3 x 1/144 BA 727's in 'What If' Utopia Liveries

[Back in the Saddle]

Welcome to my first RFI of 2023!

 

These models were all built last year, but I have only just got around to posting an RFI - sorry!

 

The aim of this project was to produce some custom decals for the 727, depicting various different British Airways 'Utopia' liveries. This build was not about the models, which are a mixture of 2 x Airfix 727-200's and 1 x Revell 727-100. I have made these completely OOB with no enhancements, so they are quite basic and still have any inherent faults that originally came with these kits. Every single decal is custom designed, including the windows, windscreens, BA titles and the artwork on the tails.

 

As is the custom for a 'what if' build, a little back story. Some artistic license is required...!

 

After BA acquired Dan Air in 1992, they became the new owners of a fleet of 727 aircraft. Five years later during BA's rebranding, these aircraft were repainted into three 'Utopia' liveries, representing Scotland, South Africa and Egypt. The build thread is here if you want to see how these decals were designed and produced.

 

Time for the photos! I'll start with G-LGWA, a 727-200 in the Scottish 'Benyhone' livery designed by Peter MacDonald, which was the first of the three models to get produced. It was also the most difficult, with a very complex design on the fin:

 

 

 

 

 

The next model was another 727-200, this time in the South African 'Ndebele' livery by Emmly Masanbo and registered G-LGWB:

 

 

 

 

 

 

The third model to get designed was a 727-100. Having a shorter fuselage and doors in different places required a new set of decals for the fuselage too. This model is depicted in the Egyptian 'Crossing Borders' livery by Chant Avedissian and wears the registration G-LGWC:

 

 

 

 

Finally, just for fun, I thought I would use Photoshop on this project for one final time to see how these aircraft might have looked in BA publicity shots for the new livery:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As ever, comments and critique are welcome. Hope you enjoy the pictures!

 

[Chrisj2003]

Matt, lovely WHIF models and the photoshopped images could pass for real if posted on a non-modelling forum. Dan-air for me was always Newcastle to Gatwick shuttles with BAe 146 orbiting central London, never flew in their 727, and that’s all some time ago. 
 

Chris

[Terry1954]

Beautiful looking 727's Matt. Many years ago, as a somewhat nerdy "spotter" I recall seeing many Dan Air 727's plying their trade in and out of Gatwick. Who knows, I may have seen one or two of these for real!

 

The Revell 100 series looks neat. I've dabbled with the Airfix 727's over the years, but never the Revell one.

 

Terry

[Vince1159]

Beautiful job,love the Tartan the only one missing is my favourite,'Chelsea Rose'...

[Matt W]

These are great, lovely decals & great photography. Comair in South Africa actually operated a number of 727s in some of these colour schemes as a BA subsidiary back in the 1990s. 

[Back in the Saddle]

9 hours ago, Chrisj2003 said:

Matt, lovely WHIF models and the photoshopped images could pass for real if posted on a non-modelling forum.

Thank you!

 

8 hours ago, Terry1954 said:

Beautiful looking 727's Matt. Many years ago, as a somewhat nerdy "spotter" I recall seeing many Dan Air 727's plying their trade in and out of Gatwick. Who knows, I may have seen one or two of these for real!

 

The Revell 100 series looks neat. I've dabbled with the Airfix 727's over the years, but never the Revell one.

Cheers Terry.👍

The -100 series came ready built (I just had to attach the wings), so I can’t really comment on its buildability…!

 

8 hours ago, Vince1159 said:

Beautiful job,love the Tartan the only one missing is my favourite,'Chelsea Rose'...

Thanks Vince. If it’s ‘Chelsea Rose’ you’re after, check out my 767 build. It should be an RFI soon and is finished in that scheme.🙂

 

6 hours ago, Matt W said:

These are great, lovely decals & great photography. Comair in South Africa actually operated a number of 727s in some of these colour schemes as a BA subsidiary back in the 1990s. 

Thanks Matt. The Comair jet were partly the inspiration for this build.

[Skodadriver]

As I've said before, WHIF isn't really my thing but that's a brilliant collection. I suppose it's inevitable that as a fellow Scot Benyhone is my favourite but they're all excellent.

 

I must admit to a soft spot for the Revell 727. Despite its age and slightly "chubby" appearance it scrubs up well and is a lot easier to find than the Airfix 727-100.

 

Dave G

 

 

[Alex1978]

Great collection of 727s.

Those liveries really suits the 727.

 

Superb photography,looks like the real thing.

 

Alex

[Back in the Saddle]

On 17/01/2023 at 19:21, Skodadriver said:

As I've said before, WHIF isn't really my thing but that's a brilliant collection. I suppose it's inevitable that as a fellow Scot Benyhone is my favourite but they're all excellent.

 

I must admit to a soft spot for the Revell 727. Despite its age and slightly "chubby" appearance it scrubs up well and is a lot easier to find than the Airfix 727-100.

Thanks Dave, very kind of you to say so and I’m pleased you like them. ‘Benyhone’ is my favourite of the three and the one that took the longest to produce - I put quite a few hours into designing that one! By comparison, ‘South Africa’ was the quickest to design, only taking a couple of hours.

 

I never had the pleasure of building the Revell kit, as it was donated by @DMC when he was disposing of his models. I might have to pick one up and add a fourth 727 to the collection - it gives me an excuse to maybe make a ‘Chelsea Rose’ for @Vince1159!
 

On 17/01/2023 at 19:51, Alex1978 said:

Great collection of 727s.

Those liveries really suits the 727.

 

Superb photography,looks like the real thing.

Thanks Alex. I thought I would try something different this time, so superimposed some suitable backgrounds.🙂

 

 

 

[Fritag]

Wow.  You really have cracked the production and application of gorgeous decals Matt.  And beautifully neat work on the 727s.

 

Oh and those photos with the photoshopped backgrounds are utterly delightful.  Fabulous.

[Samuraiwarrior]

Beautiful models and beautifully presented. 

Inspiring..... 

Thanks for sharing 

Kevin 

[Viking]

They all look great, Benyhone definitely my favourite. I love the 'in  flight shots too!

 

Cheers

 

John

[corsaircorp]

Well done Matt !!

I really like the in flight pics...

Sincerely.

CC

[AdrianMF]

I like 'em all three but I am quite taken with the Egyptian one.

 

Regards,

Adrian

[Bertie McBoatface]

Beautiful models of a very elegant aircraft. The liveries really suit the shape of the bird.

[Back in the Saddle]

I owe several apologies for not replying to the later comments on this thread - no excuses, I completely forgot to do it… Sorry everybody!

 

On 20/01/2023 at 06:19, Fritag said:

Wow.  You really have cracked the production and application of gorgeous decals Matt.  And beautifully neat work on the 727s.

 

Oh and those photos with the photoshopped backgrounds are utterly delightful.  Fabulous.

The production is gradually improving, but the 727’s were a real challenge with all those different curves! Glad you liked the ‘in flight’ images too!

 

On 20/01/2023 at 11:40, Samuraiwarrior said:

Beautiful models and beautifully presented. 

Inspiring..... 

Thanks for sharing

Cheers Kevin, you’re welcome!

 

On 20/01/2023 at 13:38, Viking said:

They all look great, Benyhone definitely my favourite. I love the 'in  flight shots too!

Thanks John.👍 Benyhone was the initial design and my favourite too. The other two just happened as I acquired two more kits!

 

On 20/01/2023 at 13:55, corsaircorp said:

Well done Matt !!

I really like the in flight pics...

Thanks CC! Might have time for a GB now…😉

 

On 20/01/2023 at 14:40, AdrianMF said:

I like 'em all three but I am quite taken with the Egyptian one.

Thanks Adrian! I chose that design in the belief it would be easy to replicate…!

 

On 24/01/2023 at 08:43, Bertie McBoatface said:

Beautiful models of a very elegant aircraft. The liveries really suit the shape of the bird.

Cheers Bertie, I think these liveries work on the 727 too.👍

[Andy Dyck]

Hi Matt,

 

thats outstanding!   These in-flight images are unbeatable!!!!

 

Andy

[Back in the Saddle]

On 12/04/2023 at 20:05, Andy Dyck said:

Hi Matt,

 

thats outstanding!   These in-flight images are unbeatable!!!!

Thanks Andy.🙂

 

I might try the same technique on my next RFI - it worked quite well on some of the images.👍

[kapam]

Excellent creativity and execution on those aircraft!

The marketing department of British Airways should see these!

👏👏

[Back in the Saddle]

On 17/01/2023 at 18:19, Vince1159 said:

Beautiful job,love the Tartan the only one missing is my favourite,'Chelsea Rose'...

I'm about to rectify that! 😁

[Paul821]

Because @Back in the Saddle has bumped this it has shown up that the original images are no longer available.

[Back in the Saddle]

Thanks Paul - an issue with my security certificate that I cannot resolve...

 

Clicking on the links should be safe and show any required images. I'm now using Flickr to host all new material but I haven't replaced the 100's of links that no longer work automatically...

[Paul821]

Thanks when I click on the link I just got a small icon in a black screen. I've now seen I have also click on the icon.

 

I can now add my name to those praising you work.👍

[Back in the Saddle]

 

10 hours ago, Paul821 said:

I can now add my name to those praising you work.👍

Cheers Paul! It’s a bit of a faff to see the images; future RFI’s will be hosted on Flickr!

[Back in the Saddle]

Apologies for bringing this back to the top, but just curious if the images posted at the beginning of this thread are now visible?

 

I’ve had a few hosting issues but it looks like this issue might be fixed - can anybody confirm if they can see the pictures please?

 

TVM!