), and returned to a Concorde build, (or rather re-build), of my own.As some of you may remember, just before I was given the arse from AMI, I was documenting a major refurbishment project involving an ancient Entex/Nitto 1:100 Concorde. I had owned this particular kit since I was 14, (I am now 49), and, following a rather poor-quality initial build, (with lots of thick white hand-brushed paint, excessive tube glue use, and poorly-applied decals), she was constantly damaged and re-built throughout my teen years. After that she lay dormant and in storage for several decades while I went off and had a RAAF then Qantas career.
She was finally pulled out of deep storage a couple of years ago at the commencement of the afore-mentioned refurb project. Things were going well during the refurb program until she suffered a cataclysmic fall from height while drying
. A major repair job commenced thereafter, but ultimately stalled as life and other model projects got in the way. During the refurb I had initially planned to finish her as a Qantas aircraft, (Qantas had ordered 4 Concordes, and optioned 2 more, but ultimately cancelled all orders/options). I then changed my mind, and decided I wanted to finish her in the fictional colours of Federation World Air, (this was the airline that featured in the movie Airport 79 the Concorde, but I have since decided to give this idea the arse also......reason being that the movie jet was a production standard aircraft with the longer tail cone and revised visor, door layout, pax windows, engines, nose etc, while the model is representative of the prototype aircraft).
I really miss the Concorde, and mourn her loss from our skies, (in fact I consider this a real tragedy
), so instead of lamenting her loss, I have now decided to pay homage to her, go back to where it all started, and build the 001 prototype F-WTSS.
To that end, I have had custom decals prepared by the excellent F-DCAL, (I highly recommend these guys).
So without further ado, and motivated by Capt Eric, here is where she is at.
After some additional structural repairs, more bogging/sanding, and surface preparation and finishing, she has now received her final coats of "Mr Surfacer", (love that stuff!!).
She will very soon be ready for some white paint, final detailing, and decals
It is my goal to have her ready for Model Expo next year. In my mind's eye I can see her sitting next to Capt Eric's superb 1:48 example. They should visually make an interesting pair as mine will represent the prototype in flight, while Eric's will represent a late production example with everything hanging out/down.
Finally, this is what the original kit looked like.
I will update as progress is made, and thanks to Capt Eric for the inspiration.
TOR
