Boeing 720.

[Neil]

I'm showing up my extreme lack of civil airliners knowledge here ....

I understand that the Boeing 720 was a derivative of the Boeing 707, and specifically is there an 'off the shelf' kit of the 720 available?? I have looked on Hannants but there appears to be none using the search function (there are decals though).

If there is no kit of the 720, would it be much of a task to modify a 707 into one? i.e: could anybody tell me what would need modifying on a standard 707?

Thanks for any help .

[Dave Fleming]

I don't think there is a kit; This may help - there is no such thing as a 'standard 707 unfortunately. I do recall a conversion that used parts (wings?) from a KC-135. The Revell 1/144th is a 707-120 apparently

http://www.airlinercafe.com/page.php?id=72

'Starship' is it?

Edited December 15, 2007 by Dave Fleming

[GreenDragon]

The Frog/Novo kit is a 707-120. I think it is now an Eastern Express kit with Pan American decals. I don't know about accuracy though.

HTH

Paul Harrison

[theplasticsurgeon]

I've got a FSM article on building a 1/72 B720.

Used KC135 wings and wingroots from (AMT?) kit, and shortened B707 fuselage from Heller kit.

In 1/144 I'd consider the Revell/Monogram E3 Sentry. Don't know the engines for a 720 - but expect they're in this lot!

This kit is more like a KC135 with a radome stuck atop. It has no crease to depict the double bubble fuselage section, but you may be able to score that in.

Otherwise you're shortening and grafting the fuselage of an Airfix or Minicraft 707.

Airfix Boeing 707

[Dave Fleming]

I've got a FSM article on building a 1/72 B720.

Used KC135 wings and wingroots from (AMT?) kit, and shortened B707 fuselage from Heller kit.

That's the one I was thinking of!

[theplasticsurgeon]

It's FSM Feb1997 and describes kitbashing a Boeing 720B airliner, with American Airlines decals.

Uses shortened Heller fuselage from Air Force One Boeing 707 kit, grafted onto wing roots and wings of AMT EC-135.

Uses AMT EC-135 engines and Heller 707 tailplanes.

In 1/144 I'd still be tempted use the E-3 Sentry kit, scribe a panel line, and scape/sand to represent the double bubble section, then use decals for windows and doors etc. Might need taller and wider tail planes - but that's what plasticard is for.

[Neil]

Okey doke, thanks for the links/info chaps! Will have to try and grab me a kit from somewhere.

'Starship' is it?

It was that obvious was it?

Looking at what few pics there are, I seem to have a choice of two schemes:

Yukky brown and yellow

Or a far more pleasing blue and white

I think blue and white is favourite, markings are going to be a challenge though ....

[keefr22]

Welsh Models do a vacform 720 , picture here;

http://www.welshmodels.co.uk/SL61.html

listing here;

http://www.welshmodels.co.uk/Skyliner.html - scroll down to SL61

HTH

Keef

[BAC]

When Revell/Monogram re-released some of the old classic kits in reproduction boxes back in the late '90's (Wright Flyer, Albatross, 1.48th WW2 planes etc) one of them was the 'United 720 Jet Flagship'. I bought one to make as a Monarch Airlines kit. However, it's wrong, it is too long and on the inside of the fuselage is cast the words 'Revell 707'.

What was interesting is the box says 'Scaled from official blueprints'. The thing is they wern't 720 blueprints.

BTW here's the Frogspawn 707 that was mentioned in a post earlier..

You might get away with converting this kit as it has the short tail and the wing roots look similar to 720 ones. The rest of the kit ain't great though!

Personally I'd go for the Welshmodels one.

[Neil]

Ok, cheers for the info chaps. Also, if anybody knows of a close up of the 'horse and chariot' emblem on the fuselage side, give me a shout!

Now ...... wonder if I could somehow get some of the 'specialised' in-flight entertainment they used to get, on my next flight abroad (if only.... ).

Rock 'n Roll, eh?

[keefr22]

Now ...... wonder if I could somehow get some of the 'specialised' in-flight entertainment they used to get, on my next flight abroad (if only.... ).

Nah, don't like fish!!

Keef

[Neil]

Nah, don't like fish!!

Keef

The infamous 'Red Snapper' incident ....

[keefr22]

The infamous 'Red Snapper' incident ....

[Derek Bradshaw]

Neil,

I would go for the Welsh Models B720...it's by far the most accurate version out there.

Regards

Derek

[Gwangi]

Here's a few more images - no close up of the chariot though:

http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.sear...inct_entry=true

It was owned by Caesar's Palace Hotel and in some of the shots it has their logos. Would certainly look good!

BTW, Neil did you go to the O2? I did; absolutely amazing!

[Neil]

BTW, Neil did you go to the O2? I did; absolutely amazing!

Oh yes!! I was lucky enough to be there, loved it!! (I was 'up in the rafters').

http://www.britmodeler.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=7640

Have heard rumours they will be bringing out a DVD of the event.

[Gundylunch]

Hi 1 There is an Entex/Nitto sample up for sale on Evil Bay at present !!

[skippiebg]

There's but one Boeing 720 kit: a Welsh Models 1/144 scale vacform with jewel-like resin engines and fine white metal landing gear. I have it and it's superb. All other "720s" are wrong, often in a variety of very big ways! Revell is a particular offender.

The 720 was indeed a version of the 707 (its official designations were Model 707-020 and '020B) but had small main wheels (actually smaller than the nose wheels!, and here Welsh gets it somehwat wrong). All 720s without exception had tall fins. Some examples had no fin-top earials.

Other 707 versions were:

- the 707-120 ("US domestic") and the 707-138 Qantas special. All were reengined and extensively visually modified to 120Bs. Some had no fin-top aerials (Some Revell kits are of this version.);

- the 707-120B and 138B: reengined with JT3 fan engines, inboard leading edge "gloves", tall fins, larger tailplanes, small ventral fins (Most Revell kit releases.);

- the 320 Intercontinental: stretched body and wing; reengined with larger JT4 powerplants. Soon after service launch, retrofitted with tall fins and large ventral fins. Some had no fin-top aerials;

- the 420 Intercontinental: -320s with RR Conway turbofans. (The Airfix kit; the FROG and "frogspawn" kit; some Minicraft kit releases);

- the 320B: revised trailing edge planform, JT3 fan engines. Early ones had ventral fins (Some Minicraft releases.);

- the 320B Advanced: a 320B with minor flap and nose gear door changes (Some Minicraft releases.);

- the 320C Advanced: a 320B Advanced with a freight door and extra flaps (Some Minicraft releases.).

- the 717 series (better known by its service designation in the K/C-135 series) is related but perhaps surprisingly _doesn't_ have almost any common items, with the body noticeably narrower (The Heller [et alia] 1/72 kits are the only game in town.);

- the E-3 ("AWACS") and E-6 (ASW) are derivatives of the 320C Advanced, often reengined with big-fan CFM56s. (The Heller [et alia] kit; some Revell releases make so-poor-they-are-actionable attempts.)

There are hundreds of smaller-but-noticeable visual changes between these numerous versions to trap the unwary. For an illiterate and long-winded, but useful, reference, see http://airlinercafe.com/page.php?id=72

[skippiebg]

Tut-tut... Forgot to mensh the excellent Doyusha/Nitto/Entex 1/100 scale kit, available in releases guised as 320C Advanced and E-3.

[Jennings Heilig]

I haven't seen the Welsh kit, but none of the others mentioned can be built as-is as a 720. BTW, the 720 was never officially known by Boeing as a 707-020. It was going to be called that, but United insisted it get a unique name, so it was built from the beginning as a Boeing 720.

The 720 has smaller main wheels/tires than any other 707 or KC-135 version, and they almost look comically small.

Also, the 720 has an inner wing "glove" on the leading edge that no 707 or KC-135 ever had.

J

[Neil]

I haven't seen the Welsh kit, but none of the others mentioned can be built as-is as a 720. BTW, the 720 was never officially known by Boeing as a 707-020. It was going to be called that, but United insisted it get a unique name, so it was built from the beginning as a Boeing 720.

The 720 has smaller main wheels/tires than any other 707 or KC-135 version, and they almost look comically small.

Also, the 720 has an inner wing "glove" on the leading edge that no 707 or KC-135 ever had.

J

Right oh, thanks J. Wouldn't have any clear shots of the 'horse and chariot' emblem thingy on the fuselage amongst your references would you? I can see that is going to be a bit of a problem ....

[Jennings Heilig]

Right oh, thanks J. Wouldn't have any clear shots of the 'horse and chariot' emblem thingy on the fuselage amongst your references would you? I can see that is going to be a bit of a problem ....

Afraid not. Sorry..

J

[AMB]

Aurora used to make a Boeing 720 kit with United decals, then reissued it with Western Airlines decals.

There's one on E.bay right now...here

http://cgi.ebay.com/AURORA-Boeing-720-B-We...6QQcmdZViewItem

[Eric Mc]

I am contempalting building a 720 as an Irish International Airlines (Aer Lingus) colours. Does anyone know of any 1/144 decals that would be of use?

I have the Max Decals set that covers the Aerlinnte Eireann Constellations and I might have to try and doctor those to fit.

I'm currently building the Minicraft 707-320 in the later mid/;ate 1960s colours using the correct Max Decal sheet so I would like the 720 to be finished in the original 1960 delivery scheme.

[Derek Bradshaw]

Hi Eric,

I may be wrong on this one (memory you know , so forgive if I should lead you astray), and I'm sure that more knowledable modellers shall correct me if I am wrong, but I seem to recall that Airfix originally released their Boeing 707-436(?) in BOAC and Aer Lingus collours back in the early 70's. If this is correct, maybe someone may still have the original kit decals as spares (although it's anyone's guess as to the quality of them by now!).

HTH

Derek

I am contempalting building a 720 as an Irish International Airlines (Aer Lingus) colours. Does anyone know of any 1/144 decals that would be of use?

I have the Max Decals set that covers the Aerlinnte Eireann Constellations and I might have to try and doctor those to fit.

I'm currently building the Minicraft 707-320 in the later mid/;ate 1960s colours using the correct Max Decal sheet so I would like the 720 to be finished in the original 1960 delivery scheme.