Airbus CC-165T Manitoba (RCAF A330-MRTT)

[Spey_Phantom]

last night, i started on the first of 2 Airbus A330-MRTT air refueling aircraft.
most obvious i would want to start with the Belgian one, but for research purposes, i thought i would start with the Canadian version.

i decided to build this kit, using a spare Revell 1/144 Airbus A340, witch is pretty much the same fuselage and wing as the A330.

the cockpit itsself was pretty easy, containing only 2 parts, but since its not going to be visible from the outside,
i didnt bother with the extra details. the nosewheel was quite complicated but i managed to get it about right.

this morning, the Fuselage was cut down from a -300 lenth to a -200 (-6 frames in front and -4 in the back).
after that, the fuselage was put back together  and i just finished sanding it down.

because Revell putty is very messy and difficult to work with, i thought i would experiment with cheap discountstore filler,
the results were quite pleasing and isnt that messy as the Revell putty,
not to mention its easier to work with and gives cleaner (and white) results.

progress pic 



planned paintjob:

[Captain Canada]

Love the big Airbus heavies....and it's going to look great in leafy roundels  What was the name of the putty you used ?

[Spey_Phantom]

What was the name of the putty you used ?

Soriso instant filler

[Army of One]

Will you be making any refuelling pods for the wings....?  If you are.....what you gonna use...? Or buy after market..?

[Spey_Phantom]

Will you be making any refuelling pods for the wings....?  If you are.....what you gonna use...? Or buy after market..?

ive already made them, ive converted a pair of Hindenburg tanks from a Revell 1/144 Tornado GR.1.
im also scratchbuilding a flying boom, although i might have to redo it as im not happy with the results.

[Captain Canada]

Thanks Nils. I'll have to do a little research but I bet it's similar to the Polyfilla stuff I've been using of late, made for wall cracks and holes from pictures etc. No smell and easy clean up !

[Dizzyfugu]

I am currently experimenting with a painter's putty for wood and metal from a company called Albrecht:

http://www.lack-albrecht.de/menu/produkte/bautenlacke/spachtel/kunststoff-spachtel.html

So far great, white stuff: no smell, dries up relatively quickly and has little shrink (O.K., I applied a layer of 5mm...  ). It also bonds well with plastic, it is, when dry, actually harder than the Presto stuff I usually use on models, but it is not as easy to apply - it's rather good for rough body work and minor sculpting jobs. I guess it's similar to the Soriso stuff.

[Aussie747]

Nice start Nils,

Are you going to modify the tail to make it the size of a -200 tail? You need to increase the cord about 5mm and add another 5mm to the height.

Did this some years ago with a build that ended up being trashed.

[Spey_Phantom]

no Aussie, im gonna leave the tail as it is, its only a WHIF.
if its an A330 in the end, its good enough for me. if it was seriously different then yes.

[kitnut617]

planned paintjob:

Just some help on where to place insignia on the aircraft and in what colours

http://www.canmilair.com/products.asp?cat=82&pg=2

http://theaviationist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/03-22-2011_picture1.jpg

[Captain Canada]

Great pic of 003 on the CanMilAir page....looks like shes wells used 

[Spey_Phantom]

BUMP:

the project has left the icebox and is now under construction again.
today, i have started on the landinggear and built revised pylons for the HDU pods.

also, i have decided, to save time, to build her without the refueling boom and instead add a fuselage refeuling unit.
so in the end, she would be similar to the RAF's Voyager KC.3 tankers.

pictures to follow later....

[Spey_Phantom]

Picture update:

[Captain Canada]

Great stuff Nils. Even at 144th scale she's huge eh !

[Spey_Phantom]

Update:

main assembly is just about as good as completed, now being readied for paintwork