A380 Korean Air (Revell) & CRM Fans 1/144

[Bigturbofan]

Hi everybody,

 

I didn’t really want to have 2 WIP‘s on the go, and this may end up taking a back seat every now and then.

Normally I would concentrate on one model at time, I was supposed to be working on my Airfix Gannett.

And I want to start my new 727 imminently.

 

But……

 

I had been thinking about this for a while, as I want to try out some new techniques. Primarily I want to have a go at making resin windows. I have seen it on a few builds and it just elevates the model immensely. And also creating holes in the naca vents and pack inlet doors, oh and static wick dischargers. And anything else I deem I can tackle.

Last night I decided just to have a little looksie at everything and decided cutting out one of the guide vane assemblies and dry fitting it into the engine assembly.

OMG

It looks amazing, and on that note I thought I really should do a WIP.

I have used a needle file and cleaned up all the window apertures on one side. And drilled out the window holes in all the doors and external lighting.

There will be a lot of work on this as the windows will all require a silver frame decal, and I choose to do it a passenger aircraft with the most windows ever !! 🤪

 

Anyway kit was a bargain on Amazon warehouse for €14

I have read that there are a few issues with the kit and will try to correct the error’s as I get to them.

I’m planning to display this in flight, so that will eliminate some of the errors with the undercarriage !

 

Thanks for looking

 

Peter

 

 

 

 

 

[Gimme Shelter]

heading in the right direction there - going another step larger than the SP - this one wont fight you though Peter.

 

Watching, and very interested in the resin window process - please document this in detail unless you plan to copyright it as I will be copying you! Probably on my A340-6

[Bigturbofan]

3 hours ago, Gimme Shelter said:

heading in the right direction there - going another step larger than the SP - this one wont fight you though Peter.

 

Watching, and very interested in the resin window process - please document this in detail unless you plan to copyright it as I will be copying you! Probably on my A340-6

Yes the SP, was just a baby !

What have I let myself in for!

Perhaps I bring this to Telford next year?

[Gimme Shelter]

17 hours ago, Bigturbofan said:

Yes the SP, was just a baby !

What have I let myself in for!

Perhaps I bring this to Telford next year?

yes for sure - just found a photo of my old A380 from years back - I think I built it around 2016 - seems like a lifetime ago now - a commission for a BA A380 cabin crew member at the time

 

 

[Bigturbofan]

2 hours ago, Gimme Shelter said:

yes for sure - just found a photo of my old A380 from years back - I think I built it around 2016 - seems like a lifetime ago now - a commission for a BA A380 cabin crew member at the time

 

 

Looks good John, nice wee base.

I’ve flown on them a few times. Very comfortable, especially on the upper deck 🤪. Another G&T sir ? Yes please!

She doesn’t have the looks of a 747, but once your inside the passenger comfort is really good. Shame it never got stretched, proportionally it would have looked better then.

I got a guided tour from an engineer once in FRA when LH got their 380’s. (At the time they had to change every single light in the cabin as they were all flickering!)

*Fun fact !!

The only circuit breaker panel was behind the 1st class toilet/bathroom above the cockpit. Incredible that most of the CB’s are all electronic. Not like the museum pieces I’m normally accustomed to!

[Gimme Shelter]

1 hour ago, Bigturbofan said:

Looks good John, nice wee base.

I’ve flown on them a few times. Very comfortable, especially on the upper deck 🤪. Another G&T sir ? Yes please!

She doesn’t have the looks of a 747, but once your inside the passenger comfort is really good. Shame it never got stretched, proportionally it would have looked better then.

I got a guided tour from an engineer once in FRA when LH got their 380’s. (At the time they had to change every single light in the cabin as they were all flickering!)

*Fun fact !!

The only circuit breaker panel was behind the 1st class toilet/bathroom above the cockpit. Incredible that most of the CB’s are all electronic. Not like the museum pieces I’m normally accustomed to!

you're a skipper with a thousand tales to tell, and all to the tune that I can easily relate to. 

 

Agree about the 747 comment, she was a lady built to impress, the A380 is just an attempt to better but we all know how that story ends.. It's almost December so I can nearly say I am about to fly on a BA 380 once again next month (well in January) on my way home from SA. A trip on my last day there to Rand to see the SAA 74 collection in the morning and then a quick drive to Jo'berg airport in the evening to hop on one of these big fatties. We're upstairs at the back end this time which should give a great window view (well for about 20 mins of early 4am morning daylight on the final descent into LHR anyway)

 

lets see more of your kit now you've got those resin trinkets on the bench buddy

[Bigturbofan]

So, a small amount of progress…..

 

I decided to release one of the fans from it’s moulding, it bounced out of my hand onto the workbench but then bounced onto the floor and broke numerous blades.

They say in the instructions resin is brittle……I can attest to that !!

 

 

A previous builder had mentioned that a fairing part which sits underneath the pylon on the rear of the turbine case wasn’t sitting flush, he mentioned about cutting a deeper slot to allow it to sit further in, thus making it flush.

 

 

But this doesn’t work as then the step won’t match up with the external of the turbine case. The only way to rectify this is to sand the underneath of the mentioned part, flush to the pylon. Like so.

 

 

 

Also, for the Engine Alliance GP7200 the Revell part is incorrect. Photos show the lip of the engine doesn’t exist, as it is not stepped at all. A few attempts of filling and sanding have made it now flush.

 

 

Primer now complete. And stabilisers built and grey primered.

 

Stator ring assembly sprayed titanium and glued in place.

 

I wanted to replicate as best as I could the noise suppression material on the inside of the intake. It would have been impossible to replicate this with paint.

 

 

But I came up with the idea of making a decal from my f1  carbon fibre sheet, sparkling twill weave. Its not perfect but close me thinks.

I first made a template and then transferred it and cut it out.

 

 

Intake ring prior receiving the decal.

 

It’s not too bad….

 

That’s all for now folks!

 

Pete 

[Gimme Shelter]

carbon fibre decal really adds a touch there Peter.

 

Good luck re-attaching your fan blades too, probably makes those SP LACI flaps seem like a walk in the park now.... At least the carpet monster did not consume the broken blades and you have bits to stick

[Bigturbofan]

On 09/12/2024 at 16:22, Gimme Shelter said:

carbon fibre decal really adds a touch there Peter.

 

Good luck re-attaching your fan blades too, probably makes those SP LACI flaps seem like a walk in the park now.... At least the carpet monster did not consume the broken blades and you have bits to stick

Thanks John,

I might have a wooden floor, but stuff still disappears 🤪

 

Anyway, as I’m a fan of re-doing things.

 

I wasn’t happy with the result of my masking. So I stripped all the paint off to start again🤦🏻

 

 

I had been using Mr Hobby putty, but I’m not totally happy with it, I think it’s too soft. I used to use squadron green putty, that stuff was so hard (just like Ross Kemp 🤪)it would keep its profile on the smallest of fills. But I have never seen it anywhere anymore.

 

So I thought I would try Milliput super fine epoxy. It worked when I had to fix the bathroom mixer tap🤓

It is a bit messy for my liking and too hard, I did soften it with water which made it even more messy, anyway it rubbed down ok The filled step is almost invisible.

 

I primered with mr hobby surfacer 1500 instead of MRP, just to hide some of the blemishes. Will give it 24 hours to cure.

 

So, on to the wings. Anyone that has built the kit will know that the wings droop too much, and they’re ever so slightly warped. It was documented by a previous builder here on BM. As this will sit on a pole perhaps it wouldn’t be as noticeable if it were sitting on its undercarriage.

 

So without my modification.

 

And with, perhaps difficult to tell from my picture.

 

And my solution, is a brass channel superglued onto the underneath of the top of the wing.

 

With out the wings were like a pair of tweezers.

 

I cut out the naca vents in the wings as well.

 

For those that wonder why they’re called NACA vents, its stands for National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. They designed the vent back in the 40’s.

 

Cheers for now.

Edited December 11, 2024 by Bigturbofan

[Back in the Saddle]

Loving the improvements you’re making to this kit! The CRM fans make a huge difference.👍

[Bigturbofan]

13 minutes ago, Back in the Saddle said:

Loving the improvements you’re making to this kit! The CRM fans make a huge difference.👍

Thank you, the difference is honestly like night and day!!

 

But crumbs resin is brittle, it’s like handling egg shells. Sometimes, I think if you were to fart they would break🤪

 

I’ve ordered everything they have for my civvies🤪

 

Their quality is excellent. I have some resin stuff from Reskit also, but not used them yet as the military stuff is on the back burner.

 

But resin certainly elevates our hobby to the next level.

[Gimme Shelter]

looking good there Peter. I'll have to remember what you have done with the wings when I get on to do my PA's Singy 380.

 

She's produced the kit now (I thought I had dodged that one) - glancing through the box contents she left me on my desk while supposed to be working in the office yesterday, I was reminded how not very nice this kit is considering it's makers name. Considering their later civil mouldings, Revell really could do with crisping up their A380. It all seems like a big box of poor quality gloss plastic with huge trench sized panel lines. It would be nice to see another new kit of the A380 hit the market.

 

Anyway, I know you'll do the kit good justice and shall enjoy watching more from you. No more A and B sides !

[Bigturbofan]

I shall try my best John….

Anyway a small amount to report….

 

I’m about as happy as I can be second time round with the turbine case, at least my rings are concentric.

The smaller band of metallic shade you will hardly see when its assembled!

 

 

Insides sprayed with Zero paints carbon disc, followed by MRP matt varnish.

 

 

 

I made 2 parts which are missing from the kit, there is a small bulge on the rear top of the engine casing and also a fence on the side of the engine.

Also the kit has vents either side of the engine, which are not present on the real thing.

 

I have masked an area to represent the outlines of the wing tank fuel pumps.

 

Also cut out some strengthening plates around the undercarriage. I believe there was a PE set for this. Also added some plasticared for the 4 vents that are close to the leading edge.

 

First of a few coats of Mr Surfacer 500.

 

Naca vent finished with the edition of some thin plasticard.

 

Cheers

 

[Gimme Shelter]

I bet you're enjoying this monster more than the SP Peter.

 

A quick useless Friday before Christmas note: I had given it no thought at all until last night when one of our club guys pointed out that the kit is older than the A380 itself and was released ahead of Airbus actually getting the real deal off the ground.

 

I'll watch out for more from you

 

John 

[Bigturbofan]

In a nutshell, yes John !

 

I have to say since it was pointed out, this kit isn’t certainly one of Revell’s finest. There are indeed areas that are wholly wrong, and the panel lines looked like they’ve been made by a JCB!

 

Anyway I will try to make a reasonable outing on this, thankfully no shiny bits to spray.

 

So this will be the last update before gorging on mince pies and mulled wine 🤪

 

Fairly pleased on my attempt at replicating the fuel pump bulges.

 

I have one engine where I’m happy with my sanding efforts. The plan is to get the engine painted but leaving the pylon clear, then attaching to the wing and then spraying the wing and pylon together.

I only do it this way as the outer engine pylon/wing gap is horrendous at the back. There is enough daylight to stuff a custard cream in there !!

 

I have also tried to correct the totally wrong pack inlets on the fuz.

First I filled the recess.  And then made by eye the correct shape of inlet. I then stuck 2 pieces of tape together to get the symmetrical shape, then peeled it apart and stuck them on.

 

 

Almost like an x-ray !

 

I wasn’t totally happy with the blend, so I’ve applied surfacer 500 and will smooth blend when dry.

 

You can see just how wrong they got it.

 

Cheers for now.

 

[Gimme Shelter]

nice stuff there Peter. I'll PM you as mine is proving a real B*I*T*C*H 

 

[Bigturbofan]

Howdy doody and all that!

 

A little bit of unexpected modelling to show……

 

Blimey these guys are small!!! 

I now know why I don’t do cockpits and just do decals!!

 

 

A plain rear bulkhead before additions….. All the following work was done under 2 pairs of glasses and a magnifying glass 🤪.

The captain I admit looks like he’s had too much Botox.😛 The tamiya acrylic paint could have been thinned more. But I’m oh so curious how much will be visible once they’re installed in their dungeon, sorry…. Office 🤓

 

 

A little bit of artistic license was used for the CRT displays. Dark chrome decal cut into pieces.

 

 

Cheers for now

 

Noddy

[Gimme Shelter]

Hi Peter

 

Good to see some progress on your A380. Mines nearly done - turns out the PA wanted hers in Singapore colours. The decals arrived once I'd assembled a set of 4 white engines for an emirates 380 so I have had to pretend they are now light grey (She'll never know the difference... well hopefully).

 

John

[mike_hore]

Following along here a bit belatedly. 😃  I built mine long long ago as SIA and I’m sure I missed all the problems you found.  But I did get the distinct impression at the time that this kit was rushed to market without Revell’s usual attention to detail.  The body gear doors are completely wrong so doing it gear-up is a good choice.  I hope you remember to flex the wings up a bit as in flight they’re carrying all that weight, of course.

[Bigturbofan]

On 02/01/2025 at 12:59, Gimme Shelter said:

Hi Peter

 

Good to see some progress on your A380. Mines nearly done - turns out the PA wanted hers in Singapore colours. The decals arrived once I'd assembled a set of 4 white engines for an emirates 380 so I have had to pretend they are now light grey (She'll never know the difference... well hopefully).

 

John

Hi John,

 

I guess all I can say is ignorance is bliss 🤓, perhaps the engines were exchange units 🤪

On 03/01/2025 at 03:35, mike_hore said:

Following along here a bit belatedly. 😃  I built mine long long ago as SIA and I’m sure I missed all the problems you found.  But I did get the distinct impression at the time that this kit was rushed to market without Revell’s usual attention to detail.  The body gear doors are completely wrong so doing it gear-up is a good choice.  I hope you remember to flex the wings up a bit as in flight they’re carrying all that weight, of course.

😀

Hi Mike, I would agree Revell dropped a bit of a clanger with this one!

 

 

So it doesn’t seem like I’ve much to report.

 

Considering the amount of time I’ve put in there isn’t a lot to show. I’m trying to get things right at the first attempt, but I’m usually failing!

 

I’m conscious about not posting too many pictures of not a lot happening.

But here is where it is, as of tonight.

 

I’m about as happy as I can be here, adding the holes to the vents was a bit of a mistake on my part, as in this scale it is impossible to get the right profile. A combination of drilling, filing and using a scalpel blade could get me to something half decent.

Anyway, painted and from a distance of 6 feet it should look ok!

 

Huge gaps from pylon to wing, clamps employed overnight.

 

Clamps off, the silver on nacelles had to re-spayed again inside. I had used for blanking off the engine intakes an old kitchen sponge cut up, but the holes in the sponge were too big consequently the grey had bled through. I’ve now used a higher density foam which I should have in the beginning.🤦🏻

 

The wing has now got a coat of Boeing grey!

 

Starboard side in progress!

 

Cheers for now

 

Noddy

Edited January 5 by Bigturbofan

[Gimme Shelter]

Hi Noddy

 

Good to see progress - how very dare the kitchen sponge manufacturer make holes too big!

 

The good news with this big monster is that it's one of the only civil kits that you can build with its wings off, paint and decal them right through to the last moment once the fuz is painted and looking gorgeously Korean pretty, and then attach the wings - they tuck in very well and there is enough surface area in the wing root/recess area to add enough sticky stuff in and have the wings attach securely first time around without messing up either the fuz or wing paint work.

 

Keep up the great Korean work

 

BigEars

[Bigturbofan]

11 hours ago, Gimme Shelter said:

Hi Noddy

 

Good to see progress - how very dare the kitchen sponge manufacturer make holes too big!

 

The good news with this big monster is that it's one of the only civil kits that you can build with its wings off, paint and decal them right through to the last moment once the fuz is painted and looking gorgeously Korean pretty, and then attach the wings - they tuck in very well and there is enough surface area in the wing root/recess area to add enough sticky stuff in and have the wings attach securely first time around without messing up either the fuz or wing paint work.

 

Keep up the great Korean work

 

BigEars

Indeed, one of the very very few plus points of this kit 🤓

 

So a wee update to post…..

 

Well, not literally obviously 🤪

 

 

I noticed on the starboard wing root an excessive gap between the inner most section of the wing/flap and the side of the fuz, so I’ve utilised a small packing piece of thin plastic and to minimise it. Sanding down the inside of the wing the sits in the recess wasn’t enough, hence the solution mentioned.

It’s interesting to note that Revell scribed the section of the flap within the wing section. But looking at reference photos the rear trailing edge section moves completely. If you look at the real a/c you will see what I’m trying to describe.

Basically I feel like not re-scribing the whole rear flap section!!

This is what I picked up on.

 

Maybe if I’d have gone for the LACI conversion it would have solved it. But I need a break from that stuff 🤪.

 

I also tried to replicate the engine exhaust/rear pylon as it should be, Revell’s painting guide was a bit off. I made a template of one of the decals to stick on, this would then allow me to get the correct position of the pale bunt metal shade I intend to spray on.

 

Like so.

 

Masked up.

 

Ta dah!

 

I will use a very small amount of weathering/staining towards the end.

 

Corroguard section sprayed, just left to do the silver on the slats and to spray the outer of the winglet blue.

Once the wife has made the perfect colour match!

 

Ttfn 

P

 

[Gimme Shelter]

looking good buddy

[Bigturbofan]

 

Evening all, so progress is slow at the moment on the Korean beast.

 

Here is what is to show so far.

 

I wanted to better replicate Revell’s offerings of their pylon decal Looking at reference photos, it isn’t the right length or correct with the number of openings in the vent panel. But to be honest in this scale I did also struggle to get the right number.

But it is better, so I will have to be happy with that!!

I had some hatching decal, so I decided to cut it up to simulate the vent openings.

 

 

I have used some Authentic Airliners titanium decal sheet to replace the kit offerings.

 

Kit decal for comparison.

 

And finally finished off with some silver decal towards the back of the pylon.

 

I have been trying to replicate this.

 

The landing lights in the wing root are completely wrong also, the light housing is almost straight as opposed to the curved offering in the kit.

I created my own, but cutting up 3 old window decals and placing them all together to get the correct profile, I then used 3 static ports from a spare decal sheet to replicate the reflectors.

 

Just for comparison against the kit decal.

 

And in the last photo you can see I’ve added the fuel dumping nozzle at the end of the flap track fairing. Had some 0.5mm carbon fibre rod, I just need to paint the end black.

 

The next step is to clear coat the whole wing, I can then attach the fan blades and apart from some gentle exhaust staining can then call port side complete. Oh and the static wick discharges and the strobe on the end of the winglet.

 

I also did the stabilisers.

 

I think I can say I’ve perfected getting the decal right now 🙃

 

Cheers for now,

 

The 14th Duke of Wimbourne!

Edited January 17 by Bigturbofan

[Bigturbofan]

Howdy all,

 

The port wing engines received their fan today, the detail is just exquisite on these mouldings.

 

 

Its great to be able to see through the engine!

 

The beast is taking shape, soon work will start on the fuselage. I can’t postpone it for much longer !!

 

I lost the navigation light into the ether when it twanged out of the tweezers. I ended up mixing superglue with clear green paint. After sanding it‘s gonna have to do!.

 

Cheers for now.