris to London to pick up the flight home to Melbourne. The flight was memorable for one reason- the little girl in front of us  ( she was about eight ) managed to fill about three airsick bags, and I mean FILL( she wasn't ill as such , just airsick). Poor little thing, my daughter who was three was very concerned. Interestingly ( or not) the cabin crew assigned the most junior member of their team to deal with itand it was only like a 35 minute flight in clear weather, I'd have hated to have to take her on a long haul !

I have another A319 in BA colours which I will depict as the one we flew in G-EUOI I think it was.

Simon, great story.. Poor little thing, but at that age the last thing you care about is what others around you are thinking.. Its when you get old like us that throwing up on a plane seems a little embarrassing (although I am a good flyer. Just hate take off and landing)..

As for the A319, I saw the BA one on Friday and was going to get it. But was also thinking about a Jetstar bird.. Who knows with me these days.. he he he

Chris

Here's some more in progress pics on my 737. Next are the engines and the wings.

Chris;

How frightening for you and your family on your medical issue. I hope all is well with you.  You asked about decaling over flat paint. I would recommend applying a gloss over flat white as the decals will lay down much better and won't silver on you. Also on depending on the airliner scheme you may run into some curves and such and glossing over will make that task a bit easier.

This group build looks really great, lot's of great information and some fantastic looking finished models so far. Everyone's stuff looks great. Greetings to the new folks.

I use airliner hobby supplies for most of my airliner needs. Sounds like Squadron also may be a good place too for cheap kits.

Simon L;

Thank you for sharing your inflight experience with us. I had a similar experience on my way back from my military post in Iceland. I was on an Icelandic 757 to Baltimore and we hit turblance on our decent and landing and people around us were grabbing for those bags and the stewardesses were running up and down the isles trying to help out....not too pleasant. I made it through with out indulging...whew.

I like the A319. I have couple of photos posted here in the aircraft forum.

/forums/873392/ShowPost.aspx

Neil

Guys

 Not being a regular airliner builder, I notice that some of you finish the fuselage first prior to attaching the wings - how do you go with the wing/fuse joint ?

Neil, again thanks, appreciate the thoughts, and must appologize as I didn't get to send your coins as planned, will tomorrow after work if I am welll enough to go.. As for your build.. Fricken wow man.. I'm liking what I'm seeing! I am curious as to the scheme.. With my dad being Norwegian, I would probably do something in a Norwegian scheme.. Are you of the same heritage, or have you flown on it?..

Cheers..

Simon: I only do it for the day that we have to pack up and head back to Australia, or where ever.. For me, its for logistics and safety and not having to worry about box space if it can be pulled apart safely.... 

Chris 

Simon, if you're talking about this scheme...

http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=1277028&size=L&width=1200&height=812&sok=&photo_nr=

..then I can at least ID those colors. First, about that blue patch on the bottom of the fuselage. It seems to be the same color as the blue on this USAF C-32...

http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=1284215&size=L

...and my C-32 kit instructions identify it as Testors 1108. Eyeballing my bottle of 1108, I'm thinking they have it right, but I think this Bright Blue gloss spray...

http://www.squadron.com/ItemDetails.asp?item=TS1210

would match it, too. When you decide what to use, please let me know, because I want to get that shade exactly right on my C-32.

As for the color on the cowlings, looks to me like Testors 2033 Blue...

http://www.squadron.com/ItemDetails.asp?item=TS2033

...or 2130 Flanker Blue...

http://www.squadron.com/ItemDetails.asp?item=TS2130

...is going to be what you need.

I'll add your A319 to the front page...looks like it's going to be a lovely bird, and good job on those flaps!

ON EDIT: Simon, be careful following my paint advice...I just checked around some more and it loooks like bot the paints I recommended aredarker than the cowling color. It looks like the color is very close to FS 35466, but I'm not finding any paints that match that FS number exactly. Looks like the only way to be sure will be at the hobby store eyeballing the actual bottles.

Neil , your 73 looks the business Mate. I particularly like the fin art with the bloke running with his briefcase, he's obviously not travelling Jetstar as they just wouldn't let him on and he'd probably have to spend the night in a bus shelter at Sydney airport - don't laugh Guys , it happened just recently. Those cheap fares are great, but the conditions of carriage are pretty spartan if the flight is cancelled !

I think I've found some pretty close matches for the blues on the Austrian A319, amongst my myriad of Humbrol tinlets.