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Picture Post => Current and Finished Projects => Aircraft => Topic started by: PR19_Kit on July 26, 2017, 03:22:56 PM

Title: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: PR19_Kit on July 26, 2017, 03:22:56 PM
I needed a break from doing all those fiddly little things on the Monterey's beaching trolley, so I thought I'd do something a bit simpler to fill in the gaps. A couple of years ago Mrs_PR19 bought me a Revell 1/72 A-400M for my birthday pressie, and it's been sitting on the top of my 'I should build that one day' pile ever since. I've also got a conversion kit for something else that should fit it OK, and make a pretty striking model when it's all done.  ;) ;)

So I started on it..................

NOT a good idea, it's ENORMOUS!

I can only just get my hands around the fuselage when it's put together, and it has TWO fuselages. No, not like a Twin Mustang, but one inside the other. In order to provide full internal detail, including all the para-troop seats, Revell have you build the entire inner fuselage first, assemble the cockpit bits onto the front, and then put the outer fuselage skins around it all. Currently I've got the inner one assembled, and the cockpit, but not painted it yet, and one half of the outer fuselage glued in place.

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.com%2Fa%2Fimg922%2F1561%2F0oVmPW.jpg&hash=cd96cfbb8b45a5b4c23baa894d75fde38be6acba)

There's vastly too many parts really, much of the cockpit stuff can't be seen at all, there's two bunks behind a folding screen at the rear, but the screen is closed so you can't see them! I did try and see if I could  do without the inner fuselage entirely, but I don't think it can be built strongly enough like that, and you'd need the rear part anyway to hold the rear hatch in place.

More when I take another break from the Monterey.
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: sandiego89 on July 26, 2017, 03:44:02 PM
Big "breather" project! 

I never get some of that inside detail in some kits- but agree sometimes it is needed for rigidity. 

Appreciate a scale reference in the next photo when you get a chance...screwdriver, beer can...so we can see how big she really is!

Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on July 26, 2017, 03:56:06 PM
Quote from: sandiego89 on July 26, 2017, 03:44:02 PM

Appreciate a scale reference in the next photo when you get a chance...screwdriver, beer can...so we can see how big she really is!


Good thinking there Dave, I'll do that for sure.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: zenrat on July 26, 2017, 05:53:14 PM
The Italeri SM82 Marsupiale has a full complement of paratrooper seats which can't be seen.  I will be transplanting them onto something with bigger windows.

Will you be extending the 400's wings he asked innocently?  :angel:
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: rickshaw on July 26, 2017, 06:56:02 PM
Let me guess, Kit, its either an AEW or a MR aircraft you're building?    :thumbsup:
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: McColm on July 27, 2017, 12:18:14 AM
I've got one of those in my stash, I thought of using the engines on the Revell Dassault Breguet Br1150 Atlantic and using a pair from the Monogram B-52D on the Atlas. Just to be different.
My first thought was AEW or a gunship.
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on July 27, 2017, 02:30:50 AM
Quote from: zenrat on July 26, 2017, 05:53:14 PM

Will you be extending the 400's wings he asked innocently?  :angel:


Actually no, just for a change.  ;D  It'll take up enough shelf space as it is.

Quote from: rickshaw on July 26, 2017, 06:56:02 PM

Let me guess, Kit, its either an AEW or a MR aircraft you're building?    :thumbsup:


Nope, none of the above.  ;D
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on July 27, 2017, 04:29:14 PM
Did lots of the Atlas today, and I was thinking that after the trials and tribulations of the Monterey this very modern Revell kit would be a doddle.

Wrong..........

While the enormous fin/rudder and tailplanes went together nicely, as did the main wing parts, trying to get the other half of the fuselage to fit was impossible. Even with vast amounts of tape and re-gluing parts that had come unglued it still won't fit. See the second pic below showing the MASSIVE gap above the cockpit. It's too big for PSR so I'll have to add a wedge of styrene and then PSR it. The rest of it doesn't really want to fit either but brute force managed to get some of the edges to join up, the rest will be superglued.

The guy who designed the engines is insane, Revell supply parts to replicate the complete compressor and turbine section of the engine, including a MIND bogglingly complicated intake area, all of which is totally invisible after assembly! I only built the #4 engine like that, all the rest had just the minimum amount to look good from the outside.

The main pic shows the whole thing, some of the yellow tape is just to hold the bits in the place, but some of the rest is holding it while the glue sets. I'm going to model the port para drop door in the open position, just because it's weird, which is why the port main gear fairing is glued in place now. Quite a chunk of it folds down to become a 'door mat' for the para drop door, as you'll see later in the build.

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.com%2Fa%2Fimg923%2F3056%2FwdAn0B.jpg&hash=1a4baf87c951c3c699340220f43e7424d6ba5ccb)

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.com%2Fa%2Fimg924%2F9063%2FBJZ45P.jpg&hash=7fbd66529b2c3e66de3b7a622463f624de8c16ac)
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: zenrat on July 27, 2017, 06:47:46 PM
Wow, that is a big gap.
It that going to cause issues with the glazing?
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: Thorvic on July 27, 2017, 10:45:34 PM
It will be the interior fuselage not 100% true as these kits have almost no build tolerance these days. I bet if you did a dry fit of the outer fuselage halves it would be a an almost perfect fit. The Transall, Condor and Globemaster are all the same and the engines sound like the Atlantque being over engineered.

Thankfully somebody at our club built one as soon as it came out so I only got the one and put it in storage as no chance it was going to be built anytime soon. Its massive - Nice but Massive
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: Gondor on July 27, 2017, 10:51:58 PM
I plan to get the 1/144 scale version as I consider the 1/72 scale version way too big

Gondor
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on July 27, 2017, 11:19:28 PM
Quote from: zenrat on July 27, 2017, 06:47:46 PM

Wow, that is a big gap.
It that going to cause issues with the glazing?


It may do, but the glazing is all one piece, and the rear half has to be painted too, so if need be I can saw a 'V' cut into it and add a small wedge there too.

Quote from: Thorvic on July 27, 2017, 10:45:34 PM

It will be the interior fuselage not 100% true as these kits have almost no build tolerance these days. I bet if you did a dry fit of the outer fuselage halves it would be a an almost perfect fit. The Transall, Condor and Globemaster are all the same and the engines sound like the Atlantque being over engineered.


It is the inner fuselage being too wide just near the entrance door, yes. I tried the outer halves together beforehand and they fitted pretty well, but now it's glued together you can feel that it gets wider just around the door. The well over complicated interior bulkheads would seem to be the problem, but I can't take them out now of course.  ;D

I've got a Revell Transall too, but I've not opened the box yet. Perhaps it'll stay that way...........
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: zenrat on July 28, 2017, 01:49:51 AM
At least they are nice big parts you can get a good grip on when you are wrestling with them (trying to find a bright side here).
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on July 28, 2017, 01:51:37 AM
And I NEEDED a grip last night while trying to get the sides to meet!

It's a hefty piece of kit when it's assembled, makes a Herk look like a toy.  :o
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: kitnut617 on July 28, 2017, 05:48:25 AM
As you might remember Kit,  I've got two of those beasties. Using wings from one for something else and the other will have all the left over bits to make a 'stretched' version.
Watching your project with interest   :mellow:
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: McColm on July 28, 2017, 08:14:07 AM
Thanks for the progress reports, I might replace the wing completely with something from  one of the V bombers.
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on July 28, 2017, 11:29:40 AM
To quote a now notorious Australian 'Do you know what it is yet?'  ;D

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.com%2Fa%2Fimg922%2F9546%2F135ZU5.jpg&hash=da974ada5d03fb845b901399ca123bb904c9b5c0)

It's going to be a  modern day version of the famous Hercules W2 'Snoopy', and my Atlas will become 'Snoopy 2' in a very similar colour scheme to the original.

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.com%2Fa%2Fimg924%2F7375%2FR0uOrd.jpg&hash=613204e8dd77275e6a78fc8163f6b16d09e62d72)

I've now got all four engines installed, and I've cleaned up all 32 blades of the four props!  :banghead: They'll be fitted later in the build of course, they're far too fragile for now.

I sawed off the nose to match the angles of the Snoopy conversion kit, and amazingly it fits almost perfectly. It'll need a little PSR but not that much. I've glued the massive tail in place (the tailplanes are larger than Hunter wings!) and I've done the port para door as well. You'll see I've added a styrene wedge over the cockpit and the glazing fits reasonably well, it'll need just a little PSR on the starboard side.

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.com%2Fa%2Fimg923%2F5526%2FKngOCL.jpg&hash=72cc6bf0dd2d5e958b5f83bc65eaaed8703123f4)

If you want to know where the door itself is, it opens up inside, see the real Atlas pic below.

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.com%2Fa%2Fimg924%2F81%2FJTG5zO.jpg&hash=77aa3db54867393bdd2977ebfcc7bf4384ae30ee)
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: sandiego89 on July 28, 2017, 03:01:47 PM
Great idea!  IIRC the real Snoopy was converted to test the A-400 engine- so a great link there! 
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on July 28, 2017, 03:23:35 PM
Quote from: sandiego89 on July 28, 2017, 03:01:47 PM

Great idea!  IIRC the real Snoopy was converted to test the A-400 engine- so a great link there!


Indeed it was, there's loads of pics about with the A400 engine in the #2 position on XV208, and very strange it looks too.
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: rickshaw on July 28, 2017, 09:18:58 PM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on July 28, 2017, 03:23:35 PM
Quote from: sandiego89 on July 28, 2017, 03:01:47 PM

Great idea!  IIRC the real Snoopy was converted to test the A-400 engine- so a great link there!


Indeed it was, there's loads of pics about with the A400 engine in the #2 position on XV208, and very strange it looks too.

Looks like it could cruise on that one engine alone...   ;)
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on July 28, 2017, 10:21:06 PM
It probably could, that one engine had almost 2.5 times the power of one of the normal Allisons!  :o
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: kitnut617 on July 29, 2017, 06:06:46 AM
Brilliant idea Kit, one of those 'why didn't I think of that' ones.

Saw my first real A400 yesterday at YYC too --- parked next to the Voyager it didn't look as big as I thought it would though. Which is surprising as matching up the 1/72 kit to the 1/72 A310 I have there's not a lot of difference between them. 

You mention the huge tail plane (which it is), but it's the same size as the A310 tail plane 
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: ChernayaAkula on July 29, 2017, 08:58:02 AM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on July 28, 2017, 10:21:06 PM
It probably could, that one engine had almost 2.5 times the power of one of the normal Allisons!  :o

Okay, so who's going to build a twin-engined Herkybird with A400M engines? :wacko:
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: Hobbes on July 29, 2017, 09:33:08 AM
Quote from: kitnut617 on July 29, 2017, 06:06:46 AM
Brilliant idea Kit, one of those 'why didn't I think of that' ones.

Saw my first real A400 yesterday at YYC too --- parked next to the Voyager it didn't look as big as I thought it would though. Which is surprising as matching up the 1/72 kit to the 1/72 A310 I have there's not a lot of difference between them. 

You mention the huge tail plane (which it is), but it's the same size as the A310 tail plane

A330 is rather larger than A310 though.
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: TheChronicOne on July 29, 2017, 11:33:57 AM
This is glorious!!! Nice decision making all around. Love me some t-tail!
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: Martin H on July 29, 2017, 01:45:56 PM
Im likeing the look of this one.  :thumbsup:

Does this mean we will need a third set of tables for next years Avon show? Just for the Spackman collection.......................
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on July 29, 2017, 02:50:45 PM
Quote from: Martin H on July 29, 2017, 01:45:56 PM
Im likeing the look of this one.  :thumbsup:

Does this mean we will need a third set of tables for next years Avon show? Just for the Spackman collection.......................


Yes....................  ;D
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on July 29, 2017, 04:48:38 PM
After spending the whole day doing model railway stuff (N gauge stuff, equals 1/144 scale in the aircraft world) I did some more work on the Atlas this evening.

The main undercarriage is MIND boggling in its complexity, well over engineered with far too many parts, and I fear it will be VERY fragile too. There's no need for this, half or a third of the parts would do an equally good job and be a lot stronger too. I'm fully expecting these legs to sag like Airfix 1/72 scale TSR2's do. I hope SMC will have done a while metal version by the time mine collapses.

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.com%2Fa%2Fimg922%2F3651%2FSupy3a.jpg&hash=9dc31cae4e48f1b532b2aefa5441dd3ea56e7239)

The red ring circles the 'axle' which the wheel mounts on, it's 1mm in diameter! The green ring circles some sort of ECM aerial, one by each door. The outer ring is moulded into the fuselage, and Revell make a tiny conical piece that fills in the  conical shape of the outer ring. Why not mould the whole thing in one piece????  :banghead:

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.com%2Fa%2Fimg924%2F9009%2FEdgjfi.jpg&hash=1846bdb953a7a6652c220684ab8f6547d09092cc)

Here's four of the eight props you get in the kit, four feathered and four in flight mode. The real aircraft always has its props fully feathered on the ground, thus the two options. For reasons best known to themselves Revell feed the styrene into the prop moulds about half way up each blade.......

Oh yes, they're meant to be handed like that, the real aircraft has both props on each side handed, rather than #1 & #2 handed one way, and #3 & #4 the other.

That makes it the very devil of a job filing off the sprue gates without bending or snapping the very fragile blades. All 32 of them......

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.com%2Fa%2Fimg922%2F1598%2FzHgUa1.jpg&hash=a069da3fd297f59fb93950b0bbafdf1ff284f0ae)

Here's some of the resin bits in the conversion kit. The big radome sits above the cockpit, and with a bit of filing works quite well on the Atlas. The tank on the left was mounted outboard on the Herk and held some air sampling pods and other sensors, and I'll probably fit some Herk tanks inboard to match Snoopy 1's configuration. The two blomple thingies on the rear cargo door eject sensors into the atmosphere apparently.

There's maybe 20-25 other 'fitments' supplied in the conversion, and I have NO idea where most of them go, so I'll just scatter them around the airframe randomly. If anyone agues the toss about it in the SIG stand at some show I'll suggest they supply me with some photos to prove they're right.  ;D
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: kitnut617 on July 29, 2017, 05:14:15 PM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on July 29, 2017, 04:48:38 PM
I hope SMC will have done a while metal version by the time mine collapses.

Don't know about SMC but SAC (Scale Aircraft Conversions) does Kit, got a couple of sets for the two A400's I have.  I'd post a pic but --- you know the story ---

http://www.scaleaircraftconversions.com/moreinfo.cfm?FROM=search&KIT=323
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: TheChronicOne on July 29, 2017, 06:04:26 PM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on July 29, 2017, 04:48:38 PM

For reasons best known to themselves Revell feed the styrene into the prop moulds about half way up each blade....... 
We were just recently discussing GOOD design w/ regard to props........ now we are on the other end of the spectrum. I've never encountered such a thing, thankfully!  Break out the mini files. .. ..


Quote from: PR19_KitThere's maybe 20-25 other 'fitments' supplied in the conversion, and I have NO idea where most of them go, so I'll just scatter them around the airframe randomly. If anyone agues the toss about it in the SIG stand at some show I'll suggest they supply me with some photos to prove they're right.  ;D
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on July 29, 2017, 06:24:03 PM
Quote from: kitnut617 on July 29, 2017, 05:14:15 PM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on July 29, 2017, 04:48:38 PM
I hope SMC will have done a while metal version by the time mine collapses.

Don't know about SMC but SAC (Scale Aircraft Conversions) does Kit, got a couple of sets for the two A400's I have.  I'd post a pic but --- you know the story ---

http://www.scaleaircraftconversions.com/moreinfo.cfm?FROM=search&KIT=323

That's who I meant Robert, brain fade setting in here obviously.  ;D

I didn't know they already did one for the A-400M, but they look exactly the same as the plastic bits Revell provide. I'm a tad dubious about those axles still, but I'll try and get a set right away., Thanks for the link.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on July 30, 2017, 03:59:06 AM
Well I'm suitably amazed.  :o

Now that the glue's all dried those main gear assemblies seem to be much more rigid that I expected this morning.  :thumbsup:

The model sits nicely on all six sets of legs too, so I used enough nose weight, thank goodness. LOTS of PSR likely today sadly, delayed only by the Hungarian Grand Prix in about an hour.  ;D
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: kitnut617 on July 30, 2017, 05:42:34 AM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on July 29, 2017, 06:24:03 PM
Quote from: kitnut617 on July 29, 2017, 05:14:15 PM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on July 29, 2017, 04:48:38 PM
I hope SMC will have done a while metal version by the time mine collapses.

Don't know about SMC but SAC (Scale Aircraft Conversions) does Kit, got a couple of sets for the two A400's I have.  I'd post a pic but --- you know the story ---

http://www.scaleaircraftconversions.com/moreinfo.cfm?FROM=search&KIT=323

That's who I meant Robert, brain fade setting in here obviously.  ;D

I didn't know they already did one for the A-400M, but they look exactly the same as the plastic bits Revell provide. I'm a tad dubious about those axles still, but I'll try and get a set right away., Thanks for the link.  :thumbsup:

I haven't looked at the kit for a while but IIRC, the wheels get glued to the round disc too. The axles are just 'line-up' pins.
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: kitnut617 on July 30, 2017, 05:53:29 AM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on July 30, 2017, 03:59:06 AM
delayed only by the Hungarian Grand Prix in about an hour.  ;D

I've already switched it off  ---- snoozefest
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on July 30, 2017, 07:59:05 AM
Quote from: kitnut617 on July 30, 2017, 05:42:34 AM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on July 29, 2017, 06:24:03 PM
Quote from: kitnut617 on July 29, 2017, 05:14:15 PM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on July 29, 2017, 04:48:38 PM
I hope SMC will have done a while metal version by the time mine collapses.

Don't know about SMC but SAC (Scale Aircraft Conversions) does Kit, got a couple of sets for the two A400's I have.  I'd post a pic but --- you know the story ---

http://www.scaleaircraftconversions.com/moreinfo.cfm?FROM=search&KIT=323

That's who I meant Robert, brain fade setting in here obviously.  ;D

I didn't know they already did one for the A-400M, but they look exactly the same as the plastic bits Revell provide. I'm a tad dubious about those axles still, but I'll try and get a set right away., Thanks for the link.  :thumbsup:

I haven't looked at the kit for a while but IIRC, the wheels get glued to the round disc too. The axles are just 'line-up' pins.


Ah right, that would make a big difference. The Airfix TSR2 doesn't do that, and it would make a huge difference if it did.


Quote from: kitnut617 on July 30, 2017, 05:53:29 AM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on July 30, 2017, 03:59:06 AM
delayed only by the Hungarian Grand Prix in about an hour.  ;D

I've already switched it off  ---- snoozefest


The last 20 laps were pretty good, but the first four or five still finished in the same order that they started.

In the middle of a massive PSR session on the Atlas.  :banghead:
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: Weaver on July 30, 2017, 11:41:42 AM
Nice one Kit - looks good!

Technically it'd be 'Snoopy 3' mind you: they've got a converted BAe-146 called the ARA (Atmospheric Research Aircraft) doing that job at the moment. Sadly it's sensor fit is nowhere near as extraordinary as Snoopy's though: just some extra aerials and pipes and a 'tree'  of small tubes on two wing pylons. We were doing the ARA conversion at Woodford while I was there: it was known as 'The Scrapheap Challenge' on the shop floor because there was no bill of materials for it, so the guys working on it were always nicking bits from the RJ production line and causing shortages... :rolleyes:
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on July 30, 2017, 12:41:51 PM
I didn't know that Harold, thanks. 'Snoopy 3' it is then.  ;D

I'll have to think of a suitable acronym to suit the 'ATLAS' initials, 'Atmospheric & Thermal Location & Assessment System' perhaps?  ;D
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: Rheged on July 30, 2017, 02:10:46 PM
Quote from: Weaver on July 30, 2017, 11:41:42 AM
Nice one Kit - looks good!

Technically it'd be 'Snoopy 3' mind you: they've got a converted BAe-146 called the ARA (Atmospheric Research Aircraft) doing that job at the moment. Sadly it's sensor fit is nowhere near as extraordinary as Snoopy's though: just some extra aerials and pipes and a 'tree'  of small tubes on two wing pylons. We were doing the ARA conversion at Woodford while I was there: it was known as 'The Scrapheap Challenge' on the shop floor because there was no bill of materials for it, so the guys working on it were always nicking bits from the RJ production line and causing shortages... :rolleyes:

Mate who worked for the Met Office told me that the 146  is informally  known to those who matter as "Woodstock"  ......so Snoopy 2 may yet be appropriate! 
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on July 30, 2017, 03:18:27 PM
Maybe I'll call it 'Snoopy too'.  ;D
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: Weaver on July 30, 2017, 07:56:55 PM
Oh yeah, forgot it has a bulge on the side too:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Airplanes/Prestwick-photographs-2012/i-Hrb5Zh4/0/d9e0c54c/X2/G-LUXE%20British%20Aerospace%20BAe-146-301ARA%20Facility%20for%20Airborne%20Atmospheric%20Measurements%20-%20FAAM%20Prestwick%20220112-X2.jpg)
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on July 31, 2017, 01:55:12 AM
With an airframe this big I can do LOTS of bulges.  ;D

I've found one major problem with building big models, they need lots more PSR, and I HATE PSR!!!!  :banghead: :banghead:
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: NARSES2 on July 31, 2017, 06:20:03 AM
For some reason the registration ; G-LUXE ; amuses me  ;D

No idea why, it just does  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on July 31, 2017, 02:32:50 PM
I've had enough of the interminable PSR on this massive model. I think I'll go back to the 'Turquoise Bead Machine' and give this one a rest for a while.

But as General McArthur said ' I shall return!'  ;D
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on August 06, 2017, 01:02:07 PM
I've managed to lose my heavy duty file that I needed to sand the flats on the airbags of the Monterey's beaching trolley, and that called a temporary halt on that job, so I came back to the Atlas.

It took almost two HOURS to finish off the sanding stage of the last batch of PSR, and there's still some more to do later.  :banghead: :banghead:

I assembled some of the other bits and pieces, like the landing gear wheels. Each wheel/tyre is in two halves, left and right, but as there's 14 of them it takes a while to assemble them.

But the main wheels have indexing pips and grooves on the inside.....

Why?  :-\

They don't have flats moulded into the bottom face so they can go together anyway around. I'm starting to think that Revell have added complexity to this model just for its own sake.  :banghead:
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: TheChronicOne on August 06, 2017, 01:31:20 PM
"Alignment pins."  I've had more misalignment problems due to the presence of alignment pins and slots than on things w/out them. (part of this also due to my bad habit of not alway dry fitting parts, too, though)  Sometimes I just file, snap, cut, whatever that mess off and go it my own way.  But yeah, sometimes I wonder why they are one certain things, too.  :o

Missing file, eh? Maybe you need to hire a secretary.  . . . You know... to help you keep track of your files. . . .    ;D
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on August 06, 2017, 01:40:35 PM
Quote from: TheChronicOne on August 06, 2017, 01:31:20 PM

Missing file, eh? Maybe you need to hire a secretary.  . . . You know... to help you keep track of your files. . . .    ;D


Hehehe, I should be so lucky to be able to afford one!
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on August 06, 2017, 04:14:08 PM
I bit the bullet and glued the wings onto the fuselage. That certainly makes for one BIG model!  :o

The wing joint is bizarre, in some places it's well nigh perfect, and in others it's a disaster. I did some filing and cutting to get it to fit a bit better, but the port underside joint is around 1mm wide all the way along! See red framed area below. (Yeah, I know it's too small to see in an 800 pxl wide pic, but I know it's there.  ;D) I may not bother to fill that as it's almost impossible to see unless I invert the model, and I don't intend to.  ;D

I've done all the 'P' bit of the last PSR session on the fuselage before priming it, but I bet there'll be more later on.

As far as I can see it's impossible to assemble the landing gear as they show you in the instructions. The main gear struts have to be installed in their 'forks' before you can add the lower covers as otherwise you can't see to locate their lower pins properly. So having done that I find that I can't put the wheels on as the gap between the gear struts and the covers isn't wide enough.  :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

No idea how I'm going to get round that yet, but I'll think of something.

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.com%2Fa%2Fimg924%2F4351%2FYLdu4k.jpg&hash=dbabf2d06acca20ad7ae7802e5cab99da685b5fb)

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.com%2Fa%2Fimg923%2F6493%2Fk4TbxR.jpg&hash=e67192f9dbc3986c5bd10b8812a07ab3944b35ed)
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: TheChronicOne on August 06, 2017, 04:34:13 PM
Oooh yeah. Now we're talking. And yeah, that bad boy looks big even in pictures with nothing for reference.  ;D

The gap on the wing root....  I had the same thing happen on my Mitsubishi that I'm building. No clue how that big gap got there!  :o   I even test fitted. Seemed fine. But, once glue was on...     :rolleyes:

Good luck on the gear situation..  I'd get half a mind to just build a basic "rail" out of sprue and glue the wheels on it and cram it in the bay and call it good. That somehow seems like a disservice to the kit, though. I'm sure you'll figure it out!

The real question is does Mrs. PR19 know you got around to working on this or if it will be a surprise reveal. .   ;D
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on August 06, 2017, 05:04:36 PM
Quote from: TheChronicOne on August 06, 2017, 04:34:13 PM

The real question is does Mrs. PR19 know you got around to working on this or if it will be a surprise reveal. .   ;D


Oh yes, she's known about it since I started and she's quite looking forward to the finished article. That's assuming I actually GET it finished of course.

I hope the guys who sell the conversion kit are at the Avon Show this coming Sunday as I'd like to ask them where all the parts go that aren't mentioned in the instructions!
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: Thorvic on August 07, 2017, 12:32:46 AM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on August 06, 2017, 05:04:36 PM
Quote from: TheChronicOne on August 06, 2017, 04:34:13 PM

The real question is does Mrs. PR19 know you got around to working on this or if it will be a surprise reveal. .   ;D


Oh yes, she's known about it since I started and she's quite looking forward to the finished article. That's assuming I actually GET it finished of course.

I hope the guys who sell the conversion kit are at the Avon Show this coming Sunday as I'd like to ask them where all the parts go that aren't mentioned in the instructions!

Probably best to contact Colin who can have a word with Dave Little regarding the Snoopy conversion set.
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: KiwiZac on August 31, 2017, 08:30:47 PM
A very very cool concept and you're doing great so far! The nose spike really grabbed my attention.

I'm just concerned about the wingspan...are you feeling okay?
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on September 03, 2017, 01:45:42 PM
Quote from: KiwiZac on August 31, 2017, 08:30:47 PM
A very very cool concept and you're doing great so far! The nose spike really grabbed my attention.

I'm just concerned about the wingspan...are you feeling okay?


I'm feeling a little brain-fazed at the moment, (dealing with all that PSR I expect!) perhaps that's why I've not extended the wings of this one.  ;D

I should get back on this one before much longer, once I've got some colour coats on the Monterey.
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: zenrat on September 03, 2017, 08:05:56 PM
I haven't extended the wings on anything for a while.  Must remedy that soon.
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on September 23, 2017, 02:48:48 PM
See my latest note on the Monterey thread to explain the lack of progress on this job recently.
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: McColm on September 23, 2017, 04:50:15 PM
Our best wishes to your wife.
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on October 11, 2017, 08:19:24 AM
Now the Monterey's pretty much finished, or as finished as it's going to be before Telford, I've got back on the Atlas.

I'd forgotten how much of a Putty Queen the darn thing was, but one more PSR session has improved things no end, so I primed the puttied areas to see how it was getting on. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, so only a small PSR session was needed, and I hope I can prime the whole thing pretty soon.

I've figured out a way to get round the ridiculous main landing gear problem, and it may make life easier when trying to get all 14 wheels on the ground at once.

While I'm waiting for the putty to dry I'm putting together all the little bits and pieces, ARR probe, main cockpit access steps, drop tanks etc.

Ah, you didn't think Atlases had drop tanks? This one does..........  ;) ;D
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: McColm on October 11, 2017, 09:14:10 AM
Well there's in-flight refueling tanks carried under the wings on the real thing.
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on October 11, 2017, 11:42:47 AM
Quote from: McColm on October 11, 2017, 09:14:10 AM

Well there's in-flight refueling tanks carried under the wings on the real thing.


Not on the RAF ones AFAIK.
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on October 11, 2017, 04:16:11 PM
I've done as much PSR as I'm going to do on this one.

Like the Monterey, the mouldings need too much work for a perfect job and life's too short really. So I've primed most of it and while it was drying I trimmed and assembled a number of the resin parts for the conversion, and you can see most of them in front of the Atlas in the pic below.

The bits still on their moulding 'sprues' behind the aircraft are those bits I haven't a CLUE about. No idea where they go as the instructions in the conversion kit don't tell you, so I'm going to glue them on at random all over the airframe.  ;)

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.com%2Fa%2Fimg922%2F1908%2Fo5JCpU.jpg&hash=09b6ce5ace29d8ab92ed4506261d207b5444b625)
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: Gondor on October 11, 2017, 10:46:51 PM
The large rectangular part is a replacement door for the rear of Snoopy. Some means of dropping probes or something I believe. the parts to the left of the fuselage, just look like a lot of aerials for telemetry or general communication which I have no idea about location either although I would imagine that several of them might be paired and sit equidistant from the centre line of the aircraft either dorsally or ventrally.

Gondor
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on October 12, 2017, 12:46:59 AM
Ah, I didn't explain that too well, sorry.

The 'large rectangular part' is actually the rear door for the Atlas and I've glued the drop sonde bits to it already.

I've decided that 'Snoopy Too' had the upper part of its rear door sealed shut, and only the lower part can move, mainly because the upper part is a USELESS fit!  :banghead:

I've downloaded a bunch of pics of the original 'Snoopy' to see if I can figure where those aerial thingies should go.
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: sykotik on October 12, 2017, 01:02:12 AM
very cool. I know how much of a gap appears in those wing joints - they are like trenches! I made one of these a few years ago in an RNZAF scheme. If I were to do it again, I would make it into a jet engine version but I like where your going with this one
Looking forward to seeing more of this. Have you got a scheme in mind?
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on October 12, 2017, 01:07:20 AM
It's going to look exactly like a large version of the original C-130 'Snoopy', mainly because the conversion kit comes with an excellent decal sheet that has all the DEFRA and QINETIC markings etc.

Luckily the sheet also comes with oodles of red-white stripes for the nose boom!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: TheChronicOne on October 12, 2017, 03:33:08 AM
I have a boom to paint soon and I'm rolling around the idea of chucking it up in my drill and letting the 15,000 RPMs or whatever spin it around while I hold my paint brush up to it. It either works, or slings paint all over the room.  ;D
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on October 12, 2017, 04:46:13 AM
Quote from: TheChronicOne on October 12, 2017, 03:33:08 AM

I have a boom to paint soon and I'm rolling around the idea of chucking it up in my drill and letting the 15,000 RPMs or whatever spin it around while I hold my paint brush up to it. It either works, or slings paint all over the room.  ;D


Both of the above I suspect.  ;D

If you have a variable speed drill it may work fine at the slowest possible speed though.
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: NARSES2 on October 12, 2017, 06:13:13 AM
Seeing it (there's no way it's a she  ;D) makes me think of a Dornier (I think) project back in the 60's/70's.
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on October 12, 2017, 08:24:15 AM
The cockpit design team at Airbus Military must have been great fans of '50 Shades of Grey' as they used every one of them in the A-400M cockpit!

It's the very devil to paint, and it would have been a lot easier had I done it BEFORE I built the rest of the inner fuselage, but that's the breaks sometimes.  :banghead: :banghead:

Anyway it's done now and the canopy is in place, but not without a touch of a fingerprint on one pane, but it should polish out OK when it's dried off. I doubt I'll post a pic of the model's cockpit because you can't see much of it anyway, so I'm not sure why I bothered really.  :unsure:

Interestingly they have modelled the side-stick controllers about 2 FEET behind where they should be, as in the pic below. Which means they are behind the pilot's seats............  :banghead:

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.com%2Fa%2Fimg924%2F9479%2Fg5zLqf.jpg&hash=bacad048c16fa0bed9e4011ef253d062303744f5)

Filched from airliners.net
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: Martin H on October 12, 2017, 07:18:09 PM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on October 11, 2017, 11:42:47 AM
Quote from: McColm on October 11, 2017, 09:14:10 AM

Well there's in-flight refueling tanks carried under the wings on the real thing.


Not on the RAF ones AFAIK.
They can be configured to carry hose and drouge pods under the wings, not "Tanks". And Kit is right, the RAF has no plans for their fleet to act in the tanker role............................. For now.
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on October 12, 2017, 11:20:40 PM
Quote from: Martin H on October 12, 2017, 07:18:09 PM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on October 11, 2017, 11:42:47 AM
Quote from: McColm on October 11, 2017, 09:14:10 AM

Well there's in-flight refueling tanks carried under the wings on the real thing.


Not on the RAF ones AFAIK.
They can be configured to carry hose and drouge pods under the wings, not "Tanks". And Kit is right, the RAF has no plans for their fleet to act in the tanker role............................. For now.


Mine has tanks, LOTS of tanks..........  ;D ;D
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: Gondor on October 13, 2017, 07:43:31 AM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on October 12, 2017, 11:20:40 PM

Mine has tanks, LOTS of tanks..........  ;D ;D


Challenger, Chieftain, Churchill, Abrams.......  :rolleyes: ;D

Gondor
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on October 13, 2017, 08:48:43 AM
Quote from: Gondor on October 13, 2017, 07:43:31 AM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on October 12, 2017, 11:20:40 PM

Mine has tanks, LOTS of tanks..........  ;D ;D


Challenger, Chieftain, Churchill, Abrams.......  :rolleyes: ;D

Gondor


Hehehe, not QUITE what I had in mind Alastair, and even if both rear doors worked (which they don't on my version) I'm not sure if an A-400M would carry an MBT, would it?  ;D
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: Martin H on October 13, 2017, 08:52:34 AM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on October 12, 2017, 11:20:40 PM
Quote from: Martin H on October 12, 2017, 07:18:09 PM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on October 11, 2017, 11:42:47 AM
Quote from: McColm on October 11, 2017, 09:14:10 AM

Well there's in-flight refueling tanks carried under the wings on the real thing.


Not on the RAF ones AFAIK.
They can be configured to carry hose and drouge pods under the wings, not "Tanks". And Kit is right, the RAF has no plans for their fleet to act in the tanker role............................. For now.


Mine has tanks, LOTS of tanks..........  ;D ;D
That goes with out saying lol
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on October 14, 2017, 05:37:00 PM
I've got the canopy moulding fitted at last, but it's not that wonderful because the fuselage is too wide, as I've mentioned before. I've managed to PSR the joint somewhat, and after masking the windows (what a pain THAT was!) I've primered the whole airframe bar the one wing I was holding. It's a waste of time posting a pic as it's just a large grey lump of course, and I may need even MORE PSR on the canopy joint, but I'll see what it looks like in the morning.

Lots of bits and pieces to add yet of course, but it's getting there.
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: McColm on October 15, 2017, 01:11:03 AM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on October 12, 2017, 08:24:15 AM
The cockpit design team at Airbus Military must have been great fans of '50 Shades of Grey' as they used every one of them in the A-400M cockpit!

It's the very devil to paint, and it would have been a lot easier had I done it BEFORE I built the rest of the inner fuselage, but that's the breaks sometimes.  :banghead: :banghead:

Anyway it's done now and the canopy is in place, but not without a touch of a fingerprint on one pane, but it should polish out OK when it's dried off. I doubt I'll post a pic of the model's cockpit because you can't see much of it anyway, so I'm not sure why I bothered really.  :unsure:

Interestingly they have modelled the side-stick controllers about 2 FEET behind where they should be, as in the pic below. Which means they are behind the pilot's seats............  :banghead:

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.com%2Fa%2Fimg924%2F9479%2Fg5zLqf.jpg&hash=bacad048c16fa0bed9e4011ef253d062303744f5)

Filched from airliners.net
How much of that can you see through the glazing?
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on October 15, 2017, 01:22:35 AM
Quote from: McColm on October 15, 2017, 01:11:03 AM

How much of that can you see through the glazing?


Almost nothing, even though it's 1/72 scale and the windows are pretty large. It makes you wonder why Revell bothered with most of it.

Bizarrely they've modelled the two crew rest bunks, which are located sideways across the rear of the cockpit behind a folding screen and they're TOTALLY invisible once you've assembled it.  :banghead:
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: sykotik on October 15, 2017, 01:40:34 AM
Actually, you can see quite a bit - more than you think. I could see instrument panel in mine as well as the center console. The top console is a waste of time though
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: zenrat on October 15, 2017, 03:12:43 AM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on October 15, 2017, 01:22:35 AM
...It makes you wonder why Revell bothered with most of it...

Because if they hadn't then there would have been complaints.  New mould modern kits are expected to have that level of detail.  Look at the Airfix Shack - all that stuff inside that will never be seen again once the fuselage is closed up unless you make it a cutaway.

Is it too late to give this one a sunroof Kit?
;D
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on October 15, 2017, 05:49:15 AM
Quote from: zenrat on October 15, 2017, 03:12:43 AM

Is it too late to give this one a sunroof Kit?
;D


I'm not sure there's a knife strong enough to cut through the umpteen layers of putty, styrene and primer really........

I've been adding the zillions of aerials and things today. What a fiddly job that is! By comparison the rear loading hatch only took me 1/4 hr to glue in place............
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on October 15, 2017, 07:32:25 AM
The landing gear on this thing is a complete disaster!  :banghead:

I've mentioned the madness of the ultra-thin 'axles' it has for the main wheels, all of which I've cut off as they'd never stand the weight of this monster. I wanted to assemble two main gear wheels and both noes wheels so it would sit on the ground and not squash all the belly mounted aerials flat, but the nose wheel has exactly the same size of ultra-thin axle and one broke off about 5 secs after I'd glued it!

The mainwheels are superglued over their brake discs OK, but it looks like I'll have to install a wire axle for the nose wheels.
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on October 15, 2017, 03:39:56 PM
We're cooking with gas now, or we were until I took the pics...........

The whole thing's primered now, as well as all the add-on bits apart from the wheels. I've added the big radome above the cockpit and the AAR probe, plus the ventral strakes under the tail. There's a few very small aerials to add once it's painted, but they're too fragile to stand the masking etc.

Having taken the pics I took the props back off, they're not glued on yet, and one blade fell off! Even worse, one of the main gear wheels also broke off, but not at the glued joint, it broke off at the brake disc!  :banghead:

I've got an idea for a Plan B for those blasted wheels, and I think I'll be having  a few words on the Revell stand at Telford.....

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.com%2Fa%2Fimg922%2F1669%2FUuhjep.jpg&hash=ac852f0849a2e17efe73b98905613fcce381b905)

I said I'd got tanks, didn't I? Here they are arrayed in their approx. positions in front of the airframe


(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.com%2Fa%2Fimg924%2F938%2F65uQjx.jpg&hash=8cc733617eac288dfd03b920e2bfb46a6e60a09d)

The monster radome, displaced from its normal nose position. You can also see some of the lumps and bumps added for the meteorological tasking


(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.com%2Fa%2Fimg922%2F2166%2FOqO7iT.jpg&hash=3dc2e1de62a280c4add30adc83f2a8bc340ca722)

The underside showing the lowered tail ramp as well as the zillions of aerials. Note only one main gear wheel.....


(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.com%2Fa%2Fimg922%2F5721%2F8sC0co.jpg&hash=1327ddd6a3996a385871eb167239fdcb654af91c)

The lowered tail ramp and the sealed upper door, and the various sonde ejection devices, as well as the ventral strakes
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: Old Wombat on October 15, 2017, 05:31:42 PM
Looks impressive in the pic's, Kit, must be doubly-so in person. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: McColm on October 16, 2017, 12:26:35 AM
It's a drone, the worlds first unpiloted Atlas!
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on October 16, 2017, 01:08:37 AM
Hm, yes, it does look like that, doesn't it?

The worlds largest drone as well, in bulk terms.  ;D ;)
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on October 16, 2017, 08:46:37 AM
This ruddy model is falling apart faster than I can build it!  :banghead:

It needed a very small amount of PSR under the roof mounted radar pod, and while sanding off the excess putty the end of the AAR probe came off, followed by the radar pod itself! Right after that the one remaining main gear wheel broke off, complete with both disc brakes leaving the leg about 2-3 mm too short! And right after that the end of the 'Towel Rail' aerial under the fuselage snapped off. This was the second time that had happened so it's only 3 sectors long now, from the original five!

At this rate the wings will come off around dinner time tonight.................... :angry:

All I want to do is mask it up for the white bits too. I'm seriously thinking about not painting the surfaces and the lower fuselage the correct Light Aircraft Grey, and just putting 2-3 coats of Klear over the Halfords Grey Primer, which is what I did on my Lightning PR9, and that looks quite good.

[Later] Oh yes, while I was supergluing the missing prop blade back on, the opposite blade came off too! It's hardly surprising as while the blades are maybe 4 mm deep, they're only attached to the hub by a 1mm dia. peg. Totally ridiculous design.
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: Old Wombat on October 16, 2017, 09:49:52 AM
You sure it's not a re-boxed Mach2 kit, Kit? :unsure: ;) ;D
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on October 16, 2017, 11:34:28 AM
Quote from: Old Wombat on October 16, 2017, 09:49:52 AM

You sure it's not a re-boxed Mach2 kit, Kit? :unsure: ;) ;D


I'm starting to think that way, yes.

But I've taken a good look around it and can't find any French comments inscribed in the styrene, and I can actually see through the cockpit windows though...........
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: loupgarou on October 16, 2017, 11:41:41 AM
It's because your hands are too big and strong... Are you sure you're not the big bad wolf from Little red riding hood ? ;D
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: JayBee on October 16, 2017, 12:10:03 PM
Can't be. It did not wear a hat like that!  :wacko:
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on October 16, 2017, 03:11:31 PM
Now it looks like this, but after a MASSIVE masking job that didn't work too well because my wide masking tape is rubbish!

As you can see the entire mask came off the port tailplane during the spraying and the mask under the port wing came loose too, which is why the port sponson is a nice shade of Halfords Appliance White.

The main white area's OK, but there's a lot more work to get the Light Aircraft Grey applied yet. Ho hum..........

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.com%2Fa%2Fimg923%2F922%2FmTHCce.jpg&hash=fa405e58dabffa89014873725b9c9bcb6173550c)
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: TheChronicOne on October 16, 2017, 04:49:19 PM
Well.....  I sure like the color scheme as far as where it's headed. Shame about the tape.  :banghead:

Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: rickshaw on October 16, 2017, 06:26:16 PM
Some kits fall together, Kit.  Some kits fight you all the way.  Others just fall apart...   :banghead:
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: NARSES2 on October 17, 2017, 07:28:02 AM
Looks quite Soviet/Russian'ish to me addled eyes
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on October 17, 2017, 09:12:53 AM
Quote from: NARSES2 on October 17, 2017, 07:28:02 AM

Looks quite Soviet/Russian'ish to me addled eyes


I agree, it's the anhedral, t-tail and four BIG props that all scream 'ANTONOV', but it'd need a glass nose to and a tail turret to go all the way.  ;D

If it wasn't such a ruddy awful kit I could be tempted to do that to one, but not now!
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: Scooterman on October 17, 2017, 09:19:08 AM
Wow, Kit.  Just wow! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Y'know, I don't remember that kit being a bear of a build for my Atlas Atlas.  Then again, I didn't use the props and created all sorts of headaches myself getting the CFM motors mounted.
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on October 17, 2017, 09:38:33 AM
Was yours the 1/72 or the 1/144 version Scooterman? I can't imagine they'd have thinned down the wheel axles smaller on the 1/144 version, they'd be human hair thickness!  :o
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on October 17, 2017, 04:11:35 PM
I planned to start painting the vast acreage of Light Aircraft Grey on the Atlas tonight, and to that end I'd bought a new tin of Humbrol 166, a satin finish paint. Previously I've always used Xtracolor's gloss LAG, but it's taken an age to dry and I developed a technique of giving it a coat of Klear after 5-6 hrs, usually overnight, which worked fine, and I was expecting better performance from the Humbrol Satin. I started off with the tailplanes, side sponsons, ventral strakes and the #2 and #3 engines.

The finish was fairly streaky, which didn't please me, but after an entire evening waiting for it to dry, it didn't.........

It was still sticky at 1145 and it looked as if it would need 3-4 coats as well, so I went to Plan B and got out the old Xtracolor. That went on much more smoothly and covered in almost one coat, so I'm expecting to get the Klear out in the morning.

Sometimes the old ideas are the best ones.  :-\
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on October 18, 2017, 05:07:30 AM
This LAG paint will take an age to do.  :-\

I've got a 2nd coat of Xtracolor on the parts I did y'day, and it won't be hard until late this evening I expect, but there's ACRES of plastic to paint yet.  :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on October 21, 2017, 03:35:49 PM
The Halfords Ford Dove Grey paint is a really good match for Xtracolor Light Aircraft Grey.  :thumbsup:

After a mammoth masking tape session I sprayed the first lot of Dove Grey and it's looking good. It's VERY gloss and may need some satin or matt varnish eventually, but the colour match is great. I've only done one wing so far as I have to hold the darn thing somewhere.  ;D

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.com%2Fa%2Fimg922%2F5897%2FVO4M4D.jpg&hash=283c7d253dd066c37830692836268fa34653635e)
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: rickshaw on October 21, 2017, 10:00:45 PM
I tend to hold large and small planes by the tail, Kit.  Allows an even coverage over the wings/fuselage.
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: zenrat on October 22, 2017, 12:31:04 AM
I have a selection of "holding sticks" ranging from a car radio aerial with a cocktail stick jammed in the end (for shoving in the prop hole of single piston engined planes) through a piece of dowel with a U shaped piece of 1.2mm wire taped to the end (to be shoved in the undercarriage holes of larger planes) to an actual stick with the end wrapped in masking tape (remove or add tape to get it to fit into the jet pipe).
Nothing would suffice to hold this build though.

I also have specialised car body holding sticks with reshaped wire coat hangers on the end.
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on October 22, 2017, 03:13:30 AM
The problem with this thing is it's a) HUGE and b) weighs a lot. I tried holding it by the fin, but it threatened to break off. And I have a collection of re-bent clothes hangers too, but none are large enough or strong enough to hold the Atlas.

Luckily the Dove Grey dries pretty fast and I was able to do the starboard wing after a couple of hours, and the whole grey coat is on now. Some of the white will need re-spraying sadly, as the tape pulled some of it off under the tailplane, and I made a total hash of masking the underside of one wing root so there's a chunk with no colour coat at all! Also the cockpit will need some attention, it just doesn't look right, but I'm not sure what's wrong yet.

The whole thing does look a lot better now though, now it's the 'designed colour scheme'. I'm really looking forward to getting the decals on.

But after all that I've STILL got to get the blasted landing gear sorted.  :banghead: :banghead:
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on October 22, 2017, 11:15:13 AM
I've got the main colours done and dusted now after another 'mask and spray' session, and I've added a matt black lower surround to the windscreen too. I'm still not sure about that, and I'll wait until I have some decals on to see how it looks then.

It's not the best paintjob I've ever done by far, there's a couple of thin runs, on the underside thank goodness, and some rough borders too, but frankly I'm past caring with this blasted thing now. So long as it looks approximately as I intended it'll have to do.

Oh yes, the AAR probe snapped off AGAIN, and I've lost a few more aerials, ho hum..........

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.com%2Fa%2Fimg923%2F3217%2FIWGQxh.jpg&hash=80d6e27cec3c8b0b44ab3796b9c21bdd21c8c08f)
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: Weaver on October 22, 2017, 01:49:38 PM
I have a range of holders including full-size clothes-pegs hot-glued to wooden skewers, miniature clothes-pegs hot-glued to cocktail sticks, various tubes and rods with varying amounts of tape wrapped around them to adjust the width, and some old felt-tipped pens with flat caps that make a good stand for something with a base, stuck on with Blu-tack.

Having said that, I don't really have anything that could hold a really big, heavy model up in the air: i'd probably have to paint it in sections...
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on October 22, 2017, 02:54:31 PM
Quote from: Weaver on October 22, 2017, 01:49:38 PM

Having said that, I don't really have anything that could hold a really big, heavy model up in the air: i'd probably have to paint it in sections...


Hehehehe, I did...........  ;D

Trying to re-engineer the main landing gear this evening, and a RIGHT pain that is. I've glued the nosewheels on either end of a piano wire axle, which will be superglued across the end of the nose leg, and that should work OK.

I've also painted all the zillions of tanks and landing gear doors too, but ran out of paint, so it's off to Halfords again in the morning.
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: zenrat on October 23, 2017, 03:45:32 AM
I think if it was mine i'd try to hold it for painting by shoving a stick up it's cargo bay...

Looks to me a bit like a winged Narwhal.
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on October 23, 2017, 08:24:34 AM
Quote from: zenrat on October 23, 2017, 03:45:32 AM

Looks to me a bit like a winged Narwhal.


Wait till I get the red & white stripes on the nose probe.  ;D

I'm wondering if I should put stripes on the AAR probe too, just because I can.  ;D ;D
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on October 23, 2017, 12:23:39 PM
I've got thoroughly fed up with the vast number of things that aren't working on this thing, and to make some progress, ANY progress even, I'm doing some of the decaling, even though there's painting still to be done.

It's a mix of the Revell A-400M decals, the Combat Models C-130 W2 decals and my own home printed stuff. Amazingly the seem to work together quite well, but Revell's method of doing tailplane walk areas and door outlines is a right pain.

There's no film in the centre of these bits so you're dealing with just the ultra-thin outline, and getting them in the correct place is very difficult. I'm going to cut the others out and varnish spray them so I've got SOME chance of getting it done without having a mental breakdown.
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on October 23, 2017, 03:41:41 PM
Pretty good progress on the decals tonight, I got all of the main decals onto the starboard side, minus the paradrop door outline which just vanished after I'd got it on there! Luckily I still have the port decal and I'll scan, reverse and print another one.

One rather big disaster today was one of the special weather measuring wing tanks has vanished. I was taking a bunch of stuff up into The Loft to spray them LAG, and I knocked the spray table on a roof support and dropped it. Half the bits fell off their Blue-Tack supports and I just can't find the missing tank anywhere.  :banghead: :banghead:

I'll keep looking but there's loads of stuff up there it could be hiding behind.

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.com%2Fa%2Fimg922%2F7994%2FxmAPPi.jpg&hash=e7d6f6b0d7aa947d3f1983243eea9e3672b2a514)

Yes, it has got RAF serials and a civvie registration as well. It's all in the backstory which I'll post when I've finished the darn thing.
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: rickshaw on October 23, 2017, 05:17:40 PM
Shame about the tank, Kit.  She's lookin' damn good despite it.  How is the undercarriage workin' out?   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: Old Wombat on October 23, 2017, 07:45:59 PM
Looking good, Kit! Ugly as sin, but good! :thumbsup:
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on October 23, 2017, 11:26:26 PM
Quote from: rickshaw on October 23, 2017, 05:17:40 PM

Shame about the tank, Kit.  She's lookin' damn good despite it.  How is the undercarriage workin' out?   :thumbsup:


Slowly.

So far I've got the bracketry done for one of the 12 main wheels, but there's nearly three weeks to go till Telford yet. Some years I've not even started a Telford model by now.  ;D
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: Thorvic on October 24, 2017, 12:16:08 AM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on October 23, 2017, 03:41:41 PM
Pretty good progress on the decals tonight, I got all of the main decals onto the starboard side, minus the paradrop door outline which just vanished after I'd got it on there! Luckily I still have the port decal and I'll scan, reverse and print another one.

One rather big disaster today was one of the special weather measuring wing tanks has vanished. I was taking a bunch of stuff up into The Loft to spray them LAG, and I knocked the spray table on a roof support and dropped it. Half the bits fell off their Blue-Tack supports and I just can't find the missing tank anywhere.  :banghead: :banghead:

I'll keep looking but there's loads of stuff up there it could be hiding behind.

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.com%2Fa%2Fimg922%2F7994%2FxmAPPi.jpg&hash=e7d6f6b0d7aa947d3f1983243eea9e3672b2a514)

Yes, it has got RAF serials and a civvie registration as well. It's all in the backstory which I'll post when I've finished the darn thing.

Looks good in that scheme Kit, can't help wondering if you still make engine noises and fly round the room a bit whilst setting up for the photo ?  :wacko:
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on October 24, 2017, 01:13:03 AM
Quote from: Thorvic on October 24, 2017, 12:16:08 AM

Looks good in that scheme Kit, can't help wondering if you still make engine noises and fly round the room a bit whilst setting up for the photo ?  :wacko:


Doesn't everyone?  ;D

Actually it was the only way I could show the side view properly, the wing gets in the way when it's sitting on any flat surface.
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: Old Wombat on October 24, 2017, 03:29:27 AM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on October 24, 2017, 01:13:03 AM
Quote from: Thorvic on October 24, 2017, 12:16:08 AM

Looks good in that scheme Kit, can't help wondering if you still make engine noises and fly round the room a bit whilst setting up for the photo ?  :wacko:


Doesn't everyone?  ;D

Actually it was the only way I could show the side view properly, the wing gets in the way when it's sitting on any flat surface.

Excuses! Excuses! :rolleyes:

Forget the excuses & revel unashamedly in the joy of simple pleasures! :party:
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: McColm on October 24, 2017, 02:04:00 PM
Great job  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: Caveman on October 24, 2017, 02:30:31 PM
That is awesome
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: KiwiZac on October 24, 2017, 05:42:27 PM
I hope you can overcome any future difficulties because that is the coolest A400M I've ever seen!
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on October 26, 2017, 01:47:06 PM
A landmark day for this build.  :thumbsup:

I've at last sorted out the landing gear with the aid of some 'Styrene Engineering' and some good superglue. I made two L shaped brackets that rest on the 'roof' of the main gear bulges and butt up against the rear bulkheads as well as locating laterally on what's left of the main gear legs. Then I superglued two of the main gear wheels to the L brackets with short lengths of piano wire (making sure I'd 'handed' them  ;D) and then glued the whole lot into position.

After they'd set I superglued the nosewheel assembly onto the sawn down nose leg and it all sits there nicely.

RESULT!  ;D

I'll add some reinforcement to the nosewheel leg and add the other main gear legs and wheels in similar fashion, but as of now it's strong enough to hold the considerable weight of the model.

I also did some upper surface decaling, and what a PITA that is. There's over 160 separate decal items in the massive sheet, and some of them have multiple items, like 26 of item no 90! I'm not going to use all of them, just enough to give the right impression. Those grey walkway areas on the upper fuselage aren't on the decal sheet, Revell print them on the instructions with no mention of how you're meant to apply them. I scanned them and printed them out, and they're not too bad I reckon.

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.com%2Fa%2Fimg923%2F7584%2Fsz3IfB.jpg&hash=521cdcfb3af50cd3aa45dc1134d048b0ec818e81)

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.com%2Fa%2Fimg923%2F2792%2FPiAI9l.jpg&hash=cee901cbaff443e1fb015ccc7f0cc348b0148e3e)
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: Squizzette on October 26, 2017, 02:11:56 PM
That is looking excellent.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: Gondor on October 26, 2017, 03:13:56 PM
So far so good Kit. It's really starting to come together  :thumbsup:

Gondor
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: strobez on October 26, 2017, 03:23:46 PM
That really is looking fantastic.  I love the nose, but don't drop that one on your foot. You'd be pegged to the floor! Sharp!
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on October 26, 2017, 03:37:23 PM
Quote from: strobez on October 26, 2017, 03:23:46 PM

That really is looking fantastic.  I love the nose, but don't drop that one on your foot. You'd be pegged to the floor! Sharp!


Trevor the cat's run foul of that spike already. He runs a mile when I walk in carrying the model........  ;D ;)
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: TheChronicOne on October 26, 2017, 04:43:56 PM
 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Smart kitty, and yeah, damn right that's looking good.. ..
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: Old Wombat on October 26, 2017, 05:46:22 PM
Woo-hoo! Lookin' good! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: zenrat on October 27, 2017, 02:16:03 AM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on October 26, 2017, 03:37:23 PM
Quote from: strobez on October 26, 2017, 03:23:46 PM

That really is looking fantastic.  I love the nose, but don't drop that one on your foot. You'd be pegged to the floor! Sharp!


Trevor the cat's run foul of that spike already. He runs a mile when I walk in carrying the model........  ;D ;)

You didn't try to take his temperature with it did you?
:o
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on October 27, 2017, 02:56:28 AM
Quote from: zenrat on October 27, 2017, 02:16:03 AM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on October 26, 2017, 03:37:23 PM
Quote from: strobez on October 26, 2017, 03:23:46 PM

That really is looking fantastic.  I love the nose, but don't drop that one on your foot. You'd be pegged to the floor! Sharp!


Trevor the cat's run foul of that spike already. He runs a mile when I walk in carrying the model........  ;D ;)

You didn't try to take his temperature with it did you?
:o


Hehe, not exactly.  ;D

The model was sitting on the island in the kitchen while I showed its salient points  ;) to Mrs_PR19 and Trevor's over active inquisitiveness got the better of him and he jumped from the windowsill onto the island to investigate. But that took so much velocity that he skidded across the top of the island and ended up nose to nose with the Atlas.  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: loupgarou on October 27, 2017, 05:26:14 AM
At least you verified the nose is strong enough!  ;D
Must be one of the most vexing builds since the real Saro Princess!  ;D
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on October 27, 2017, 06:11:40 AM
I almost don't believe I'm writing this, but I think the Atlas is a WORSE build than the Monterey!

I can't believe that Revell mad so many screw-ups over the strength, or lack of it, of the various bits. I've just had two of the prop blades fall off while being painted, that's ridiculous.  :banghead:
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: McColm on October 27, 2017, 07:52:19 AM
Might just be a bad batch of models that slipped through the quality control?
I've read about people having problems with the wings, but nothing compared to what you've been through.
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on October 27, 2017, 08:31:02 AM
I doubt that really, the size of the gear axles can't be a QC problem, it's poor design, just like the minute size of the prop blade bases.
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: Steel Penguin on October 27, 2017, 10:47:10 AM
Kit, an idea just struck, just glue on the front wheels of the main sets and then a block of the correct height, then hide said block in a big tuft of cotton wool "break  and tyre smoke"  it would cover a multitude of the sins that Revell have chosen to place upon the model.
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on October 27, 2017, 01:26:12 PM
Quote from: Steel Penguin on October 27, 2017, 10:47:10 AM

Kit, an idea just struck, just glue on the front wheels of the main sets and then a block of the correct height, then hide said block in a big tuft of cotton wool "break  and tyre smoke"  it would cover a multitude of the sins that Revell have chosen to place upon the model.


I like that idea Lawrence ;D but sadly I read it just AFTER I'd made up the rest of the gear legs/wheels assemblies.

As you can see below everything on this model comes in multiples. The longer gear legs are for the inboard wheels, blame the difference on Airbus. The two L shaped legs that are already in place are outers of course.

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.com%2Fa%2Fimg922%2F8653%2FFr6Haa.jpg&hash=5f2e7e2e7a1d3414be1218a4e8f2d6abc31e8381)

Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: chrisonord on October 27, 2017, 01:41:34 PM
That is absolutely amazing kit it really is. Has someone already sent Kit his wiffy award 2018-24?? For this piece of modelling magnitude.  ;D
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on October 27, 2017, 02:02:26 PM
Hehehe, it's not even finished yet.  ;D

It would only be worth the 'Persistence Award' anyway, it's certainly not that good an example of plastic modelling, far too many glitches all over it really.
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: Ian the Kiwi Herder on October 27, 2017, 10:19:33 PM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on October 23, 2017, 03:41:41 PM(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.com%2Fa%2Fimg922%2F7994%2FxmAPPi.jpg&hash=e7d6f6b0d7aa947d3f1983243eea9e3672b2a514)

Good G*d, that's brilliant !!



Ian.
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on October 27, 2017, 10:29:02 PM
Thank you Ian, it'll be even better when it's finished, assuming it ever IS finished that is...... ;D
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: Ian the Kiwi Herder on October 27, 2017, 10:35:57 PM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on October 27, 2017, 10:29:02 PMThank you Ian, it'll be even better when it's finished, assuming it ever IS finished that is...... ;D

You better had, my friend  :wacko:



Ian.
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: Thorvic on October 28, 2017, 02:36:54 AM
Quote from: Ian the Kiwi Herder on October 27, 2017, 10:19:33 PM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on October 23, 2017, 03:41:41 PM(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.com%2Fa%2Fimg922%2F7994%2FxmAPPi.jpg&hash=e7d6f6b0d7aa947d3f1983243eea9e3672b2a514)

Good G*d, that's brilliant !!



Ian.


Doesn't it just  :thumbsup:

Makes me wonder about a line up a A-400M Atlas's in Retro schemes - Belfast Style Transport Command, The Chocolate Bomber scheme and scheme that followed on the Herk's, the Dark Sea Grey/Dark green camo over Light Aircraft grey undersides. Maybe better in 1/144 however than 1/72nd as I don't have the room for one let alone 3-4  :banghead:
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on October 28, 2017, 03:23:35 AM
The thought of building just ONE more of these fills me with dread!  :banghead:

I only hope the 1/144 version is easier, and stronger, to build, plus it should have a smaller number of decals too.

Just now I'm deciding which of the HORRENDOUS number of stencil and airframe decals I'm going to leave off as it's a real pain deciding where they should go, Revell's drawings leaving a lot to be desired.

But the idea of a fleet of them in retro schemes sounds good, you could sling in some French and German ones as well, just for variety.  ;)
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: chrisonord on October 28, 2017, 07:23:00 AM
I would have put it down forever at the decal stage, my fingers are losing their ability to cope with reasonable sized ones let alone the amount of detailed ones for this
Chris
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on October 28, 2017, 08:26:58 AM
Quote from: chrisonord on October 28, 2017, 07:23:00 AM

I would have put it down forever at the decal stage, my fingers are losing their ability to cope with reasonable sized ones let alone the amount of detailed ones for this
Chris


I was thinking of it, but the thought of severe retribution from Kiwi Land has persuaded me to carry on regardless.  ;D

Just waiting for another coat of Klear to dry before doing some detail painting, and yet MORE decaling.
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on October 29, 2017, 05:13:51 AM
This is driving me nuts.  :banghead:

The vast amount of detail painting and all the decals aren't making it enjoyable any more, although the thing is starting to look how I imagined it.

I've yet to do those red stripes on the nose boom, and as it's tapered I just KNOW they're going to be a right pain.
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: Ian the Kiwi Herder on October 29, 2017, 11:19:29 AM
Kit,
would using an Eddig or Sharpie marker be an option for the boom stripes ?

If it were my build I'd consider it as marker pens work perfectly for doing trim pieces etc on car models.

Just a thought.

Ian.
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on October 29, 2017, 11:29:40 AM
Quote from: Ian the Kiwi Herder on October 29, 2017, 11:19:29 AM
Kit,
would using an Eddig or Sharpie marker be an option for the boom stripes ?

If it were my build I'd consider it as marker pens work perfectly for doing trim pieces etc on car models.

Just a thought.

Ian.



That's worth a try Ian, thanks for the idea.  :thumbsup:

Mind you, it's success would depend on the accuracy of my 'scribing'.  ;D
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: KiwiZac on October 29, 2017, 01:18:23 PM
Quote from: Thorvic on October 28, 2017, 02:36:54 AMThe Chocolate Bomber scheme and scheme that followed on the Herk's, the Dark Sea Grey/Dark green camo over Light Aircraft grey undersides
I
can't
afford
more
models
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on October 29, 2017, 04:50:57 PM
At last I think I'm getting somewhere with this 'thing'. All the decals are on the props now, but the props are only plugged onto the shafts at the moment. All the extra tanks etc. are attached under the wings and the radome and other detail parts are painted. I've deepened the anti-glare panel under the windscreen as the earlier thin version looked a bit anaemic.

All the mainwheels are painted and will be glued on tomorrow, and then I'll add the last remaining decals and glue the AAR probe back on, again............

Ok, so the nose wheel broke off, and I glued it back on again, but that's par for the course for this build.

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.com%2Fa%2Fimg923%2F9490%2F5xOk4k.jpg&hash=f5cd328bec5eb44beb13f434d4f4eb49e6073aa2)
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: McColm on October 29, 2017, 05:01:57 PM
Very impressive Kit :thumbsup:
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: TomZ on October 30, 2017, 12:55:24 AM
Looks very good in this scheme.
Very nice conversion and extremely well executed

TomZ
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on October 30, 2017, 01:17:44 AM
Thanks for the plaudits gentlemen, it's a good thing you can see it close up, it's not one of my best paint jobs for sure. And you can only see the top in that pic.  ;D
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: Caveman on October 30, 2017, 06:16:45 AM
I guess the advantage of close ups with large models is that they can still be far away...
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on October 30, 2017, 06:19:23 AM
Quote from: Caveman on October 30, 2017, 06:16:45 AM

I guess the advantage of close ups with large models is that they can still be far away...


Dead right.  ;D

I took those pics at a range of about 3-4 ft, WELL outside the range where you'd see the faults. It'll be at the back of the stand at Telford for the same reason.  ;)
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: TheChronicOne on October 30, 2017, 08:55:31 AM
 ;D ;D  ^

Ha!!!  Sounds like my type of shenanigans....  Good thinking!

I think it looks fantastic so far. . .   :mellow: :mellow:
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: Captain Canada on October 30, 2017, 09:23:53 AM
Oh wow is that ever good ! Love the look of it and it makes complete sense. Great build.

:thumbsup:
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: NARSES2 on October 31, 2017, 07:20:47 AM
I can see that with 4 under slung turbo fans rather than the turbo props. Almost a large Hs 146 then ?
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on October 31, 2017, 12:44:11 PM
A VERY large Hs146 indeed!  :o

All the decals are on now, or at least all the ones I'm going to apply. There's WELL over half the Revell sheet left.

The props are nicely matt varnished, yes, the real ones really are matt, and I've snapped off all the sticky-out bits as I'm fed up with trying to find them when they got knocked off! They'll be the last things to be replaced at the build end. The remaining main landing gear goes on tonight and the gear doors too with luck. After that it's just tidying up really.

After last week's disasters I'm surprised I've got this far really.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on October 31, 2017, 03:22:41 PM
Another landmark, the landing gear, wheels and doors, are all glued in position.  :thumbsup:

With the aid of some meticulously accurate scalpel work, copious quantities of superglue and accelerator all of the remaining 10 main gear legs/wheels are now glued in place. Hopefully no-one, or not many of them anyway, will notice that only the two rear outboard  wheels actually touch the ground, together with the bumpers at the end of the loading ramp, as otherwise it would have needed far more accurate cutting work than I'm capable of at this stage of the build. In addition the main gear doors make excellent shields to prevent the over querious from noticing this fact.  ;D

The more observant of you will notice that the nose probe seems to be missing. Well, is really IS missing, as during the heaving and swivelling involved in fitting the gear legs I caught it in my shirt and PING, off it went. Luckily it's only the glue joint that's failed and it fits back together quite nicely. In addition it may make the red stripe painting a lot easier.

To which end I bought some Sharpie pens on Ian the Kiwi Herder's recommendation, but I'll give them a test on something else first before using them on the probe itself.

We're getting there.  ;D

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.com%2Fa%2Fimg923%2F6028%2FQezZQ1.jpg&hash=d93019ea3b28dcde9fadcf48b9b7477df1373c8a)

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.com%2Fa%2Fimg922%2F6059%2Fg57Mb2.jpg&hash=d1533bb36a3f8e46ff7234777808755894bba49b)
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: rickshaw on October 31, 2017, 04:50:09 PM
Make the Nose Probe removable, Kit.  It'll save trouble later!   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on October 31, 2017, 04:54:54 PM
Quote from: rickshaw on October 31, 2017, 04:50:09 PM

Make the Nose Probe removable, Kit.  It'll save trouble later!   :thumbsup:


;D ;D It actually plugs-in quite nicely so I may do just that. The props will be 'plug-on' as well or for sure one of those umpteen blades will snap off in transit to a show.
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: zenrat on November 01, 2017, 03:27:45 AM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on October 31, 2017, 04:54:54 PM
...The props will be 'plug-on' as well or for sure one of those umpteen blades will snap off in transit to a show.

I do that.  However, you do introduce a new hazard - that of the props falling off and getting trodden on while moving it from table to box (or display case to box).

Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on November 01, 2017, 03:40:22 AM
I'll leave the props off until it's sitting on the stand itself. That's what I  do with the RB-35 Northampton and that seems to work OK.

So long as I don't lose the props in the transit box of course.......
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: zenrat on November 01, 2017, 04:04:33 AM
Ah, you say that now but there will come the time when you are flying it round the house, put it into a dive, step forward and...
...crunch.

Don't ask me how I know this.
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on November 01, 2017, 04:23:14 AM
Quote from: zenrat on November 01, 2017, 04:04:33 AM

Ah, you say that now but there will come the time when you are flying it round the house, put it into a dive, step forward and...
...crunch.

Don't ask me how I know this.


Hehehe, this thing is SO heavy there's no way I'll be doing anything so bizarre.  ;D

I can only JUST hold the darn thing in one hand!
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: McColm on November 01, 2017, 06:31:40 AM
Could the propellers be motorized or internal lights fitted?
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on November 01, 2017, 09:27:40 AM
Quote from: McColm on November 01, 2017, 06:31:40 AM

Could the propellers be motorized or internal lights fitted?


Almost anything's possible these days......

I built a 1/72 Revell B-24D finished as a formation leader that has 4 x Spin-a-Prop motors and flashing lights on the fuselage top and that's powered by 2 x AA cells in the bomb bay, I did that in 1973 or so.

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.com%2Fa%2Fimg924%2F6383%2FIBhSzc.jpg&hash=5ffbfdb1ca389676ecb2e6098068519bc52c31b8)

But I guess so, the engine nacelles on the Atlas are pretty large, and there's enough room in the fuselage for a power station, let alone some batteries!
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: McColm on November 01, 2017, 03:33:23 PM
Thanks Kit
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: zenrat on November 02, 2017, 03:16:28 AM
Did you mask & paint all those dots or are they decals?

Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on November 02, 2017, 03:28:05 AM
They were made with a hole punch and coloured solid Letraset, and the ones on the Olive Drab area each have a white one underneath them to ensure the colour looked right.

It was a LONG job. as you can imagine I'm sure.
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: zenrat on November 02, 2017, 03:44:53 AM
Now that's dedication to the hobby.
:thumbsup:
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on November 02, 2017, 04:46:39 AM
True, but I was young a crazy back then, now I'm just crazy............ ;)
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas
Post by: PR19_Kit on November 04, 2017, 01:10:25 PM
This thing keeps on getting to the 'nearly finished' stage and something falls off, or I notice a screw-up in my painting.  :banghead:

The main landing gear doors stick out at almost 90 deg. to the gear bulges and are STUPIDLY close to the ground, only about 2 ft. in the RW, so they're very vulnerable. So far I've had to re-glue three of them back in place!!!

The Sharpie pens didn't work for the red stripes on the nose probe as the colour just wasn't dense enough, even after 2-3 coats, so I resorted to Tamiya tape and red enamel. The first attempt was a bit ho-hum and it needed some touching up, and I'm waiting for that lot to dry now. However it does look rather good plugged back into the nose, even in its rather basic form.  ;D

After that I've only got the aerials to glue on and it's done, maybe tonight with luck.

[Where's the 'fingers crossed' emoticon when you need it?]
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: PR19_Kit on November 04, 2017, 05:35:31 PM
What it says above, the job's done at last.  ;D

The 2nd attempt at the red stripes went OK, good enough for Government work anyway, and I glued it back in place. It'll need a bit of a re-paint around the joint, but that won't be a problem. I re-glued all the missing aerials on the top, the ones underneath won't be seen anyway, except for one that fired itself into orbit. I won't be looking for it......

So here's the final pics of 'Snoopy Too'.

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.com%2Fa%2Fimg924%2F9516%2FbJ1Mx3.jpg&hash=5d93321537661e0c62f7ff0567005d8858393be3)

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.com%2Fa%2Fimg924%2F756%2Fo2EB2I.jpg&hash=147aeaa01a371d71c76c8223477646c7858c6299)

A couple of overall views


(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.com%2Fa%2Fimg922%2F7219%2Fxv3HvM.jpg&hash=0e446f87b28743209bff568922580b272bcbc055)

What it's all about really, the nose with the probe and radar pod


(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.com%2Fa%2Fimg923%2F8169%2FMlOWOW.jpg&hash=f805dbfa0dc6638330f21bf0cf711d7e0a454119)

The rear ramp and the open para-door that I modified


(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.com%2Fa%2Fimg923%2F6105%2FGobAJu.jpg&hash=9948fd3681e99b8f3f2ce7468b008c8d13890a56)

The #4 engine and weather pod. There should have been another pod on the port wing but it's lost somewhere


(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.com%2Fa%2Fimg924%2F7375%2FR0uOrd.jpg&hash=613204e8dd77275e6a78fc8163f6b16d09e62d72)

The original Snoopy, to show the similarities

I may add a detail or two before Telford, but if I don't it won't matter, it looks good enough for the event now.
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: rickshaw on November 04, 2017, 07:46:05 PM
Excellent!  Excellent.  Well done, Kit.   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: PR19_Kit on November 04, 2017, 09:40:17 PM
Thanks Brian, much appreciated.  ;D

I forgot to post the backstory, but now I have and it's here :-
http://www.whatifmodellers.com/index.php/topic,44477.new.html#new (http://www.whatifmodellers.com/index.php/topic,44477.new.html#new)
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: 63cpe on November 04, 2017, 10:51:03 PM
What a stunner! Glorious build!

David ( 63cpe)
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: nighthunter on November 04, 2017, 10:52:41 PM
Not my Cuppa, but a beautiful build, nonetheless, Kit, well done!
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: Old Wombat on November 05, 2017, 01:37:21 AM
 :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: zenrat on November 05, 2017, 01:40:50 AM
Bonza!  :thumbsup:

Makes me want to build one of the larger boxes in the stash.
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: TheChronicOne on November 05, 2017, 02:16:15 AM
:bow: :bow: :bow: :drink: :cheers: :party: 

I think it's absolutely gorgeous.  :lol: :lol: :lol:
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: sideshowbob9 on November 05, 2017, 03:18:47 AM
Brilliant! It really does look the part.
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: DogfighterZen on November 05, 2017, 04:10:56 AM
Not my favorite type of aircraft but that looks very good indeed. Excellent build, that's for sure. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: Gondor on November 05, 2017, 04:14:30 AM
Great build.  :wub: :thumbsup: One question though. Why are the outer engines the only ones to have a metal area on their upper surfaces just behind the propellers?

Gondor
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: PR19_Kit on November 05, 2017, 04:20:48 AM
Thanks for all the plaudits gentlemen, I'm suitably flattered.  :thumbsup:

That's a good question Alastair, to which I don't have the answer.

I thought at one stage that all four engines were like that, but a search through pics of the RW A-400M shows that it's only the outer ones.

And to make it even more complicated some aircraft don't have the NM areas at all!  :banghead:
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: Gondor on November 05, 2017, 06:08:55 AM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on November 05, 2017, 04:20:48 AM
Thanks for all the plaudits gentlemen, I'm suitably flattered.  :thumbsup:

That's a good question Alastair, to which I don't have the answer.

I thought at one stage that all four engines were like that, but a search through pics of the RW A-400M shows that it's only the outer ones.

And to make it even more complicated some aircraft don't have the NM areas at all!  :banghead:

Thanks for the reply Kit, I had wondered if you had missed them or if it was in the instructions. My curiosity is rather satisfied and would be purring if it were a cat.

Gondor
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: NARSES2 on November 05, 2017, 06:29:34 AM
Stunning build Kit, and backstory  :bow: Also a great example of how to overcome a the travails of life, or at least as far as modelling goes  ;)
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: kitnut617 on November 05, 2017, 08:26:35 AM
Another Kit masterclass ----  can't find any other words that haven't already been said ----

           :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
             :wub: :wub: :wub:
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: PR19_Kit on November 05, 2017, 08:28:48 AM
Quote from: NARSES2 on November 05, 2017, 06:29:34 AM

Stunning build Kit, and backstory  :bow: Also a great example of how to overcome a the travails of life, or at least as far as modelling goes  ;)


;D It's called 'persistence' I think Chris, and I seem to have had loads of it in recent years. It's even more awesome for real as it's HUGE! I won't be building another A-400M though, at least not in 1/72.

The instructions don't mention the NM panels at all Alastair, I only picked them up from the pics I took at RIAT last year, and by looking out the others on-line.

Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: Gondor on November 05, 2017, 09:02:18 AM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on November 05, 2017, 08:28:48 AM

The instructions don't mention the NM panels at all Alastair, I only picked them up from the pics I took at RIAT last year, and by looking out the others on-line.


Very odd Kit  :unsure:

Gondor
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: chrisonord on November 05, 2017, 12:21:25 PM
Absolutely brilliant Kit I really like this  :wub: I have seen the original Snooppy during the 90's when working at Aberystwyth  and loved watching it do its business high above us. Also did you photoshop the E.C.G machine out of the pictures as I am sure this thing nearly caused you to need one on hand during its gestation.
Chris
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: Ian the Kiwi Herder on November 05, 2017, 01:16:29 PM
Easily one of the best models I have ever seen, doesn't matter if it's a 'What If' - it's bl**dy superb in it's own right !. I predict it will cause more than a few trapped nerves and pulled muscles as it turns heads at Telford. I hope whoever is organising the display this year makes certain it's front and centre !!.

Utterly brilliant, Kit.



Ian.
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: PR19_Kit on November 05, 2017, 01:42:12 PM
I'm feeling a tad overwhelmed with all this praise gentlemen, and thanks so much.

Up close it's not as good as it looks in the pics as the paint shows various faults, but as a '2 foot mode' it's not too bad.

It won't be 'front and centre' Ian as it'll be sharing stand space with my Monterey, so they'll probably be on opposite ends of the stand as they're both so huge.
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: loupgarou on November 05, 2017, 02:23:11 PM
You deserve the equivalent in whif-world of the "Hero of the Soviet Union" medal. :thumbsup: Does it exist?
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: Weaver on November 05, 2017, 03:50:06 PM
Wow! Well now it's finished Kit, can I just say....







.....wouldn't they have used a surplus A320 instead?  :wacko:





Seriously, well battled and well won: it looks excellent. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: strobez on November 05, 2017, 08:39:24 PM
...

..

.

Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: Spey_Phantom on November 06, 2017, 01:08:54 AM
by far, the best looking A400M ive ever seen  :wub: :thumbsup:
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: PR19_Kit on November 06, 2017, 02:34:47 AM
Quote from: Nils on November 06, 2017, 01:08:54 AM

by far, the best looking A400M ive ever seen  :wub: :thumbsup:


;D ;D ;D The others are pretty drab looking, aren't they? And it's difficult to tell the German, French and British ones apart. I think Airbus got a good deal on grey paint somewhere...........  ;)
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: Glenn Gilbertson on November 08, 2017, 11:11:20 AM
Truly magnificent! I am lost in admiration. :bow:
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: PR19_Kit on November 09, 2017, 01:08:50 PM
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr  :banghead: :banghead:

While packing 'Snoopy Too' for Telford tomorrow I managed to break the nose probe off AGAIN! That's the second time I think.

So this evening I've glued it back on again with some super strength superglue, PSR'd the break line, masked up the red/white bits of the probe and re-sprayed the break line though a monster newspaper mask.

Nothing like last minute repairs before a big show to keep you cool and calm, I don't think!
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: rickshaw on November 09, 2017, 04:58:18 PM
I did suggest that you made it removable, Kit...    :banghead:
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: PR19_Kit on November 09, 2017, 11:23:28 PM
Yeah, and if I'd done that originally it would have been sensible and practical.

But after all the assembly and painting it would have been very difficult and time consuming.

It looks fine now, no sign of the join.
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: smeds on December 11, 2017, 04:31:17 AM
Saw this at Telford, very impressed mate. I have one in the stash awaiting idea's.

Don't suppose you know of a 1/48 Snoopy conversion ?
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: kitnut617 on December 11, 2017, 05:17:57 AM
My friend Steve Gardner who was also at Telford this year and helping out on a table near the What-If table, was also really impressed with it. He said it was all he could see of the table all day ---- he sent me a pic he took of it too.  He told me he remembers Kit from when he used to be at Aircraft in Miniature.
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: PR19_Kit on December 11, 2017, 08:38:11 AM
AFAIK the Combat models conversion is the only Snoopy conv available in any scale.

Airmodel did do a vacform Snoopy conv in 1/72 but it was diabolical, I still have the bits of one.  :banghead:

I'm glad Steve liked it, it did rather dominate the stand, gert fat thing that it is.  ;D
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: Martin H on December 11, 2017, 02:48:22 PM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on December 11, 2017, 08:38:11 AM
I'm glad Steve liked it, it did rather dominate the stand, gert fat thing that it is.  ;D

Dominate is the right word for it  ;D It was the undisputed star of the stand.
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: Thorvic on December 12, 2017, 12:28:47 AM
Quote from: Martin H on December 11, 2017, 02:48:22 PM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on December 11, 2017, 08:38:11 AM
I'm glad Steve liked it, it did rather dominate the stand, gert fat thing that it is.  ;D

Dominate is the right word for it  ;D It was the undisputed star of the stand.

So what do you for next years show ?  :wacko:
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: PR19_Kit on December 12, 2017, 12:32:09 AM
Quote from: Thorvic on December 12, 2017, 12:28:47 AM
Quote from: Martin H on December 11, 2017, 02:48:22 PM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on December 11, 2017, 08:38:11 AM
I'm glad Steve liked it, it did rather dominate the stand, gert fat thing that it is.  ;D

Dominate is the right word for it  ;D It was the undisputed star of the stand.

So what do you for next years show ?  :wacko:


Hehehe, NO idea yet. It's a long way away.  ;D
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: NARSES2 on December 13, 2017, 06:05:18 AM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on December 12, 2017, 12:32:09 AM


Hehehe, NO idea yet. It's a long way away.  ;D

Come September I'll remind you, you said that  ;)
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: PR19_Kit on December 13, 2017, 08:40:13 AM
Quote from: NARSES2 on December 13, 2017, 06:05:18 AM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on December 12, 2017, 12:32:09 AM


Hehehe, NO idea yet. It's a long way away.  ;D

Come September I'll remind you, you said that  ;)


Hehehe, by then I expect I'll be in 'Full Build' mode, with 3-4 models under way.

But only a couple of them will make Telford if things go as they usually do.  :banghead:
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: Weaver on January 14, 2018, 02:58:20 PM
Kit, do you mind if I put the pics up on Twitter (with full credit of course) in reply to a rather fine Red Arrows support A400M?



Quote from: PR19_Kit on November 09, 2017, 01:08:50 PM
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr  :banghead: :banghead:

While packing 'Snoopy Too' for Telford tomorrow I managed to break the nose probe off AGAIN! That's the second time I think.

So this evening I've glued it back on again with some super strength superglue, PSR'd the break line, masked up the red/white bits of the probe and re-sprayed the break line though a monster newspaper mask.

Nothing like last minute repairs before a big show to keep you cool and calm, I don't think!

Make a foam sleeve that fits over it, so it can take a slight knock without breaking off.
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: PR19_Kit on January 14, 2018, 04:50:05 PM
Fine by me H, I'd be interested to see, or hear, what the wider world think of it.
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: Weaver on January 14, 2018, 06:36:33 PM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on January 14, 2018, 04:50:05 PM
Fine by me H, I'd be interested to see, or hear, what the wider world think of it.

Cheers, done!  :thumbsup:

Here's that Red Arrows C-17 (not A-400M  :banghead: ) by John Bartrop:

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DThyi-_W4AAufEp.jpg)
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: Rick Lowe on January 14, 2018, 08:10:36 PM
Hey Kit, when are you going to do the modern equivalent of the Herk with the Fulton Skyhook system??  :angel: ;D
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: PR19_Kit on January 15, 2018, 01:00:58 AM
Quote from: Rick Lowe on January 14, 2018, 08:10:36 PM

Hey Kit, when are you going to do the modern equivalent of the Herk with the Fulton Skyhook system??  :angel: ;D


Hmmm, on a C-5 maybe? They could pick up the entire aircraft, let alone the pilot!  ;D ;)
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: Rick Lowe on January 15, 2018, 02:41:18 AM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on January 15, 2018, 01:00:58 AM
Quote from: Rick Lowe on January 14, 2018, 08:10:36 PM

Hey Kit, when are you going to do the modern equivalent of the Herk with the Fulton Skyhook system??  :angel: ;D


Hmmm, on a C-5 maybe? They could pick up the entire aircraft, let alone the pilot!  ;D ;)

Yeah - have a Guppy-like or roller door-type opening nose and you can just scoop the whatever right out of the sky!  :thumbsup: ;D
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: PR19_Kit on January 15, 2018, 02:45:30 AM
Quote from: Rick Lowe on January 15, 2018, 02:41:18 AM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on January 15, 2018, 01:00:58 AM
Quote from: Rick Lowe on January 14, 2018, 08:10:36 PM

Hey Kit, when are you going to do the modern equivalent of the Herk with the Fulton Skyhook system??  :angel: ;D


Hmmm, on a C-5 maybe? They could pick up the entire aircraft, let alone the pilot!  ;D ;)

Yeah - have a Guppy-like or roller door-type opening nose and you can just scoop the whatever right out of the sky!  :thumbsup: ;D


A C-5 comes like that as standard, but the crew couldn't see what they're trying to scoop up with the standard lifting nose, so maybe it'd have to be twin sideways opening doors? Or perhaps roller blinds?

I'll work on it..... ;)
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: Rick Lowe on January 15, 2018, 02:49:41 AM
Something similar to a garage door, or the B-24 style bomb bay doors...
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: zenrat on January 16, 2018, 02:34:36 AM
How about an iris door.  It'd look like a giant flying leech...
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: Weaver on January 16, 2018, 05:37:21 AM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on January 15, 2018, 02:45:30 AM
Quote from: Rick Lowe on January 15, 2018, 02:41:18 AM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on January 15, 2018, 01:00:58 AM
Quote from: Rick Lowe on January 14, 2018, 08:10:36 PM

Hey Kit, when are you going to do the modern equivalent of the Herk with the Fulton Skyhook system??  :angel: ;D


Hmmm, on a C-5 maybe? They could pick up the entire aircraft, let alone the pilot!  ;D ;)

Yeah - have a Guppy-like or roller door-type opening nose and you can just scoop the whatever right out of the sky!  :thumbsup: ;D


A C-5 comes like that as standard, but the crew couldn't see what they're trying to scoop up with the standard lifting nose, so maybe it'd have to be twin sideways opening doors? Or perhaps roller blinds?

I'll work on it..... ;)

You know how the Sikorsky Skycrane has a second (3rd?) pilot who faces backwards, and whose only job is piloting the thing down onto a load or container? Same principle with the pickup C-5: you have a piloting position that faces downwards in the underside of the nose and is useless in normal flight. However, when the nose is raised to do a pickup and the normal cockpit windows are blocked, the guy in the nose position is now raised up 90 deg and facing forwards, so he flies the plane through the pickup maneuver before handing control back to the normal pilot. Simple.... ;)

More:

The cargo is suspended above the ground by a balloon anchored by a conductive cable with release mechanisms just above and below it. The C-5 extends a ramp forwards from the cargo bay and a pair of rods ahead of the raised nose section, with a wire strung between them. The wire is connected to the positive side of the aircraft's electrical system and the balloon cable is earthed. When the C-5's wire hit the balloon cable, a current flows through it to earth which trips the release mechanisms and released the payload to fall onto the extended cargo ramp. There's a target attached to the balloon cable the same distance above the payload as the pickup pilot is above the cargo bay to give him something to aim at for a height reference.

The cargo bay needs to be empty and the tail ramp open as well to avoid the fuselage acting as a giant parachute, so you need a capture web halfway down the cargo bay which allows air to flow through it but arrests the payload at around the aircraft's CofG. if the payload doesn't have wheels, then it needs to be on a wheeled platform to ensure that it slides cleanly down the bay and doesn't just stop at the nose

This is so simple and foolproof that I can't understand why anyone hasn't done it yet: what could possibly go wrong?   :wacko:
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: PR19_Kit on January 16, 2018, 10:57:14 AM
Quote from: Weaver on January 16, 2018, 05:37:21 AM

This is so simple and foolproof that I can't understand why anyone hasn't done it yet: what could possibly go wrong?   :wacko:


Yeah, right..................  :o ;D ;)
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: Rick Lowe on January 16, 2018, 11:09:44 AM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on January 16, 2018, 10:57:14 AM
Quote from: Weaver on January 16, 2018, 05:37:21 AM

This is so simple and foolproof that I can't understand why anyone hasn't done it yet: what could possibly go wrong?   :wacko:


Yeah, right..................  :o ;D ;)

You're not just Taunting Murphy, you're poking him with a large, pointy stick...
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: Weaver on January 17, 2018, 01:56:21 AM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on January 16, 2018, 10:57:14 AM
Quote from: Weaver on January 16, 2018, 05:37:21 AM

This is so simple and foolproof that I can't understand why anyone hasn't done it yet: what could possibly go wrong?   :wacko:


Yeah, right..................  :o ;D ;)

You know, if everyone had your negative attitude, the Titanic wouldn't have even been built...
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: Rick Lowe on February 03, 2018, 01:32:43 AM
"Quit it with them Negative Waves, Moriarity! Woofwoofwoof - that's my other Dog impression..."
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: PR19_Kit on February 03, 2018, 04:15:09 AM
Quote from: Rick Lowe on February 03, 2018, 01:32:43 AM

"Quit it with them Negative Waves, Moriarity! Woofwoofwoof - that's my other Dog impression..."


Hehehe, one of my, and my family's, FAVE films!  ;D

'It's a mother beautiful bridge and it's gonna be there!'


'No it ain't..................'
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: comrade harps on February 03, 2018, 05:23:22 AM
AWESOME
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: ysi_maniac on February 03, 2018, 10:41:04 PM
Beautiful indeed!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :bow: :bow: :bow:
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: Aussie747 on October 17, 2018, 01:34:52 PM
Wow, just caught up on this build. What a great idea and superbly executed Kit!  :thumbsup:

Sorry for dragging this thread from the depths but just had to comment on it!
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: PR19_Kit on October 17, 2018, 01:54:36 PM
Better late than never Ray, even if you're almost a whole year late.  ;D

And mucho thanks too, glad you like it.
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: The Rat on October 17, 2018, 02:57:42 PM
And another one late to the party. Don't know how I missed it, a build that beautiful should have been on the front of The Times!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: Just Imagine on October 17, 2018, 07:44:05 PM
Another person late to the Party (better late than never) having been referred over here by Ray. 

Fantastic effort Kit on the "Retro Snoopy".  Well done. 
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: Captain Canada on February 10, 2020, 05:10:41 PM
Even later ! That is great ! Just great. Love that aeroplane, in both the original and the Too from ! Lovely.
Title: Re: A 'different' Airbus A-400M Atlas - FINISHED!
Post by: TheChronicOne on February 10, 2020, 09:16:09 PM
Concur! One of the best builds on the whole site, Todd.  :mellow: