BluesModeller Posted June 15, 2020 Share Posted June 15, 2020 (edited) Following on from my A319 build it’s time to go up in size just a little... This is the new A321neo kit from Revell. Unlike the new A320neo Revell kit this one has an undercarriage and I’m hoping they release a version of that kit with an undercarriage but I’ll eventually build it even if it has to be on a stand. This kit comes in the Airbus ‘house’ / prototype livery which is fine but my set was damaged in transit and Revell never did send out a replacement. Having a look around I came across a nice set from Nazca Decals for the Azores Airlines livery. You can choose from three different options nd I went with this one: https://www.nazca-decals.com/html/azores_magical.htm Not sure about the big QR Code thing but otherwise quite clean and shouldn’t present too many issues. As the particular aircraft I’m modelling is the long range variant it has a different door / window layout I will need to fill the two inside doors but that’s about it. Authentic Airliners do the 3D window decals for this but placing after-market windows over the top of aftermarket windows doesn’t fill me with joy. The Nazca decals don’t appear to be plain black voids so I may compromise and order just the AA cockpit decal set when it’s back in stock. I’ll see about that when the Nazca one’s arrive in a few weeks. This is the aircraft I’ll be doing: Azores A321neo ‘Magical’ This will be the long range version of the neo. Here’s what’s in the kit: Hopefully I can do this one faster than the A319! Edited June 30, 2020 by BluesModeller 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluesModeller Posted June 15, 2020 Author Share Posted June 15, 2020 Did a dry fit of the major parts before bed. Fit is good for the most part but the cockpit windows fit could be better. Also, part of one of the engine exhausts was slightly bent. I went to gently bend it back into place and it snapped. Will have to see if I can repair it or whether I can use the part from the other set of engines. Not the most visible piece even if I have to do a rough repair. Another thing to note is the engraving on the wings is very fine so I’ll need to be careful not to obliterate it with paint. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted June 16, 2020 Share Posted June 16, 2020 Looking forward to the build! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluesModeller Posted June 20, 2020 Author Share Posted June 20, 2020 (edited) Was hoping to be a little further along with this but life - as it so often does - got in the way. It wasn’t entirely without creative endeavour as I made this papier-mâché volcano with my 5 year old to show his teachers. With that and other things out the way I got some time to sit down and do some modelling. Windows installed and the little cockpit glued together. Given the not so great fit of the cockpit window It won’t be seen although I was always planning on painting over it and using decals but it’ll help with structural strength. All cemented in and I’m happy to report the fit is just fine. The kit asks for 10g of weight so I used some 5min epoxy to glue in a couple of 20 pence coins. All buttoned up. No real issues with the fit but a little care should be taken to make sure the two halves are properly lined up with each other as there was a couple of areas where it didn’t want to. Edited June 20, 2020 by BluesModeller 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluesModeller Posted June 21, 2020 Author Share Posted June 21, 2020 A little more work done... The two halves of the wings have been glued together. Really don’t like the way the flap track fairings are joined together in this kit. Most of the fairing is moulded on the bottom half and a little tab on the top half makes up the rest. Each one needed clamping down but thankfully I had some little pegs that did the trick for the most part. The inside ones needed a little extra clamping power. some filling and reshaping will be needed on these. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graeme H Posted June 21, 2020 Share Posted June 21, 2020 I'm in 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluesModeller Posted June 25, 2020 Author Share Posted June 25, 2020 (edited) All the way from Germany in one piece. Right up to the door at which point the postman decides to ignore the obvious ‘Do not bend’ message!!!!!! Edit: The decals are intact thankfully. Edited June 25, 2020 by BluesModeller 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluesModeller Posted June 30, 2020 Author Share Posted June 30, 2020 (edited) Lots of filling and sanding... Mostly because I always put too much on the joins and make more work for myself, however the cockpit window / roof needed a a fair bit not only to hide the join but blend the part into the rest of the fuselage. It isn’t terrible but the fit could certainly be a lot better. Also removed the two inside doors as this particular aircraft has a different configuration than the original A321neo prototype. I filled the windows with the included clear window strips and then applied filler to make it all completely smooth for decals. In all honesty I prefer rolling up a sausage of Milliput and pushing it through then sanding any excess. Again, this is probably a result of applying a little too much filler. On the other hand, when I don’t it never seems to fill the gap properly. Also had to use a hair dryer to straighten out the tail fin which had both a lean and slight twist. It isn’t perfect but I can live with it. Not sure why Revell made the rudder a separate piece. The rudder sits a little high so needs a little work. 30 seconds with a sanding stick and all is good. Still a little more work to do to smooth out the front edge of the wings and in particular the wing box to the fuselage. Oh and glue one of the aerials / masts back on!!! Hopefully I can get a coat of primer on it tomorrow and see what needs further work. Does anyone have any experience with Nazca Decals? How do the hold up to use of Micro Sol / Set. I know they’ll need careful cutting being laser printed but any other precautions? Anyways... So far, so standard. Edited June 30, 2020 by BluesModeller 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCI Posted June 30, 2020 Share Posted June 30, 2020 44 minutes ago, BluesModeller said: Lots of filling and sanding... Mostly because I always put too much on the joins and make more work for myself, however the cockpit window / roof needed a a fair bit not only to hide the join but blend the part into the rest of the fuselage. It isn’t terrible but the fit could certainly be a lot better. Also removed the two inside doors as this particular aircraft has a different configuration than the original A321neo prototype. I filled the windows with the included clear window strips and then applied filler to make it all completely smooth for decals. In all honesty I prefer rolling up a sausage of Milliput and pushing it through then sanding any excess. Again, this is probably a result of applying a little too much filler. On the other hand, when I don’t it never seems to fill the gap properly. Also had to use a hair dryer to straighten out the tail fin which had both a lean and slight twist. It isn’t perfect but I can live with it. Not sure why Revell made the rudder a separate piece. The rudder sits a little high so needs a little work. 30 seconds with a sanding stick and all is good. Still a little more work to do to smooth out the front edge of the wings and in particular the wing box to the fuselage. Oh and glue one of the aerials / masts back on!!! Hopefully I can get a coat of primer on it tomorrow and see what needs further work. Does anyone have any experience with Nazca Decals? How do the hold up to use of Micro Sol / Set. I know they’ll need careful cutting being laser printed but any other precautions? Anyways... So far, so standard. solutions usually have less or no effect on laser printed decals...the Micro Set or the tamiya adhesive soft can be applied between surface and decal, but in generell most solutions being on top do not have a strong effect. the best results will be achieved with a simple hairdryer. Heat is the formula for laser decals...obviously not too much/too long i did this with thick f-dcal laser decals and 26 laser decals and it works awesome, actually better than any solvent...but that was on resin, which only bends and doesnt melt. so be careful 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluesModeller Posted June 30, 2020 Author Share Posted June 30, 2020 3 minutes ago, RCI said: solutions usually have less or no effect on laser printed decals...the Micro Set or the tamiya adhesive soft can be applied between surface and decal, but in generell most solutions being on top do not have a strong effect. the best results will be achieved with a simple hairdryer. Heat is the formula for laser decals...obviously not too much/too long i did this with thick f-dcal laser decals and 26 laser decals and it works awesome, actually better than any solvent...but that was on resin, which only bends and doesnt melt. so be careful Thanks for the tip RCI! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluesModeller Posted July 1, 2020 Author Share Posted July 1, 2020 (edited) Possibly for the first time ever I managed to make a self imposed deadline! Outside at half past eight with the light going and the constant threat of rain I managed to get the model primed. As expected there are a few areas that need more attention but so far so good. Little bit of work to do on the cockpit window and a little more sanding needed on some seams but nothing more than a few swipes with a sanding stick. Probably the biggest job will be reinstating / deepening some of the panel lines but again nothing too major. I have a new scriber on the way tomorrow and some Dymo(?) embossing tape. I do have the Tamiya scriber but the spare blades never seemed to work as well as the first one that was in it. The new one is the Squadron scriber. Hopefully get a coat of white gloss on her in the next couple of days. The weather may scupper my plans for the foreseeable future. Once I do get a coat of white on it then I’ll start on the engines whilst it cures. Mike Edited July 1, 2020 by BluesModeller 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luis pacheco Posted January 9, 2021 Share Posted January 9, 2021 Going well. I already have flown in one of the Azores Airlines´s NEO. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluesModeller Posted January 10, 2021 Author Share Posted January 10, 2021 4 hours ago, luis pacheco said: Going well. I already have flown in one of the Azores Airlines´s NEO. Thank you Luis! I can’t believe I haven’t updated this in over 6 months.... Well, 2020 was a funny old year wasn’t it?! 😬 I did get a coat of white on it. It sat for a few weeks and even then the Tamiya tape etched itself into the paint. I have rescued it without having to strip it but it could be neater. Time to crack on with this build methinks. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluesModeller Posted January 25, 2021 Author Share Posted January 25, 2021 Things are starting to move along at a decent pace again. The main fuselage and wings are finished. All I need to do with that is a gloss coat and decals. All other parts are into the painting stage so it feels like I can see the light at the end of the tunnel with this build. Couple more weeks or so and it should be done. In some less than good news... Struggling to see what I’m doing at least when it comes down to finer details. My eyesight was perfect about 3 - 4 years ago then declined a little to the point I was wearing reading glasses. I’m over 40 so wasn’t to worried. Had an eye test 6 months ago to get some proper prescription glasses and my eyes where given a clean bill of health. 6 months later and they’re getting worse. Hoping it’s a something and nothing and Imdon’t have to worry about whether I can carry on this hobby or not. Will see at the weekend when I have another test. Anyhow, here are some updated pictures. A few niggles and silly mistakes as usual but nothing that is bugging me too much. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluesModeller Posted February 13, 2021 Author Share Posted February 13, 2021 Decalling has begun! The Nazca decals are slightly out size wise and a pain in the backside to fit around the wing root. Came close to giving up on them but they are tough decals and stood up to repeated prodding and poking. There is some distortion of the decals that I’m slightly annoyed with but in all honesty I’m just glad they are on. I have the Authentic Airliners decals which I was going to place over the Nazca windows but they are smaller so I’m not sure that would work. The Nazca ones aren’t black blobs and have a minor bit of detail. I will use the AA decal for the cockpit window. Unfortunately, I have yet again had an issue with a leather like ‘crazed’ finish developing on the the fuselage after applying the Humbrol Clear gloss. It seems to be reacting with the Halfords Appliance White even though it cured months ago. Happened on my A319 build too. Thankfully it doesn’t show in the pictures and can’t be seen with the naked eye except with magnifiers on and a harsh light pointed at it. Engines are half done. Just need decent weather to spray them and curing time. Almost tempted to airbrush them white as I don’t think the subtle difference in white shades will be noticed. On the home stretch! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluesModeller Posted February 13, 2021 Author Share Posted February 13, 2021 I have decals to place on those winglets. Should I paint that area white or put a white decal on before applying the Nazca decals or will I get away with applying them straight to the light grey colour? They are translucent being laser decals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbofan Posted February 13, 2021 Share Posted February 13, 2021 Hi Mike, Great job masking the coroguard on the wings it's quite fiddly on the A320 family. With regard to the winglet decals, I would either paint white or apply over a white decal otherwise the colours in the laser decal might come out too dark. The engines appear to be the same white as the fuselage but the pylons are definitely Airbus grey and I think it would be noticeable if they were painted white. Don't forget as there are overwing exits there needs to be overwing escape markings which I don't think are included on the Nazca decal sheet. https://www.airteamimages.com/pics/367/367718_800.jpg I can send you some screen printed ones if you like as I've got stacks of spares. Looking good and as you say on the home stretch! Cheers, Ian 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluesModeller Posted February 14, 2021 Author Share Posted February 14, 2021 1 hour ago, Turbofan said: Hi Mike, Great job masking the coroguard on the wings it's quite fiddly on the A320 family. With regard to the winglet decals, I would either paint white or apply over a white decal otherwise the colours in the laser decal might come out too dark. The engines appear to be the same white as the fuselage but the pylons are definitely Airbus grey and I think it would be noticeable if they were painted white. Don't forget as there are overwing exits there needs to be overwing escape markings which I don't think are included on the Nazca decal sheet. https://www.airteamimages.com/pics/367/367718_800.jpg I can send you some screen printed ones if you like as I've got stacks of spares. Looking good and as you say on the home stretch! Cheers, Ian Thanks Ian! None on the Nazca or stock kit decal sheets. I might have some spares from a previous build but I suspect they’ll be too short. I’ll get back to you on that tomorrow. That’s a nice overhead shot. It’s made me realise my coroguard is too dark. I suspected it was but now I realise how much. But, I’m going to live with it I think. I’ve also placed the ‘Azores’ lettering on the tail in the wrong spot. I followed the Nazca printout instead of referencing the photos. Annoying as I’d spent a while looking at photos for the main ‘Magical’ section of the decal. A minor detail, cough, cough! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluesModeller Posted February 22, 2021 Author Share Posted February 22, 2021 That’s all the Nazca decals on save for the engine cowlings. Also a big thanks to Turbofan for making me a set of over wing exit markings as none come with the kit or the Nazca set. This shouldn’t be too much longer... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbofan Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 38 minutes ago, BluesModeller said: Also a big thanks to Turbofan for making me a set of over wing exit markings You're welcome Mike! I'm glad they fit! Cheers, Ian 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluesModeller Posted March 18, 2021 Author Share Posted March 18, 2021 Not had much time for modelling recently but I’ve managed to get the decalling done. Just final assembly and a gloss coat in the next day or two. some of the decals are missing off the sheet whilst others are wrongly numbered. Sloppy from Revell. The decals themselves as well as the Nazca ones have been excellent though. Pretty much time to wrap up this WIP. I’ll post the finished model and a link to it in the next day or two. Thanks for viewing! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluesModeller Posted March 22, 2021 Author Share Posted March 22, 2021 The completed model can be found here: 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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