Odd scale Convair C-880

[anthonyp]

This is a Glencoe Models 1/128 Convair 880, which is an odd scale to make a model in.  

I bought this model knowing it was an odd scale, and had no idea what to do with it.  I built it still not knowing what it was going to be.  I just wanted to see what it would look like.  I know the USN converted one of these into a "KC-880" during the F/A-18 program, so there was a US military potential, but then I heard a cigar commercial that spawned a whole new avenue for me and Whiffery.

The Gispert cigar brand has a radio commercial about how this couple is in Honduras, and the man is talking about his cigar.  The conversation wanders to the national flag, and how the man thinks one thing, then the woman corrects him that the "Five stars on the flag are there to represent the five former members of the Federal Republic of Central America" or something similar.  In any case, the FRoCA needed to be built.  

I haven't gotten into the backstory all that much yet, as I wanted to get the Conch Republic out, as well as bang out some Ceylon planes inspired by Shasper.  More details about the FRoCA will appear in the alternate history forum, as well as more model backgrounds when I have a chance to think about it.

The decals are all custom by me.  If you look closely at the tail, under the big banner of the FRoCA are all the flags of the member states.  I based the roundel colors on the three main colors of the FRoCA flag.  I went through a few permutations on the roundel before I decided on this, and a few variants.  I'll post them once I figure out the history of the last 150 years (the FRoCA existed only from 1823 to about 1840... more can be found here on Wikipedia.

Backstory:

Convair 880 Federal Republic of Central America

The FRoCA used the Convair 880 as a short to medium haul military transport.  Being equipped with the same engines as the F-4's that were in FRoCA Air Force service made service of the Convair 880 transport easy for the nation.  Not many Convair 880's remain in service, though, as operating costs now that the F-4's are being withdrawn, as well as airframe fatigue necessitate the acquisition of a replacement.  The Boeing 737-800 based transport aircraft that is entering limited service around the world is seen as a viable replacement.

More pics can be found here.

[B777LR]

Nice, but i think it needs a refuelig boom, and ability to be refuelled itself  (by a hose)

[Brian da Basher]

Another stunner! How do you do it Anthony?

Brian da Basher

[Dork the kit slayer]

Convair 880....any colours.. any scale... any airforce..just one GREAT  looking airliner.

:(Alas...... never got to fly in one      

[lancer]

Gorgeous Anthony, I always thought the Convair machines always looked so much better thab the Boeings. Sleeker and more graceful somehow.  

[anthonyp]

I agree with you, the Convair plane just looks nice compared to its larger competitors.

   

[The Rat]

Beauty one Anthony! Those Convairs are gorgeous. We had on parked at YYZ for a couple of days back around '75, Modern Air. Confused the heck out of another pilot, he called the tower and asked what kind of DC-8 it was. Controller didn't know either, so it was up to a lowly maintenance guy, me, to enlighten them.  B)

I've got the old Aurora one up in the attic, made it 40 years ago or more. One of these days it just might get the whiff treatment.

[Captain Canada]

Yes, it sure is nice when old posts you missed pop up, and you get to enjoy a nice model you otherwise would have missed............

Great stuff, Anthony ! And I agree with the boys, something about the Convairs....

 

[ysi_maniac]

Yes, I recently acquired this model. A blast from the past, and a beautiful airliner (waiting for Convair 990, with its "carrots").

You made a nice job      

BTW, its scale (1/126) is not so odd: Heller have several airliners in 1/125 that can stand very well with this beauty.
 

[The Rat]

(waiting for Convair 990, with its "carrots").

Well there's the Microscale 1/144th job for $95 found here.  ^_^

A little pricier is the 1/135th Revell kit for $165  

But go with the best, the Aurora example.        

[ysi_maniac]

^^^ Are these people mad?