SEARCH FINESCALE.COM

Enter keywords or a search phrase below:

Heller 1/72 Lockheed L-749 Constellation . . .

13509 views
55 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    October 2019
  • From: New Braunfels, Texas
Posted by Tanker-Builder on Sunday, December 11, 2022 8:01 AM

Ya Know!

       In all the years they've been making Airliner kits, you'd think the Decal Companies and Plastic Dudes could get it right! I have always had that window/decal problem, no matter what scale or manufacturer! Or what kind of plane. Even My S.S.T had mis-aligned windows on the Decals

  • Member since
    March 2005
  • From: West Virginia, USA
Posted by mfsob on Monday, December 19, 2022 12:52 PM

missileman2000

That kit can produce a really great model.  I know folks who pass it by because it has a reputation of being a lot of work to build.  Heller sometimes has the same reputation of several kitmakers today- never mold a piece as a single piece when you can mold it as a three or four piece assembly. but they produce great results if you are patient.

The same can be said of the older Airfix airliner kits. I suffered through one of their 1/144 DC-9s, wasn't really happy with the end result, so naturally, went right out and bought another one!

  • Member since
    June 2017
  • From: Winter Park, FL
Posted by fotofrank on Monday, December 19, 2022 9:10 PM

mfsob

 

 
missileman2000

That kit can produce a really great model.  I know folks who pass it by because it has a reputation of being a lot of work to build.  Heller sometimes has the same reputation of several kitmakers today- never mold a piece as a single piece when you can mold it as a three or four piece assembly. but they produce great results if you are patient.

 

The same can be said of the older Airfix airliner kits. I suffered through one of their 1/144 DC-9s, wasn't really happy with the end result, so naturally, went right out and bought another one!

 

Well, I'm busy filling and sanding the windows on the fuselage. I expect when it's finally finished the airplane will look really nice. And you're right, Missleman, patience is the key with a build like this.

Yeah, mfsob, a few years ago I stumbled through a build of an old Airfix 1/144 Boeing 314 Clipper. After it was finished, I went right out and picked up another one. Both Clippers are still displayed on the shelf and still looking good.

After I finish the windows, I'll have some more pictures.

OK. In the stash: Way too much to build in one lifetime...

  • Member since
    March 2022
  • From: Twin cities, MN
Posted by missileman2000 on Tuesday, December 20, 2022 9:17 AM

I like kits that have clear decals over window openings.  Or, if decals are not for window areas and the kit has open windows I use Micro Scale window material.  Unless the kit is very large scale it works fine (1:72, 1:144, 1:200).

 

  • Member since
    June 2017
  • From: Winter Park, FL
Posted by fotofrank on Friday, January 13, 2023 3:14 PM

Finally - An Update on the Connie.

I'm trying to wrap up as much of 2022 as I can before I begin builds for 2023. Not going too well. Once again I've overwhelmed my self with unfinished builds.

So, I've made a little more progress on the Connie. Just a little. I finished the two outboard vertical tails. They are painted with AK Polished Aluminum and AK Aluminum for contrast and Tamiya Rubber Black for the deicer boots. The decals are from Vintage Flyer.

 .

I filled the windows on the fuselage with Bondo and then CA glue then sanded and polished the windows. Now I need to shoot some primer over the windows to check to make sure they are filled and smoothed OK.

 .

I still need to polish the wing roots and finish the engines. Thanks for looking in.

OK. In the stash: Way too much to build in one lifetime...

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Northern California
Posted by jeaton01 on Saturday, January 14, 2023 8:47 PM

Looks good, Frank.

John

To see build logs for my models:  http://goldeneramodel.com/mymodels/mymodels.html

 

  • Member since
    June 2017
  • From: Winter Park, FL
Posted by fotofrank on Sunday, January 15, 2023 8:46 AM

Thanks, John.

This has been a bit of a tedious build, but I know the Connie will look great when it's finally finished.

OK. In the stash: Way too much to build in one lifetime...

  • Member since
    February 2011
Posted by knox on Sunday, January 15, 2023 5:22 PM

I know I’m going to really enjoy the finished picture, but I love this plane and following the build is fun. Thanks for posting your WIP. 

  • Member since
    January 2021
  • From: SW Florida
Posted by fuzznoggin on Monday, January 30, 2023 6:36 PM

Looking sharp!!  Yes

  • Member since
    October 2019
  • From: New Braunfels, Texas
Posted by Tanker-Builder on Friday, February 3, 2023 6:40 AM

Hey!

 You know why we do that? Because we know in our heart we can make it better. I must've had four or five of Revell's old clunkers around till I got one looking, Just so, Just Like the one sitting on the Tarmac at the Airport. Took a few back then!

  • Member since
    September 2018
Posted by Challenger350Pilot on Monday, March 6, 2023 11:56 AM

Hi Frank! This is going to be exciting! I always perk up when someone tackles a large Connie. Such a beautiful and classic airplane. I built a L-1049 a few years ago and posted a build progress on Britmodeler. I've attached the link below that includes the build; if you'll scoll to the end of the post there is an additional link to the finished model. Perhaps there will be some useful info there for you to use as you build. So far, your work looks stellar!! Really anxious to see how to the after market parts will look too! 

Cheers!

Paul

Building a Heller 1/72 Connie - Work in Progress - Aircraft - Britmodeller.com

  • Member since
    June 2017
  • From: Winter Park, FL
Posted by fotofrank on Monday, March 6, 2023 1:17 PM

Jeepers, Paul, I looked over your build progress photos and WOW! I certainly hope my build measures up. The airplane has been sitting on the back burner for a while while I finish up some other builds that have been sitting around near completion, just to get them out of the way.

When I saw the underside and the wheel wells with P.E., I thought "Where am I going to find the P.E. for this build?" Well, I found the P.E. on eBay and promptly ordered the set. Should have it next week.

I need to finish the resin engines and modify the nacelles to accept them and I may order aftermarket propellers rather than build the resin propellers that came with the engine set.

Oh yeah, Paul, thanks for the motivation. More soon.

OK. In the stash: Way too much to build in one lifetime...

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Northern California
Posted by jeaton01 on Monday, March 6, 2023 3:52 PM

I saw that post on BM, Paul, as I said then, Outstanding.  I hope to get to one some day, I have an Extratech PE set and will have to look for some nacelles.

John

To see build logs for my models:  http://goldeneramodel.com/mymodels/mymodels.html

 

  • Member since
    June 2017
  • From: Winter Park, FL
Posted by fotofrank on Monday, March 6, 2023 4:00 PM

jeaton01

I saw that post on BM, Paul, as I said then, Outstanding.  I hope to get to one some day, I have an Extratech PE set and will have to look for some nacelles.

 

John, I had to get my engines from HLJ.com in Japan. No place stateside had the set.

https://www.hlj.com/1-72-scale-correct-engine-set-for-c121-constelation-plmal7022

 

OK. In the stash: Way too much to build in one lifetime...

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Northern California
Posted by jeaton01 on Tuesday, March 7, 2023 12:22 AM

Thanks, Frank.

John

To see build logs for my models:  http://goldeneramodel.com/mymodels/mymodels.html

 

  • Member since
    June 2017
  • From: Winter Park, FL
Posted by fotofrank on Monday, March 13, 2023 3:07 PM

The P.E. arrived today for the Connie. Looks like there's a lot that won't get used. I really only bought the set for the gear wells. We'll see.

OK. In the stash: Way too much to build in one lifetime...

  • Member since
    June 2017
  • From: Winter Park, FL
Posted by fotofrank on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 1:48 PM

Today, the Connie's engines are ready for primer. I attached the tiny exhaust stubs and buffed the surfaces to make sure every thing is ready for paint. I'll paint the cowl flaps separately then attach them later.

OK. In the stash: Way too much to build in one lifetime...

  • Member since
    September 2018
Posted by Challenger350Pilot on Sunday, April 9, 2023 9:43 AM

Exciting when a plan comes together! And the work has only begun. All the best as you tackle this journey; the wheel well will take time and patience. Fit could be an issue as you go...make sure you dry fit EVERYTHING, before gluing, priming, or painting. Brush painting might be a good choice, so as to add some grime in there. Never seen a Connie  gear well that wasn't grimy...including the cleaned up museum displays. 

Looking VERY good so far! Keep up the posts and the good work!

 

Paul

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Northern California
Posted by jeaton01 on Monday, April 10, 2023 7:16 PM

Heart

John

To see build logs for my models:  http://goldeneramodel.com/mymodels/mymodels.html

 

  • Member since
    September 2019
Posted by TWA Brat on Saturday, July 1, 2023 10:55 PM

Anyone interested in TWA Connie history?

My Dad & two brothers all flew them left seat for TWA. Dad's last flight was in a near-retirement porthole Connie, 1961.

I've some stuff stuffed away in my head......

Tags: TWA Connies
  • Member since
    December 2021
Posted by Tennis Coach on Monday, July 3, 2023 6:32 PM

I think the "Connie" was the plane that began my facination with aircraft.  It was 1959, Dad and I took a relative to the airport, stood at the gate while the engines started, the plane slowly moved away, and we all were "dusted with prop wash".  I've been hooked ever since.  I have the Heller kit finished in TWA livery and it looks great in my display case.

  • Member since
    March 2022
  • From: Twin cities, MN
Posted by missileman2000 on Tuesday, July 4, 2023 9:12 AM

Saw a neat video on Youtube last night.  It was a restored C-121 (military Connie) starting up, taking off, a neat flyby, and landing.  High quality video.  The restoration was  exellent.  Only markings were stars and bars and UFAF, leaving large areas of nice natural metal finish.

 

  • Member since
    May 2020
  • From: Omaha, Nebraska
Posted by learmech64 on Monday, August 7, 2023 1:18 PM

I am looking for a set of these engine sets for my Connie. I checked the site referenced here but did not see them. Does anyone know where I may find a set?

Doug

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Northern California
Posted by jeaton01 on Monday, August 7, 2023 7:39 PM

Flightpath makes EC-121 cowls which are almost the same as the 1049.

https://www.hannants.co.uk/manufacturer/flightpath-uk?product_type_id=1819&search_direction=asc&scale_id=956

 

BNA Modelworld has the PlusModel set for the C-121:

https://www.bnamodelworld.com/model-planes-engine-details-plus-model-plus-al7022

John

To see build logs for my models:  http://goldeneramodel.com/mymodels/mymodels.html

 

  • Member since
    September 2019
Posted by TWA Brat on Monday, August 7, 2023 9:44 PM

If interested in jeaton01's link above from Hannants, suggest not dwadlling, they now have 2 left in stock. 

  • Member since
    May 2020
  • From: Omaha, Nebraska
Posted by learmech64 on Tuesday, August 8, 2023 9:08 AM

jeaton01

Flightpath makes EC-121 cowls which are almost the same as the 1049.

https://www.hannants.co.uk/manufacturer/flightpath-uk?product_type_id=1819&search_direction=asc&scale_id=956

 

BNA Modelworld has the PlusModel set for the C-121:

https://www.bnamodelworld.com/model-planes-engine-details-plus-model-plus-al7022

 Thanks for the link. Placed the order

Doug

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

SEARCH FORUMS
FREE NEWSLETTER
By signing up you may also receive reader surveys and occasional special offers. We do not sell, rent or trade our email lists. View our Privacy Policy.