Minicraft Douglas DC-8s in 1/144 - FINISHED !...

[mitchem]

... Aeromexico ?

Good choice Mike. I've always been a bit partial to their colour scheme - one of the reasons why I had a go at one of their DC-9s a couple of years ago :

In the mean-time, I'm still plugging away at my DC-8s behind the scenes :

- CargOman - has the black gloss applied and curing before the silver gets sprayed.

- Alitalia - slight decal mishap through my own making. Still thinking about how much fun I had with CargOman's wings before I tackle the F-Rsin engines on the -43.

- Air Zaire - may as well be parked up in Kinshasa 'cos it's going nowhere fast !

[pinky coffeeboat]

Lovely DC9 - whose kit and decals?

Any chance of posting picture of the Contrails engines? I've heard some contrasting opinions about their products.

Enjoying this build a lot.

[Jessica]

I posted a photo in my review of the Minicraft Kit elseforum. My set needs some cleanup, and the pylons aren't entirely accurate for the model I intend to build (they represent pylons from a -20 converted to a -50) but that's merely a matter of proper sanding.

[MikeW]

Beyond bad photography - but Contrails DC-8-50 engines. I need a new camera - amaonst all sorts of other things, but this is, in effect, what one receives.

Mike

[MikeW]

What a gorgeous DC-9! Many memories evoked here. The flight attendants used to dispense so much champagne en route to the Mexican Pacific resorts it seemed like it was illegal to be sober.

Cheers,

Mike

[Romeo Alpha Yankee]

I posted a photo in my review of the Minicraft Kit elseforum. My set needs some cleanup, and the pylons aren't entirely accurate for the model I intend to build (they represent pylons from a -20 converted to a -50) but that's merely a matter of proper sanding.

Great review Jessica, there were some points you bring up about the DC-8 I did not know about. I have this kit and will do it in Lufthansa Cargo markings. Looks like I need to research the nose type the Lufthansa aircraft used.

Nice progress on the Alitalia kit, Mike, that DC-9 looks great!

[pinky coffeeboat]

Thanks for that photo. I've got the F-Rsin engines and they're quite nice too.

[Viking]

Ok, so seeing these I now need to add a Minicraft DC-8 to the stash . Lovely work Mike, the cut & shut seams are invisible, how do you get them so neat?

Cheers

John

[mitchem]

Lovely DC9 - whose kit and decals?

Thanks for the comment p.c. It's the Airfix kit made up using the Two Six decal set which now appear to be out of print.

I posted a photo in my review of the Minicraft Kit elseforum. My set needs some cleanup, and the pylons aren't entirely accurate for the model I intend to build (they represent pylons from a -20 converted to a -50) but that's merely a matter of proper sanding.

Nice review Jessica. Wish I'd read it before I made some unneccessary alterations. I'll know next time !

Ok, so seeing these I now need to add a Minicraft DC-8 to the stash . Lovely work Mike, the cut & shut seams are invisible, how do you get them so neat?

Cheers

John

Thanks John. The cut and shut seams only look invisible through the use of a flexi-file and loads of elbow grease. I've got a nagging feeling that when the Alclad is applied to the gloss black base, they'll reappear as if by magic !

Speaking of the gloss black base, I've masked up the CargOman fuselage and attached the wings. Now that the black coat has been applied, I'm praying that there's actually a butterfly in the chrysalis ?!

Watch this space

mike

[mitchem]

Silvers on, masking tape off :

[keefr22]

Lovely job Mike, that's looking great!! Finished by Wednesday....??!!

[kev67]

I have bought one of the cutters you use, mines still boxed though, they are ideal for custom masks and I might try mine cutting Tamiya masking sheets

[Viking]

I like that She's looking lovely Mike, the multi toning is really effective. Keep up with the progress reports.

Cheers

John

[MikeW]

Those engines are sure looking good - like they were made for the plane

Cheers

Mike

[mitchem]

I haven't given up !

Got some more decals on the Alitalia -43 and I've made some additional decals to represent I-DIWM "Ugolino Vivaldi". Wings have been glued together (but not onto the fuselage)and are now awaiting for the short tips to be added :

I've also managed to do some work on the Air Zaire -63. Masked the fuselage up and started work on the engines :

The CargOman -55 has its decals on and is now waiting for its undercarriage - almost there.....

[keefr22]

Nice work Mike, Alitalia was always one of my favourite schemes, so particularly liking that one!

Have a great Christmas, see you next year!

k

[mitchem]

One down and two to go !

I've posted some other photos in the RFI Section here : http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234952311-1144-douglas-dc-8-55f-cargoman/

Now back to work on the other two......

[Dr Evil]

I'm liking that very much, Michael!

[keefr22]

What Dr.E says !! Luvly job Mike!!

[mitchem]

Cheers Keefr and Dr E, but you can both be honest - you're both stunned because it's the only thing I've finished this year with roundels on it ! .

See you in 2014.

mike

[keefr22]

Haha - tbh, I hadn't twigged they were 'roundels'!

Be careful you don't drop it on the way down...!!

[Graeme H]

Really nice, not much into cargo aircraft, but really like that

[Jessica]

That's really well done. Are those the Contrails engines?

[Viking]

Gorgeous! The work of a master craftsman. I really, really like this, did I say it was gorgeous?

Cheers

John

(ps - get the other done ASAP please!)

[mitchem]

That's really well done. Are those the Contrails engines?

Hi Jessica. They should have been the Contrails engines, but after the experience I'd had with the engines from the Welsh Models Boeing 720, I was determined to try and use the JTD-3Bs from one of their kits. To be honest, I should have been careful what I wished for. The details on the Welsh engines met my expectations, but the "overwing" portion of the pylons were actually moulded onto the wings and not the engines. As a result, I had to build the extra bits of the pylons from plastic card ,sand the profiles to shape, cut slots in the MInicraft wings, and then try and hide the joins after I glued them altogether - the kind of stuff that can banish a kit to the shelf of doom.

With regards to the Alitalia -43, I've started cleaning up the F-Rsin engines (they're actually for a -30) but I've noticed that there are a load of pin-holes and small bubbles in the resin. (Three of the engine intake "bullets" are damaged and will need to be repaired). Photos to follow.

The good news on the Air Zaire -63 is that the kit's engines fit like a glove !

Gorgeous! The work of a master craftsman. I really, really like this, did I say it was gorgeous?

Cheers

John

(ps - get the other done ASAP please!)

Thanks John, but to be honest, your builds have been one of the inspirations to try a bit harder. Hell - I've even bought a Minicraft DC-4 after having watched the progress of your Cayman Airlines DC-6.

You Sir, have a lot to answer for !