2008 Airliner Group Build

Simon L wrote:

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 ?

Simon;

I've found that it depends on the kit and how well the wing to fuselage fit is.  This is the Minicraft 737 and I dry fitted the wings carefully and found no seams to fill as the fit is very snug.  Now, I'm also working on the Minicraft 777 and its joint does require it to be fitted and glued prior to painting as there are gaps that need filled.  I did the Revell 747-400 a few years back and it had lots of fit issues around the wing to fuselage and lower section which required again a lot of filling.  Revell doesn't seem to use the slotted wing method they mold the lower wing section as one section and then have you glue the tops of the wings and attach the entire assembly to the underneath area. Airfix and Minicraft use the slotted method.

I picked the Norwegian scheme because I really liked the red forward section along with the white body.  Also, my curiosity got the best of me. I wanted to know what the word "Kandidaten" meant on the side. It means Candidate and is named after the Norwegians TV version of the US show, The Apprentice.  See a few links for actual photos below. The last one is really cool looking!

Thanks all, looking forward to more.

Neil

http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=0826245&photo_nr=49&prev_id=0829382&next_id=0816302

http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=0957206&photo_nr=38&prev_id=0959112&next_id=0953272

http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=1035055&photo_nr=17&prev_id=1038548&next_id=1034400

No problem, Simon. It was fun, sort of like solving a puzzle. And besides, a Scout is helpful. :-)

I know what you mean about not needing to be 100% spot-on with the color. To be frank, in your place I'd be at the local hardware super store in the spray paint aisle looking for "close enough." All my builds since I got back into the hobby have been rattle can finishes, a habit I plan to break soon, but not a bad habit.

I found this cool video of an R/C A380 Airbus. Some may have already seen it. It's very cool and it a huge model!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lxA2NSTEdI

Neil

Yay, Squadron!

My American Airlines DC-6 came with a decal sheet that was scratched in places, so I called them and by the time the afternoon was out (kit came at about 11am) I had a shipping notice in my email inbox. It came today, and though the scratches would have kept me from finishing the plane with the original set, having backups for most of the decals is going to reduce the pucker factor a lot.

I think I've finally matched the colours required on the Austrian A319. All the commercially available ones that I looked at are too green. ( I couldn't get any Testors)

Warhammer 'Enchanted Blue' is a reasonably close match for the belly, and if I add a few drops of it to 'Skull White', I get a fairly close match to the light blue on the nacelles, will post some more pics soon. problem is, they don't airbrush, so I'll have to brush on carefully.

cdclukey wrote:

Yay, Squadron! My American Airlines DC-6 came with a decal sheet that was scratched in places, so I called them and by the time the afternoon was out (kit came at about 11am) I had a shipping notice in my email inbox. It came today, and though the scratches would have kept me from finishing the plane with the original set, having backups for most of the decals is going to reduce the pucker factor a lot.

Simon L wrote:

problem is, they don't airbrush, so I'll have to brush on carefully.

Good luck! You're a braver man than I!

bondoman wrote:

I'd bank those puppies for an Electra model bashed from a P-3!!!

I think they'd be in the bank a long time...I'm not quite ready for surgery! Guess I'm just an intern...no monica jokes, please.

Seems pretty quiet in here - is anyone making any progress ?

 The A319 is coming along, I've got the white on the fuse, now have a tricky masking job to get the Blue panel on the belly.

The blue on the nacelles isn't too bad, I'll spray some gloss over it today and decal them up.

Hey all,

 Hope everyone is doing well!      I took a little break after the B732, but have begun my first plane for this GB, so I thought I'd take the hint from Simon and post some of it's progress.

 Here's the "Stewardesses" who worked on the aircraft I'm building... wanna guess which one it is?    

Here's my progress...

http://gunsagogo.org/bb1.jpg

Filling the windows...

http://gunsagogo.org/bb2.jpg

http://gunsagogo.org/bb4.jpg

Wings and horizontal stablizers on...

http://gunsagogo.org/bb5.jpg

Gloss black applied.    I will now put the pilots in and apply the windshield.    I'm making the windscreen clear, and I cut out openings for the brow glass, which will be covered with a tiny square of scotch tape.    I will then trim the frame in black and apply the first coat of glosscoat, then it will be ready for the decals (which haven't arrived yet)

Cruising in the sun....    

Take care,

Frank

Simon L wrote:

Seems pretty quiet in here - is anyone making any progress ?

Short answer: No, nothing since I closed the fuselage.

Long answer: I've spent the last week putting my magazine to bed, and between that, Boy Scout stuff and all the shoveling from the "Snowpocalypse" we've been experienceing  in the Midwest, I've been swamped. however, I have the whole day blocked out for modeling tomorrow, because we're going to have -35F wind chill tomorrow and not even church is getting me out in that! Will share a progress report tomorrow, and maybe even some pics...my son just bought a digital camera and we'll probably take it for a spin.

I'm still working on my B737. I ran into a snag with one of the engines. While spraying the gloss white I smudged it pretty badly. So I had to sand and repaint twice to get the look I wanted. I've been busy being a stay at home dad. I have to active boys so they keep me busy.  I'm also working on a model (Trumpeter 1/144 Marine LCAC) and painting demo (Gloss White) for my up coming model club meeting. I'll post some pics soon too.

Frank;

Is that the Airfix DC-9?  I did the bunny scheme years ago, simple but unique. How are you filling the windows?

Looking forward to seeing others builds too.

Chris;

You still with us; how are you doing with your illness issues?

Take care all

Neil

Hi guys, I am down, but not out..

Neil, thanks for asking.. This inner ear thing has really knocked me about.. Balance and everything has been knocked out of whack.. Also the fact that its the first time it happened, also sent my body into pannick mode, so for the last week I have been suffering fron anxiety.. Not the greatest way to feel.. But been back and forth to the doc and now on medication to bring everything together.. Slowly feeling better, but not 100%.. 

Doctor says another month on medication to get the balance right, and then see how we go.. How it happened was, we were made to wait on a cold cement floor stairwell at my daughters pre-school for 20 minutes in only socks.(Japan, gotta take the shoes off). Because the class before hers hadn't finished their presentation.. Outside was only 4 degrees c...

And then once we were allowed in, The heaters in the room were full stick, and it was full of people.. The docs reckon the change in temperature and atmosphere so quickly was the cause.. Pretty scary really.. So I don't know how you guys in the "really" cold places get on....

As for modeling, last Sunday before the inner ear thing hit me. I was able to get the silver done on the fueselage of my (now) Northwest Airlines 747-400. So although I wouldn't wish being sick on anyone. For the first time I actually had a model sit long enough to dry 100% properly before rushing it.. So thats a first..  So now I am just trying to find the energy to get back into it.. But I am sure with in the next week or so I will be ready to go again.. Just going to take my time.. And I plan on doing it wheels down with flaps comming into land.. (did I just say tha?)

Chris 

Chris,

  Goodness!      I have been away too long.... I went back and read about what happened to you, man... that IS scarey to just come up out of no where like that!     I know you're taking it easy, and glad to hear you now know what it was that happened.      Take care of yourself and get better soon!

  My inner ear was messed up for 10 years after the '88 crash... it's a horrible thing to have to live with, we wish you well.

Neil,

   Yes, that's the Airfix kit.     I needed something that would go fast, after the last one, and this one seemed to be a good one to do it on.     Always wanted to build one of them!

I filled the windows with contour putty and sanded... after a clear decal strip and two coats of gloss coat, it will smooth out pretty.

Take care,

Frank

oldhooker wrote:

Chris,   Goodness!      I have been away too long.... I went back and read about what happened to you, man... that IS scarey to just come up out of no where like that!     I know you're taking it easy, and glad to hear you now know what it was that happened.      Take care of yourself and get better soon!   Neil,    Yes, that's the Airfix kit.     I needed something that would go fast, after the last one, and this one seemed to be a good one to do it on.     Always wanted to build one of them! I filled the windows with contour putty and sanded, the open ones will have clear decal film windows. Take care, Frank Frank

Frank, thanks mate.. Yes, its scary to think that something so simple can affect someone like this has.. It really gave me a scare. I am only 33. But I plan on being around alot longer for the kids now, thats for sure!

Since writing my epic story above, I decided to get started on masking off the tail for the 747-400..  Just hope after I hit it with the red she looks decent.. Fingers crossed..

Chris 

Great news guys.

Chris - did you say dropping the flaps on yr 747 ? Are you sure you're not still ill ? Can you please post lots of progress pics on that one ?

Frank- the DC 9 is looking the business.

The A319 is getting decals as we speak. Gloss white fusleage likewise has taken me a couple of attempts........anyway , this build is an 'educational' with the deployed flaps and all, and I may get out my BA one and put into practice everything I've learned NOT to do on the Austrian.

Sunny and 23 degrees C in Melbourne today ....... sorry Guys, had to say it. Been out oiling my deck.

Cheers

Simon, 23c? Sounds like a nice Brisbane Winter day

The wife and I have decided that we will be packing up in the next 3-6 months and heading back to Australia.. I for one can't wait in all honesty..

As for the flaps, I am sure it will be slow going. But will definately show as I go..

Frank.. Forgot to say. Great start on the Playboy jet..

Chris 

Decalling commences.

Yes that is a Peroni - hot and thirsty work.

Thats a nice scheme.. Great work Simon!

Chris 

 Chris,

.....you're pressing on with the 747 , it will probably be good therapy for you, and the logo will sure look good!   

  (If you "FLAP" it, it'll be even better therapy!! )   

Simon,

  That is a sweet looking scheme, and don't those extended flaps add character to the whole thing!!    

Beautiful work... there's going to be some good looking Airliners come out of all this!     I'm thinking about making a URL on my server with all the completed projects from this GB featured?

Take care,

Frank 

Beautiful work so far Frank. As for the stews...I think I'll reserve comment. (BTW, it's kind of weird to look at those women and realize they're probably about my Mom's age!)

Simon L wrote:

Sunny and 23 degrees C in Melbourne today ....... sorry Guys, had to say it. Been out oiling my deck.

Right now it's about -21C at my house, and we have at least half a meter of snow on the ground. How do you say "I hate you" in Australian?

Just kidding! Enjoy it! BTW, your A319 looks great so far.

General progress report: The seams on the two birds on the bench (CV-118 and Braniff 707) took much more finagling than I expected...or maybe I'm being overcautious because silver will be on one bird and gloss white and bright orange will be on the other.

Still, I should be able to put the wings and stabs on both tomorrow night, and shoot primer on Tuesday if the wings don't have seams to fill, which seems likely on the 707 at least.

Thanks mate. I will look into it definately...It's not something I would wish on someone..

As for my 747, I did the tail, but not happy with the way it came out. The Northwest logo on the tail is not crisp as my mask obviously didn't stick down well enough, so I have some small bleads  and so it look bad.. Not from a distance, but close up, it is annoying me that it didn't come out well.. I might try sanding it back and then making a decal instead of painting it..

Chris 

No problem, I know how bad it is as best someone can without going through it.

You're right, the NWA logo does look fine from a distance...I can see a couple of small bleeds if I squint. A decal might be a better option, but did you try laying down a coat of clear or white over the mask before shooting the red?

The Northwest finish looks great. Good luck with fixing the tail section. From a distance it looks sharp but closer you sure can see the paint bleed. Yuk.

Your Northwest bird reminded me of the first time I saw the B747 flying. I was living in the Philippines at the time. I was playing in a park and heard a strange grinding sound and then saw the huge plane gracefully soaring through the sky. It looked almost like it was standing still. My heart still races a bit....well maybe a bit more...of this memory. Also my dad's friend was in the FAA and got me a tour of the plane about a week later. What a thrill. I was about 8 years old and it was a magnificant site!. I got to go into the cabin area and I remember standing it the front end in first class and looking aft and not being able to see the back end because it was so big. It was like standing in a gigantic living room.  Still my favorite airliner, the B747.