DINO

Hello:

Just saw a $6000 "cutaway" 747 model on ebay.

Please excuse me for my ignorance of the subject, but can someone please explain cutaway models to me? Who made (makes) them, what is their purpose, are they available to purchase and if so, where? Are they strictly old vintage models? What are their scales....... etc.

I have seen some pictures. They sure look like like they would be something special to have. Am I dreaming?

Thanks for any info.

Graham Bridges

Dino:

I'm surprised that nobody has replied to you although I've just returned from a holiday and maybe a lot of others are away as well.

To answer your question: Cutaways originated years ago when proper airliners had nice whirley thingies to propel them instead of those nasty (but much more reliable !) jet engines.

In those days (1959) only the rich and famous could afford air travel. e.g. the air fare from London to NY (return) was £200 or 10 times the average weekly wage ! So, not many people got to see the inside of an airliner. Therefore the airlines and their travel agents would display the very latest model in their window to make us all envious of the upper classes.

Then 2 things happened. Jets were efficient and flying became cheaper.so plebs like us could afford to fly. Plus the airlines had to become more profitable and not just to exist as a highly polished token of a national flag carrier's inflated image of itself.

Thus cutaways were no longer deemed necessary in the same quantities as previously seen.

They were rare beasts at any time because they were expensive to produce. Only made for aircraft manufacturers or airlines.

Hope this helps. e-mail me if you want to chat further:

connies@chasemarketing.net

check out www.connoisseurconnies.com

Super connies what a fabulous shape !

GB

funbird

Westway, Space models etc made quite a number of cutaway models. Most of them are 1/72 or larger with the best being 1/25 in order to get as much detail as possible. cutaways are sought out by a number of collectors but as you can see they can be quite expensive. The one you saw on Ebay was in my opinion way too high in price. I've seen cutaways with or without passengers. I prefer without passengers simply because it's one more item that can break loose and roll aroung the cabin. Aviation Models Online has a number of cutaways some for sale others just for show.

DINO

Thank you Graham and Funbird.

Graham, I just sent you an email to "chat further". Look forward to hearing back from you.

DINO

Funbird, do you know of where I may be able to locate a cutaway 747 in the states?

flieger

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...506132424&rd=1

Dakota

For your information on cutaway models check this new site:
www.arifer.tk


Dakota

Graham Bridges

Thanks for the web site address. Looks really interesting. I see the BOAC 747 cutaway on ebay made over $2,000 ! seems a tad pricey to me. Interestingly I have one, unfortunately its the only cutaway I possess.

Graham

DINO

After all this time, I'm still looking for a cutaway model. I'm interested in 1:72 scale or larger. Looking for a Westway, 747 preferred. Will consider other models. Willing to pay top dollar. Can anyone direct me to a source where I may purchase one? If so, please email me. Thank you.

L2Ksst

Been holding on to a 1/50 metal Raise-Up DC-8 for years now. The fuselage is a cutaway. Unfortunately the interior is completely missing. Its battered and needs a paint restoration. After checking out the arifer site; I may just leave the paint and scratchbuild a new interior.

Reg # is PH-DCJ...non-fan.

PS: Seeking the correct Raise-Up metal stand.

__________________
If you want immediate disaster relief from the Bush adminstration......be a citizen anywhere; except from the USA.

seattlex19

Hands down the most remarkable cutaway model I've ever seen used to be on display in the passenger terminal of King County International Airport at Boeing Field in Seattle. A HUGE (I mean *HUUUGE*) cutaway model of an early 747 (not sure which derivative) passenger jet. I don't know the scale but it was roped off in a small waiting area and it was so big it literally took up an entire quarter of the room! It had to have been at least 10 FEET long, wired for working lights all over, and just incredibly detailed (at that scale of course you can be as detailed as you like), with one entire side of the fuselage a clear panel through which to view interior and cargo spaces. I can't even imagine what that thing cost to have built. If I recall correctly, KCIA got it hand-me-down from Boeing years ago. I have not been in their building since the remodel so I don't know if it is still on display, but I might just have to go over there now that you've got me thinking about it and take a look!

[UPDATE: I just went down there and looked - the terminal was remodeled a couple years ago and the model is no longer there. They told me they did not know its present whereabouts, that it was removed when the remodel began, that it could be in the hands of the County in storage, could have gone back to Boeing, or possibly went to the Museum of Flight, they are not sure. I would love to know.... To give an idea of it, check these: http://aviationmodels-online.com/pho...TWA/TWA747.htm or http://aviationmodels-online.com/pho...age1/AF747.htm although if memory serves me the one at KCIA was even larger! I've simply got to track it down one of these days]

seattlex19

OH! I must be nuts to have forgotten about this! A 1/10 (!!) scale Concorde cutaway...

http://aviationmodels-online.com/pho...10concorde.htm

I got to see one (I'm not sure if it was this one or one just like it) in person when I went to the UK and visited the historic Brooklands racetrack/aviation site. I can't believe I forgot it - 20 feet long!

On size alone I guess this one would take the cake, although, in all honesty, I was still more impressed by the 747 mentioned above, because it had a lot more detail