The model that took 13 months

[Brian da Basher]

This is a project I started in April of 2010. I just got it finished a few days ago, That's a total of 13 months.  A new record in sloth for me.

The base kit is a 1/200 DC-8 I got literally for pocket change because the wings were missing. Of course, little details like that never stopped me. I grafted on the wings and horiz. stabs. from a 1/72 Dauntless (thanks, Anthony!) and then added the center tail from a 1/144 Boeing 314 Clipper and engines from a 1/144 DC-3 to come up with the Boeing 327. Here's some shots prior to painting.

Brian da Basher

[Brian da Basher]

The mood was grim at Boeing when their 247 airliner became an also-ran once the Douglas DC-3 hit the market. The folks at Boeing aren't the type to take defeat laying down, so they improved their 247 with a complete redesign and the Boeing 327 was born. The new airliner had a longer, more streamlined fuselage which could hold 98 passengers and a wider, longer wing which offered outstanding low-speed and short landing performance. Unfortunately, W.W. II put the Boeing 327 on ice...

Brian da Basher

[Brian da Basher]

These photos show the Boeing 327 in house colors prior to her unsuccessful test flight. Unfortunately, a mechanic named Reuben left his sandwich inside a wheel well and the sauerkraut and dressing fouled a landing gear actuator. Technicians couldn't determine the cause of the failure and the Boeing 327 was relegated to a corner of the back lot of the Boeing test facility until discovered by an employee of the Smithsonian who was looking to round out the collection at the Udvar-Hazy center in 2009. The Boeing test pilot, James "Jester" Deuce was amazed when the ancient landing gear actuator functioned flawlessly after a spritz of Goo-Be-Gone. Jester Deuce flew the 327 to the Udvar-Hazy center and established a new trans-continental speed record for twin-piston engined aircraft in the process. It remains there today, proudly on display only a few blocks from Reuben's Sandwich Shack where one can get a delicious reuben for only pocket change.

Brian da Basher

[reddfoxx]

Funny, and awesome.  I would never have guessed DC-8 fuselage.  Overall, kinda reminds me of a P-3, kinda like a Martin 4-0-4, and of course reminiscent of the 247.  Cool!

[ysi_maniac]

... I got literally for pocket change because the wings were missing. Of course, little details like that never stopped me...

This is the kind of whiffery I love!

BTW: Nice airliner.

[sequoiaranger]

...the 327 can actuate the perforated "Dauntless" dive brakes upon landing and help slow the plane down to the terminal!!  

Good job, as we have come to expect from you, Brian.

PS--I think I recognize the wing as the old Hawk (Testors) SBD.  I just snagged the tail off one for my Twin-Engined Zero, myself.

[Taiidantomcat]

I like it!! Its always so great to complete one after so long 

[matrixone]

Great job!

Seeing this model reminds me of some of the designs the Germans were thinking about for airliners to be built post war.

Matrixone

[kitbasher]

Hooray!  Da Basher is back in style!!
13 months - is that all?  I've a Fujimi Phantom that still needs painting after 12 years, and an Airfix Jet Provost T4 (based on the T3 kit) that's still not done after about 20 years!

[GTX]

Another wonderful creation!

Regards,

Greg

[sotoolslinger]

Must agree. Beautiful AC. Glad you finally finished her

[Weaver]

Worth every minute!

Nice to see you back Brian!   

[The Rat]

Brian, you're a machine I says, a machine!!! 

[NARSES2]

That's a really nice looking aeroplane Brian 

[John Howling Mouse]

Perfectly captures that competent feel of the era.  With the gaps like that between window sets, do you imagine it having sleeping berths, etc.?  Very nicely rendered!