Contrails Rolls Royce Conway Engines for DC-8-42

[Dutch]

I am looking to build a DC-8-42 in TCA markings using the Revell short DC-8 kit in 1/144 scale and thought to purchase a set of Contrails 1/144 Rolls Royce Conway engines [CM44-DC8-40E], but I can find no photo or product review anywhere online of said engines. These engines are no longer offered on the Contrails webpage. Can anyone help? As far as I can see, Bra.Z only offers JT3D and JT4 engines for the Minicraft DC-8 kit, but no RR Conways. I will probably not modify the Revell kit JT3C engines, as they are just too small.  As I need the silencer rings at the rear of the engine, I may go with the Bra.Z JT4 engines and see what other mods are required to replicate the Conways, perhaps change the shape of the suppressor pipes.

K/r,
Dutch

Photo 1 (Airliners.net) shows the side profile of Conway on DC-8-43 of CPAir.

 

Photo 2 (Hannants.co.uk) shows Bra.Z #4094 JT4 resin engines.

 

Edited October 31, 2022 by Dutch
added links.

[Dutch]

So, after Russell Brown of AHS kindly sent me several photos of the Contrails RR Conway engines, I decided to purchase them.  I do not like they way Contrails split the pylon vertically half way back.  As such, I am curious how to get a strong weld between the engine/pylon and the wing.  I much prefer the Bra.Z full length pylon, but I will wait and see what can be done when they arrive. 

K/r,

Dutch

l

 

Edited November 6, 2022 by Dutch
additional comments.

[aircal62]

Dutch I have a 20 year old set from I think Bra.z, they are not as clean as todays.  If you are interested I can send them your way.  

[Dutch]

From the Airlinercafe.com thread, a post from Ivo of Bra.Z Models.

 

Hello Folks,

 

Do not despair and have faith. It will take some more months but Rolls Royce and JT3C-6 engines in both 1/144 scale for Minicraft and 1/72 scale Mach2 are under development. …together as well with some other bits for the Mach2 kit.  …fuselage nose, fuselage plugs, wing tips, other engine sets, tail, fuselage tail cone, horizontal stabilizers and wheels.

 

Cheers.

Ivo

Bra.Z Models

Edited November 11, 2022 by Dutch

[Dutch]

I received my AHS order last night and took some photos of the Contrails 1:144 RR Conway pieces for better analysis of the detail.  One thing I noticed that was not readily apparent in the photos Russell sent me was the NACA style inlet on the port forward side of every nacelle. These inlets are present in the first photo above of the CP Air DC-8-43, but in a different location lower down the front cowling and not as pronounced as Contrails has them molded.  The other inlet/outlet holes on the starboard side of the nacelle appear to be accurate in size and placement. 

 

Photo #1: Port side view of Conway nacelles. Note NACA style inlets in the front cowling.

 

Photo #2: Starboard side view of nacelles.

 

Photo #3. The oil cooling vent located beneath forward end of nacelle is particularly well done.

 

Photo #4.  Noise Suppressor pipes are represented well.

 

Photo #5. Trailing half of pylons. Most disappointing part of the set. 

 

Photo #6. Note the twist in each pylon front to rear.  Not sure whether to untwist and use these "as is" or trace them for a pattern on some thick cardstock.

 

Photo #7.  Silencer rings. These are also well done for this scale.  Of note: the bulged area toward the front and on both sides of the ring should actually be recessed in order to slide behind the curved area on both sides of engine cowling.  Again, see the first photo above of the Conway on CP Air DC-8-43.

 

Photo #8.  Silencer ring end on view. 

Edited November 16, 2022 by Dutch
Change photo, correct content.

[Dutch]

I also received a mystery set of 1/144 RR Conways from an unknown source. This set measures slightly smaller in length and diameter compared to the Contrails set. Further, the details are "softer," though the pylons are molded integral with the engines, a big plus. The suppressor pipes just don't look correct despite some nice detail on the exhaust ends. Further, the silencer rings have the correct indentation for sliding under the engine cowling when in the retracted position.

 

Photo #1. Starboard side view. Complete pylon is molded with the engine.

 

Photo #2. Port side view. much softer detail.

 

Photo #3. Intake closeup, nice detail. Oil cooler inlet beneath opening is rather soft and small.

 

Photo #4.  Exhaust detail is rather soft. Individual pipes are not molded, but rather appear to be slots, like on the 707 fitted engines.

 

Photo #5. Silencer rings have the correct indentation where the silencer fits underneath the nacelle when in the retracted position.

 

Photo #6. Interior detail of the silencer ring showing some detail.

 

Edited November 16, 2022 by Dutch
correct spelling.

[f5guy]

On 11/11/2022 at 7:56 AM, Dutch said:

From the Airlinercafe.com thread, a post from Ivo of Bra.Z Models.

 

Hello Folks,

 

Do not despair and have faith. It will take some more months but Rolls Royce and JT3C-6 engines in both 1/144 scale for Minicraft and 1/72 scale Mach2 are under development. …together as well with some other bits for the Mach2 kit.  …fuselage nose, fuselage plugs, wing tips, other engine sets, tail, fuselage tail cone, horizontal stabilizers and wheels.

 

Cheers.

Ivo

Bra.Z Models

 

Well this is good news! I've been holding off on starting one of the big Mach 2 kits until some aftermarket help comes along. Thanks Dutch 👍 Fred K.