BEA Red Square Trident in 1/144

[Skodadriver]

Here is the X-Scale Trident 1C finished as G-ARPR of BEA circa 1968.

 

On 10 June 1965 Papa Romeo made aviation history by being the first airliner to make a fully automatic landing while carrying fare-paying passengers. I've always thought it a pity she wasn't preserved. Hopefully my model is a fitting tribute to her memory.

 

The model was built for the Made in Ukraine GB and the build thread including my thoughts about the kit (for what these are worth!) can be found here.

 

Thanks for looking and constructive criticism is always welcome.

 

Dave G

 

 

 

 

[kev67]

That is lovely, compared to the VC10 this is the second most elegant British airliner 

[Bedders]

I agree, beautiful job. 

[gaputz]

Very nice.

[Mynimal]

Well done.

[Viking]

That is lovely, first one I've seen built.  I'd give it 10 'likes' if I could!

How did it go together, as good as it looks in the box? And how were the kit decals? I'm assuming you've used AA window decals Dave, as they look so good. Sorry for all the questions, I have one unstarted in my stash, so am interested in your experience with it. It's a bit pricey so I only bought one, but looking at yours I'm temped to get another.

In my kit the dark blue cheatlines for the Speedjack scheme look too dark, almost black, so I'll probably go for Red Square like yours, 

 

Cheers

 

John

[Eric B.]

Wow, 

 

That is beautiful modelling. 

Nice and sharp result, your Trident isa gem.

I have the kit in the stash, and I am scutinizing yours for inspiration and learning. 

 

Cheers

 

Eric B.

[TonyW]

That's a beautiful model, in my favorite airliner scheme.

[keefr22]

That is gorgeous! Had a friend pick one up for me at Telford and have been wantng to start it ever since - your little beauty may be the last push I need to get on with it!

 

BEA red square is my all time favourite airliner scheme and I hope I can get my kit to look somewhere near as good as yours! (I also have decals from Liveries Unlimited and Classic Airlines, so if I stuff up the kit decals I'll hopefully be OK...!! 🤣 )

 

Off to have a read of your build thread now!

 

Really lovely model!

 

Keith

[Zephyr]

That's a lovely model and (IMO) the best Trident colour scheme.

 

The poor old Gripper has been criticized for many reasons. some of them justified, but it was a significant technological step forward and should be recognized as such.

Edited December 11, 2024 by Zephyr

[Alex1978]

Great Trident Dave.

Looks wonderful and the livery is spot on.

I have one of those in my stash,so to see one in the flesh is very welcome.

 

Thanks for sharing

Alex

[spruecutter]

What a lovely model. Great job!

[Eric Mc]

Absolutely gorgeous

[David H]

It's a brilliant build, Dave. Just like with the BOAC VC-10, the Trident belongs in *that* paint scheme.

 

I've only done extensive test fitting on mine so far, but i too had tolerance/ fit issues with respect to the vertical fin and the No. 2 engine inlet so it seems all the data points are lining up.

[gazza l]

Fantastic build, looks great in that scheme.

 

Gary

[stringbag]

That's a beautiful result Dave.  I missed out on these at Telford in 2023 and had planned on getting one this year.  That didn't happen so I'll have to order one on line.

Just pointing out that it's your fault. OK?

Chris.

😎

[TheFlyingDutchman]

Very nice model! I haven't seen your WIP thread yet but based on the photos I assume you used AA window decals. They look very nice on the black trim. Now I want to build one too in this livery. 

[Skodadriver]

Thanks for the likes and comments everyone. These are much appreciated 

 

On 12/10/2024 at 8:07 PM, Viking said:

That is lovely, first one I've seen built.  I'd give it 10 'likes' if I could!

How did it go together, as good as it looks in the box? And how were the kit decals? I'm assuming you've used AA window decals Dave, as they look so good. Sorry for all the questions, I have one unstarted in my stash, so am interested in your experience with it. It's a bit pricey so I only bought one, but looking at yours I'm temped to get another.

In my kit the dark blue cheatlines for the Speedjack scheme look too dark, almost black, so I'll probably go for Red Square like yours, 

 

Cheers

 

John

Thanks John. There isn't much to add to the build thread which I linked in the introduction. The kit does have some fit issues but these are annoying rather than show-stopping. I used Two Six decals. There isn't anything fundamentally wrong with the kit decals although you have to paint the curved section at the nose using the mask provided and the only registration is Papa Alpha. Two Six just offer a better product with proven quality. I overlaid Authentic Airliner windows on the Two Six ones to make sure I got the spacing right and I used the AA windscreen. In my kit the Speedjack cheatlines were dark blue and clearly wrong. Fortunately Ray also has a Speedjack sheet for anyone who wants the scheme.

 

20 hours ago, Zephyr said:

That's a lovely model and (IMO) the best Trident colour scheme.

 

The poor old Gripper has been criticized for many reasons. some of them justified, but it was a significant technological step forward and should be recognized as such.

Indeed. It's amazing to think it's fifty nine years since Papa Romeo made the world's first automated landing by an airliner in normal service. I never flew on an early Trident but I did manage a trip on a 3B just before BA retired them. I remember one of the engines wouldn't start and the captain announced he'd called maintenance who were going to "apply some percussion to the starting valve" which was followed by the disconcerting sound of hammer on metal! Once everything was running we taxied out for what was the longest take off run I ever remember. I was expecting to end up in the Black Cart Water at the end of Glasgow's runway when we finally lifted off. The rest of the flight was great and for such a noisy aircraft the cabin was surprisingly quiet. Happy memories!

 

3 hours ago, TheFlyingDutchman said:

Very nice model! I haven't seen your WIP thread yet but based on the photos I assume you used AA window decals. They look very nice on the black trim. Now I want to build one too in this livery. 

I should have made that clearer. I did indeed use AA window decals but to get the spacing right I applied the Two Six windows first then overlaid the non-framed AA ones.

 

Dave G

[Viking]

On 12/12/2024 at 11:02, Skodadriver said:

Thanks John. There isn't much to add to the build thread which I linked in the introduction. 

 

Doh! 0 points to me for completely missing this! 

My only excuse is that I am currently suffering from a horrible chest infection and fogged up head. Can't even sit at my workbench, which shows how bad it really is! I'm off to read your WIP now, cough, splutter, wheeze....

[mitchem]

Great build Dave and excellent WIP reference 👍👍

 

I'm sorely tempted...

 

mike

[Skodadriver]

3 hours ago, Viking said:

 

Doh! 0 points to me for completely missing this! 

My only excuse is that I am currently suffering from a horrible chest infection and fogged up head. Can't even sit at my workbench, which shows how bad it really is! I'm off to read your WIP now, cough, splutter, wheeze....

Best wishes for a speedy recovery John. There seem to be some nasty things going around just now. 

[Gimme Shelter]

This a great new kit, the box contents are quite excellent and you've proved just that in your build - a great piece of work there.

 

I picked one of these up for £30 at the Nationals last month - opening and sifting through the plastic was quite a nice surprise - crisp moulding, accurate, great value, great instructions, mask and great selection of livery builds - and you've done the variant I had my eye on. Very brilliant indeed and a great way to remember the glory days of British aviation.

 

I've not opened my kits bag yet and could not work out if the front wheel had been correctly offset - now I know for sure.

 

Tip top - excellent work.

[Graham T]

I haven't built a 1/144 airliner since I was about 10, but if I DID!.......👍 

[Donald]

Excellent Beeline (or was it Bealine call-signed) Trident. I remember seeing the moving map display (pen and paper) when I used to board these aircraft back in the 70s. I think they were driven by a Janus antennae of some sort. Thanks for sharing.