Zvezda 1:144 Boeing 737-800 KLM 100 years livery

[Zulu Hotel Alpha]

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.

 

[tMikha]

Despite all the troubles you had to overcome, the result looks pretty nice. 
And the surface is really fantastic for brush-painted model.

 

Congratulations! 

[Skodadriver]

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

[MBM]

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

[Zulu Hotel Alpha]

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.

[Vesa Jussila]

Looks really impressive. Worth of all efforts.

[Zulu Hotel Alpha]

2 hours ago, Vesa Jussila said:

Looks really impressive. Worth of all efforts.

Thanks:)

[mitchem]

Well done for rescuing it and doing a great job in the process!  👍👍

 

Nothing wrong with wheels up.

 

mike

 

 

[busnproplinerfan]

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.

[Zulu Hotel Alpha]

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.

[Samuraiwarrior]

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 

[Zulu Hotel Alpha]

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

[Alex1978]

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