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Zvezda Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental


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I picked up Zvezda's new mould of the latest Boeing 747 on ebay recently - the new and improved 747-8 Intercontinental. It arrived while I was at work today, and I couldn't resist getting started on it this evening!

It is certainly a beautiful kit, with very finely engraved panel detail and it certainly seems to capture the shape of the beast well. It also appears that Zvezda have based the engines in this kit around the excellent 787 kit, so detail is superb!

She is a big girl - here is a comparison to Revell's 747-400:

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The wingspan is larger too, with the distinctive raked wingtips:

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After the nose wheel bay and some weight was added, the fuselage halves were joined. The tape is only on the keep the halves aligned whilst the glue dried - the fit is so good it literally snapped together:

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The wings have a one piece lower section which helps keep the dihedral correct, and the upper pieces attach to them. Zvezda have moulded the trailing edge as a single piece on the upper wing, and they join the lower wing along the flap hinges so the trailing edges are extremely thin and sharp:

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The wing then slots onto the fuselage. Again the fit is nothing short of excellent:

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All this in approximately 90 mins! This is testament to the quality of Zvezda's moulding - it literally builds itself! It's definately on a par with the same firm's 787 - bravo!

I'll add more as I progress - at this rate it shouldn't be too long!

Tom

Edited by tomprobert
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cant wait to see this one tom, just wish my kits would turn up

what livery have you got in mind?

I'm going to be doing it the prototype colours - I think it is stunning in the reds and oranges. The kit decals look pretty good to me, I just hope they don't let me down when it comes to applying them!

I'll be getting a couple more of these for sure, so when the aftermarket sets start appearing I'll grab a few. I think Korean is going to be a must, I just hope someone does the decals!

And it would be rude not to convert one to a freighter and do a BA World Cargo scheme!

Must... stay... calm... :D

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I'm going to be doing it the prototype colours - I think it is stunning in the reds and oranges. The kit decals look pretty good to me, I just hope they don't let me down when it comes to applying them!

I'll be getting a couple more of these for sure, so when the aftermarket sets start appearing I'll grab a few. I think Korean is going to be a must, I just hope someone does the decals!

And it would be rude not to convert one to a freighter and do a BA World Cargo scheme!

Must... stay... calm... :D

BA world cargo looks great - i'm hoping to get the Lufthansa add-on for the boeing house colours so best of both worlds.

i believe chris was talking about korean pax and cargo being available - i've got my eye on those myself!!

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  • 2 weeks later...

This project has progressed a bit since my last update... she's painted and ready for decals:

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As always, automotive acrylics have been used. Next up is the complex decalling... I'll keep you updated.

Tom

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Am I being a dullard or have you not filled the windows? If not, whats the plan? If you have, I'll get back in my box!

No... you're spot on!

I'm leaving the windows 'as is', and rather than using decal I'm going to use Krystal Kleer and glaze them. It's not something I do very often, but the transparencies appear very good in this kit so I thought I'd give them a go.

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In the movie 'The Final Countdown', there is a scene near the beginning where the occupants of the boat that gets blown up by the Japanese fighters are looking at the pair of Tomcats from the USS Nimitz as they zoom by....

One of the characters on the boat says, "The SPEED.....!"

He's referring of course to the two Tomcats....very fast and very good.

He could be talking about your modelling Tom.

I think I might call you F14 from now on....

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That looks fantastic so far.

I want one but its getting difficult sneaking models upstairs, especially when they come in big boxes when im at school........

I blame it on decals in a big box....

I want to do a BA Cargo and Korean Air

i will get one one day.....

these are great kits bradley - made even better when tom shows them off like this!

i'm doing BA cargo and lufthansa cargo for my two. tempted to buy more though!

id def get one of these over the dornier resin!!

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these are great kits bradley - made even better when tom shows them off like this!

i'm doing BA cargo and lufthansa cargo for my two. tempted to buy more though!

id def get one of these over the dornier resin!!

For freighter won't you have to have a small fuselage "hump"?

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For freighter won't you have to have a small fuselage "hump"?

Yes you will need a smaller hump on the upper deck tryed to do some working out on making a part to fit by cutting the hump down on the kit but have yet to take it from my drawings to the kit

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Steal an airfix hump.

I might not get the Dornier or the 747-8. I'd like to do an American Airlibes Md-11, now I need a kit...

Think the revell b747-200 will be better then the airfix one. I am getting a friend to do me some scale drawings for the cargo one

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  • 3 weeks later...

I've been sidetracked with other builds of late, but have made a bit more progress with the 747-8.

As can be seen, the model is now decalled:

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I must confess I was a little sceptical about using the kit decals as they looked very matt and a little thick. However, I took the plunge and went for it anyway, and I must say I was pleasantly surprised - they went on beautifully. I haven't needed to use any setting solutions either. Another bonus was that everytling fitted as it should, and I'm glad I took the time and followed the painting guide carefully!

I must now get going with the engines so I can give her a final coat of gloss before adding the landing gear etc.

Tom

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