1/72 707-121 N707PA, so, Pan American Clipper

[72linerlover]

Hi mates.

While awaiting for a decision on my painting set up, I started a new project.

I always had a soft spot for the 707-120 series and specially for the first ship that entered service across the Atlantic. 707-121 N707PA

In 1/72 scale there is no option and I have been playing with the idea to build one, but nothing came to a real project. The research in this field was helped a lot by a dear friend in the USA. She is a really expert of Boeing and Douglas aircraft.

I know that within this year a cottage industry in Germany will issue a 1/72 707-120 kit, and it will be beautiful as always Kurt's models are, but it will be in solid resin (which I don't like in this scale) and a lot expensive for my modeling budget.

On the other hand, I already have the 1/72 AMT(Heller – Italeri) KC-135A (from now on: KC) and the 1/72 Heller (Airfix) 707-300B (from now on: 300)

Although I don't like to waste two kits for making one model, I realized that I'll never build a 300, because a little away from my interest and (last but not least) too big to fit in my showcase.

So the plan:
Nose, tail (with vertical stab) horizontal stabs, wings and wing/body fairings from the KC
Shortened rest of the fuselage and wheels from the 300.

I submitted this plan to my friend, she agreed and told me that another modeler made a short body 707 almost that way.

Long story short, some in progress pics.

Some drawings. In red the parts coming from the KC, In blue those from the 300.


The first cuts.


Each fuselage halve joined together with the KC wing to body fairing.


A test rough assembly with the parts taped together.

The vertical fin still has to be shortened.

That's all for the moment.
Thanks for watching.
Eugenio

[Graeme H]

Liking this a lot

[Ansett A330]

Excellent work.

Now I remember why I bought a cheap Heller 707 and a cheap AMT Ertl KC-135 - to one day go even shorter and make a QF -138.

[RayS]

Nice work Euge, I wonder if there is that much difference between the noses of the KC and 300?

I was wondering how you deal with the different fuselage cross sections of both when grafting the parts together?

I am also tempted to give this a go. I seem to have some spare 707s and KC-135s!

[72linerlover]

Thanks for the comments, guys.

I wonder if there is that much difference between the noses of the KC and 300?
I was wondering how you deal with the different fuselage cross sections of both when grafting the parts together?
I am also tempted to give this a go. I seem to have some spare 707s and KC-135s!

Well, Ray the nose is similar in the real thing as regards the shape, but the front landing gear housing and doors of the KC are exactly the same.
Beside that, the Heller -300 has the cockpit windshields positioned too high. The matching sections are quite compatible and require a minimum adjustment.

The lower lobe of the KC has almost the same diameter of the 707 and I'm using only a short and narrow part, almost matching the Water Level of the lobe crease.

[72linerlover]

Time for some updates.
After sanding and rescribing the fuselage halves, I had to face one of the problems of this kit: the windows dimensions.
Fortunately the spacing (pitch) is correct, so I ordered a decal sheet in Germany with metal windows' frames, that I guess are correct.
I redraw the frames, based of a decal scan and printed on a clear sheet. So I got the template to enlarge more than 100 windows.
Boring task, but not difficult. Still on the go.






Meanwhile I've got to do something in the cockpit. Non much will be visible, but the pilot seats needed some care. Those contained in the kits are really far away from reality.




So, that's all, folks.
Thanks for following.
Eugenio.

[Uros]

Oh wow! This is something to follow! Great work so far Eugenio, I will be watching closely as I have a wish to build a 707 in JAT colours someday.

[72linerlover]

Hi gents.
And thank you, Uros for your interest in this build.

I have completed the windows operation. Now they look a little more similar to the original.




Here is a test with the frames decal of which I'm quite satisfied.


Added some galleys inside




and some shades to hide the internal reinforcements.


Now to the tail.
The early built 707s had the original low vertical tailplane, so I cut some 7mm plastic and modified the HF antenna.
Not yet glued, of course.


Test fit of the fuselage halves and the tail cone.
Some recontouring is necessary, but is a matter of fractions of millimetres.


Thanks for following.
Wish you all a nice week.
Eugenio

[72linerlover]

Hi gents, it's time for an update.
Actually I have worked more than posted, so I'll divide the updates in different posts.

Engines.
As all know, the engines of the first 707s were very different from those of the KC-135: organ pipes noise suppressors, relatively higher nacelles and thrust reversers.
I've considered to use the JT-3C produced by a german cottage industry, but I was not sure of their correct shape, so I 3D modeled and brought the file to a SLA casting shop near me.
Here you see the dry fit test, where the front end is the original kit engine and the other parts are 3D printed. Of course they need to be finished.
The pylons are modified with the front TC inlet. The inboard two are stretched as they have to.




This job gave me the chance to make the balance of the model with all the parts in order to close the fuselage.




The ballast will be inserted from the front, under the cabin floor before glueing the nose.


That'all, for the moment.
Regards
Eugenio

[hrtpaul]

That's wicked mate. There are some serious skills involved in this one