Viking Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 Boeing 737-200 South African Airways 1:144 Airfix with modifications The third of my modified Airfix 737-200's. The mods are to cut away the cockpit area and replace it with the clear moulded part from a Daco/Skyline 737 kit, and correcting the engines from the 100 series to the 200 Advanced. This involves lengthening them and fattening the pylons. I also added a bit of cockpit detail and a pair of crew figures from N gauge railway passengers, and opened out the wheel bays to make them 3 dimensional. The Airfix kit is old but basically good, and benefits from these few mods. After all this work some top quality decals are required, so it was straight to Draw Decals website where I found this beautiful scheme. SAA had one the best liveries of all time, and their aircraft were usually kept in sparkling condition. Underside showing the opened out wheel bays Crew at work! With something else. No contest. It has to be my other ZS- registered aircraft, the hilarious 737-800 in Kulula livery, also from Draw Decals. Some info about the modifications. Test fit of the cut out for the Daco clear part Modified engines. Lengthened with a 6mm section of a bomb, covered with Milliput. Pylons widened with plastic sheet. Basic parts for improving the model It was all extra work, but well worth the effort. Thanks for looking, John 33 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ForestFan Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 That's just great! Love it 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phildagreek Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 Nice! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbofan Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 John, this makes all the difference to the overall look of the Airfix 737 doesn't it? Apart from the nose shape and the engine pylons there's really nothing wrong with the kit at all. Love the details, I noticed your pilots are wearing ties. I have a Ryanair 737-800 with a cockpit crew which when I had finished and showed my wife her only comment was "Don't Ryanair pilots wear ties?" Aaargh! I'd forgotten to paint them on! I got rid of my Liveries Unlimited SAA 737 sheet, kinda wish I'd kept it now Thanks for sharing. What's next? Cheers, Ian 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrewP Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 Absolutely stunning! I'm loving all the modified 737s you're making. They're gorgeous! Would you mind taking a picture with all three (that I know of, BusyBee, Air Europe, and this one) together? I always go back to those builds when I need some inspiration. Your kits are amazing! Truly professional. Love it! All the best, Drew 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mitchem Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 Smack my gob and take my breath away ! Another winner there John. :thumbsup2: You just keep knocking them out and I'll keep applauding ! mike 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graeme H Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 A brilliant update to an oldy but goody, and a great livery as well, just love it 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stringbag Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 Absolute rubbish as usual.. Crew ties are the wrong colour and the captain has his hair parted on the wrong side.. Of course everyone knows I'm only joking Nice one John. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darwinism Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 (edited) Cracking work! You've got to do an OzJet one next - I think that was the best -200 scheme, but I used to work for them so I'm probably more than a bit biased! Edited July 9, 2016 by Darwinism 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skodadriver Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 Another little beauty John. The Airfix kit is basically sound and your modifications show that in the right hands it can be turned into a masterpiece. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romeo Alpha Yankee Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 The enhancements look great John. I may build a 200F for my Group Build entry and would like to fix up the main wheel wells. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teeradej Posted July 10, 2016 Share Posted July 10, 2016 A truly spectacular work of art. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parabat Posted July 10, 2016 Share Posted July 10, 2016 Superb build, nice to see an SAA Springbok on here. Love the Kulula 'Flying 101' too, very well done. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex1978 Posted July 10, 2016 Share Posted July 10, 2016 (edited) what a stunner. These mods really make a difference. Does DACO sell those clear parts separately ? If so,I need to order a few Edited July 10, 2016 by Alex1978 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The 3rd Placer Posted July 10, 2016 Share Posted July 10, 2016 John, as usual superb work. Thank you for posting the images of the mods to the engine without paint. Ryan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Dyck Posted July 10, 2016 Share Posted July 10, 2016 Absolute amazing work! I like all these very colourful jets!!!!!! Andy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viking Posted July 10, 2016 Author Share Posted July 10, 2016 Many thanks for all the replies, they are much appreciated. I got rid of my Liveries Unlimited SAA 737 sheet, kinda wish I'd kept it now What's next? Ian, you can get a sheet from Draw Decals. Next up is an A319 in Frontier 'Mickey the Moose', and a 737-800 in Helios. Does DACO sell those clear parts separately ? If so,I need to order a few They do. I was fortunate to get some from members Skodadriver (Thanks Dave!) and Stringbag (Thanks Chris!) I've got 1 left so may need to buy some. Would you mind taking a picture with all three (that I know of, BusyBee, Air Europe, and this one) together? Here you are Drew;Thanks all!John 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcdonnell Posted July 10, 2016 Share Posted July 10, 2016 Hello,John - My full compliments to you as always for yet another beautifully built and finished airliner.I love the early '737's and these scale replicas,one and all,are resplendent tributes to the type. All the very best,Paul. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex1978 Posted July 10, 2016 Share Posted July 10, 2016 Many thanks for all the replies, they are much appreciated. Ian, you can get a sheet from Draw Decals. Next up is an A319 in Frontier 'Mickey the Moose', and a 737-800 in Helios. They do. I was fortunate to get some from members Skodadriver (Thanks Dave!) and Stringbag (Thanks Chris!) I've got 1 left so may need to buy some. Here you are Drew; Thanks all! John Thank you John.I will get me a few of those. And the last pic with all 3 737s is just awesome.I always loved the -200 (sight and the sound) and your builds just do more than justice to this classic airliner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael301757 Posted July 10, 2016 Share Posted July 10, 2016 Thats a lovely build of an all time classic kit, great job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrewP Posted July 11, 2016 Share Posted July 11, 2016 Here you are Drew; Thanks all! John Oh my. how beautiful! Your works of art are something to strive for. Amazing! Thanks! All the best, Drew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timo Posted July 11, 2016 Share Posted July 11, 2016 Hi John Yet another fantastic build. I'm always totally amazed at the level of detail you are able to achieve at 144 scale with the doors, interiors, etc. That takes serious skill. Altogether a superb job. Cheers Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woody37 Posted July 11, 2016 Share Posted July 11, 2016 You keep rolling these blinders off your production line John, gorgeous. A lesson in what can be done with this old kit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Val Posted July 12, 2016 Share Posted July 12, 2016 Absolutely stunning work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canberra kid Posted July 12, 2016 Share Posted July 12, 2016 WOW! Love it/them! John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now