Getting over my Modeling slum with my sudden new interest - Commercial Plane Modeling

Since my Bali trip early this year, it had been quite a while since I took a plane trip anywhere so imagine my fascination when I took to the skies again - just like a little kid flying for the first time. I have to say I enjoyed the plane trip immensely.

This resulted in my sudden interest in commercial planes (since I am predominantly a Sci Fi guy) and I was having somewhat of a slum in scale modeling for over a month now. I decided why not do something different, something I'm currently interested in. Of course this doesn't mean I have given up on my sci fi stuff, just trying something new.

And working on commercial planes was something really new. I have never ever build a passenger plane let alone collect them, and suddenly I am able to identify a Boeing from an Airbus. Since my AirAsia trip was on an Airbus A320 and back with the Boeing 737-300, I started my collection on these planes, then slowly progressed on to the wide body crafts. I decided on 1/144 scale as these seems big enough to satisfy my desire to scratch build stuff on my kits (I do have a few in 1/125 scale as well, but I am not touching 1/200 scales - too small to do anything on these)

Of course I still need to finish up my Bali trip experience on this blog which I had put on hold for a while first, then on to my sci fi highlights, but just to let all you wonderful folks now what I am up to at the moment, here's what I am doing.

I am in the midst of converting my old Revell 1/144 scale Douglas KC10 Extender into a Commercial DC10. The kit I had was this (I bought it then cause I thought the kit was so cute .. I can't explain that too)

I want to convert that baby to this - Malaysian Airlines DC10-30 9M-MAS (or MAT). The current craft have a new MAS design on her now but I am settling for this design because .......................... well, the only decals available for a MAS DC 10 is for this one - pre 1980ish.

I managed to get a hold of such a decal sheet for the old MAS Livery (I'm not sure why commercial plane's decals are called Liveries - took me a while to refer to them as that too). However, the liveries are incomplete as there are no windows. And the decal sheet seemed very plain.



I managed to locate another more accurate livery for 9M-MAS/T - this one with the windows and much clearer images of the logos. Its from TwoSix Decals but I was told it may take 2 months to reach me ... oh well, I can still get the kit ready first.

Initial test fit trials - the parts fits together beautifully but typical with Revell's kits, lots of flashes to clean.

My plan is to re-create the DC10-30 in a landed position with its flaps, slats and air brakes deployed. The 3 engine reverse thrust will also be engaged. Did lots of research on this craft since I had no idea how the engine reverse thrust looked like for a DC10. The below image surmise how my kit will be posed.

I also did some research to see if anyone has attempted this conversion before (looking for tips) but the only information I got was from the image below (I got this from arc forum.net but I can't find the bookmark now. When I do, I'll hyper link it - lots of interesting info there)

The above image depicts a DC10-10 while the KC10 Extender below is a DC10-30. Lucky for me, 9M-MAS is a DC10-30, which means I don't have to cut much of the wing fairing (that's that huge protruding area underneath the aircraft holding the wings). But before I can detail my kit, I had to do a lot of butchering on her. That housing base for the refueling rod (located on the rear under belly of the KC10 kit had to go.

Then I started to "cut cut" the flaps, air brakes and slats to separate them from the main wing. I used various scribers for the job.

And after 4 days, this is what I have achieved. I decided to lay out the pieces in formation just in case I get confused which part goes where.

I still have the engine housing to work on, as well as those things that help hold the flaps down during take off and landing (I'm not sure what you call them)

Some clean up on the fuselage seams ....

And a massive hole I need to fill up - that was where the refuel rod housing was formerly located.

I'm actually surprised I got this much done despite being down with stomach flu. But hey, if commercial airline modeling can help bring back my scale modeling Mojo, then its good to be cutting again. I will update this when I have more done.

My 4D3N Holiday in Bali - Day 2 Part 2

Please note that I wasn't able to take pictures for some of the events during my Bali trip so some of these were sourced via Google.

After our little shopping escapade, we then proceeded to the Bangli Region to see an ancient Hindu Temple 45 minutes away from Denpasar. A Monarchic Temple, the structure consist of terraces representing the mountainside and serves as a symbol of fertility.

Again we had to wear a pink sash around our waist as well as a dark blue sarung (its like a batik loin cloth) before we could enter. We were lucky that day as a prayer procession was taking place heading towards the temple, so we got to see some of the preparations done for this festive occasion

Rows of terraces line the main temple with two main stairways leading to the temple courtyard inside.

My 4D3N Holiday in Bali - Day 2 Part 1

Please note that I wasn't able to take pictures for some of the events during my Bali trip so some of these were sourced via Google.

Day 2 started out quite pleasant enough as I had enough time to sleep, but not enough to recuperate from my aching muscles. Taking a shower was already a feat but breakfast was nice. We checked out of Rani Hotel at around 9:00am to continue with the tour to Kintamani, Besakith and Lovina.

But of course if you have been to a tour organised by a reputable company, each tour will take you to some shop where you can look at unique things distributed from that home nation (except Hong Kong where I remembered the guide took us to a sweatshop - boy, was I mad. A real waste of time). Sika asked us for our preferred choice of handicrafts and we told him we didn't mind seeing silver/gold and wood handicrafts.

So we went to UC Silver jewellery (quite popular in Malaysia) where we got to see how they created their masterpieces. The trip there reminded me of Japanese animes where the houses are located on narrow road like the one below.

This is where I started noticing that every traditional household or businesses seem to have a rock altar located at the front of their premises.

We were led inside the main hall, passing through this narrow corridor until we reached the first workshop where they worked on silver ornaments and jewelleries.

This is their Quality Control Room where they inspect every single finished pieces.

Then we were led to the adjoining room where these people worked on silver, gold, jade and pearl jewelleries. As a scale modeler, the first thing I noticed were their tools. They were using simple hand made tools made of wood with wires attached to develop some of the most magnificent looking jewelleries I have ever seen (and here I am using advanced tools for my hobby .. blush)

After witnessing the manufacturing processes and stringent control of quality jewelleries (which I thought was amusing cause some of these "sculptors" were working with one leg balanced on their chair, and they were churning out masterpieces), we were taken to the shop area. Yup, this is where the Tour Guides get a commission for every sale made, and there's no obligation to buy.

I managed to snap away two pictures in the shop area when I was told camera was not allowed in there (for fear a rival company may "emulate" their designs), but I did manage to get permission to take pictures of the non-jewellery sculptures in there.

Instead of a banister, they used these which to me was a good idea. And they're so life like.

Upstairs they had these wooden carving representing a traditional Bali annual festival that had been passed on for generations. The proprietor did explain to me what each sculpture represent but for the life of me, I can't remember them now.

Next its off to the Wood Handicraft. But before we proceed there, I have to put up a NSFW Warning (Not Safe For Work) as some of the wooden sculpts there are ... erm .. quite interesting.

My 4D3N Holiday in Bali - Day 1 part 2

Please note that I wasn't able to take pictures for some of the events during my Bali trip so some of these were sourced via Google.

Next on the itinerary was the Uluwatu Temple, a mysterious holy temple built with solid rocks,  perched precariously along the limestone peninsula of Bali on top of precarious cliffs with a mesmerizing seashore below overlooking the Lombok Straights. The structure was significantly expanded by a Javanese sage, Empu Kuturan in the 11th Century. Another sage from East Java, Dang Hyang Nirartha is credited for constructing the padmasana shrines and is claimed to have attained Moksha here. Even more remarkable than the temple itself is its location, perched on a steep cliff 70 metres above the roaring Indian ocean waves. There are more steep headlands on either side and sunsets over Uluwatu are a sight to behold

Along the way, we made a quick stopover at a hillside Villa for tea, and I didn't realise this quick stopover would leave such a lasting impression on me. The view there was simply captivating, beautiful, serene. I felt like I was in a love movie or something.

Of course I didn't expect to see the cliff side ocean when we reached the villa. The entrance looked more like a gateway to some beautifully maintained park.

We followed the pathway toward the rest house, and along the right side were the luxurious villas that were still under renovation. A mixture of ancient and modern architecture, it was a pity were couldn't have a look inside.

As we approached the rest house, the first thing I noticed was the sound of ocean waves, and the sound was a little loud, so I expected a beach nearby.

I didn't expect this. We were literally on top of a cliff overlooking one of the best looking seaside views ever. There were no ledges to cling on as you literally step close the edge of the cliff looking down. Did I mention I was terrified of heights? The winds there were strong and cooling, and the view did manage to calm my nerves .. a little.