Airbus

[GTX_Admin]

1/144 I presume?

[Gingie]

Yep, Revell boxing. Its big even in 144th!

[apophenia]

I was on FB marketplace the other day, and decided to type in Airbus A340...

Good score! And now you've got four CFM56 nacelles for the spares box 

Are you tempted to do a gear-up diorama?

[Gingie]

Are you tempted to do a gear-up diorama?

That's a very interesting question. Short answer is yes.

I've amassed a pretty decent collection of unbuilt RCAF/RCN aircraft in 72 and 144. The intent has always been to have them on display, and I find aircraft generally look better gear up & canopy down. To that end, I've acquired dozens of feet of clear plexiglass rod. I think a nut epoxied on the inside of the fuselage, and if I run a die with matching threads on the rod, I can have a simple and secure mount. Bases could be simple wooden squares or circles with a nameplate.

Gear up is sometimes more difficult than gear down though!

Part of me is tempted to paint the canopy interior black and forgo cockpit detailing completely - these are models for "me" and not for contests or articles. Apart from decals, almost entirely OOTB. Almost like wooden desktop models.

I'd like to pair a 707 gassing up some CF116, an Airbus with some CF18, and the CC330 with some CF35 although I'm not sure if 144 F35's exist. I also have a CC141 I'd like to do the same with a CB-52 

In fact, there's a host of 72nd kits I have that I'm considering replacing with 144th; pretty much all the 4 prop jobs, and a few of the 2 props (Albatross, Dash 8, Twotter, Caribou)

[GTX_Admin]

although I'm not sure if 144 F35's exist.

They do

[Gingie]

need to replace Revell's PW4000s with Trent 700 (Bra.Z Models BZ4002). Those Bra.Z bits are currently available at Hannants.

So the A340 comes with Trent 500's, and I from what I can tell the Trent 700 is around 3' longer. Same diameter.

Sounds like a lot, and even in 144th that's still about 1/4". Initially I thought a couple disks of .080 styrene might do the trick, but the manner in which revell has moulded the engine halves already mated to the wing mounts makes it less easy than just bisecting the engine and sanding some oversize circles flush. 

But on closer inspection, its more than just length, with the hot bits of the 700 (top) being more faired in that the 500 (bottom).

[GTX_Admin]

Interestingly, the RCAF CC-330 Husky aircraft will come with Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines whereas the RAAF's KC-30As are powered by two General Electric CF6-80E1A3 engines.

[Gingie]

Consarnit.

While the boxing of the A340 I have is Air Canada, and AC uses the Trent 500, it appears Revell has moulded the same CFM56-5C as other A340 operators.

So... BraZ Trent 700's, or, wait for Revell's re-pop of the A330, take those engines and fuselage, and kitbash with the A340 wings?

[apophenia]

... While the boxing of the A340 I have is Air Canada, and AC uses the Trent 500, it appears Revell has moulded the same CFM56-5C as other A340 operators...

Good to know that Revell researchers are right on top of all those fiddly details!

Mind you, comparing the Trent 500 and 700 cowlings, the conversion looks like 'a bit of a mission'. AFAIK, the big changes were dictated by the very different thrust-reverser designs.

... BraZ Trent 700's, or ...

Yep BraZ Models. Look like fairly nice mouldings and they're only about CAD 15 at Hannants at the moment.

[Gingie]

Yeah, I sprung for the BraZ motors and tail. Not 100% sure if I'll go the tanker route, or leave it as a Strategic Transport. Might even do the "RCAF One" scheme if Above & Below Graphics does a sheet.