British Airways and British Airtours 707 and 737 decals

[richellis]

British Airways and British Airtours 707 and 737 decals.

1:144 decals from Two Six.

British Airways was formed in 1974 following the merger of BOAC and BEA to become the flag carrier of the United Kingdom. The first livery used by the newly formed British Airways is known as the ‘Red Tail’ and was used until 1984 when the Landor scheme was introduced.

British Airways had an off shoot known a British Airtours. This arm specialised in package tour charter flights. British Airtours had a fleet of 737-200 airliners, and 707-3/4 aircraft.

Two-Six decals have released 2 sheets to cover airliners used by both British Airways and British Airtours between 1974 and 1984. I will look at these sheets separately below!

The Boeing 707 was an early jet airliner, just coming second into service behind the DH Comet operated by BOAC. The 707 was a massive success and some remain in service today. British Airways wanted the 707 in the fleet, but was blocked until the 707 was engine with Rolls Royce Conway jets. This version was numbered the 707-400 and is available from Airfix in 1:144, and the 707-300 powered by the P&W engines is made by Minicraft in plastic in 1:144 of by Authentic Airliners with their fine resin example again in 1:144.

This comes over 2 sheets as is the norm from Two-Six, firstly I’ll look at the decal with the main livery. This sheet covers all the 707s that saw service, the Conway powered 707-4srs, and the P&W 707-3srs in passenger, combination, and all cargo aircraft, including the big ‘British’ titles, and the ‘Cargo’ options on the livery.

The British Airtours 707 fleet is also covered on this decal sheet.

There are lots of letters to allow you to choose what aircraft to you want to do from the 707 fleet.

The second sheet is the detail sheet, and carries all the doors windows and detail decals for the 707 airframe!

The Boeing 737 shouldn’t need an introduction, and this sheet covers the early 737-2srs airliners in the British Airways family. Again this covers the early British Airways livery and includes the option of the large ‘British’ titles; an extra option allows you to build G-BKYA in the experimental silver top livery.

Also on the sheet are decals for British Airtours aircraft. The instruction sheet has details of the aircraft registrations, and the names given to most of the aircraft in both fleets.

The first sheet is a screen printed sheet as is normal with Two-Six with very nice sharp colours and finely done details. Lots of options on this sheet again, so do your research on the aircraft you are planning to build!

There is a small sheet with the various detail stencils for the airframe, and all the doors and windows needed.

Conclusion

A couple of very nice decal sheets form Two-Six to cover some early British Airways jets. Some nice options and I am glad to see British Airtours covered, as I’d guess I am not alone in having my first foreign holiday on a British Airtours jet!

Review sample courtesy of

[viscount806x]

British Airways and British Airtours 707 and 737 decals.

1:144 decals from Two Six.

British Airways was formed in 1974 following the merger of BOAC and BEA to become the flag carrier of the United Kingdom.

Sorry to be a nitpicker Rich (although a nice review nonetheless) but BA was formed by the merger of BEA, BOAC, CAMBRIAN AND NORTHEAST....

These small details are important for those of us who worked for Norheast (previously BKS) at the time.

Cheers Nige

[woody37]

Quite fancy getting the 737 set