Boeing 727-114 Avensa 1/144 scale

[Draco]

Recently I started to convert a 727-30 Lufthansa at 1/70 scale made by Leon Schuyt into a improved 727-200 kit with more details and at 1/144 scale.
As a sidetrip, I decided to make a 727-114 in Avensa colors at 1/144 scale, with better details but no many as the definitive one I'm planning to do.
So this thread is about this model.
Long time ago I had a niche in the Flsim comunity repainting planes, specially 727 and Dc-9 ones.
So this paper model is going to merge both of my hobbies in a hopefull good result.
Avensa was a venezuelan airline that had a fleet of 727 in all it's versions. They had too a handfull of schemes, to the point that not any of the planes were painted the same.
As by today, I'm finishing the repaint of the 3 sheets of letter size that will serve to make the model. I'm not sure if I can publish the finished ones here, so until receiving confirmation, I won't do it.
Anyway, here is an unfinished one and a picture of the real plane.

[Draco]

Ok, this weekend I was supposed to assemble my Ju-88A-4, but... I started the YV-90C.
I'm going with a minimalist approach with the reinforcements. Meaning just 2 spars in each section of the wings and a reinforcement panel between the spars, exactly where the dark gray zone is.
The plane is going to be fully printed in color, but I'm testing to hand paint just the wings, stabilizers and landing gear
My usual camera is currently in Dominican Republic and will return by the end of the month, so I'm using another one with less quality

[Draco]

This week I printed one page of the repainted 727 from Avensa. Unfortulately, the store where I buy the print had a different printer that the one I'm used, so it came 104 percent bigger. It would not look important... but it means more that 1 cm longer and widder that the 1/144 scale I'm aiming to.
That's the reason for the 5cm line I'm including with the parts.
Anyway, the fuselage, tail and inner wings are repainted, remaining just the elevators, external wings and landing gear to do.
I've seen that a lot, if not all of the paper models are painted like a book ilustration, with idealized colors. I'm doing mine following the flight simulator conventions, with realistic dust streaks and burnt scapes.

[Rata]

Nicely done improvements Draco. Hope it all comes together for you.

[hueycobra]

Interested too see how this one turns out.

[Draco]

Thanks Rata, Thanks Hueycobra.
As I said, the first page that I printed was too big. But this weekend I rechecked the 727-200 test model that I made in b/w... and discovered that the model was 1 cm too small. So, -1cm against 1cm, the new printed model is at the right scale.
Anyway, I repainted the digital wings once and again until I found the right "metalic" color. The real metal is just an array of grey bluish or yellow-orange striped colors, with a reflective surface.
In flight simulator, we had the normal surface at 256 colors, plus the alpha channel, a b/w reflective guide sheet that ranged from full white (mirror) to black (matt).
I hope to have represented well the sentation of metalic sheets and wind wearing on the wings and flaps.
I indicated the ubication of the flap fairings, but still haven't done them. Soon.
The landing gear, too...

[sgoti]

I'm always a sucker for a Boeing!

Watching to see how this turns out.

[Draco]

Thanks, Glenn!
This weekend I assembled the external wings, the stabilizers, the cockpit and one engine.
Tips: the model needs more or less 2 clips in the nose to prevent a heavy tail. One solution is a drop of lead. And when I said a drop, I mean a drop: lead can be found in the streets when it falls from the cars wheels. Or in old plumbing. Anyway, pick a metalic container, like a lid or cup, fill it with lead and place it on the oven. It melts. Just be carefull its toxic and must be managed with pliers. To cool down, drop it in water or use a gypsum mold.
The lead drop was placed inside the radar compartment.
Another tip: the last pieces of the engines must be the intake and exaust ducts.
The nose was sanded and retouched with white paint.
You can see three external wings and three elevators: two where color printed and the third was printed in black and white and color painted.
The reinforcements aren't simetric to conform better to the internal surface of wings and elevators

[joshuajaeseo]

The 727 is looking good. The lead noseweight is very inventive; I never thought about doing that.

[Mike1158]

Sorry but I have to urge caution, the fumes from lead are toxic enough to really ruin your day. Please do NOT heat lead in an oven or anywhere else. Once lead is in your oven it is in your FOOD.