Turbofan

Hi David, Always a good moment when the masking comes off successfully! Are you planning on adding these for a bit more glitz and realism? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/226019590010?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=RTahfXFmRw6&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=ncrcaFBJRe2&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY I used gold foil on my BOAC Super VC10 and it really looks good! Cheers, Ian

The difference is subtle but noticeable when you replace it with the Bra.Z nose. In plan the kit is fine, mainly I think it's the roof of the flight deck which is higher and changes the angle of the windscreen and the area around the side windows which are flat on the real plane but curved on the Revell kit. The kit windscreen is completely wrong having curved glass as opposed to flat panes on the real aircraft. Here are a couple of comparison pics which I hope show what I mean. Hope this helps! Cheers, Ian

Thanks Matt and Alex! I've recently done some work on the wings. The 747-8 wing trailing edge has a smooth curve between the inner and outer flaps which is missing on earlier variants. To correct this is simply a case of extending the inner and outer trailing edges until they meet, they should meet at the outside edge of the high speed aileron, and cutting off the excess. The new trailing edge needs to be filed back to match the trailing edges to each side which is easy enough with a file or sanding stick. Next I decided to tackle the winglets. As the -8 has raked wingtips these need to be removed and replaced with the -400's winglets. Last time I did this conversion https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235084013-1144-zvezda-qantas-747-8-to-747-400-conversion/#comment-3901043 I used some winglets from an old Revell -400 but this time I bought a set of the excellent Rocast -400 winglets https://www.rocastmodels.com/store/index.php?id_product=236&controller=product rather than scratch build them. I also took the opportunity to order some GSE and a couple of Gogo 2KU radomes for this model and another Zvezda BA 777 I'm converting to a -200. The raked wingtips are easy to cut away using a razor saw or just scoring with a scalpel and snapping them off 1mm out from the scribed wing central spar area. Obviously the cut needs to be parallel with the fuselage but this is easy enough by lining up the wing root with the lines on a cutting mat. The Rocast winglets, once cut from the pouring block, are glued on with CA glue. I have also filled the windows and a few areas on the fuselage which will need rubbing down. That's about all for the time being. Next up will probably be the reshaping of the flaptracks. I've yet to decide which RB211s to use. As I don't have any spare Revell ones they will probably be either Bra.Z, Druz144 or Authentic Airliners. Cheers, Ian

Hi Olly, Another couple of stunners! You certainly know how to achieve a glassy smooth finish! Like Mike I took have a few sets of Laci flaps & slats which I plan on using soon so it's good to see how nice they look on an actual model. Dave obviously has sharper eyes than me as the APU inlet and nose gear leg passed me by but what immediately jumped out to me was the flying harp logo on the right hand side should be pointing forwards! Love the base by the way, might need a larger one for a 747 though!😬😀 Looking forward to seeing more of your models. What's next? Cheers, Ian

Hi Dave, On the IPMS Deutschland website it says this is going to be an A321Neo https://ipmsdeutschland.de/wordpress/2024/01/01/revell-neuheiten-2024-model-kits-2/ Also mentioned is a re-release of their RJ85 Hope this helps. Cheers, Ian

Hi Olly, Fantastic! Really impressive, I generally only work in 1/144 but seeing this makes me want to swap to 1/72. I'm guessing this is nearly 2 foot long? Love the highly polished metal leading edges, always a feature on Jet2 aircraft, which paint did you use? Also what colour did you use for the fuselage? Great work on the decals and masks too. It's difficult to know which is decal and which is painted. Is it a nice kit to build? Cheers, Ian

Hi Julien, Amazing finish! Did you even mask the logos on the inside of the winglets?! I'm very interested in the use of masks rather than decals for the livery, it opens up so many colour schemes and solves two main problems when painting models. Firstly, matching a decal colour to painted areas of the livery especially when the decals are laser printed and secondly, where decals overlap. I'm thinking around the nose with cheat lines or any parts of the livery which wrap over the top of the fuselage eg Iberia, Mytravel etc. or whole tail decals which never work properly, for me anyway! I must investigate using a vinyl cutter to make masks. Looking forward to more of your models! Cheers, Ian

Hi Martijn, Just gorgeous as ever, with your trademark subtle weathering and flawless finish together with the photo realistic bases, what's not to like! Could do with some GSE on the ramp though! Really looking forward to your Spanair 717! Cheers, Ian

Thank you for your interest everyone! Hi Ray, The -8f would make either a good base for the -400 Freighter or a -100/200 conversion. No cutting down the upper deck but there is more work around the leading edge wing/body fairing for the -100/200 otherwise the conversion is similar. My engine choice will depend on which livery I choose but there are a number of options for -400 engines. The Bra.Z ones you have, druz144 (active on airlinercafe) or Kurt at Authentic Airliners. Alternatively, any spare Revell RB211s or GE CF6s from their 747-400 kit can be used too. Hi Neil, I'm not sure on the livery yet, I have a few options. I have decals for Virgin Atlantic, BA Union Flag, Lufthansa old and new livery and BA Landor. I'm definitely favouring BA Union Flag. My daughter is back from university at the moment and needs her desk so I've been booted off so don't know when I'll be able to get on with the conversion. Next up will be the wing modifications. I'm not sure if I'll use Rocast -400 winglets or scratch build my own which shouldn't be too much of a problem. Cheers, Ian

Hi Kev, That's a real cutie! The 1950's is an airline era that really interests me I like the variety of airliners around then. I have a couple of these kits in the stash and yours makes me want to start one but which livery? There were so many to choose! Would love to see some photo real window decals available for the older airliners as the plain black seem to lack something. Might have to check out SMS paints. Are they easy to work with? If you want Tamiya level airliners I can recommend Zvezda's 757 then you can bin the horrible Minicraft kit! Cheers, Ian

Hi Julian, Oh yes this is eye catching! Sorry I missed it first time round. Very sharp and crisp paint job which I too am planning for a Zvezda 757-300. I think I'll do the red stripe one. Looking forward to more of your models. Cheers, Ian

I've converted a few Zvezda 747-8s in the past and am often asked if there's a WIP available to follow so I thought I'd document my latest project. The -400 conversion isn't too difficult as it only really consists of cutting down the fuselage, altering the wing tips and trailing edge and swapping the engines. For a -100 or -200 the only extra work is altering the leading edge wing to body fairing and shortening the upper deck. I have only ever converted the Zvezda kit but I don't think there would be much difference using the Revell kit. My preference is the Zvezda kit as it is simpler and less over engineered in my opinion. To start I glue the cabin glazing in. I use window decals so I'm not worried about a perfect job as they will be filled with Milliput later on. The nose landing gear bay and sufficient nose weight is glued in before the fuselage half's are glued together. I always construct the fuselage then cut it down as I find it easier to do this way. Some modellers cut before gluing together and stagger the cuts to add strength to the cut down fuselage but I have never felt this necessary. As I use window decals and fill panel lines and doors the location of the cut isn't important just so long as it is on an area of the fuselage with a constant diameter. I mark my cuts by trimming a piece of masking tape to the correct width and wrapping it round the fuselage where I plan on making the cuts. I then scored each side of the tape, remove it and cut close to the scored lines. The sections of the fuselage which need to be removed are 10.8mm behind the wing and 28.2 in front. It is best to make the cuts away from the wing to body fairing to give you more room when sanding the joined fuselage sections. Each of the cut faces are sanded square and smooth ready for gluing together. To strengthen the joint and ease alignment I use cut up sprue glued into the inside of the fuselage It's then a simple job of sliding the nose and tail sections into place and gluing, checking the panel lines are lined up. And here we have a 747-400 fuselage ready for the wing modifications which I'll do next time. Cheers, Ian

Hi Neil, Should be interesting! When you say 'red tail' do you mean Negus? Are you going to add an interior? You'll see lots through those massive windows! Cheers, Ian

Hi Neil, Just awesome, probably the best weathered natural metal finish I've ever seen! How did you find the step down to 1/72 from your usual 1/48? Maybe a 1/144 airliner is next!? Maybe with a weathered nmf, Flying Tigers 747 perhaps? You've brought back some memories of Liberators at Blackbushe. I'm sure I remember some parked up there in the 70's or 80's, I guess part of Doug Arnold's Warbirds of Great Britain collection. Cheers, Ian

Hi Ray, Gorgeous! Superb colour matches, I'm going to have to get some of the Holts red and blue. Cheers, Ian

Hi Jelle, Oh yes this is fantastic, my favourite of your recent batch of models! Love the weathering and overall busyness of everything especially in the last pic! Cheers, Ian

Hi John, Wow that's awesome! I have a couple of Minicraft DC8s in my stash which I really need to build and this makes me want to right now! What did you use for the natural metal finish? Would've looked great with AA windows but I guess the Draw decals sheet had the windows already printed on the cheat lines. I'm no expert, and definitely can't remember the old Lufthansa livery, but I would say that Draw decals have the correct shade of blue. The 727 looks too light to me. Strange to see an old Lufthansa aircraft without the big black radome! Cheers, Ian

Hi Jelle, Another lovely little airliner! Super cute and colourful. Good use of the AA Avro RJ windows they look really nice. Congratulations on the build I have one in progress but it's been stalled for a few years now due to warped wings which droop down in a very forlorn way.☹️ Not sure what to do about it. If I had to criticise your model, which I do very reluctantly, I would say the nose wheels appear slightly too large but perhaps it's just in the photos. Cheers, Ian

Hi Jelle, Yes I'd say you definitely pulled it off quite ok! It's a lovely, unusual and colourful airliner a pity they're selling it off and not buying more! Really enjoying your current uploads to RFI, keep up the good work! Cheers, Ian

Hi Jelle, Great conversion! It's such a dinky little Airbus which I think looks even smaller with the large Air France titles. Great job with the decals and your weathering really brings it to life! Cheers , Ian

Hi Jelle, What a lovely, super cute model! I have often thought about building one in this colourful livery. I bet many would shy away from the masking but you've done a cracking job. I like the metal finish on the engines too! Cheers, Ian

Hi Alex, As everyone has said this is a beautiful model! I always find modelling an aircraft that has a connection to you so much more enjoyable than just a livery which looks nice. I have built a Caledonian 757 using the AHS decals and wasn't completely happy with the results. There was a bit of silvering and the carrier film was just a little too visible, probably because of having to lay the yellow over white decals so I'm glad the 26 sheet is better. I might redo my AA Caledonian 757 in another livery and build one of my Zvezda's as Caledonian. I had forgotten about Skylife magazine but you've brought back some memories for me too! Cheers, Ian

Hi Alain, I do like this very much! A superb result! We all have to strip models and start again from time to time, well worth it in the end though. I love the tinted windshield and all the detail decals they really bring it to life! Cheers, Ian

Hi Norbert, Wow this really is superb! I love the level of detail. After building it scratch building the prefabricated house it is lifting will be a piece of cake! Cheers, Ian

Hi John, Very nice! It's not an airline I would normally model but as I occasionally see them flying overhead these days heading into London I might have to so it's good to know the AA decals are quality. Trouble is I wouldn't know which design to do! Also good to know the CRM pilots are worth getting. You can't resist a detailed flight deck can you! I've said before that I can't understand why Zvezda provide a detailed flight deck and an option for a flying pose but no crew to fly the plane, especially when the windows are so clear. You'll be glad to know you're not far wrong with the seat colours https://youtube.com/shorts/cAKBmC_-thA?si=Au8MdNt0LA1_1kE- Cheers, Ian