zebra Posted September 26, 2015 Share Posted September 26, 2015 First post from me in a long time, first completed model since returning to the hobby (for about the 5th time, but I think I'm back for good this time) and my first ready for inspection on here. This is the Amodel 1/144 Tu-104A with Boa decals. I started it as an antidote to the frustrations of the Kinetic Sea Harrier (I don't think there are any two parts in that kit that fit together without some fettling). You might think an Amodel kit is an odd antidote to anything, but I really enjoyed this build. Yes it needs work but I don't mind that as long as I'm expecting it, and it was a very satisfying kit to finish. It's got thick trailing edges, everything needs a bit of work to fit together, but the plastic was good to work with and it was never frustrating. The windows are pretty horrible but I was using the window decals from the Boa sheet so that was fine. It's far from perfect but I'm happy with it. A few more firsts: First time I'd used Mr Surfacer (loved it - how has this stuff passed me by all this time?) and Alclad (also loved it, although it really does show up the flaws, such as some of my ham-fisted attempts at rescribing panel lines). First airliner I've built in about 20 years. First Amodel kit and won't be the last. Amodel Tu-104A 2 by Julian Griffiths, on Flickr Amodel Tu-104A by Julian Griffiths, on Flickr 32 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lancbuilder219 Posted September 26, 2015 Share Posted September 26, 2015 Very nice work. Have never seen this aircraft before, very different and colourful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keefr22 Posted September 26, 2015 Share Posted September 26, 2015 That's very nice! I have one of those to do one day, good to see it builds up well, & if I can get mine to look somewhere as nice as yours I'll be well happy!! Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viking Posted September 26, 2015 Share Posted September 26, 2015 That is lovely. I have this kit in the stash, and the decals, I thought the mouldings looked a bit heavy but yours has turned out great. I think mine might move up the priority list a bit now. Cheers John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex1978 Posted September 26, 2015 Share Posted September 26, 2015 Wonderful russian classic. This kit is also waiting in my stash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skodadriver Posted September 26, 2015 Share Posted September 26, 2015 Magnificent! My experience of Amodel kits has been pretty negative. I abandoned an An-72 and struggled to finish a Lancastrian which came within a whisker of abandonment several times. I've never been happy with the finished result. It's great to see that such a fine model can be made from one of their kits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zebra Posted September 27, 2015 Author Share Posted September 27, 2015 Thanks everyone John - I agree, the mouldings are heavy. Trailing edges are thick, panel lines are deep and a bit crude, and it doesn't exactly fall together. But trailing edges can be thinned down and panel lines looked better under a bit of Mr Surfacer. Getting it to fit together wasn't too bad, although there were a few challenging points (the profile of the intakes didn't remotely match the profile of the wing roots!), I just had to change my usual mindset and go at it a little more thoughtfully and slowly than usual - and I found I got into a bit of a groove and really enjoyed the challenge. The result is far from perfect but was very satisfying. Skodadriver - what were the issues with the An-72? Had thought I might pick one of those up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radleigh Posted September 27, 2015 Share Posted September 27, 2015 Nearly finished their Be-12P, and have the An-71 in primer/paint... not the best builds but good when finished... Will be putting two more on the bench when these are done. Lovely build Zebra, saw this on your Flickr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeW Posted September 27, 2015 Share Posted September 27, 2015 What a beaut! I have been eyeing this kit on eBay for some months now, and am coming to the realization that I just have to get over my cheap self and spend close to $40 to have it sent to me. I was also putting it off as I knew the decals would be horrid - had no idea BOA did aftermarket here, so thank you many times over. Also had been intrigued by Mr Surfacer, but have not got any yet. You do realize that your awesome build here is going to cost me serious $? In case I was a little subtle here, I love it! Cheers, Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skodadriver Posted September 27, 2015 Share Posted September 27, 2015 .... Skodadriver - what were the issues with the An-72? Had thought I might pick one of those up. Just about everything! Poor fit, huge sink marks particularly on the upper wings, peculiar breakdown of the parts (also an issue with the Lancastrian) and dubious accuracy. If you want a good An-72 the PAS kit is the way to go. At 1800 roubles (about £18.10) it's only slightly dearer than the Amodel kit which Hannants list at £17.50 but it's in a different league. Although it's resin the breakdown is conventional. I found it an easy build and it turned out like this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Val Posted September 28, 2015 Share Posted September 28, 2015 Amazing work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nymfen Posted August 17, 2021 Share Posted August 17, 2021 The modelled aircraft is a TU-104. This version has three windows in the cabin roof in either side above the front of the engines. The TU-104 A has two windows placed a little higher than the others, also above the wing. The TU-104 B has three windows placed higher than the others above the wing. It is refreshing to see a model of the classic TU-104 and even to a 1/72 scale. Congratulations with the very nice model! All three TU-104 variants could be seen at Kastrup Airport in the sixties from the airlines Aeroflot and CSA. The twin engines of the Tupolev jet had a very distinctive sound, sufficient to identify the type of jet aircraft. For a long time these engines were the most powerful jets of any airliner. The size of the TU is comparable with the four engined De Havilland Comet 4 B. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GiampieroSilvestri Posted August 17, 2021 Share Posted August 17, 2021 Beautiful Tupolev Tu-104! Saluti Giampiero 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zebra Posted August 19, 2021 Author Share Posted August 19, 2021 Didn't expect this one to pop up again! On 8/18/2021 at 8:28 AM, Nymfen said: It is refreshing to see a model of the classic TU-104 and even to a 1/72 scale. Thanks - but this is 1/144. I'd quite like to build one in 1/72, but that seems quite unlikely to happen. There's a pretty good chance that one of these days I'll buy an AWM Tu-104B (and possibly a Tu-110 too) to go next to this one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wulfman Posted August 20, 2021 Share Posted August 20, 2021 Lovely build on one of my favourite airliners, great stuff ! Wulfman 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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