For a change I’ve decided to share my work in progress on this build. It is a bit longer and more complicated than others have been. I am building from a Revell kit in 1:144 scale. I decided to do the Iberia paint scheme because…hmm well because I think it just looks pretty. [t$t] As I started building I realized it is appropriate as so many passenger 747s are currently retiring now due to the pandemic. So this is a nice and therapeutic build. So here goes:
Reference photo:
First step was strengthening the inside bulkheads with CA/acrylic powder mix and adding some weight into the nose since this will be sitting on the landing gear. I also put in CA/acrylic mix into the wings and put them against a straight ruler edge but with a purposeful bend to simulate how the wings flex while sitting on the ground. The right wing worked great, but the left not quite as well. need to experiment more with this procedure.
I filled in all of the recessed panel lines on the fuselage and upper wing/horizontal stab surfaces with Mr Surfacer. Lots of work but it will look better as the original recessed lines are just too thick and deep. I will re-scribe the lines and control surfaces that I feel are necessary. The original lines on the wing bottoms stayed put to give myself a little break.
I also filled in all the passenger windows and will use decals for them.
Some initial priming with Tamiya Fine Surface Primer
It will take a few iterations of filling, sanding, and priming to get a smooth “canvas.”
Now for installing the wings:
Attaining the correct dihedral gave a good amount of gap. I have filled them with some stock plastic, CA/acrylic powder, and CA.
I also test fitted the landing gear. I decided to raise all the gear by 2mm and the center wheel struts were uneven so they received even more length. Those parts are currently drying.
Engine inlets are the bane of my modeling existence so I sawed off the fronts to give myself a chance to do a proper filling of the internal seam. I will re-attach after filling, smoothing, and painting. This will also give me a chance to more easily add some internal engine lip detail that I otherwise would probably not do.
And that’s all for now. Off to a good start. This is a fun build!
I’ve built this one for my brother in British Airways livery - it was fun. While it’s too late for your model (looking really good, by the way!), I’d like to advise other people building it, that the model really needs a wing spar across the fuselage - without it the fuselage flexes every time the model is moved and the glue joints have a tendency to crack, the fuselage isn’t rigid enough to take care of those huge wings. The model also needs considerable weight in the nose - otherwise you are going to get a tail sitter.
The ONLY 747 I have is the one that came with the Space Shuttle! It was at a Flea Market all bagged up by itself. A whole $ .50 it cost me! Trouble is, No decals and I am not sure which manufacturer did this model.
The plastic seems very fine and thin and the Wings are ridicilousely thin! Plus it seems to have older engines!
The Shuttle/SCA combo is a Revell kit. You can get decals for the 747 from Draw Decals and RealSpace Models does decals for the Shuttle. The 747 in the kit is a -100.
Pawel, thanks for sharing that concern. I forgot to mention it above, but I did already put some pieces of stock plastic across the fuselage where the wings connect for the very reason you mention. hoping it will hold up. so far it seems to be doing well! and yes several pennies were put in the nose-more than your typical airliner model!
Tanker Builder, the engines are indeed different. The classic 747s used the P&W JT9D. they had some problems in the beginning due to the large fan causing expansion of the core section and subsequent backfiring. yikes! thankfully they got it fixed. the newer 400 series use updated engines with FADECs and other enhancements.
I only know what I see on the models. There’s no love lost between me and 747s’ I was in one that landed Wheels Up and walked away! I do like their looks compared to an Airbus large plane!
I know they went to larger engnes. Wasn’t that partially due to mechanical problems and Noise Abatement? And Big question,What’s Fadec? remember I haven’t flown since my heart surgery!
Tanker-Builder, I agree —much better looking than an airbus 380! FADEC is the electronic computerized control for the engines. no longer a direct mechanical link between the pilot’s throttles and engine fuel control. Now the throttle position is interpreted by a computer and it meters fuel according to the conditions. also provides protections to prevent exceeding various limits.
I had read that the F-104 Starfighter was one of the first aircraft fitted with an automatic engine control, albeit it was all analog.
Liking the build! I am impressed that you are modeling the wing droop at rest. I’d better check the airliners I have in the stash to see how much the wings droop in real life. The 787‘s wingtips flexed up a LOT while in flight.
The 747 was the first airliner (Pan Am) I flew in back around 1970. Those big metal carrots on the wingtip trailing edges left a lasting impression in my mind. Good times.
Real G, that’s a cool fact about the F104. I had no idea. The wing droop isn’t much, but it’s there. Basically past the outboard engines it shows less dihedral than inboard. It’s funny the things that stick in memory. When I was a kid flying on a 737, I remember the flap pylons were noteworthy. I thought they were missile pods and was really nervous at first! Hahaha
Progress has been a little slower than I like, but c’est la vie. January should provide a decent chunk of time. Other than a few more touchups I finally have a smooth blank canvas which will soon be scribed and pre-shaded. Some of the windows that I filled in were a bit stubborn so it took several iterations of filling, sanding, and priming.
The gear parts have also been assembled, test-fitted, and primed. I had to add some length to some of the struts (maybe because my chosen wing dihedral angle might have been a little different than the kit’s intentions, but who knows). Currently working on engine interiors alongside continued work on the main body.
I will have you know that the F-104 was one of the first Birds that I really liked Post war. The other was the F-100 " Super Sabre". You do know the knick name for that plane was " The Zipper", Also known as " The Missile, with a Man in it". Both look super great in B.M.F.!
I used to love sitting where the trailing edge of the wings were, just to watch those triple slotted flaps deploy, and to see the spoilers open up on landing. It was if the wing was coming apart!
Those big things at the 747’s wingtips must have been comm/nav antennas or something. I liked wacthing them wiggle during turbulence.
So sad that the wonders of youth have gone. Nowadays I just want to get to wherever it is I’m going.
I look forward to seeing your jumbo all painted up!
