Viking Posted May 16, 2020 Share Posted May 16, 2020 Airfix Boeing 707 1/144 26 Decals - Air Mauritius I've got three of the ancient Airfix 707's in the stash, but what to do with them? They are the Conway engined -436 version not used by very many airlines. Browsing the 26 Decals website I came across this laser decal sheet which really appealed to me. It covers two ex- British Airways 707's, G-APFD and G-ARWD. I chose G-ARWD, originally delivered to British Eagle and sister ship to the ill fated G-ARWE. The kit originates from 1963 and has a number of areas for improvement. In no particular order: The nose is way too narrow, I shimmed it by about 5mm to fatten it, and fitted a Daco clear cockpit section. I've been using these on Airfix Airliners, and done several 737s and a 727 with them. The 707 can now be added to that list. The talfin is too short, I raised it by about 10mm The engines are horrible. I widened the intakes (which made a huge improvement) and sanded them to a better shape. All raised panel lines sanded off an rescribed I made one or two other improvements, but this has been lurking on my work bench for about a year, as I worked on it slowly, It always seemed to need filling or sanding, so was never the favourite when I got a bit of bench time! Anyway, I got there in the end it is now finished. I'm not in any hurry to start the other two just yet. With something else, its' rival the DC-8, also using 26 Decals. Thanks for looking. John 45 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pagey Posted May 16, 2020 Share Posted May 16, 2020 Lovely clean build. Nice 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skodadriver Posted May 16, 2020 Share Posted May 16, 2020 Hi John What a beauty! I wouldn't have guessed it was the Airfix kit if you hadn't said so. You certainly know how to get the best out of the Airfix oldies. It's been a while since I looked at an Airfix 707 but I think it suffers from my biggest modelling pet hate - wings split on the upper surface. Well done for such an impeccable natural metal finish on the wings which must have involved a great deal of filling, sanding and re-scribing. Inspirational as always. Dave G 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abandoned Project Posted May 16, 2020 Share Posted May 16, 2020 That is really stunning. You can't tell there's been major surgery on the nose. Amazing, well done. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAT69 Posted May 16, 2020 Share Posted May 16, 2020 A beautiful build of an old kit. You're clearly a modeler. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMCS Posted May 16, 2020 Share Posted May 16, 2020 Fantastic 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael301757 Posted May 16, 2020 Share Posted May 16, 2020 Absolutely marvellous,great job on an old classic and lovely old style cheat line livery. well done. Cheers Michael. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woody37 Posted May 16, 2020 Share Posted May 16, 2020 That's lovely John, great scheme and as usual, superbly finished 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbofan Posted May 16, 2020 Share Posted May 16, 2020 Hi John, Splendid! I remember this kit from my early modelling days! I've got to agree with everyone else you've done a great job on this old kit which I have, for many years now, thought was totally unsuitable to represent a 707. I'm beginning to think there might still be some life left in it though and, although your Daco clear cockpit section massively improves the cockpit area, wonder if a Two Mikes resin replacement nose might work too? Widening the engine intakes makes such a difference and I love your wing work they really look the part. I've had this 707 livery on my to do list for a while as it takes me back to the top floor of car park 2 at Heathrow where you could get a great view over the apron where they used to park. It really brings back some memories for me! Any ideas what livery you'll finish the other two in when you get around to it? Cheers, Ian 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Challenger350Pilot Posted May 16, 2020 Share Posted May 16, 2020 Beautiful build, John...of such a vintage kit. I remember building this one as a kid. Wasn't until much later that I realized that the kit is terribly inaccurate and requires a lot of re shaping. You’ve done a cracking job of building her up beautifully! And I love the livery...makes the old 707 look properly dressed and eye-catching. I have to agree with Dave...you really do get the best out of the Airfix oldies! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wulfman Posted May 17, 2020 Share Posted May 17, 2020 Truly great job on the old Airfix kit, excellent modelling ! Wulfman 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ad-4N Posted May 17, 2020 Share Posted May 17, 2020 Fantastic job on the nose. How did Airfix botch that soooooooooo badly? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted May 17, 2020 Share Posted May 17, 2020 The result of your work is splendid, good that you kept going, it's a very beautiful model. Cheers 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Riot Posted May 17, 2020 Share Posted May 17, 2020 Gorgeous 707 and exactly the result I'm aiming for with mine! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viking Posted May 20, 2020 Author Share Posted May 20, 2020 On 16/05/2020 at 23:54, Turbofan said: I've had this 707 livery on my to do list for a while as it takes me back to the top floor of car park 2 at Heathrow where you could get a great view over the apron where they used to park. It really brings back some memories for me! Any ideas what livery you'll finish the other two in when you get around to it? Cheers, Ian Hi Ian, I remember spotting from car park 2 at Heathrow, maybe were there at the same time all those years ago! I have an AA resin 707 which will probably get either Liveries Unlimited Pan AM or TWA markings. The Airfix ones I have a set of 26 Decals BOAC for. Then again the AA kit might get the BOAC decals.... Decisions, decisions! Cheers John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Epeeman Posted May 20, 2020 Share Posted May 20, 2020 Really impressed John that this is the old Airfix kit I remember when I was a kid. All these airliner models makes me sigh wondering when we will all getting back on one for a foreign holiday ............. What's next on your bench? I've just starting Eduard's limited edition kit of the Hanriot HD1 in Italian markings - most likely my last WW1 bird for a while as I am saving my last WNW (Sopwith Pup reissue) kit for a while. Regards Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbofan Posted May 20, 2020 Share Posted May 20, 2020 3 hours ago, Viking said: Decisions, decisions! Yes I know, there are so many 707 liveries I could model! Cheers, Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stringbag Posted May 20, 2020 Share Posted May 20, 2020 That has certainly turned out well John. and as others have said, it's nice to see these oldies being built, especially when done to such a high standard. Sorry I've only just spotted your threat otherwise I would have responded earlier. Chris. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluesModeller Posted May 20, 2020 Share Posted May 20, 2020 A lot of hard work has paid off. That’s a cracking model John and I particularly love the look of the wings! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kapam Posted May 22, 2020 Share Posted May 22, 2020 A cracking replica! Great work on such an elderly kit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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