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Picture Post => Current and Finished Projects => Aircraft => Topic started by: sykotik on October 06, 2013, 05:23:41 AM

Title: 1/72 A400M - with a difference
Post by: sykotik on October 06, 2013, 05:23:41 AM
Hi everyone

Well, just after 4 months, I  have finally finished this rather big bird! I really like the shape of this aircraft - which kinda surprises me a little because it's a turbo-prop and to not my usual taste of subject matter.
I opted to go for a WIF because I found the test gray to be incredibly dull and I wanted something a little different to what's in the instructions. So, following in the steps of my F-22, I went for RNZAF but more of a "used and abused" look.

The decals are 1/72 C-130 Euro Scheme and came from Old Model Decals in New Zealand. All painted in Gunze. There is the Revell PE set there, SAC landing gear and the interior is fully lit courtesy of about 18 2mm SMD's. There was lighting on the wing tips too, but I shorted them out during testing after I had sealed the wing halves up.

Hope you enjoy the pics and please feel free to comment - good or bad.

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1224.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fee380%2Fmadhatta%2FA400M%2FIMG_2669_zps4540fe91.jpg&hash=e9df541bfacb18aefa10c92cf4f3afd9e4422282) (http://s1224.photobucket.com/user/madhatta/media/A400M/IMG_2669_zps4540fe91.jpg.html)

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1224.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fee380%2Fmadhatta%2FA400M%2FIMG_2687_zpseed4758d.jpg&hash=aee3e9bd46e1ac0db049669649c3fb7179683744) (http://s1224.photobucket.com/user/madhatta/media/A400M/IMG_2687_zpseed4758d.jpg.html)

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1224.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fee380%2Fmadhatta%2FA400M%2FIMG_2659_zpsea264a4e.jpg&hash=404623d74b28fbfd05bafee72913eb94a54464ef) (http://s1224.photobucket.com/user/madhatta/media/A400M/IMG_2659_zpsea264a4e.jpg.html)

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1224.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fee380%2Fmadhatta%2FA400M%2FIMG_2657_zpsaa738865.jpg&hash=77229f41137ad9ef81638fae0feffb1d97772993) (http://s1224.photobucket.com/user/madhatta/media/A400M/IMG_2657_zpsaa738865.jpg.html)

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1224.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fee380%2Fmadhatta%2FA400M%2FIMG_2678_zps6f25cac0.jpg&hash=494a7d9574a4ad6534ed83a46b0d99cd73063656) (http://s1224.photobucket.com/user/madhatta/media/A400M/IMG_2678_zps6f25cac0.jpg.html)

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1224.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fee380%2Fmadhatta%2FA400M%2FIMG_2679_zpsaf1c0112.jpg&hash=9024d113fab6b9a62f852d0fc558bb27eec4a135) (http://s1224.photobucket.com/user/madhatta/media/A400M/IMG_2679_zpsaf1c0112.jpg.html)

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1224.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fee380%2Fmadhatta%2FA400M%2FIMG_2683_zps8ef4074f.jpg&hash=e70666f4e043a105e9af371981eb5726adb5a5ca) (http://s1224.photobucket.com/user/madhatta/media/A400M/IMG_2683_zps8ef4074f.jpg.html)

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1224.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fee380%2Fmadhatta%2FA400M%2FIMG_2675_zps629825d2.jpg&hash=2dcb9121d881dd0f8748fc5aa89591b32950b351) (http://s1224.photobucket.com/user/madhatta/media/A400M/IMG_2675_zps629825d2.jpg.html)

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1224.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fee380%2Fmadhatta%2FA400M%2FIMG_2671_zpsaf3fa331.jpg&hash=028a2e0eb76351bff1917be59f7207fc78e87c86) (http://s1224.photobucket.com/user/madhatta/media/A400M/IMG_2671_zpsaf3fa331.jpg.html)

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1224.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fee380%2Fmadhatta%2FA400M%2FIMG_2685_zps57940c90.jpg&hash=2da7ac2eae824d53224041501d448f52cda6c9f7) (http://s1224.photobucket.com/user/madhatta/media/A400M/IMG_2685_zps57940c90.jpg.html)

I'll try to take some day light photos tomorrow if it fine's up and replace these one's with those if they turn out better.

There is a WIP here if you wanna have a squiz: http://www.arcforums.com/forums/air/index.php?showtopic=265052

See you around the boards! :)

Best regards

Sy
Title: Re: 1/72 A400M - with a difference
Post by: Army of One on October 06, 2013, 05:26:39 AM
Great build.....like the colour scheme.....love the interior lights..... :thumbsup:
Title: Re: 1/72 A400M - with a difference
Post by: rickshaw on October 06, 2013, 05:46:55 AM
Nice model.  How are the interior lights powered?  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: 1/72 A400M - with a difference
Post by: Spey_Phantom on October 06, 2013, 05:50:44 AM
very, very nicely done  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: 1/72 A400M - with a difference
Post by: Mortal Wombat on October 06, 2013, 05:55:57 AM
 :thumbsup:  :thumbsup:  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: 1/72 A400M - with a difference
Post by: Ed S on October 06, 2013, 05:58:33 AM
Nice looking model.  The lighting really adds to the appearance.

Ed
Title: Re: 1/72 A400M - with a difference
Post by: The Rat on October 06, 2013, 05:59:48 AM
As many others probably are (but are too embarrassed to admit), I live in awe of your painting skills. That just looks so good.  :bow:

Quote from: sykotik on October 06, 2013, 05:23:41 AM(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1224.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fee380%2Fmadhatta%2FA400M%2FIMG_2685_zps57940c90.jpg&hash=2da7ac2eae824d53224041501d448f52cda6c9f7) (http://s1224.photobucket.com/user/madhatta/media/A400M/IMG_2685_zps57940c90.jpg.html)

Are they using them to introduce bears to New Zealand? Probably to control all those moose (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10865715)!  ;D
Title: Re: 1/72 A400M - with a difference
Post by: Old Wombat on October 06, 2013, 06:36:27 AM
I'm not afraid to admit it, it's an awesome paint job, & the build is great, too! :thumbsup:

But that's one mighty big grizzly b'ar! :o

:cheers:

Guy
Title: Re: 1/72 A400M - with a difference
Post by: NARSES2 on October 06, 2013, 08:30:24 AM
That's really nice  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: 1/72 A400M - with a difference
Post by: crudebuteffective on October 06, 2013, 09:20:17 AM
 those lights make the interior look so real

:thumbsup:... :bow:
Title: Re: 1/72 A400M - with a difference
Post by: sandiego89 on October 06, 2013, 11:24:43 AM
Well done. Much better than the boring gray paint. 
Title: Re: 1/72 A400M - with a difference
Post by: Father Ennis on October 06, 2013, 11:44:13 AM
Indeed,your paint scheme is wonderful and so is your model. I think. You have created the ultimate "wet dream" C-130 !!!   The C-130 has always been one of my favorite all-time aircraft. Yours is not only the icing on the cake but the cake too ...!!!   BTW, can yours still fly backwards ???   At an airshow,once, I got to tour a C-130. When I told the piolet how much I loved his aircraft,he gave me the "Cook's tour". And, I even got to sit in the piolet's seat, too !!!  He loved his aircraft as much as I did !!!   
Title: Re: 1/72 A400M - with a difference
Post by: Glenn Gilbertson on October 06, 2013, 11:47:05 AM
Magnificent looking model - and the lights certainly add to it. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: 1/72 A400M - with a difference
Post by: sykotik on October 06, 2013, 03:13:06 PM
thanks very much for the great feedback guys - hugely appreciated!

Quote from: rickshaw on October 06, 2013, 05:46:55 AM
Nice model.  How are the interior lights powered?  :thumbsup:

The cargo in the hold contains the 9V battery which powers them ;)

Quote from: The Rat on October 06, 2013, 05:59:48 AM

Quote from: sykotik on October 06, 2013, 05:23:41 AM(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1224.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fee380%2Fmadhatta%2FA400M%2FIMG_2685_zps57940c90.jpg&hash=2da7ac2eae824d53224041501d448f52cda6c9f7) (http://s1224.photobucket.com/user/madhatta/media/A400M/IMG_2685_zps57940c90.jpg.html)

LOL - no. The A400 is nick named "grizzly" - so the above was just photographic play on words ;)

Quote from: Father Ennis on October 06, 2013, 11:44:13 AM
Indeed,your paint scheme is wonderful and so is your model. I think. You have created the ultimate "wet dream" C-130 !!!   The C-130 has always been one of my favorite all-time aircraft. Yours is not only the icing on the cake but the cake too ...!!!   BTW, can yours still fly backwards ???   At an airshow,once, I got to tour a C-130. When I told the piolet how much I loved his aircraft,he gave me the "Cook's tour". And, I even got to sit in the piolet's seat, too !!!  He loved his aircraft as much as I did !!!   

I too have been on board a C-130 many many years ago when I was a kid, but never got to sit in the pilots seat - much to my disappointment. I am not sure if the 400 can go backwards, but it can take off and and on a very short runway

Cheers everyone

Sy
Title: Re: 1/72 A400M - with a difference
Post by: Gondor on October 07, 2013, 11:35:05 AM
Quote from: sykotik on October 06, 2013, 03:13:06 PM

Quote from: rickshaw on October 06, 2013, 05:46:55 AM
Nice model.  How are the interior lights powered?  :thumbsup:

The cargo in the hold contains the 9V battery which powers them ;)


I had a similar idea for powering small electric motors hidden in the engines of an Airfix C-130 many years ago.

Gondor
Title: Re: 1/72 A400M - with a difference
Post by: kitnut617 on October 07, 2013, 02:00:58 PM
Ah! yes very nice ---  :thumbsup:

I'm going to build mine as a Canadian one, and s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d.  I'm going to call it a CC-400 Kodiak, I've drawn a Grizzly profile and then asked CanMilAir to make a decal of it in the proper RCAF greys.

Here's how it will fit, I made a paper template so I could get the size right, the bear's back will be above the wing.

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi200.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa263%2Fkitnut617%2FAirbus%2520A400M%2FA400Grizzly_zps97dd8f4e.jpg&hash=19cbf27a3852f18f5a5fa314d72338c5f9c7e4ac) (http://s200.photobucket.com/user/kitnut617/media/Airbus%20A400M/A400Grizzly_zps97dd8f4e.jpg.html)

Here's my decal, it's a re-scaled CC-177 decal CanMilAir does with serial numbers appropriately changed:

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi200.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa263%2Fkitnut617%2FAirbus%2520A400M%2FKodiakBear_zps774a3faf.jpg&hash=b34534138b6ef4a8bec0f8ec5ebbf8c1da54b81d) (http://s200.photobucket.com/user/kitnut617/media/Airbus%20A400M/KodiakBear_zps774a3faf.jpg.html)
Title: Re: 1/72 A400M - with a difference
Post by: sykotik on October 07, 2013, 02:08:11 PM
Now that is cool! Love the bear decal -very original. I look forward to seeing how it comes out!
Just on your build, be ready to spend a large amount of time filling and sanding the wing roots and seam lines where they meet the body. F*king awful fit for a new kit  :banghead:
Title: Re: 1/72 A400M - with a difference
Post by: kitnut617 on October 07, 2013, 02:12:46 PM
Thanks mate!, with my plan to stretch the fuselage, I might slide the bear decal a bit more forward to how I have it now.
Title: Re: 1/72 A400M - with a difference
Post by: sykotik on October 07, 2013, 03:11:20 PM
how - or more to the point - where, are you going to stretch it out from? I am assuming the forward part of the fuselage as there rear could be a bit to complex to do?
Have you started a thread for yours yet?
Title: Re: 1/72 A400M - with a difference
Post by: Captain Canada on October 07, 2013, 04:38:50 PM
What a beauty ! Nice to see one in a 'real' camo pattern and not overall boring  :thumbsup: Love the weathering....looks the part to me ! The mascot is pretty funny too....

:cheers:
Title: Re: 1/72 A400M - with a difference
Post by: Father Ennis on October 07, 2013, 05:26:37 PM
Yes, my friend, a C-130 ' COULD' indeed 'fly backwards'. They did this as a demo at the air show. But to be fair, they didn't do it in the air but on landing. Shortly after the wheels touched ground ,the engines were reversed and indeed it did 'fly backwards' . This was a demo of just how short it could land.  The only planes that could land in a shorter distance were the Piper Cubs !!!!!
Title: Re: 1/72 A400M - with a difference
Post by: kitnut617 on October 07, 2013, 05:32:18 PM
Quote from: sykotik on October 07, 2013, 03:11:20 PM
how - or more to the point - where, are you going to stretch it out from? I am assuming the forward part of the fuselage as there rear could be a bit to complex to do?
Have you started a thread for yours yet?

Front and back, the front is fairly straight forward, and as you say the rear is definitely more complex.  I think that I have to come almost under the wing and then extend the rear.  On top of that, I want to preserve the wing box fairing for another project I have in mind (did I mention I'll buy another A400M to use for this stretch).  I've already got a fuselage sourced for it ----

In all there will be three large Airbus projects to do, A400M-30, BAe 844 and this other I'll call an A410 ( I'll let you figure out what it entails).  I'll start a thread sometime in the near future but I've a couple of other projects to finish first before I start another group.
Title: Re: 1/72 A400M - with a difference
Post by: kitnut617 on October 08, 2013, 06:11:59 AM
Quote from: Father Ennis on October 07, 2013, 05:26:37 PM
Yes, my friend, a C-130 ' COULD' indeed 'fly backwards'. They did this as a demo at the air show. But to be fair, they didn't do it in the air but on landing. Shortly after the wheels touched ground ,the engines were reversed and indeed it did 'fly backwards' . This was a demo of just how short it could land.  The only planes that could land in a shorter distance were the Piper Cubs !!!!!

Erm!  I've seen a DHC CC-115 Buffalo do that trick at an airshow a few years ago ----
Title: Re: 1/72 A400M - with a difference
Post by: PR19_Kit on October 08, 2013, 09:36:03 AM
I did that with a Revell B-24D to make a RW model of the spotty 'First Sergeant' formation ship from WWII.

It has 4 x Spin-a-prop motors in the engines and two AA cels stacked vertically in the bomb bay. It also has flashing lights on the top of the fuselage, ex-Frog Super VC10 kit, and no less than 590 coloured dots over the cmao scheme!
Title: Re: 1/72 A400M - with a difference
Post by: darthspud on October 08, 2013, 11:23:16 AM
RAF Hercs regularly used to fly backwards at Gutersloh as they only got parked nose on facing out from taxiways.
The first time I saw it my jaw literally dropped. Fast jet based before my posting to Gutersloh and had been told about it, just thought it was a wind-up.
Title: Re: 1/72 A400M - with a difference
Post by: PR19_Kit on October 08, 2013, 12:57:30 PM
Beverleys were the first RAF aircraft to reverse taxi as they had fully reversible props. I used to watch them back out of their canvas 'hangars' at RAF Abingdon in 1953 or so, totally mind boggling. Even more so when they did the trick during a BoB Display to get back to the threshold after disgorging a Landie or two and the odd field gun.
Title: Re: 1/72 A400M - with a difference
Post by: Father Ennis on October 08, 2013, 11:01:56 PM
Indeed,a very impressive site and one not to be forgotten ....
Title: Re: 1/72 A400M - with a difference
Post by: Dizzyfugu on October 09, 2013, 12:29:38 AM
Wonderful work, in many ways!  :bow: