Tupolev Tu-134. Twice.

[Viking]

Tupolev Tu-134. CSA and Interflug

Zvezda 1:144 with Avia Decals

The kit is the beautiful Zvezda 134, one of my favourite kits of recent years. It really is a beautifully moulded kit with almost perfect fit, and a pleasure to build. Add to that the fact that is a beautiful looking bird, combining good looks with toughness and it is an all round winner!

I already built one with the kit supplied Aeroflot markings, so got hold of Avia Decals sheet from Hannants, with CSA, Interflug, and LOT options. It is slightly pricey, but good value when you consider that you can do 3 models with it. All 3 options have a slightly different window layout to the Aeroflot version, with an extra window on the starboard side at the front, and the small forward window relocated nearer the front. It is pretty simple and Avia explain it all. They even supply a vinyl template that you line up on the existing forward window, and it has holes in to tell you where to drill out the new windows. Simple and very effective, I was very impressed with this set, the decals themselves went on beautifully. Thats a 10 out 10 for Avia from me!

On with the photos. First up CSA;

Interflug version. Very similair, I know. But I like both, so built both!

Both together;

And with the glass nosed Aeroflot version, built straight from the box

Thanks for looking,

John

[JWM]

Great set.

I cannot resist to say - that I am very glad that these times are already behind us...

Cheers

J-W

[Mr Modeller]

Very nice indeed John, beautiful models and very well put together!!

I am thinking of moving over to building mostly commercial and experimental aircraft, getting a little bored with all of the 'guns 'n' bombs' type of thing and your work has convinced me to make the change sooner rather than later? I like the mostly clean, unweathered look to this type of aircraft and the genre looks a lot of fun!!

Thanks for the inspiration John and well done again.

Kev

Edited September 11, 2016 by Mr Modeller

[celt]

They are well tidy,I wish I could do civilian aircraft but as a hairy stick user there are some colours you stay away from and they are all used in civilian aircraft. :fraidnot:Instead I like to look at civilian aircraft made be modelers with more talent and skill than me.

[stringbag]

Nobody likes a ruddy "show-off"

Joking aside, they're superb John. A Polish machine must be added now if only to break up the colour a little.

Chris.

[mitchem]

Excellent stuff John and you're right about the kit - it's brilliant.

:thumbsup2:

I've a couple of these kits in the stash and the Avia decal sets too !

Now I just need to find a hobby shop that sells time.........

mike

[MartinSK]

What a beauty! TU-134 has very elegant shape and your three builds are excellent. My favourite is CSA as the plane in this livery was our "taxi" for summer holiday to Bulgaria when I was a kid.

Thanks for sharing and now I have temptation to buy one.

Martin

[Turbofan]

Gorgeous John. The OKjet is my favourite! I've got some catching up to do, I've only got one and that's still in the stash. You're tempting me to get on with it though!

Agree with Chris, it has to be a Lot one next.

Cheers,

Ian

[mcdonnell]

Hello,John - My full compliments to you on your fine looking 'Tu-134' builds.Your hallmark skills and expertise have produced splendid scale replicas of the type. All the best,Paul.

[stevej60]

All beautiful builds John.

[Meatbox8]

A very nice trio of Tupolevs. Great finishes on all of them and some very attractive schemes.

[russ c]

Really nice Trio there John, great job(s)

[Pin]

Really nice builds!

For your next 134 (LOT?) have you considered Small Stuff detailing set?

http://www.smallstuffmodels.com/2012/10/1144-tupolev-tu-134-detail-set.html

[Skodadriver]

Superb as always John. Thanks for sharing.

I built the kit a while back and as Alexy suggests I used the Small Stuff detail set. Some of the bits are just too small and fiddly to be of practical use but the engines are excellent. Despite using Small Stuff I was never happy with the model and did't put it in RFI. Seeing your beauties makes me want to build another one and hopefully make a better job this time.

[Alex1978]

A superb line up of those Tupolews.

As I am building up the Interflug fleet with Plasticart kits (The TU-134 will be the last one to do) ,this particular one gets an extra thumbs-up from me , but of course all three look simply stunning.

I recently bought the AModel kit,hopefully it will go together as well as those Zvezda kits.

[Epeeman]

Great work as usual, John

Building up a nice little airliner collection now!

Regards

Dave

[kev67]

Gorgeous models

[keefr22]

Superb stuff again John, three lovely little jets!

Keith

[Mountain goat]

Hi John,

Terrific Tupolevs! In my book easily the best looking airliner ever. They look well built - the finish looks amazing. I might have a crack at these because you've made them look so great.

Jay

[IGKent]

Nice exemplars! Well done!

[Darren Rhodes]

 Incredible work, don't know how achieve such high standards and such a prodigious work rate.

 

  

 

I'm not looking to masking all that glazing on mine... 

 

 

[dieppe76]

nicely finished...may i ask what paint manufacturer/shade you used looks spot on....

 

[BerndM]

Lovely builds !

 

[Abandoned Project]

Very nice! Lovin the way you have a fleet of Tu-134's. Inspiration for starting my 747 fleet  (3 to do)

[zebra]

Very nice. I really liked the Zvezda kit when I built mine. I used the Avia decals as well - the template for the extra windows was a very nice touch - but I didn't get on well with the decals. Mine were a bit thick and didn't conform very well. But you seem to have had a much better experience with them.