Timo

About the stripes, perhaps Revell might provide a painting template to show how to cut and place masking tape for the stripes. They did this for their Cargolux B747-8F 'not without my mask' kit - in this case their template showed where to place masking tape in order to paint the blue face mask. Just a thought

Hi Mike I've used the other set of fuselage plugs for the 787 - set BZ4086 to convert B787-8 to B787-9 - which are essentially similar to the 787-10 set. They matched the fuselage profile very well - just a bit of filling/sanding to get the stretch looking perfect. I didn't use the glazing as I filled the windows in order to use decal windows. I intend to get the 787-10 set in order to build a BA 787-10. Best of luck with your build. Cheers Tim

Great build of an iconic aircraft - well done. I have a slightly tenuous Dambusters story involving this aircraft which I've recounted before on BM - sorry for being repetitive, but here goes... My sister emigrated to Australia in the late 1970s. Her middle son is an engineer for a German armaments company providing stuff for the Australian Army. While he was working in Kassel, Germany we took a trip with him to the Eder Dam. Pictures were taken and posted on social media. Months later while visiting my sister in Australia we were discussing our visit to the Eder Dam and her father-in-law suddenly piped-up "my best friend at school was a Dambuster and knocked down that Dam". Turns out his best mate was Pilot Officer Les Knight RAAF who was the pilot on Lancaster N for Nan which was the 3rd aircraft to attack the Eder Dam and whose bomb succeeded in breaching the wall. The Edersee is a long hockey-stick shaped lake - with a long stretch of water followed by a 90degree right turn to a short 500metre run-in to the Dam. It is quite remarkable when you consider that the crews were doing this low level 90 degree turn manoeuvre at night just 50feet above the lake and with only a few seconds to align with the Dam - and then succeeding in hitting the target. An outstandingly brave and epic achievement. Sadly, Les Knight didn't survive the war - he stayed with 617 Squadron and was killed in action in late 1944 while taking part in the Dortmund-Emms Canal raid dropping Grand Slam bombs. Cheers Tim

Hi Stefan Scratch-building sharklets is really quite easy. I did if for my build - see here Vueling A320 Sharklets Give it a go and save youself some money. Cheers Tim

Hi mate It is well worth building it. I've built a T2 which I was really happy with in the end. Yes, the kit has plenty of issues - I found getting the undercarriage right was a complete pain, and the pylons needed heavy modification. I was fortunate to have an old Airfix GR3 kit to use for donor parts - such as drop tanks. I'd go with it - after all our hobby is all about tackling the challenges thrown at us by kit manufacturers. Best of luck Cheers Tim

Hi Aaron I made a home-made decal in 1/72 of Welsh Air Ambulance G-WAAS in its scheme of around 5 years ago - this scheme https://www.helis.com/database/cn/44932/ I can send you a PDF copy of the decal which you can re-scale to 1/32 if this would help. Cheers Tim

Hi Alex Really great build of this iconic KLM aircraft - well done. I must be getting old but I can remember PH-BUA in an even older scheme when she was first in service KLM -747 PH-BUA in early 70s Cheers Tim

Hi John A great build of a BEA classic, and a great story too. There's no such thing as 'breaking all the rules' it's just a matter of 'doing the right thing'. With all that tarmac stretching ahead of you, why not stick it back on the ground in those circumstances. In my mind, a remarkable bit of quick thinking by your Dad (instead of blindly sticking to the rules) saved the day for everyone. Well done your Dad. Cheers Tim

Hi Daniel That's a really good effort - the masking for the dark blue is especially good as it matches the cheatline perfectly. I can see that you have had to use a lot of paint to conceal the grey plastic - I normally use Tamiya White Primer to cover grey plastic airliners first before painting - this provides a good base for a thin coat of white gloss and any other colours needed. Thanks for posting Cheers Tim

Hi Paul I think its right that we remember these historic achievements by the RAF airmen of WW2. I have a slightly tenuous Dambusters story - here goes... My sister emigrated to Australia in the late 1970s. Her middle son is an engineer for a German armaments company providing stuff for the Australian Army. While he was working in Kassel, Germany we took a trip with him to the Eder Dam. Pictures were taken and posted on social media. Months later while visiting my sister in Australia we were discussing our visit to the Eder Dam and her father-in-law suddenly piped-up "my best friend at school was a Dambuster and knocked down that Dam". Turns out his best mate was Flying Officer Les Knight RAAF who was the pilot on Lancaster N for Nan which was the 3rd aircraft to attack the Eder Dam and whose bomb succeeded in breaching the wall. The Edersee is a long hockey-stick shaped lake - with a long stretch of water followed by a 90degree right turn to a short 500metre run-in to the Dam. It is quite remarkable when you consider that the crews were doing this low level 90 degree turn manoeuvre at night just 50feet above the lake and with only a few seconds to align with the Dam - and then succeeding in hitting the target. Its absolutely right we remember them for their brave and epic achievements. Sadly, Les Knight didn't survive the war - he stayed with 617 Squadron and was killed in action in late 1944 while taking part in the Dortmund-Emms Canal raid dropping Grand Slam bombs. Thank you Paul for starting this thread. Cheers Tim

Hi Alan DACO Products in Belgium make 1/144 scale decals for what they call the Boeing 737NG 'Dreamliner' scheme - but as used by Ryanair and Alaska Airlines. These decals are very close to what you want, except for the tail markings which are airline logos and not the '737' logo you need. However, they might make a good starting point for you. Link to DACO Products website Cheers Tim

Hi Mate I mixed my own version of the new Aer Lingus Teal using Revell enamels - here is the mix I used: RV52 Blue - 65% RV61 Green - 35% RV04 White - just a dab Hope this helps Cheers Tim

Hi Mark There is a YouTube channel called World Explorer on which a chap (based in Switzerland) builds 1/144 scale airliners. His videos show a variety of techniques he uses, which I think are quite useful. Take a look - it might help. Cheers Tim link to Youtube here Airbus A320 build video on 'World Explorer' channel

Hi Achim That is an amazing collection of control grips and their accompanying model aircraft. The evolution of Fokker Grips described in your PDF books makes sense, although flight controls, guns and throttle all on the single control grip must have been quite challenging for WW1 aviators - all while engaged in air combat!! A brilliant collection (grips, models and PDF books) - thanks for sharing it with us. Cheers Tim

Hi Michael Unfortunately Dragon and Scalemates are wrong in saying that the VC25A Air Force One kit is a 747-400, it is actually a 747-200 kit. Ideally you need to get hold of a Revell 747-400 kit which come up for sale from time-to-time on 'a well known auction site beginning with E'. Best of luck Tim

Really great job Dave. I always think the Star Alliance livery is quite striking, and your build and paint job has highlighted it at its best. I also like your use of Authentic Airliners window / cockpit decals which make the model appear much more realistic. Well done Cheers Tim

Hi Mate There was a thread here on BM about this a few years ago Virgin Atlantic colour guidance Hope this helps Cheers Tim

Hi mate, Aircraft moving on the ground at night (under tow or using own power) would show: - Wingtip navigation lights (red / green) and tail light (white) - Red anti-collision beacons/strobes - on taxiways - taxi lights (usually on the nose gear) - on entering the runway - wingtip & tail strobes and main landing lights. They might also have other lights on such as: - Tail logo lights - Wing/engine inspection lights Hope this helps Cheers Tim

Hi Diogo I've used F-DCAL for 1 x A330 and 1 x A340 build and neither set of decals included these decals for the "horizontal stabiliser sealing plates" (as they are known). However, the Revell kits I used included these in the kit's decals - so I used them instead. 2-6 decals include them in their detail sheet which comes with their A330/A340 decals. Hope this helps Cheers Tim

Hi Olly That is a fabulous 777-300ER, I especially love the work you've done on the flaps and slats. And congratulations on being a Captain on one of these great Boeings. Cheers Tim

Hi Matt An absolutely brilliant build. Your 'world tail' has come out really well - I think it makes a BA A380 look even better. I was a great fan of BA's world tails - I think they added a welcome splash of colour amongst other airliners and made BA's aircraft really stand out. Its now good to see a few of BA's A380s back in the sky. Looking forward to your next builds Cheers Tim p.s. I've built a Revell Technic A380 as BA's G-XLEI complete with flashing lights - I wish I'd had the benefit of your WIP beforehand as it would have been very helpful and made life a lot easier

Hi mate Brilliant A320 finished in a livery which is difficult to replicate - I'm also totally amazed at the level of detail you achieve in your builds. Your WIP build thread was extremely good too and very helpful. Your work has inspired me to try harder to achieve better built airliners. Cheers Tim

Hi mate Great start - which airline will your 777 belong to? Cheers Tim

Hi Matt Great to see you've resumed this build - your 767s are looking excellent. Does this resurgence in activity mean you're now fully rated on the Dreamliner? If so, well done - must be a great aircraft to fly. Cheers Tim

Hi Mate If you are using Tamiya acrylic paints "Boeing Grey" is really easy to mix. Take about half a pot of X2 Gloss White and add to it 2 or 3 drops of X1 Gloss Black - stir well and 'voila' you have "Boeing Grey" Check the mixed colour against pictures - add a drop more black if it needs to be darker. Cheers Tim