DONE@p.3 +++ 1:144 DC-8/2 (a.k.a "Dash Two"), Braniff International, early 70ies

[Dizzyfugu]

I start a new thread for this project - actually intended as a late entry for the "More or Less Engines" GB, but procurement issues and lack of overall time let me postpone it and rather work outside of the GB pressure. So here we will go, and the build will follow my initial plan: to create a Boeing 737-ish short/medium range airliner from a Douglas DC-8, and it will receive Braniff International markings from the "Flying Colors" era, my personal favorites.

Stay tuned. 

[Dizzyfugu]

Here's the progress after one day of work. The basis is the very nice Minicraft DC-8 Series 60/70 kit - a long and slender beast!


1:144 Douglas DC-8/2-20 a.k.a. "Dash Two" (Whif/modified Minicraft DC-8 kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


As you can see, several measures were taken in order to find good point where the fuselage could be cut - after all, a LOT of material has to disappear for the twin-engine "variant"!
First, the fuselage was completed for a solid "cutting base".


1:144 Douglas DC-8/2-20 a.k.a. "Dash Two" (Whif/modified Minicraft DC-8 kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


I decided to take out a total of three plugs, with the plan to achieve a length somewhere near a late Boeing 737, even though this turned out to be more complicated and challenging than expected. Two plugs are logical, the third one, in the middle is less obvious. But since the wing span will be reduced, too, the wings' depth is also reduced, and the wing roots/fuselage intersections would not match anymore. The wings themselves were, also based on  Boeing 737 and Dassault Mercure measures, cut slightly inside of the inner engine pylon positions:


1:144 Douglas DC-8/2-20 a.k.a. "Dash Two" (Whif/modified Minicraft DC-8 kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


This eventually led to this apparently messy fuselage configuration:


1:144 Douglas DC-8/2-20 a.k.a. "Dash Two" (Whif/modified Minicraft DC-8 kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

All in all, the fuselage length was reduced from ~39cm to ~26.5cm. Less than hoped for, but anything more would have ended in a total reconstruction of the wing root sections. It will still be a challenge now. 

[TheChronicOne]

 

[PR19_Kit]

But since the wing span will be reduced, too,

WHAT?  

[TheChronicOne]

^   


"Get a rope!!  "

[PR19_Kit]

Somewhere I have  book about the DC9 and all its variants, and the original scheme for such a small airliner was to do just what Dizzy'z doing, saw down a DC8, but sanity prevailed and they came up with the Nine we know so well.

Well, I do anyway.

[Dizzyfugu]

But since the wing span will be reduced, too,

WHAT?  

Yes, certain bold ideas need measures that might hurt third person's feelings... But individual fates cannot be taken into account. 

[PR19_Kit]

But since the wing span will be reduced, too,

WHAT?  

Yes, certain bold ideas need measures that might hurt third person's feelings... But individual fates cannot be taken into account. 

[Dizzyfugu]

Beyond this small issue, work makes (fast) progress. I started with the rear fuselage and left the cockpit section away, because I filled it with as much lead as possible. The Minicraft DC-8 is nice so far, but I already found a weak spot: the fin's leading edge. Like on the 727's wings which I recently built, it's virtually flat/vertical, it just looks weird if not awful. So I started sculpting a more rounded edge with putty.

1:144 Douglas DC-8/2-20 a.k.a. "Dash Two" (Whif/modified Minicraft DC-8 kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:144 Douglas DC-8/2-20 a.k.a. "Dash Two" (Whif/modified Minicraft DC-8 kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Since the small air intakes under the radome are open, I added a visual block (black foamed styrene). Fit of the clear section is good, much better than on the 727.

Finally, marriage of the four fuselage segments. The fuselage/wing intersection still causes some headaches, though, this is where some serious PSR will become necessary.

1:144 Douglas DC-8/2-20 a.k.a. "Dash Two" (Whif/modified Minicraft DC-8 kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Finally, a look at the bottom, with dry-fitted wings (and lots of gaps...) during the attempt to find a proper new position for the main landing gear struts and wells:

1:144 Douglas DC-8/2-20 a.k.a. "Dash Two" (Whif/modified Minicraft DC-8 kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


The whole thing does not look bad, though - with the wings attached it strongly reminds of a Tu-104 airliner! Actually, the dimensions are very similar, too, the length is almost identical. 

[TheChronicOne]

This is going to be glorious! I can't wait to see it....     Pretty nutty with all these cuts...   very ambitious.  I have a feeling this thread will be a source of reference in the future.

[Dizzyfugu]

No new pics at the moment, but steady progress. I am still deep into PSR, esp. the wing/fuselage intersection demands attention. I think I am in the sixth or seventh layer there... The fuselage itself also revealed several small scratches and nudges, but nothing major - it's pretty straight, too!

The landing gear has been added now, and the Dash Two stand on its own feet. The front wheel is OOB, while the main gear was replaced with the leftover bits from the recent 727 build. Except for small consoles that raise the rear level by 1.5mm, this seems to work well and looks great. Their relative position to the wings and the fuselage also looks O.K., I was afraid that I could not place the main wheel backwards enough.

Furthermore, work on the engines (I will use the slender JT3 nacelles) has started. I hope I get enough ground clearance to mount them without modifying the pylons.

I have also settled upon Lime Green for the livery. It's different from the recent 727's orange, and actually an authentic Braniff tone from the early Seventies era.

[PR19_Kit]

Which paint manufacturer does that Lime Green please Thomas?

I have most of the Braniff colours produced by Mr. Klimas' company back in the 90s, and that green was the only one I never managed to get hold of.

[Dizzyfugu]

Well, I will simply use Humbrol 38. I am pragmatic, and it seems to come quite close.
However, it is hard to tell the tone from printed or online pics - the 707 above appears pretty dull when I compare it with other Braniff aircraft from that era with the (supposedly) same color. Just check this other 707 and the area around the cockpit... 




And this 727 is juts the other way around!




But I have to check the 26decals sheet - in the instructions, there is a link provided where additional information concerning Braniff colors are provided. Maybe it contains some more helpful input, but so far Iw ill keep things as simple as possible. 

[Old Wombat]

The colours in the cockpit-area band all appear to be different.

[Dizzyfugu]

Yup, therefore I do not care too much about "authenticity".