Probably biting off too much here .... ** Done **

[JohnRatzenberger]

No picture - it looks just like the last pictures, less the tape. I have glued the fuselage together and it is drying. Later today or tomorrow for sure, I'll fix the seam and touch-up the paint.

What I need to get to work on are the entrance and exit platforms. I've probably killed any chance of signs, visitors, etc - I must finish before Thursday.

[JohnRatzenberger]

OK, here we are as of today.



The hull is together and I am cleaning up the upper seam and touching up paint - no problem. The canopy is not installed but has passed test fit. I must not forget the dome on top.

The back of the hull has been walled off because staff is still working on the galley/compartment display. The gangway at the rear is two-level. Up first steps (not done yet) to what will be entry to galley/compartment display and/or up 2nd steps to the flight deck. As you can see I have platforms, need braces, stairs and rails. I had a clear vision of what I wanted to do but not a clear plan, makes a huge difference.

Once on flight deck (or I galley/etc) one would go to forward compartment and out. Here is another vision lacking a plan, but after this picture was taken, I achieved a big kludge and am now ready to do stairs and rails.

Various floor displays will not happen, visitors will probably not happen, and I may get bogged down in railings, but I think we're getting there.

[lancfan]

That looks great John.

David.

[splash]

I agree with David it looks brilliant.

Regards Splash

[Molly-new]

Very cool looking, I reckon the stairs and railings will really set it off.

Pssssst. Check out Lancfans' Lambeth Hallybag build, he did some great stairs on that.

[JohnRatzenberger]

Oh, yes, I have been copying David's ideas all along, just not his speed

[SJPONeill]

Definitely getting there, John...worse case you may have to operate the display as is and risk a health and safety penalty down the track...

[JohnRatzenberger]

No pix, may try for one in morning before I start work.

Hull touched up, re coated. Canopy & asto-dome on, plus antenni ... and glued down to the supports. Done.

I have side platform done, painted, and mounted - needs stairs and rails.

I have lower rear platform done, painted, and mounted - need stairs and rails.

Upper platform floor is done and painted - need supports, stairs, and rails.

A lot to do and I may have erred by the sequence I am doing the platforms and the work I will have to do on the rails and stairs -- again a vision without a plan. We also are receiving a winter storm right now - worst in decades - I have no clue what tomorrow will bring in work time, etc, so my window is getting smaller.

[BlohmWolf]

Keep going. This is looking like a very interesting nose display.

[JohnRatzenberger]

I am not sure when my next post will be, and if there will be any progress - I have a number of non-modeling things going on and today hasn't been productive at all.

Here we are, with upper platform part on, glue setting before I add some supports and paint.



I might re-title my entry as "The making of a museum display" and quick paint up some workers instead of visitors

[lancfan]

Brilliant work John, as you say this could be declared finished at any point from now on- even as it stands a few lengths of striped tape and an 'exhibit under construction' sign would end the build perfectly.


David.

[PaulBradley]

Looks very cool, John!

[JohnRatzenberger]

OK, I regret that I will not get any more done today and am going to declare this done, if not exactly finished. If, as I suggested before, I retitled it as a "Museum Display Under Construction", then I could get away with it.



I am really down to doing stairs and railings to meet the bare minimum.
Adding some signage would be great.
Adding a few visitors would be great.
Adding some related displays, an engine, etc, nearby would be great.

But they will have to wait another day.



I am a little bummed. Ever since David had this really, really great idea, I have had this Sunderland cockpit on my mind. Never wavered, except on which kit. I had a vision of what I wanted, but no real plan - that slowed me up. Then a bunch of things went on here that interrupted my efforts and what little thought process I had. Anyway, it just didn't turn out the way I wanted it to - all my fault.



And I can see I either need to square away some columns, or drape something down them, to hide the (mis-)alignment.

Still, I welcome the opportunity to something a bit different. I'd like to thank lancfan for suggesting this GB and for running it, and all those who participated - it's definitely a bit out of the ordinary ...

[PaulBradley]

Very cool idea, John, and impressive execution. I hope you'll finish her up soon.

[Sissel]

Looks great to me. I'd definitely go onboard for a look.