T O P I C R E V I E W |
cspg | Some on this forum might be interested in this model by Gemini Jets: NASA's Boeing 747SP SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) planned for a December release. |
cspg | A few notes: - can only be displayed "wheels down".
- you cannot see the telescope.
- and you need to buy the support stand separately! The manufacturer and retailer I bought it from should say so, one would think.
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jeffbassett | In the diecast airplane industry, it is normal for the no wheels up option as well not selling the stand. to give you a heads up. GeminiJets are all made the same way in their 1:400 scale line. Dragon does offer a wheels up option but it also has a large amount of plastic parts including the wings. They are the more unusual of the different types of companies out there. |
NASA Glenn | Does anyone have Flight Miniatures 1:200 NASA SOFIA model? How does it look in person? This model represents the Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) which is the world's largest airborne observatory. SOFIA is a Boeing 747SP fitted with a German-built, 17-ton, 100-inch diameter (2.5 meter) infrared telescope in the rear of the aircraft. |
gliderpilotuk | quote: Originally posted by cspg: A few notes: you cannot see the telescope.
Brilliant! So it's just an SP with NASA markings? |
cspg | Yup. But who can live without a B-747SP... |
X-Plane Fan | The Flight Miniatures 1:200 NASA SOFIA model is more toy like than anything else. It's made of plastic, comes in a small box and you assembled the model yourself. All of the markings, including the telescope are printed on the plastic. If you find one for around $10 or less, pick it up. $29 seems a bit high for what you get. |
cspg | Apparently there's a 1:200 version coming out from InFlight 200. |
cspg | Picked up from the Flying Mule website: Inflight 200 IF747SP145 Boeing 747SP Diecast Model NASA Larger scale than Gemini Jets' model but just as "bad" (fuselage is not open to see the telescope). Although the painting scheme is completely different. |
PeterO | The InFlight 200 model shows the ex-United SP before conversion was started, so there wasn't a hole or door yet. There's a photo and description here. |
cspg | I must say I fail to see the rationale (if there's one) to produce such model. It's just a standard 747 SP. Meanwhile, still waiting for a F-18 and T-38 NASA models at 1:72... |
PeterO | The rationale is that collectors will buy them, and creating a new paint scheme on an existing mold costs the manufacturer relatively little. The airliner diecast market is at least an order of magnitude larger than the space-related diecast market. Most airliner collectors collect different liveries of the same aircraft. SOFIA served in at least 4 liveries: its United Airlines delivery colors; the new UA scheme; the ex-UA scheme shown by this model; and the SOFIA scheme. |
cspg | I understand the manufacturer's point of view (kind of), but, phew, at $150/model, I'm glad I'm not collecting Spitfires, P-51 or any commercial airliner... |
Philip | Search eBay, there are some great plastic snap models of SOFIA. |
cspg | Plastic? Did you say plastic? I want (well, would like) a metal model. I have the Gemini jets one, so that's enough. Plastic... seriously... |
cspg | The Inflight model is available, if you want to spend $150 on it. |
Philip | Inflight model has the original colors, I prefer the current paint scheme. Here are my Airborne Observatories: KAO and SOFIA.
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Danny VH | Great Stuff Philip! |
Philip | The C-141 NASA KAO is an InFlight 200 diecast scale model. |
cspg | Herpa is announcing a 1:500 version. |
cspg | quote: Originally posted by cspg: Apparently there's a 1:200 version coming out from InFlight 200.
InFlight has a version with a different livery planned. |
sev8n | Roden has released an injection-molded kit of the C-141B in 1/144 scale. They may release the C-141A version later. Meanwhile Caracal Models has released a companion decal sheet that includes markings for NASA 714 C-141A if you are up for converting the B to an A. |
cspg | Another model that I'm waiting for! We should make separate threads, the C-141 has nothing to do with the 747 or SOFIA, even though it has been used as an airborne observatory named Kuiper. |
NASA Glenn | Has anyone attempted this 3D printed cutaway model of the SOFIA 747 and telescope? Please share experiences and finished photos. |