Airbus "Beluga" Super Transporter

[egt95]

Hello all...

This page is dedicated to the Airbus lovers. My youngest son wanted me to build him an airplane model, and he picked up the Super Transporter. I thought it would be a spectacular build to share here in the airliners forum...

Hope you all enjoy.

Mike :thumbsup:/>

Edited April 6, 2014 by egt95

[spaceman]

Hello Mike,

nice to meet you here at the airliners corner, I have this beast still in my shelf too. The Beluga should be my next Airbus after the A380, until the Real space virus has infected me.

I stay tuned.

[egt95]

Hello Mike,

nice to meet you here at the airliners corner, I have this beast still in my shelf too. The Beluga should be my next Airbus after the A380, until the Real space virus has infected me. :woot.gif:/>

I stay tuned. :coolio:/>

Nice job on the Airbus, Manfred. Every now and then an airplane model will grab my attention. I thought the transporter would be a good project.

I grew up during the space shuttle program and thought it was a terrific part of history. So that Real Space virus has gotten the best of me too.

Mike

[egt95]

Here's what I've got going so far...

I've darkened a portion of the inside that way when you look through the windows it's not "white" and have that empty look.

Nose gear is complete. After the fuselage is together, then we shall install it.

Have a good day. :wave:/>/>

[Pinky coffeeboat]

Hello,

I often see the Beluga on its way to North Wales to pick up more wings. Such a characterful aircraft and always so noticeable especially as it usually flies sub 30,000 ft and about 390kts (all data from flightradar app on my phone, it's the one aircraft I eagerly look out for when it's picked up by the app as on its way) and in clear weather the bulk is so obvious. Just slowly lumbers overhead!!!

I've got the Revell one in my stash and everyone I see the real aircraft I always get it out ready to start, but I'd like to do a detailed cargo bay but haven't really got the spare time at the moment to get into such detailing.

I'll be watching your build.

Jeff

[spaceman]

The cargo bay of Revell's Beluga is a flop and more than spartan in contrast to the detailed cargo bay of their An-124, since you can scratch build all details.

[kg4kpg]

I enjoyed building mine and will be looking forward to your progress.

Chris

Of course, you should build the Super Guppy to go with it.

[egt95]

Hello,

I often see the Beluga on its way to North Wales to pick up more wings. Such a characterful aircraft and always so noticeable especially as it usually flies sub 30,000 ft and about 390kts (all data from flightradar app on my phone, it's the one aircraft I eagerly look out for when it's picked up by the app as on its way) and in clear weather the bulk is so obvious. Just slowly lumbers overhead!!!

I've got the Revell one in my stash and everyone I see the real aircraft I always get it out ready to start, but I'd like to do a detailed cargo bay but haven't really got the spare time at the moment to get into such detailing.

I'll be watching your build.

Jeff

These giant cargo planes are pretty amazing. I believe there are only 6 Beluga's and they are all located in Europe transporting plane parts. Here in the U.S., we have the B747 Dreamlifter, which would be another awesome build.

Mike

[egt95]

Here's a bit of an update on the bus...

I had originally cut off the top portion where the cargo door sits over the cockpit so when I glued the fuselage together I could get a good fit on the windows and place the nose gear in its correct spot. Then I placed the cargo door back on and glued it down.B)/>/>

As I was working my way around sanding the putty on the seams, I realized something...

I forgot to glue in the nose gear :doh:/>/> . I guess I'm going to have to cut out the cargo door and place the gear in. Shoot!:bandhead2:/>/>

Happy Easter to all!!

[POTKC]

I shall be watching this!

[le_boz]

Hi Mike,

This is really great and funny ! My oldest son had the same request....

I am building it at the moment, and we are planning to paint it in a fancy livery.

We will make a special decal Crossair Cargo. (crossair was a Swiss commuter and they merged as Swiss when Swissair bankrupt)

Will post some pic when don,

Happy Modeling,

Boz

[egt95]

Hi all....

I apologize for neglecting this thread on building the Airbus 300. I've been really focused on getting Columbia done. But I did find some time to continue the Beluga build.

After my goof up forgetting to place the nose gear in, I had to reopen the cargo hatch, clean it up some and reglue back on.:doh:/>/> Some of the glue products that I use work really well. I'll try not to do that again.

Well, it's in now. And I managed to knock off the tire assembly when I installed it. Dang! :bandhead2:/>/> One step forward then 4 steps back.

Meanwhile. Fitting the wings and elevators together seem to be easy and they cleaned up well. I wanted to cut out the flaps and reconfigure them to give the aircraft a look of take off or landing. But that would have required to re-adjust the leading edge slats too. A task that look a bit too arduous.

It's now starting to look like an airplane!!!

:wave:/>/> Until next time.

[lyonkubb]

" I had originally cut off the top portion where the cargo door sits over the cockpit so when I glued the fuselage together I could get a good fit on the windows and place the nose gear in its correct spot. Then I placed the cargo door back on and glued it down. "

Great Idea! Wish I had thought of this. I failed to get my clear part in place and ended up filling it with putty and putting a decal for windows. Much more of a challenge getting the decal created than cutting that door along the panel lines!