Air France A321-111

**dhanners** · #1 10-21-2017, 12:21 AM

Just finished John Bowden's excellent repaint (and rescaling and extensive modification and accurization) of Julius Perdana's A321-111 in Air France livery. John has done an excellent job, and the redrawn nose by Matthew Herbert is a great improvement. At 1/72nd scale, it builds into an impressive model -- 56.5 cm long, with a wingspan of 42 cm.

I added a few extras, including a few small antennas, various details on the wings, added detail to the APU exhaust, added clear parts to the wingtip position lights and other small things. It's a darn-fine model if you build it straight off the page, though. It goes together easily, and the engines are fun little models on their own. John has done a wonderful job re-engineering this model, and his numerous tweaks make it an outstanding model.

I'm going to build some sort of stand, so excuse the yogurt tub I used to hold the model while taking the photos....

**Ofanim** · #2 10-21-2017, 03:22 AM

Good job ! You even added the yellow brackets on the wing!
I tried to add them but it was too small for me at 1/100 scale
Good job again,
Best regards,
Ronan

**Texman** · #3 10-21-2017, 06:28 AM

A very nice build David!

**YOAVHOZMI** · #4 10-21-2017, 07:49 AM

this is a very beautiful model and very detailed....well done.

you did a great job.

YOAV

**Knife** · #5 10-21-2017, 08:11 AM

I agree with the others. You took a great model and added some nice details to it. Well done and well built. I'm happy to see that other modelers are discovering this fine line of models.

The last John Bowden's repaint I did (the GermanWings 319) I experimented by cutting out the individual turbine blades on the engines and giving them a slight twist before gluing them into the intake tube. It gives a nice 3D effect without much additional work. You might give it a try on the next Airbus you build. I'm looking forward to your next build.

**dhanners** · #6 10-21-2017, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knife

I agree with the others. You took a great model and added some nice details to it. Well done and well built. I'm happy to see that other modelers are discovering this fine line of models.

The last John Bowden's repaint I did (the GermanWings 319) I experimented by cutting out the individual turbine blades on the engines and giving them a slight twist before gluing them into the intake tube. It gives a nice 3D effect without much additional work. You might give it a try on the next Airbus you build. I'm looking forward to your next build.

Thanks for all the kind words, gang. You folks have provided plenty of inspiration, and it's fun to build something again after a long dry spell.

Re: cutting out the individual fan blades, I have given some thought to doing that in the past, but on the CFM56, it would require redesign of the kit parts to build an interior to the engine. You can often see daylight through the CFM56 when looking at it from the front. (When the engine's not running, that is.) Plus, the fan blades have a weird geometry to their leading edge and it would require some fancy cutting.

**joshuajaeseo** · #7 10-21-2017, 02:34 PM

Wow! That looks really clean! I have this printed out, just waiting for some free time.

**John Bowden** · #8 10-21-2017, 08:16 PM

I've said it before and I'll say it again........... sure wish I could build as good as you guys!

Nice job Mr. Hanners!

**dhanners** · #9 10-21-2017, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Bowden

I've said it before and I'll say it again........... sure wish I could build as good as you guys!

Nice job Mr. Hanners!

You underestimate your building skills, John. Conversely, I wish I had one-tenth of your design abilities. The detail (and engineering) you've added to these models is simply stunning, and reveal agreat eye for detail. You make them fun to build.

**dhanners** · #10 10-24-2017, 09:35 PM

Finally fashioned a stand out of a small wood plaque and coat-hanger wire, so here are some cleaner shots without the yogurt tub.

The coat hanger requires a female receptacle (made from rolled cardstock) that is then inserted into the fuselage through a small hole cut in the plane's underside. I pinch off and glue the top end of the receptacle so the wire won't cut through the upper fuselage. It winds up being glued to one of the internal formers and the bottom of the fuselage. For this, I use woodworking glue so it will set up extra hard. I also give the glue a full day to cure before messing with the model.