Request for Aeroclassics: Three Continental 727's
 

Continental Airlines was a mid-sized US trunk carrier with hubs in Houston and Denver, before Deregulation in 1978. After Deregulation, Continental's history turned turbulent for 15 years under the ownership of Frank Lorenzo, complete with labor issues, the acquistion of another trunk carrier (Eastern), a big bankrupt startup (People Express, which had bought Frontier) and had its own small startup (New York Air).

During the late 80's consolidation, "Texas Air Corporation" folded all of these entities into Continental, with its beautiful Saul Bass-designed gold-and-red "meatball" scheme. Then, in the 1991, Continental introduced the blue-tail "globe" scheme it wore the rest of its existence, when it became a superbly-run and profitable carrier under CEO Gordon Bethune. Its legacy lives on in its employees and the paint scheme it bequeathed in 2011 to today's consolidated United.

Continental operated the Boeing 727 from the 1960's to the early 2000's. The DiMa, DAC, and Aeroclassics databases indicate that die-cast model makers have made many of Continental's 727's. However, three Continental 727's stand out to me as being suitable for Aeroclassics to make.

1) The last version of the Bass "red meatball" scheme included larger titles. It was painted onto former People Express aircraft. Aeroclassics has done the 737-200 and 737-300 in this scheme. I think a 727-200 would be a good addition.

<SCRIPT LANGUAGE='JavaScript' SRC='http://www.airliners.net/photoLink.inc?id=2203989' TYPE='text/javascript'></SCRIPT>

<SCRIPT LANGUAGE='JavaScript' SRC='http://www.airliners.net/photoLink.inc?id=2082589' TYPE='text/javascript'></SCRIPT>

No one has done this exact scheme. Gemini did the small-titles early 1980's red-meatball version. But their 727's aren't the same quality as Aeroclassics, and it isn't the same scheme.

2) The Continental blue-globe scheme is beautiful on the 727-200. Only Dragon Wings has done this aircraft, but they made the blue too light. Also, their 727's are not nearly of Aeroclassics' overall quality. Finally, Aeroclassics has done an excellent job with the Continental / Continited blue-globe scheme on other models, and no doubt they'd do a great job on the 727-200.

<SCRIPT LANGUAGE='JavaScript' SRC='http://www.airliners.net/photoLink.inc?id=2630861' TYPE='text/javascript'></SCRIPT>

<SCRIPT LANGUAGE='JavaScript' SRC='http://www.airliners.net/photoLink.inc?id=1184839' TYPE='text/javascript'></SCRIPT>

3) Finally, the People Express / Continental hybrid colors that PE aircraft wore after the acquisition, but before repainting into Bass colors. I think this model has been done as a custom model, but not as a regular-run model. I never run into it on E-Bay or at merchants. Aeroclassics has done numerous hybrid schemes, and this one would be a good addition.

<SCRIPT LANGUAGE='JavaScript' SRC='http://www.airliners.net/photoLink.inc?id=0928699' TYPE='text/javascript'></SCRIPT>

<SCRIPT LANGUAGE='JavaScript' SRC='http://www.airliners.net/photoLink.inc?id=0214440' TYPE='text/javascript'></SCRIPT>

<SCRIPT LANGUAGE='JavaScript' SRC='http://www.airliners.net/photoLink.inc?id=0200767' TYPE='text/javascript'></SCRIPT>

What do you all think?

Jim

Re: Request for Aeroclassics: Three Continental 727's
 

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p...d-Fixes038.jpg

A custom I did back in 2008 using the GJ PE727 as a donor, $8.00 in decals, and a twelver of natty light from a convenience store.

Re: Request for Aeroclassics: Three Continental 727's
 

This must be the custom one I've seen--I've probably seen you post this photo before. That's a great piece of handiwork. I don't have the time or skill with paints / solvents to do my own custom models, but I salute your excellent work!

Jim

Re: Request for Aeroclassics: Three Continental 727's
 

Love it! I've had alot of fun reading your posts throughout my 5 years on here! Even s**t like this puts a smile on my face!:D Don't ever change.:cool: Nice conversion btw. Even 5.5% alcohol by volume did not keep you from applying the decals on straight!

Re: Request for Aeroclassics: Three Continental 727's
 

Beautiful custom! I'm in for 2 of these (no blue globe colors for me).

Re: Request for Aeroclassics: Three Continental 727's
 

Jim,

I would have kept rolling my meatball collection from black to red if it wasn't for Lorenzo. The only reason I have a few reds is because of twin packs. Nonetheless, because Continental had long ago rationalized their fleet to DC-10s and 727s, the three you posted are no doubt very important to the airline's history as well as to collectors.

Speaking of rationalizing the irrational, none of us could understand why the black meatball 727 wasn't released until just last year. Fairly mind blowing.:eek:

Dylan,

As with Jim, I have no patience for custom work like the beauty you made. And like plane737 mentioned, it's always been a blast to read your posts over the years.:cool::D

Re: Request for Aeroclassics: Three Continental 727's
 

Cargojet, Kelowna Flightcraft and Royal Airlines are what I'd love to see AC do

Re: Request for Aeroclassics: Three Continental 727's
 

Regarding the CO 727's, I agree! This has been a big omission. especially considering CO was one of the largest 727 operators. Throw is some CO MD80's too. (Another glaring omission!!)
Thanks

Re: Request for Aeroclassics: Three Continental 727's
 

Very nice idea, especially the Peoplexpress.

Re: Request for Aeroclassics: Three Continental 727's
 

Attachment 138321:cool:

Re: Request for Aeroclassics: Three Continental 727's
 

JetX did the red meatball as well as the rare black meatball (3 were known to exist in real life 1:1)on the Dragon Wings MD-80 mould!
:eek:

Re: Request for Aeroclassics: Three Continental 727's
 

#1 especially is needed, as it's the "full" red-ball scheme as more commonly seen on the DC-9-30 and 737-300. Many 727's were only partial-repaint hybrids. GJ's release wasn't even a "typical" hybrid scheme but a rare variant.

More than just the logo and titles changed, the actual stripes are differently sized. The stripes were made smaller, vertically, which forced the registration to be removed from the stripes and placed below them. This is most obvious on a DC-9 IMHO, but can be seen on all the narrowbodies----just compare where the stripes are relative to the doors (especially overwing doors). You'll see that a "full" repaint red meatball scheme has thinner stripes than earlier black meatball ones.

Referencing "top of gold stripe vs cockpit eyebrow windows" also shows it well.

Re: Request for Aeroclassics: Three Continental 727's
 

Beat me to it! This is another instance of, "I wish Aeroclassics did MD-80-series aircraft." There would be a wealth of terrific models Andrew could do, and I'd replace every one of my Jet-X or Dragon MD-80's with them.

Here's a photo of my Jet-X red-meatball MD-80-whatever. Their printing of the red on the tail is a bit dark, but otherwise it's a very good Jet-X model.

Jim

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z...lyer/031_1.jpg

Re: Request for Aeroclassics: Three Continental 727's
 

Thank you, David, for this additional detail. I wondered if the cheatline was a little different. Now I know I'm not crazy (for this reason, anyway :) ).

Jim