Zulu Hotel Alpha Posted August 29, 2022 Share Posted August 29, 2022 KLM 737-800 PH-BCA (Flamingo) Zvezda 1:144 scale model. Decals from Zvezda's original (UTair) + 26decal for KLM livery. I write with some trepidation as this was not the happiest of journeys for me. A kit was good but things didn't pan out as they were supposed to. This model was completed in over 6 months due to a number of complications, including time constraints as well as a crash ( the model fell from its storage cupboard) and broke a winglet and lost- broken into 3 pieces) its beautiful front undercarriage struts. I was distraught. Attempt to reconstruct failed the structure and I had to continue it in wheels up/ retracted position. Additionally, another disaster that I could not do much about as the warping due to adhesive. I had glued in a small battery in the inside (as a counterweight) which became unstuck after the crash. I had to saw off the cockpit section to re-glue the battery. I must have been overzealous with the glue (Revell Contacta) as over the next couple of days i observed a warped front fuselage (did not experience with my earlier two Revell models). The model is brush painted with Revell Aqua Colours (acrylic). For the fuselage, Light Blue 50 (closest match i could find in acrylic) and Light Grey Silk 371 (which seemed to me to be a closer match for the fuselage belly instead of white). I wanted to do some weathering but fear of another disaster took over, and I decided that this project needs to end some where! Decals were quite delicate at times for me (this is my third model) but managed not to destroy (most of) them. A little annoying issue for me was that for both the original Zvezda decals and 26Decals there were some stickers that were numbers on the decal sheet but I could not find on the diagram provided. Flying over PIA A320. 26 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tMikha Posted August 29, 2022 Share Posted August 29, 2022 Despite all the troubles you had to overcome, the result looks pretty nice. And the surface is really fantastic for brush-painted model. Congratulations! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skodadriver Posted August 29, 2022 Share Posted August 29, 2022 Very nice despite the misadventures. If it's any help I always use blu-tack to secure the nose weight. In 25 years of building airliners it's never caused me a problem. Dave G 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBM Posted August 29, 2022 Share Posted August 29, 2022 I feel you there with the accidents, I had several involving resin aftermarket wingtips (horrible quality) on two 1/144 Zvezda 767's! A really really nice build though despite everything that happened and as said above it is a lovely job with the brush painting you I wouldn't have noticed if you hadn't said so! Cheers, Mark 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zulu Hotel Alpha Posted August 30, 2022 Author Share Posted August 30, 2022 15 hours ago, MBM said: I feel you there with the accidents, I had several involving resin aftermarket wingtips (horrible quality) on two 1/144 Zvezda 767's! A really really nice build though despite everything that happened and as said above it is a lovely job with the brush painting you I wouldn't have noticed if you hadn't said so! Cheers, Mark Thanks... I attempt to adequately dilute the acrylic paint with water before applying. 16 hours ago, Skodadriver said: Very nice despite the misadventures. If it's any help I always use blu-tack to secure the nose weight. In 25 years of building airliners it's never caused me a problem. Dave G Thank you for your kind words. I will keep keep that in mind for the next attempt. I was afraid that bu-tak might detach after drying up. 17 hours ago, tMikha said: Despite all the troubles you had to overcome, the result looks pretty nice. And the surface is really fantastic for brush-painted model. Congratulations! Cheers! painting was the result of diluting appropriately and adequately with water and then applying a few layers. You guys produce beautiful models and get excellent results,. I wish i could only get half as good. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vesa Jussila Posted August 30, 2022 Share Posted August 30, 2022 Looks really impressive. Worth of all efforts. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zulu Hotel Alpha Posted August 30, 2022 Author Share Posted August 30, 2022 2 hours ago, Vesa Jussila said: Looks really impressive. Worth of all efforts. Thanks:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mitchem Posted August 30, 2022 Share Posted August 30, 2022 Well done for rescuing it and doing a great job in the process! 👍👍 Nothing wrong with wheels up. mike 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busnproplinerfan Posted August 30, 2022 Share Posted August 30, 2022 The model gods sure picked on you. Looks like to beat them down. I usually use steel shot balls or cut up wheel weights for the nose, I also superglue it in. My work just throws lead wheel weights in the garbage, so I figure I'm saving the odd piece. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zulu Hotel Alpha Posted August 31, 2022 Author Share Posted August 31, 2022 20 hours ago, mitchem said: Well done for rescuing it and doing a great job in the process! 👍👍 Nothing wrong with wheels up. mike You are correct regarding wheel being up. However, the the whole landing gear mechanism looked so cool, that once gone , it left me with an unsatisfied feeling while building it. However, kinds words here do help:) 20 hours ago, busnproplinerfan said: The model gods sure picked on you. Looks like to beat them down. I usually use steel shot balls or cut up wheel weights for the nose, I also superglue it in. My work just throws lead wheel weights in the garbage, so I figure I'm saving the odd piece. Thanks. I think i added a little too much glue that either directly caused the plastic to warp or caused the battery covering to melt/ react with the plastic. Anyway , one learns in the process and from good advice. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samuraiwarrior Posted August 31, 2022 Share Posted August 31, 2022 Hi, A really nice model. Despite all the problems you encountered, you still have a model to be proud of. As to brush painting an airliner, well takes it to another level. Well done. Thanks for sharing, Kevin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zulu Hotel Alpha Posted August 31, 2022 Author Share Posted August 31, 2022 15 minutes ago, Samuraiwarrior said: Hi, A really nice model. Despite all the problems you encountered, you still have a model to be proud of. As to brush painting an airliner, well takes it to another level. Well done. Thanks for sharing, Kevin Very kind of you- Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex1978 Posted September 2, 2022 Share Posted September 2, 2022 Great looking 737. Despite the troubles,you turned it into a beautiful model. I also like the KLM livery,not an easy one to get it symetrical,so 👍from me Thanks for sharing Alex 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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