1/144 TWA 707

[DDELK]

Hello all,

 I’ve never built a passenger airliner, as all of my private and commission build are usually modern military aircraft. I have a request to build a 707 in 144 scale and I’ve no idea about decals and paint .. I took a look at a website called “Authentic Airliners “ and they seem to have quite a bit of decals. Also if anyone is accustomed to doing commission builds, what would be a fair price to quote. Again I primarily build military planes, so this is a little out of my norm..

 

thanks

dave

[Eric Mc]

The 707 came in a variety of shapes, sizes and versions. So, before you start spending any money on kits or decals, you need to find out what specific aeroplane you are modelling. TWA operated a number of different versions of the 707 so knowing the specific one you are being asked to build is important.

 

Then you need to chose a kit. The most common kit available is the Minicraft Boeing 707-320/420 series - although these kits do have shape issues, especially around the nose. One of the Minicraft releases does feature a TWA aircraft.

 

The second choice is the Airfix 707-420, which is old but not that bad. However, you can only really do a 420 version from that kit. TWA never operated 420s.

 

There was an old FROG 707 kit which was not great and which didn't seem to represent any actual version.

 

Ignore the Revell 707 as it is the poorest of them all

 

Authentic airlines resin 707 is no doubt the best, but much more expensive than the  other choices.

 

As for decals, as well as Authentic Airlines, 2-6 Decals and Classic Airliners (both based in the UK) offer a large range of decals and I'm sure they have a TWA set in their lists.

 

More recently, Roden released a series of 720 models. TWA did operate 720s for a short while.

[Skodadriver]

Somebody could probably write a Ph.D. thesis on the various sub-types and variants of the Boeing 707.  There are different lengths, different wing planforms, different engines, tall fins, short fins, ventral fins and many other differences. I'm certainly not a 707 expert but I know enough to head straight for the reference books and the internet.  The 707-120 is a very different aircraft from the 707-320B Intercontinental and you really must know which sub-type you're modelling.

 

If you want to build the earlier short-bodied 707, the Revell kit is probably the best starting point.  It needs some serious hard work but it can be done as this shows. 

 

For the longer and much more common 707 versions Minicraft have produced two TWA 707 kits, 14454 which is a 707-300 with JT4D engines and 14651 which is a 331 with JT3D engines.  If you just want "a TWA 707" either kit will give a reasonable likeness (assuming you can find one) but if you want to model a specific aircraft you need to establish which sub-type it was and which engines are correct.  If you are using any version of the Minicraft kit you must correct the shape of the cockpit.  The clear section is wrong and spoils the look of the model.  Contrails Models make a drop-in resin replacement.

 

Authentic Airliners make the best resin airliner kits currently available.  They are very much a specialist niche product aimed squarely at the experienced modeller and airliner enthusiast.  If you want an accurate 707 you won't do better than Authentic Airliners but the kits aren't cheap and they don't include instructions so you need to do your own research and use the "Hints and tips" section of their website. Authentic Airliners have a sister company, Authentic Airliner Decals, which produces superb "photo real" window decals and other goodies.

 

26 Decals have produced a set of aftermarket decals for the earlier livery carried by the TWA 707-331B - sheet 144-350.  Note that these are laser printed and hence translucent.  They must be applied over a white background.  Personally I would replace 26's plain black windscreen decal with one from Authentic Airliners.

 

Since I've never been commissioned to build a model in my life I couldn't begin to advise you about what to charge!

 

Edit

I meant to say that in the UK most airliner modellers use automotive paint usually bought from a chain called Halfords.  There will be something similar in the USA. The "correct" colour of Boeing Gray is the subject of debate but the general view seems to be that it's very close to FS 16515, Canadian Voodoo Gray.  For natural metal many people use Alclad although I've never got on with it and much prefer AK Interactive Xtreme Metal

[Viking]

This would be a good TWA 707 to do. N51711 was a windowless freighter, but had window decals applied! 

If you look closely you can see that only the emergency exits have glazed windows in them. Perfect for us modellers.

 

Cheers

 

John

[Tony Edmundson]

a bit of help here;  

http://airlinercafe.com/page.php?id=72

 

[theplasticsurgeon]

This is a Minicraft model that I built in 2009. OOB and unmodified.

Wouldn't really like to comment on its accuracy, but it looks the part to me.

Edited December 11, 2017 by theplasticsurgeon
More info

[Lex77]

Phase Hangar has a resin replacement for the minicraft nose.

https://phasehangarresin.com/collections/72001-1-72/products/144001-boein-707-nose-correction-minicraft

[Skodadriver]

I'm pretty sure Phase Hangar is a reincarnation of Two Mikes.  If I'm right and that is the former Two Mikes casting it's superb.

 

Apologies if I sound a bit grumpy but it would be nice if the person who started this thread showed a little appreciation for the information and help he's been given.

[Paul J]

I used the Two Mikes resin for my CC-137 build from the Minicraft kit. Works a treat especially if kit nose is cut squarely!

[DDELK]

Thanks for all the great info.. I have been out of town on personal Family matters. I will surely take this info into consideration.. thanks Again,,

 

dave

[Eric Mc]

Hmm - "Family Matters" (with a  capital "F"). And you live in Vegas.

 

Are you a fan of "The Sopranos"?

 

Edited December 18, 2017 by Eric Mc

[bzn20]

On ‎10‎/‎12‎/‎2017 at 6:53 PM, Viking said:

TWA 707

Thanks for that link, never seen that before. A -320C (-331C)was a  convertible PAX to Cargo and Vicky verky. So I wonder if it ever was. BOAC (and BA) had a couple, -336Cs, 'SZF and 'SZG off the top of my head. They were used in both roles and even BOAC Cunard services.

[DDELK]

1 hour ago, Eric Mc said:

Hmm - "Family Matters" (with a  capital "F"). And you live in Vegas.

 

Are you a fan of "The Sopranos"?

 

Really!!

[Eric Mc]

Just joking.