zebra Posted June 30, 2020 Share Posted June 30, 2020 My second build in this GB is the Airfix 1/144 BAC 1-11. I built one of these when I was about 8 or 9, didn't paint it, but used the British Caledonian decals. This time it's going to be converted to a 1-11-500 and painted as G-AVMR of British Airways - this is a significant aircraft for me as it was the first jet I flew on, aged 7 - I'd flown on plenty of Viscounts at that age, but a jet flight was exciting for 7-year old me. Here's the kit: Not a lot of parts, and (as always seems to be the case) smaller than I remember. The Airfix kit is based on the prototype and will need a few changes to make it a 500: The main modifications are to add 18mm to the forward fuselage and 10.5mm to the rear fuselage, and 5mm to each wingtip. It also needs the nose cone reprofiling (it needs to be pointier), the wing fences need to be moved, and an APU exhaust needs to be added to the tail cone. And probably a couple of other mods. Started yesterday by cutting the fuselage up: Then put some rolled-up plastic card in the gaps and applied suplerglue. Then I realised I'd made possibly the most ridiculous modelling mistake ever: That's right, it's the BACwards 1-11! Cut apart again, centre section turned the right way around, stuck together and milliputed and here's how it looks now: Also filled the windows. I'm sure there were windows in the kit 30 odd years ago, but not in this boxing. I'll do the nose job next, then on to the wings. more tomorrow Julian 18 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graeme H Posted June 30, 2020 Share Posted June 30, 2020 liking this 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romeo Alpha Yankee Posted June 30, 2020 Share Posted June 30, 2020 Me too, maybe you could have left the fuselage as is and built a FSW BAC1-11 A good start for one who worked on the RAAF ones in a past life. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jinxman Posted June 30, 2020 Share Posted June 30, 2020 I like it - some heavy duty modelling going on. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterB Posted June 30, 2020 Share Posted June 30, 2020 Hi Julian, Built this not long after it came out - British United markings I think. Like you I was surprised how small the original version was. Should look good. Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted June 30, 2020 Share Posted June 30, 2020 That is some serious modelling right from the start! A great start and I can tell that this is going to be an interesting build to watch. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted June 30, 2020 Share Posted June 30, 2020 Great project Z,I think I might have had a go at their 737 but never this one. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Posted June 30, 2020 Share Posted June 30, 2020 My aunt and uncle lived in Willington near Bedford in the 1970s and 80s and the RAE 1-11 in its distinctive yellow colour scheme could often be seen operating out of Thurleigh. There must have been an approach that crossed the village as it often flew over the house low, loud and gear down. I remember the extended exhaust silencers being particularly apparent. There was an article on building that particular aircraft in an Airfix Magazine Annual, if I'm remembering correctly. The only version of this kit I ever built was one in the original markings - British United? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zebra Posted July 1, 2020 Author Share Posted July 1, 2020 A bit more cleaning up and some Milliput on the nose: Also started on the wings, but only got as far as sticking them together and adding some filler. more tomorrow Julian 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jo NZ Posted July 1, 2020 Share Posted July 1, 2020 Flew in a Dan Dare version in 1978 or thereabouts. Approaching Lagos (Portugal) there was a Caledonian Tristar (?) that sneaked in front, causing the pilot to abort. After what I can only describe as a lazy eight we landed on the runway with the (not very strong) wind. Recent ex Bomber Command pilot, lots of white knuckles, kids vomiting etc. I really enjoyed it, especially the curved approach ! 2 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted July 1, 2020 Share Posted July 1, 2020 A nice bit of filling and re-shaping there, great work. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdrianMF Posted July 1, 2020 Share Posted July 1, 2020 Brave admission of your mistake! Nicely fixed though and it's looking good in its prime-sand-prime stage! Regards, Adrian 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dansk Posted July 1, 2020 Share Posted July 1, 2020 Nice work Julian, especially considering the tiny size! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zebra Posted July 1, 2020 Author Share Posted July 1, 2020 3 hours ago, AdrianMF said: Brave admission of your mistake! Sometimes you just have to own your stuff-ups! I actually remember thinking "better make sure I don't stick this in the wrong way round" just after I'd cut up the fuselage. And then went and did exactly that. And got as far as photographing it to share with everyone on BM, and then starting with the Milliput, before I had that "hang on a minute" moment! 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zebra Posted July 2, 2020 Author Share Posted July 2, 2020 Nose re-profiling done. A while ago I was contemplating buying the two-six resin replacement nose - it wasn't available so I forgot about it - but doing it with Milliput is pretty straightforward. I've also added the APU exhaust - this was originally part of a spare exhaust from an Eduard Spitfire. All looks ok under primer - think I can move on from the fuselage now. I've made some progress on the wings - wingtip extensions done, and I've removed the wing fences and started reprofiling the flap track fairings. I think this is my favourite kind of modelling. I'm finding state of the art kits that go together easily pretty dull at the moment - 6 of the 7 builds I've finished so far this year have been conversions and I don't think I've enjoyed my modelling this much in ages. more tomorrow Julian 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jinxman Posted July 2, 2020 Share Posted July 2, 2020 That looks very good - you are making it all look effortless! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted July 2, 2020 Share Posted July 2, 2020 That really does look very nice indeed Julian. Glad that you're enjoying the build, we're enjoying watching it go together. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zebra Posted July 3, 2020 Author Share Posted July 3, 2020 Flap trap fairing extensions added and reprofiled, and I've added wing fences - just need to clean them up and get the shape right. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted July 3, 2020 Share Posted July 3, 2020 Nice work on the wings Julian, a big improvement. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dansk Posted July 3, 2020 Share Posted July 3, 2020 Looking great Julian. Is the fuselage like 2,5 cm diameter or so judging by the cutting mat grid? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zebra Posted July 3, 2020 Author Share Posted July 3, 2020 1 hour ago, Dansk said: Looking great Julian. Is the fuselage like 2,5 cm diameter or so judging by the cutting mat grid? Thanks Dansk - yes that would be about the right size - it's a pretty small model Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dansk Posted July 3, 2020 Share Posted July 3, 2020 53 minutes ago, zebra said: Thanks Dansk - yes that would be about the right size - it's a pretty small model Absolutely amazing work for that size on the wings 👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdrianMF Posted July 4, 2020 Share Posted July 4, 2020 Looking good in primer. It still looks pretty short even after the extensions! Regards, Adrian 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zebra Posted July 4, 2020 Author Share Posted July 4, 2020 Wings cleaned up and engines on. The pylons don't fit all that well - if I was designing the kit the join wouldn't be in the middle of the pylon - so I'm using Milliput to fix them up. Should get the wings on and maybe even start painting tomorrow. cheers Julian 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zebra Posted July 5, 2020 Author Share Posted July 5, 2020 Engines cleaned up, wings and tailplanes attached, and a coat of Mr Surfacer: cheers Julian 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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