Concorde, to light up?
Discussion
So. I'm after a Concorde model kit, that for the first time in my life, im going to spend actual time and effort in doing properly. Not just "that will do".
I'd like to make one that I can make light up from the inside, and also put in some wee wing lights, run the wires into either a battery pack or a USB wotsit.
I haven't built a model for about 20 years (and now my mum doesn't live with me, she can't shout at me for ruining the carpet!)... I'm utterly clueless what to look for.
I imagine I'll need a few tweezer type tools - anything else recommended to assist in the build?
I also have a model 190E Cosworth kit on the spare room, and MrsSE has a brace of VWs to build, so I don't mind spending a bit to get good, reusable kit.
Mainly though... What Concorde model kit should I start with? I would like it big enough to show on a bookcase but not so big I need to build its own hangar...
I'd like to make one that I can make light up from the inside, and also put in some wee wing lights, run the wires into either a battery pack or a USB wotsit.
I haven't built a model for about 20 years (and now my mum doesn't live with me, she can't shout at me for ruining the carpet!)... I'm utterly clueless what to look for.
I imagine I'll need a few tweezer type tools - anything else recommended to assist in the build?
I also have a model 190E Cosworth kit on the spare room, and MrsSE has a brace of VWs to build, so I don't mind spending a bit to get good, reusable kit.
Mainly though... What Concorde model kit should I start with? I would like it big enough to show on a bookcase but not so big I need to build its own hangar...
Despite its high public profile, there have not been that many Concorde models over the years.
This is them all, I think -
This is the original 1/144 Airfix kit, issued in 1966. It is of a Concorde that never really was as it was based on what the aircraft looked like during a fairly early stage in teh design process. Interestingly, Airfix will be re-releasing this kit sometime this year.
This is the later AIrfix 1/144 kit. It has appeared in a number of coplour schemes. It is reasonably accurate.
Revell has also issued a 1/144 Concorde which is better than the Airfix kit in some areas -
Airfix released a 1/72 Concorde in 2004. It's certainly the biggest plastic kit around of Concorde. It looks impressive when built but all reports I've ever read on it say that it fights you all the way. It has also appeared in Heller and Revell boxes -
Extremely rare (I've never seen one in the flesh, either in its box or built, is the Nitto 1/144 Concorde -
Nitto also did one in 1/100. Again, it's pretty rare -
Doyusha also released the Nitto 1/100 Concorde.
That's it apart from toys or pre-built models as far as I know.
This is them all, I think -
This is the original 1/144 Airfix kit, issued in 1966. It is of a Concorde that never really was as it was based on what the aircraft looked like during a fairly early stage in teh design process. Interestingly, Airfix will be re-releasing this kit sometime this year.
This is the later AIrfix 1/144 kit. It has appeared in a number of coplour schemes. It is reasonably accurate.
Revell has also issued a 1/144 Concorde which is better than the Airfix kit in some areas -
Airfix released a 1/72 Concorde in 2004. It's certainly the biggest plastic kit around of Concorde. It looks impressive when built but all reports I've ever read on it say that it fights you all the way. It has also appeared in Heller and Revell boxes -
Extremely rare (I've never seen one in the flesh, either in its box or built, is the Nitto 1/144 Concorde -
Nitto also did one in 1/100. Again, it's pretty rare -
Doyusha also released the Nitto 1/100 Concorde.
That's it apart from toys or pre-built models as far as I know.
Heller did a 1/125 one which is meant to be pretty good although rare due to the odd scale. Might be easier to light than a little 1/144 one.
Wouldn't bother with the airfix/heller/revell 1/72 kit (same plastic in different boxes) it's a nightmare to build, fuselage is in several sections with not much to hold it together and the wing shape is all wrong.
Wouldn't bother with the airfix/heller/revell 1/72 kit (same plastic in different boxes) it's a nightmare to build, fuselage is in several sections with not much to hold it together and the wing shape is all wrong.
Edited by lufbramatt on Sunday 16th February 13:17
Things can change. Airfix brought out a De Havilland Comet 4B in the early 1960s. For decades the fuselages looked like this -
Note that the passenger cabin windows are represented by apertures and clear plastic inserts.
In more recent years they re-released the Comet but now they have omitted the apertures and provided decals to represent the windows. The picture below shows what the fuselage now looks like.
This is the finished model which you can see has decals for the windows -
To be honest, in 1/144 scale decals, I think, look more realistic for airliner windows. The main reason I say that is because many airliners have metallic/chrome window surrounds which are really hard (read - impossible) to replicate if the windows are represented by apertures. With a decal the metal; surround can be included as part of the decal.
Obviously, none of that applies if you want to illuminate the model from within. And Concorde windows didn't have metal surrounds.
I wonder what Airfix will do with the re-release of their original Concorde from 1966.
Note that the passenger cabin windows are represented by apertures and clear plastic inserts.
In more recent years they re-released the Comet but now they have omitted the apertures and provided decals to represent the windows. The picture below shows what the fuselage now looks like.
This is the finished model which you can see has decals for the windows -
To be honest, in 1/144 scale decals, I think, look more realistic for airliner windows. The main reason I say that is because many airliners have metallic/chrome window surrounds which are really hard (read - impossible) to replicate if the windows are represented by apertures. With a decal the metal; surround can be included as part of the decal.
Obviously, none of that applies if you want to illuminate the model from within. And Concorde windows didn't have metal surrounds.
I wonder what Airfix will do with the re-release of their original Concorde from 1966.
Simpo Two said:
Eric Mc said:
In more recent years they re-released the Comet but now they have omitted the apertures and provided decals to represent the windows...
Evidently an attempt by Airfix to avoid plastic fatigue...!Just picked up the Heller 1/72 from a proper model shop (Chester Moor, fact fans). Ialways love going into such places, the smell takes me back to being much smaller than I am now.
Once I have cleared some space in the spare room, I will begin. Expect progress photos up to the point I end up in Casualty with half a model plane sticking out of my eye...
Once I have cleared some space in the spare room, I will begin. Expect progress photos up to the point I end up in Casualty with half a model plane sticking out of my eye...
Eric Mc said:
You did see Lubramatt's comments above on this kit?
The Heller 1/72 Concorde is exactly the same kit as the Airfix 1/72 kit.
At the time the kit first came out, Airfix and Heller were owned by the same company.
I did read the "nightmare" but missed the "wouldn't bother"... Serves me right for not reading it properly.The Heller 1/72 Concorde is exactly the same kit as the Airfix 1/72 kit.
At the time the kit first came out, Airfix and Heller were owned by the same company.
If in doubt I'll just cover the thing in Polyfilla and make sure it goes on a really high shelf...!
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