Big Kev

After 5 minutes of research, the answer is yes! At least 3 Aussie airlines flew the A300, and decals are available from Hawkeye. Coolio! Kev

This is gorgeous! I recently acquired one of these kits, and your build gives me great hope for it. Did any Aussie airlines ever fly one of these? Kev

Guilherme, Tony - thanks! Kev

Thanks Vinny, I appreciate your kind words. The gear bay was surprisingly easy to box in. Took me about an hour all up to measure, cut, shape, fit and glue the plastic. I'm thinking of opening up the same area on my Airfix 737-200 kit and giving it the same treatment (though its internals may be more challenging to deal with). Kev

Thanks Mike. I'd happily build another one. Kev

Some of you may remember my thread about this kit from a while back, trying to determine if it was a 737-400 as labelled on the box, or a 737-300 as labelled on the instructions and decals. The wash-up was that it was indeed meant to be a -300. I'm pretty keen to build most of my airliner kits in Aussie liveries where possible, and for this build I had a set of Flightpath decals for an Ansett 737-300. The problem I had was that the Minicraft kit has no window openings, and the Flightpath sheet didn't contain any window decals! I'd like to publicly thank Ben Brown for coming to the rescue with

Unfortunately I don't, but I believe it's still in active service. I'm under the impression that Nalanji Dreaming no longer has an airworthiness certificate. Kev

That would have been a sight! I've seen it coming in to land at Tullamarine in Melbourne a couple of times. Sadly, its sister ship Nalanji Dreaming now sits forlornly, stripped of all but the base blue, at Avalon Airport just outside Melbourne: http://flymefriendly.com/gallery/v/various/2009-12-31-YMAV/100_3549.JPG.html Kev

Thanks Sean. I've since discovered that TwoSix also offers a set of Qantas stickers for the A380, so now I'm no longer sure which way to go! Kev

That is gorgeous! I'd love to do that scheme myself some day. You've done an amazing job. Kev

I was able to find their website, and they look like a pretty serious operation that normally specialises in car decals. If the photo and statement at the top of their "About Us" page is anything to go by, they're worth a chance. I'd still be interested in hearing of anyone's experiences though. Kev

I'm looking to build my Revell 1/144 A380 in Qantas livery, and in checking out my options for decals, I came across the following set of Tony Bay Decals on eBay: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/270915057543?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 I've seen them around before, but I'm curious if anybody has used them, and what their experience was. Kev

Wow, I've only just come across this thread. Super work there Rich! Being an Aussie, I'll be looking to pick up some of your Virgin liveries when I can get hold of the appropriate kits. Kev

Nice! Got this kit in the stash too. Just waiting to find an Aussie livery for it. Kev

That's cool! Kev

That is gorgeous! A really fantastic build. Do I detect some subtle panel highlighting here and there? If so, how did you do it? Kev

Hi Jarrod, Yep, the Challenger decals are straight out of the kit. I honestly don't remember how I got the BMF on those intakes, and I must admit, I haven't been game to try it again! BMF will stretch nicely into position though, as long as you're careful and don't push it too far. There's actually a build thread of it on here, but unfortunately all the photos have gone. I might reinstate them when I get a chance. Congrats on your awards too mate. I saw the DC-4, and it was lovely. You seem to have a thing for Aussie subjects! Are you an expat? Kev

Yeah mate, will do. I'll have the 737 ready by then too (possibly ready by next week actually). I normally enter 1/32 stuff, but I'm not sure I'll have anything ready in time this year. I also really need to come up with a better way of transporting my models to and from shows! Kev

Ah, cool. If you're at Expo on the Monday we should catch up. I often stop for a chat with Tony, though I missed him last year. Kev

Thanks Tony! It encourages me to bring it to Expo. The model that came first was a large and ostensibly impressive 747 in Ansett Sydney Olympics livery, but up close it wasn't all that well built, so I feel a bit robbed! Kev

I agree mate. I used the foil on a Revell Challenger, and it worked quite well in that context: I was able to verify this finish in photos though. Mostly the effect appears to be closer to a bright metallic grey. Kev

Thanks for the help and advice chaps. I did a quick search on Airliners.net, but finding shots of aircraft wings from above is harder than it sounds! I had no luck, so I hoped that someone here would be in the know. Jarrod, I'll probably use Tamiya AS-12 for the leading edges, as over small areas it produces a beautifully smooth metallic grey effect (it looks perfect for corrogard actually), which is how the leading edges appear to me in photos. For my recent BAe 146 I used BMF Chrome (the only BMF sheet I have), and I think the effect is unrealistically shiny for the leading edges. I think t

Another question if I may fellas. Check out the gap on the engine pylon and tell me if this how they're supposed to be: Surely not? Kev

Thanks fellas. Apart from the engines I've already got the kit fully assembled. Even with a minor detour to box in the wheel bays, this only took the equivalent of two evenings. It goes together quite nicely! I'm now trying to work out the best sequence for incorporating the engines into the painting phase (one that doesn't compromise my ability to get those wing leading edges done). Kev

Yeah mate, that's the one! Were you there Ray? I was double-booked for the day, so could only do drop-off and pick up (luckily I just live around the corner!). It's also my daughter's scout group. Good day, worthy cause. Just a shame I couldn't be there. Kev