Raise Up Boeing 727 1:46 project.

[alumtube]

Always wanted one of these, so when one came up on Ebay I paid a bit more than I normally want to spend on a project one. This because I had a original decal sheet by Verkuyl and I thought it was going to be a fast restoration. I did not do my homework since I then noticed that my Verkuyl decal sheet was 1:55 ( ? ) but on examination of the Raise Up I noticed it was in face a 1:46.
Scanned the decal sheet, did a cleaning and enlarged it by 9%. I like the original tail logo vs the newer blue tail / round LH logo that was on the decal sheet so I ended up making one from scratch.
Model was missing the original tail screw and some flaps fairings and a small piece of tail was broken off.

[alumtube]

Its been so cold here lately so extra time spent on projects: a Fermo SAS Dc-10 in 1/100 that was missing its # 1 engine.
A rod of aluminum, some carving and sanding ( + sweat and swearing... ) looks good enough that my wife could not tell the differnce from the original one.....

[grwebster]

super work.

[727pilot]

Great piece of restoration there! Very well done!

I have a Verkuyl 727 in my collection which was sold to me as a 1/50 model - in fact it must be 1/40 scale because it is 104 centimetres long (slightly longer than the Raise-Up 727). Like you, I also bought original Verkuyl-decals in 1/50 on ebay thinking I could restore the titles and the cockpit-windows, but no chance. So I left the model as it is...

[fliegerii]

Michael,

you said, that you have bought Verkuyl Decals for a Boeing 727 scale 1/50, which don't fit to your model? Does that mean, there are two differently sized Verkuyl castings of this "50 scale" 727 around?
Or is it just a matter of different decal sets? I also have a 727 set available, but it is for the all blue tail.

Regards,
Christian

PS: It's no good idea just to put "replacement-decals" on a finished Verkuyl model. They won't stand over the time. You need to clear coat them after application on the model.

[alumtube]

Only scales I know for sure Verkuyl made were 1:200 1:100 1:50 and I read somewhere a 1:55 so we can add youres to the list.
Why the many different scales around 1:50? !!!
If you only need the Lufthansa and Cockpit windows I would recomend: scan your decalsheet, from the scan ( using a photo editing software ) cut away everything but the Lufthansa name/title. Then you measure the length of the name/title and increase the size of the scanned title to the same size.
Using the software you can check the color accuracy to make sure you have the right blue color. Keep the prixels, do not decrease them, I normally store them in Tiff files.
Do the same with the cockpit windows.
Print them out on waterslide decal paper ( in your example use the clear decal paper ) using a color Laser printer. I go to the local UPS or Kinkos store but photostores normally have these printers as well, some people use color copiers.
After applying the decals remember ( as fliegerii mentioned ) to use a thin layer of clear coat on top of the decals.

Just curious Mr 727pilot, do you fly it? Working on it currently or in the past?

[727pilot]

This picture will give you a good idea of the different scales Mr. Verkuyl made for Lufthansa: The 727 in the rear is 1/40 (104 cm) - the 727 in the foreground is 1/50 (84 cm). Thanks a lot to both of you for your tips concerning decals! I guess I will stick to my policy of not restoring my models. I'd rather have them in original condition. And: No, I'm not a 727-driver - it's just my nickname. Couldn't think of anything else...

[MichaelB]

What a good looking pair of models! Congratulations!

[alumtube]

Nice pair, like the differences of the two tail logos, was just curious about your user name.
Got the pleasure for of flying an old 727-231 for about a year.( plane was a ex TWA machine, TWA pilots nicknamed the -231 "Miss Piggy"...) Was a F/E and got into the right seat towards the end.
Wish they produced the 727-200 in aluminum but I guess that was in the end of that aera...

[fliegerii]

Michael,

I really did not know yet, that Verkuyl made these big 727 in two different scales. The decal set I have belongs to the 50 scale with all blue tail. You never stop to learn something....
Thanks for the picture and the clarification!
Now you just miss the 25 scale 727 with landing gear made by Verkuyl!

@alumtube:
Verkyul made many different scales. On top of your listing there is also 1/80 (many VFW, Douglas and Fokker) and 1/150 (e.g. Tristar, Lockheed Galaxy) and also 1/25 (707 and 727, w. landing gear).

Cheers!
Chris