Since the release of the Airbus A380 in kit form there have been many Whiffs but not grouped together on one topic. Until now.
The are different scales and even a see through interior version. The largest scale I've found is 1/144 and for a modest price can be bought for under £30 depending on the vendor.
Many years ago I saw an inflight refueling version at RAF Waddington, in USAF colours and flying boom.
Other Whiffers have depicted the A380 in Airforce One although the USA did cancel the EH-101 and Airbus tanker orders.
A freighter version or ELINT. Perhaps an AWACS or JSTARS. Even the British Red cross.
For me an MPA/ASW.
A bomber using part of the cargo hold as a weapons bay.
If it was feasible to add the Airfix 1/72 BAe Nimrod at shoulder height a plausible flying boat. Where the lower wing would have gone two very large sponsors to house the landing gear.
I was thinking of an elevator type loading system that would drop down
The problem with most military transport options is that the upper deck needs special infrastructure (i.e. a dedicated terminal) to unload it. You can't just fly it into some backwater airport and roll a set of air stairs up to it.
Tanker? Pointless : the A380's all about space whereas what tankers needs is weight (fuel being more dense than people). Most real tankers have space to space already.
Air Force One seems unlikely, but how about a "Europe One", i.e. the EU gets it's own fleet of aircraft for diplomatic missions? You could have fun inventing the colour scheme for that one. (Fantasy Printshop do sheets of yellow stars.......)
ELINT/AWACS/JSTARS/MPA missions would probably be better served by an A340. A flying command post with room for a really big staff plus comms gear might be an idea though.
How about a theatre-defence laser system, similar to the one on the Americans built on a 747? That would suite the two-deck layout well. Space-hungry gas-pumped laser on the upper deck with a turret on the top, command and control on the lower deck, plus the black boxes and emitters for two serious phased-array radars on the fuselage sides (the tall fuselage would be an advantage here, for an upwards looking array that needed good 3D resolution).
How about a hospital plane? Medical is a space-hungry application, and you wouldn't be trying to load/unload large numbers of people quickly, so the upper deck access wouldn't be an issue: you could enter/exit at lower deck level then use the internal stairs/lifts. I could see two possible operating modes. First one would traditional medevac flights, but with first-class medical attention/facilities for those time critical cases that can't wait to get to the destination hospital. The second one would be a mobile hospital: the A380 flies to a war or disaster zone and then stays on the ground providing a substitute/supplement for damaged or inadequate local facilities.
How about a large cargo version - remove the floor for the upper deck, add a hinged nose or tail.
Ooh, or a satellite launcher. Have an "open-top" with the upper deck open for a decent sized rocket. folding fairings to keep it sleek while in flight, which open up to let the rocket launch. Maybe a split tail section with twin tails to keep it out of the way of the rocket exhaust.
Quote from: pyro-manic on May 29, 2014, 09:01:32 AM
How about a large cargo version - remove the floor for the upper deck, add a hinged nose or tail.
That'd be a Super Beluga then? ;D
I think there was a proposal for a 4 engined Beluga at one stage, but the expected loads didn't warrant all the extra work.
I haven't seen that many Airbus A340 kits in 1/144 scale the odd Airfix A300B appears from time to time. Got one in the stash.
Might be able to use the An-124 and A380 together to get the shoulder mounted wing and use the An-124 undercarriage. Twin fin tail unit. I'll have to see.
That space launcher idea, I like.
Adding additional decks might work.
You know, for all the hype about the A380 being the largest passenger hauler, it's not that much bigger --
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi200.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa263%2Fkitnut617%2F747%2520Shuttle%2520Carrier%2Fgiant_planes_comparison_svg_zps5e5d7311.png&hash=8935c294e5a399ddcaf7baad750682bf62ec5ed3) (http://s200.photobucket.com/user/kitnut617/media/747%20Shuttle%20Carrier/giant_planes_comparison_svg_zps5e5d7311.png.html)
I've got a An-124, A380 and C-5 all in 1/144th and Revell which I might move on as a package ----
A freighter was planned but canceled, and you can't just 'take out the upper deck', it aint' designed that way.
The largest available A380 model is the Heller 1/125 kit.
Quote from: McColm on May 29, 2014, 10:59:48 AM
I haven't seen that many Airbus A340 kits in 1/144 scale
Revell make the only one there is AFAIK, but it's an excellent kit, like the majority of their 1/144 airliners.
Quote from: kitnut617 on May 29, 2014, 11:29:54 AM
You know, for all the hype about the A380 being the largest passenger hauler, it's not that much bigger --
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi200.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa263%2Fkitnut617%2F747%2520Shuttle%2520Carrier%2Fgiant_planes_comparison_svg_zps5e5d7311.png&hash=8935c294e5a399ddcaf7baad750682bf62ec5ed3) (http://s200.photobucket.com/user/kitnut617/media/747%20Shuttle%20Carrier/giant_planes_comparison_svg_zps5e5d7311.png.html)
It's the largest as in passenger carrying capacity, so it's not hype really.
It's also the largest to reach actual service...
I know someone who has flown on one, he got lost finding his seat on his return from the toilets. They rope off areas so the stowage passengers don't mingle with first class.
Quote from: McColm on May 29, 2014, 07:39:48 PM
They rope off areas so the stowage passengers don't mingle with first class.
Perish the thought...........
Probably have Ron & Ron style bouncers on the door to the first class cocktail lounge too: "Sorry, you're not on the list..."
Quote from: PR19_Kit on May 29, 2014, 12:28:05 PM
It's the largest as in passenger carrying capacity, so it's not hype really.
What I meant Kit, was it's just a few feet bigger than the Boeing 747 and big aircraft like this have been flying for years. If Boeing extended their top deck all the way back to the fin, they would have something similar
ive been thinking of painting one in Gold, like the one proposed in Madagascar 3 ;D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_Cvtr86H5g
Quote from: joncarrfarrelly on May 29, 2014, 11:35:34 AM
A freighter was planned but canceled, and you can't just 'take out the upper deck', it aint' designed that way.
I wasn't suggesting it would be simple, practical, or even plausible. Just throwing out ideas for models.... :rolleyes:
Quote from: McColm on May 29, 2014, 07:39:48 PM
I know someone who has flown on one, he got lost finding his seat on his return from the toilets. They rope off areas so the stowage passengers don't mingle with first class.
If your flying stowage it should be easy to spot the oar handles sticking in the sides over the benches. :wacko:
A flying boat, great idea.
Or convert it into affordable housing, a flying hotel!
Quote from: McColm on May 30, 2014, 09:46:08 AM
A flying boat, great idea.
Or convert it into affordable housing, a flying hotel!
A flying hotel wouldn't be very affordable! However, numerous airliners have been converted into houses or hotel suites. A google search will turn up several. Some with and some without wings attached. I've always wondered how hard it would be to convert a retired C-130E or H into a house.
Some converted into pleasure craft as well.
A water bomber as a Whiff or US Coast Guard colours.
An eye surgery.
Flying observatory.
NASA colour scheme.
X-plane carrier. Two parasite aircraft attached to the vertical tail fin and two more on or under each wing.
Malaysia Airlines to reconfigure A380s for Hajj flights
http://atwonline.com/airbus-a380/malaysia-airlines-reconfigure-a380s-hajj-flights
Malaysia Airlines has confirmed plans to reconfigure and reassign its six Airbus A380s to a new carrier unit dedicated to transporting Hajj pilgrimage passengers.
New CEO Peter Bellew detailed the A380 plans Nov. 18 during a panel discussion in Manila at the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) 60th Assembly of Presidents. He said the A380s were "too big and thirsty" for the carrier's Kuala Lumpur-London Heathrow route and it was "too early yet for a second-hand sales market" for the super jumbo.
Hey Guys, what about Converting an A380 into a Gunship? would that be a Workable Idea? Dan
Could carry some big guns but would be an easy target me thinks.
:thumbsup:
Might look something like this....
(https://i.imgur.com/7wI0tSp.jpg)
Something the size of an A380 could carry an electromagnetic railgun...
...and a reactor to power it.
there was a proposal to build the A380 as the next Air Force One, but Boeing won it with its 747-8.
would make a good AF1 or Euro1 :mellow:
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.fineartamerica.com%2Fimages-medium-large%2Fusaf-airbus-a380-air-force-one-nop-briex.jpg&hash=f852d5eb80fae4a09273440083912e12fb5fa693)
Will AF1 now get gold toilets installed?
Stop having these pointless competitions and just say the US government will not buy any Airbus products. Cut to the chase.
Bye bye A380, potentially hard times ahead for Broughton.
https://www.aerosociety.com/news/requiem-for-a-superjumbo/
Quote from: joncarrfarrelly on February 16, 2019, 11:41:06 AM
Bye bye A380, potentially hard times ahead for Broughton.
https://www.aerosociety.com/news/requiem-for-a-superjumbo/
Under the same logic that caused them to stop the A380 production, I can't see the 747-8 going on for much longer. Everyone's flying twins these days.
Apparently there are
NO US airlines flying the 747 any more. :o
I think Boeing agrees with you, that's why they decided to just upgrade the 747 rather than design a true replacement. That having been said, it still has a place as a freighter with its nose door, something the A380 just never could do. I suspect -8F orders will sustain the 747-8 alive for some years to come, though, as -400 cargo operators seek to replace some of their aircraft before the line closes for good. I would not be the least bit surprised if the 747-8 stays in production through at least 2025. The An-124 still hasn't re-entered production (not sure if it ever will), and the MD-11, C-17, A340, and A380 are all out of production, too, so the 747 has found itself the last man standing in a number of areas. Right now, they can sustain production at the current rate of 0.5 aircraft a month with only 6 orders placed a year. Currently, the closest competitors to both the -8I and -8F are the A330-900 and the 777-9 . I don't think Boeing will worry too much about losing 747-8 orders to the latter aircraft.
Long story short, Boeing could wind down the 747-8 and kill it in just a couple of years, or they may keep it going for 10+ more years almost exclusively on a slow trickle of cargo orders (and the occasional VVIP prestige order). Given the amount of valuable floor space the production line takes up, I suspect they won't want to keep it open indefinitely. It'll be interesting to see.
Quote from: PR19_Kit on February 16, 2019, 12:13:16 PM
Quote from: joncarrfarrelly on February 16, 2019, 11:41:06 AM
Bye bye A380, potentially hard times ahead for Broughton.
https://www.aerosociety.com/news/requiem-for-a-superjumbo/
Under the same logic that caused them to stop the A380 production, I can't see the 747-8 going on for much longer. Everyone's flying twins these days.
Apparently there are NO US airlines flying the 747 any more. :o
The largest operator of 747 these days is British Airways - there is a big update programme underway.
As a frequent traveler, always in cattle-class and almost always long-haul I can say that A380 is by far the least unpleasant airliner for those of us at the back.
Dreamliner comes close but the A380 is incredibly quiet and smooth. I've been onboard Air France, British Airways and Quantas versions at various times and all were bliss compared to the 747. Even in its upgraded form for BA it's still bloody loud inside.
Mind you I have a very good friend who retired as a senior BA captain recently, I can't say anything against her "Cadillac of the skies"! :)
Currently the 747-8F backlog stands at 24, mostly UPS,
which will take production through 2022. More orders
would not be surprising.
Aurbus bet on hub-and-spoke, Boeing bet on the direct
flight model, turns out they made the right choice.
Quote from: joncarrfarrelly on February 17, 2019, 09:33:07 AM
Aurbus bet on hub-and-spoke, Boeing bet on the direct
flight model, turns out they made the right choice.
Most 787s still fly from hubs...
Airbus bet on capacity, Boeing bet on frequency.
Quote from: AS.12 on February 17, 2019, 12:26:13 PM
Quote from: joncarrfarrelly on February 17, 2019, 09:33:07 AM
Aurbus bet on hub-and-spoke, Boeing bet on the direct
flight model, turns out they made the right choice.
Most 787s still fly from hubs...
767's, 777's and 787's at least that's what I was seeing at YYC. With the odd 747
Quote from: Doug K on February 17, 2019, 01:31:52 AM
...the least unpleasant airliner for those of us at the back....
Nicely put.
:thumbsup:
Quote from: zenrat on February 18, 2019, 02:32:41 AM
Quote from: Doug K on February 17, 2019, 01:31:52 AM
...the least unpleasant airliner for those of us at the back....
Nicely put.
:thumbsup:
Indeed, and I'm partially deaf in one ear :banghead:
I wonder if it can take off from an aircraft carrier?
Quote from: McColm on February 19, 2019, 07:52:47 AM
I wonder if it can take off from an aircraft carrier?
I wonder if it could be an aircraft carrier?!
Quote from: kerick on February 19, 2019, 08:16:49 AM
Quote from: McColm on February 19, 2019, 07:52:47 AM
I wonder if it can take off from an aircraft carrier?
I wonder if it could be an aircraft carrier?!
Or launch Tomahawk missiles?
There's a documentary on the 747 on BBC 4 tonight (20/02/19). It will be a repeat as it is BBC 4 :angel: and I think I've seen it but I shall record it in case.
It might be a good candidate as a mothership for mini fighter
Quote from: McColm on February 19, 2019, 07:52:47 AM
I wonder if it can take off from an aircraft carrier?
Anything can take-off from an aircraft carrier if the aircraft carrier is big enough...
(https://images.ecosia.org/FA8-03vkYuQ-RqSQZ0TA1-7k5SM=/0x390/smart/http%3A%2F%2Fallthatsinteresting.com%2Fwordpress%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F01%2Fproject-habakkuk.png)
(https://images.ecosia.org/CUV9DoJTGLlp5lQ7nUP2jaW-urQ=/0x390/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fmilaviate.files.wordpress.com%2F2015%2F08%2Fmob-flex_b_full.jpg%3Fw%3D620%26h%3D264%26crop%3D1)
Commercial aircraft using aircraft carriers, now that's worth a whiff. :banghead:
Quote from: McColm on February 22, 2019, 10:54:29 PM
Commercial aircraft using aircraft carriers, now that's worth a whiff. :banghead:
Yes, it is (http://www.whatifmodellers.com/index.php/topic,35270.60.html)
Quote from: Hobbes on February 23, 2019, 12:56:02 AM
Quote from: McColm on February 22, 2019, 10:54:29 PM
Commercial aircraft using aircraft carriers, now that's worth a whiff. :banghead:
Yes, it is (http://www.whatifmodellers.com/index.php/topic,35270.60.html)
I have seen 1/72 aircraft carrier scenery sets, building a backdrop super structure of an aircraft carrier is possible if I had the space so something in 1/144 could be achieved.
here's an idea someones had for the A380
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7825/47194208262_e4a157bbbf_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2eUoDTU)IMG_E0179 (https://flic.kr/p/2eUoDTU) by (https://www.flickr.com/photos/155882726@N06/), on Flickr
Relatively simple to do as well :rolleyes:
seen at Göthenborg Airport.
Regards
Keith