1/72nd scale Boeing 747

[tomprobert]

Afternoon all,

 

This is a build from about 10 years ago - the Aircraft in Miniature vacuform Boeing 747-300. I had it out of the loft today as it needed some repairs and I thought I'd take some up to date pictures that hadn't been sabotaged by the Photobucket debacle.

 

This is a vacuform model that comes as a basic shell - it was fully scribed and wheel bays scratch-built. The decals were from DrawDecal and paints were from Halfords. I had the KLM blue custom-mixed to match the crown on the tail. The kit provides white metal landing gear as well as resin intakes and exhaust cones which makes life a lot easier. I think it took about 4 months from start to finish and was pretty straightforward, apart from the size. 

 

I finished it as one of KLM's 747-306 Combis from the mid-1990s.

 

S1030348 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

S1030350 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

S1030351 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

S1030355 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

S1030357 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

S1030359 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

S1030362 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

S1030367 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

S1030369 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

S1030371 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

S1030375 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

S1030381 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

In this picture you can see I've placed a 12"/30cm rule to show the size... it's HUGE.

 

S1030383 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

Regards to all,

Tom

[Abandoned Project]

Looking good after all these years.

Thanks for sharing.

[Paulaero]

That looks excellent, given the very basic starting parts you had.

[At Sea]

Wow!

[Turbofan]

Hi Tom,

I remember this from first time around, oh dear was that really 10 years ago!? Still just as impressive but would look even more so with some photo real cockpit and cabin windows. I wonder if Werner at AA Decals would be able to print you off a 1/72 set?

Seems a pity to keep it in the loft but then again where else would it fit!!

Cheers,

Ian

[busnproplinerfan]

I'd love to build one of these in 1/72. This one looks great for being in storage, still flyable. What is the span of the tailplane? I might have a case that would fit one but that measurement is needed.

[tomprobert]

1 hour ago, Turbofan said:

Hi Tom,

I remember this from first time around, oh dear was that really 10 years ago!? Still just as impressive but would look even more so with some photo real cockpit and cabin windows. I wonder if Werner at AA Decals would be able to print you off a 1/72 set?

Seems a pity to keep it in the loft but then again where else would it fit!!

Cheers,

Ian

Yup - time flies.

Agreed about the cockpit and windows. At the time the AA decals didn't exist so didn't really have much option. I'm in the early stages of doing the same company's DC-10 and have started making a flightdeck for that as the cockpit windows are massive in 1/72nd scale. 

56 minutes ago, busnproplinerfan said:

I'd love to build one of these in 1/72. This one looks great for being in storage, still flyable. What is the span of the tailplane? I might have a case that would fit one but that measurement is needed.

Not sure what the span is to be honest as it's now back in the loft and out of reach. I'd estimate the tailplane span is somewhere between 8"- 10". And yes it has aged well, and I think the automotive paints are the secret to that.

[RMCS]

Superb 

[Sturmovik]

Really nice looking airliner.

[Shorty84]

Very nice build 👍

[SAT69]

Masterfully built. I like the grime around the cargo door area making that area look well used. You're a craftsman, to be sure.

[woody37]

What a beast! It looks like you've just finished it, you must have a clean loft! Cracking build, hard to believe it's a vac form 🧐

[fjaweijfopi4j48]

Excellent job!

Must a beast in 1/72!

Vac, airliner, what's not to love!

Cheers

[Michael51]

unbelievably high quality work

 

excellent!

 

Your skills are light years beyond mine,

 

Michael

[phildagreek]

Very impressive, that doesn’t deserve to be hidden away.

[Lord Riot]

Awesome, in every way! The size of that thing is amazing; I remember having a 1/72 B-52 as a kid and that was big enough. This would need its own room! Beautiful looking Jumbo.

Edited May 30, 2020 by Lord Riot

[Bangseat]

Just wonderful! It must be great to say, "72nd Jumbo- yup, done that." I dream of having one of these built up, but I fear I would need to do structural work to the house just to get it in and out of the loft. 

 

The scary thing is certain airliners (obviously A380, but also certain variants of A340, A350, 777) would be even bigger..🤩

[tomprobert]

11 hours ago, woody37 said:

What a beast! It looks like you've just finished it, you must have a clean loft! Cracking build, hard to believe it's a vac form 🧐

Hi Neil. My loft is remarkably dust-free which is a massive bonus.

4 hours ago, Moa said:

Excellent job!

Must a beast in 1/72!

Vac, airliner, what's not to love!

Cheers

High praise from you, Moa - thanks! And yes, it mahoosive.

3 hours ago, phildagreek said:

Very impressive, that doesn’t deserve to be hidden away.

Unfortunately it's the only option. It's so big there's no chance of displaying it downstairs - plus the wife may have a few things to say if I tried to balance it on the coffee table... 

2 hours ago, Bangseat said:

The scary thing is certain airliners (obviously A380, but also certain variants of A340, A350, 777) would be even bigger..🤩

Indeed - there's a 1/72nd 777-300ER scheduled for release at some point in the not too distant future (Big Scale Planes/Kits?) with my name written all over it. That'll be longer than the 747 so will have trouble smuggling that past the missus.

 

Take care all,

Tom