1/360 Tu-144 "Charger": FINISHED

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

Hi all,

On the bench now is the Academy 1/360th Tu-144 “Charger”.

I’ve always been captivated by the sight of this aircraft in landing configuration, looking at it from the 11 o’clock position…

… so I took this little gem from my stash and began preparring it for my seventh MID build!

I dropped the Flaps & added scratched flap guides, removed & repositioned the nose, puttied & sanded the windshield into shape, cut out the main landing gear opening, and cut out where the Canards go…

… then scratched the main landing gear all from different diameters of stretched spru.

Yes, it’s very tiny! I’m going to make a blurred runway surface from a piece of balsa and have the Charger flarring over it. [:)]

Updates will follow…
Take care,
Frank

2

Woo hoo, another beauty on the way. Fantaastic subject to boot.

…Guy

3

That is a very interesting bird, don’t know much about it but I like it! [:D]

4

Thanks Guy and Frank, [:)]

Frank: here’s a link to the Tu-144LL joint project conducted at Dryden Flight Research Center from '96 - '98. Don’t know if it’s still out there or if they returned it to Russia, but some good photos and data never-the-less.

http://www.dfrc.nasa.gov/Gallery/photo/TU-144LL/index.html

Construction updates as of last evening…



Tha Academy decals are oversized but I plan on re-doing the ones up front with a brush. Going to wait until I have it attached to the mirror before putting the long nose gear on. (lesson learned during the 1st MID construction)

Barring any catastophies, this little project should be wrapped up today sometime.

Thanks for looking, :slight_smile:
Frank

5

Finished up the floppy-eared Charger and mounted it on the mirror about an hour ago; it was gloomy outside so I took a picture against the overcast…

Will be doing the runway surface next and it will be ready to go on the shelf. :slight_smile:

Take care,
Frank

6

Very nice, great job so far!

7

Thanks richter111,

Welcome back to Modeling! [:)]

Here’s the Charger in it’s final resting position/place…

Take care,

Frank

8

Great subject and fantastic way to display it!!! I love it. I’m a bit biased, of course, as it it one of my favourite aircraft ever…

9

Well done Frank! Certainly captures the look and feel of the real deal. Excellent work on this one. [^]

10

That looks great! Really looks like she’s comin in!

11

Thanks DJ, Frank, and scorpr2, [:)]

One of the unique qualities of a MID is how being in natural light brings it to life right before your eyes (like on a shelf in front of a large window), providing some excellent photography opportunities too! [tup]

Thanks again,

Frank

12

The blurred tarmac really nails it. Nice presentation.

13

Thanks Lloyd, [:)]

Take care,

Frank

14

Frank that is just awesome. I love the effect of speed on the base. You have definately nailed this one.

…Guy

15

Thanks, Guy, [:)]

I appreciate it!

Take care,

Frank

16

Very nice build! It really does look like the real deal. The blurred base is a great addition too. A great subject and a great job! [tup]

17

Thanks Brendan! [:)]

I always liked the looks of the Tu-144, and when I realized the new 1/144 release was the early model (without the canards), I decided to give this little gem a go! Makes a decent addition to the shelf too. [;)]

Seeing you’re from NC with a “Herky” avatar, you wouldn’t be in the Bragg A/O would you? [:)]

Thanks again,

Take care,

Frank

18

That is good to know about the 1/144 releases. And no, I am not in the Bragg A/O.