My first almost complete scratch built airport building

intrigue_73 · 06-28-2009, 04:14 AM

It's been almost three years since I've joined this forum and now I've finally had time to really spend on a scratch built airport. I've tried a couple of times before, but never got one close to completion due to time.

Before I describe my project, I just want to say Thank You to everyone on this forum, especially in this Model Airports section. That's because all the images of everyone's projects have been very inspirational. Also, that all the information that people share on how they built their airport has helped me in building mine.

So this is in 1:400 scale made out of styrene. It's a pretty simple T-shape I think. It's a small international terminal building with 9 gates. I have it laid out for 3 large wide body, 3 regular wide body, and 3 narrow body aircraft. It might change after I complete the PBBs and work on the layout of the plane stands.

Oh, I've been having problems gluing clear styrene to the plain styrene because the quick drying liquid glue damages the clear styrene. It's been said before that Testors has a glue. I've tried it and it doesn't dry fast enough. Does anyone know of a quick drying liquid glue that won't damage the clear styrene? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I've attached images of the PBB in the 2nd post.

Thanks,
Aaron

intrigue_73 · 06-28-2009, 04:20 AM

Here are a couple of more images. Two of the images have the PBB that I made and am having issues with.

Thanks again,
Aaron

BoeingFlyer11 · 06-28-2009, 05:44 AM

Hey welcome to DA.C I was wondering it says you are from the SF Bay Area. May I ask where at in the Bay area because I used to live in the Palo Alto area.

Anyway,
Your costom airport is one of my favorites I have ever seen. What did you use for windows and the jetways? This is beautiful and what are you plans with the terminal? Are you going to paint it ofr maybe add a runway and foil. I can't wait to see more. Thanks for showing us and welcome again to the forum.

Prestwick Pioneer · 06-28-2009, 07:18 AM

Welcome to the forum and indeed, well done on a very very good international pier. Big props too for the custom airbridges. It looks not unlike the new pier at my place of work!

airbusfan95 · 06-28-2009, 08:56 AM

Yea it looks really good and I am also wondering what you used for windows

C-FITL · 06-28-2009, 10:44 AM

Welcome, that's a pretty damn good amazing airport!! 1:500 I am correct? Nice jetways an terminal, very creative and well done

Flyin' Hawaiian · 06-28-2009, 11:19 AM

nicrly done! What did you use for the windows?

intrigue_73 · 06-29-2009, 05:08 AM

Thanks for your welcomes and comments. I really appreciate it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoeingFlyer11

Hey welcome to DA.C I was wondering it says you are from the SF Bay Area. May I ask where at in the Bay area because I used to live in the Palo Alto area.

Anyway,
Your costom airport is one of my favorites I have ever seen. What did you use for windows and the jetways? This is beautiful and what are you plans with the terminal? Are you going to paint it ofr maybe add a runway and foil. I can't wait to see more. Thanks for showing us and welcome again to the forum.

Boeingflyer11: Ah no worries, I'm from Fremont. Pretty much just across the bay from Palo Alto. As for plans.. hm.. not sure yet, I know I want to finish off the pier and then do a foil. I doubt I have room for a runway right now. The only space I have is the shelf that was in the picture. My cousin did offer though to help me light the buildings, so I'm excited for that. I'm not sure about painting it, since I don't think I'd be able to paint it well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by C-FITL

Welcome, that's a pretty damn good amazing airport!! 1:500 I am correct? Nice jetways an terminal, very creative and well done

Actually it's 1:400. I think I would go crazier if it was 1:500. Gluing the small parts for the jetways is making me go cross eyed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by airbusfan95

Yea it looks really good and I am also wondering what you used for windows

All the windows are either 0.30 mm or 0.5 mm clear styrene. To make them look like paneled windows I scored them. It's nice that you can score the styrene and then do some shaping to make a curve. I did figure out though that th3 0.5 mm is probably better for curving since it seems more flexible.

Thanks again. Hopefully my next update will have all the jetways done and in place.

BoeingFlyer11 · 06-29-2009, 04:19 PM

Well good luck and keep us in the loop with your airport. BTW Fremont, yes I know exactly where that is. I played them in football a couple of times and I remember going over that long bridge to get there.

jonatan47 · 06-30-2009, 01:20 AM

awsome work!

Moomins · 06-30-2009, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by intrigue_73

Oh, I've been having problems gluing clear styrene to the plain styrene because the quick drying liquid glue damages the clear styrene. It's been said before that Testors has a glue. I've tried it and it doesn't dry fast enough. Does anyone know of a quick drying liquid glue that won't damage the clear styrene? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

First off, great work on the terminal.

In response to your question, I would suggest that you try Microscale Crystal Clear. It looks like white glue when you apply it, but it drys to a clear finish.

I've used it a fair amount for the windows in my n-scale model railroad, with good results overall.

Good luck with the rest of your project.

intrigue_73 · 07-01-2009, 04:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moomins

First off, great work on the terminal.

In response to your question, I would suggest that you try Microscale Crystal Clear. It looks like white glue when you apply it, but it drys to a clear finish.

I've used it a fair amount for the windows in my n-scale model railroad, with good results overall.

Good luck with the rest of your project.

Thanks so much for the suggestion for the glue. Also, for the luck as I'm feeling I'm gonna need it.

wwwtinman · 07-01-2009, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by intrigue_73

Here are a couple of more images. Two of the images have the PBB that I made and am having issues with.

Thanks again,
Aaron

Best custom gates I have ever seen. Awesome Job Aaron!

07-01-2009, 04:25 PM

Very nice airport. Are ya planning on adding an interior? Really easy, just use Herpa people and ya can also add a train set.

intrigue_73 · 07-20-2009, 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by americanair

Very nice airport. Are ya planning on adding an interior? Really easy, just use Herpa people and ya can also add a train set.

Might add an interior. Right now though I want to get the exterior all finished up.

intrigue_73 · 07-20-2009, 02:30 AM

Been working away at the jetways the past couple of weeks. They are still missing a couple of things, like the stairs (still figuring out how it can be done so that it adjusts based on the height of the jetway), a/c... However, I did at least get them attached to the terminal.

pilapt · 07-21-2009, 08:28 AM

Brilliant Airport, whats it made of? i made an airport something very similar to this and i used foam core, you seem to hav done a neater and cleaner job, well done, love the glass jet ways

intrigue_73 · 07-23-2009, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilapt

Brilliant Airport, whats it made of? i made an airport something very similar to this and i used foam core, you seem to hav done a neater and cleaner job, well done, love the glass jet ways

Thank you very much for your comments! It's all made out of the evergreen and plastruct styrene.

I've finished adding the a/c and stairs to the jetways. So here are a couple of pictures of how my airport is starting to look.
1: The whole airport so far. 2: 3 wide body gates, where two can be multi-use for narrow bodies. 3: Better look at the narrow body side of the terminal. 4: Ground level like view from the apron. 5: View of ANZ 772, supposed to seem like you're looking at it from inside the terminal.

Suggestions/comments are always appreciated. =D

airplanenut5588 · 07-23-2009, 01:56 AM

Ive never seen a Q400 at a jetway before lol

Anyway its a most impressive, you did a great job

intrigue_73 · 07-23-2009, 02:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by airplanenut5588

Ive never seen a Q400 at a jetway before lol

Anyway its a most impressive, you did a great job

Thank you very much for the compliment. I think it's a pretty rare site to see. When I used to live in Seattle, I once remember seeing a Q400 at a jetway, then again my mind could have been playing tricks on me during the wee hours of the day. Anyhow, I did a search on google and there's a picture of a Q400 at a jetway while at IDA, if anyhow wants to see it.

Prestwick Pioneer · 07-23-2009, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by intrigue_73

Thank you very much for the compliment. I think it's a pretty rare site to see. When I used to live in Seattle, I once remember seeing a Q400 at a jetway, then again my mind could have been playing tricks on me during the wee hours of the day. Anyhow, I did a search on google and there's a picture of a Q400 at a jetway while at IDA, if anyhow wants to see it.

Yah, when at CLT in May, they were bridging ERJ135/145s too and I have seen CRJ200s bridged at BHX. As an aside, the ATP had a slightly nose high attitude on the ground to make it compatible with airbridges. FACT!!