1/144 Airfix Airbus A300B4-TAA |
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Gallery Article by Ray Seppala
on July 8 2003 |
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Background
During the late 70's when Australia's two airline policy was in full swing, Trans Australia Airlines (TAA) and Ansett were expanding there fleets with the introduction of the first wide-bodied aircraft into the domestic market. TAA went down the Airbus path with an order for 4 A300B4 aircraft while Ansett chose the Boeing 767. Unfortunately for TAA the aircraft arrived as the domestic market was in downturn in the early 80's and their early service life was a financial drain on the government owned airline. These aircraft soldiered on through the airline's name change to Australian Airlines and finally were absorbed into the QANTAS fleet when Australian Airlines was amalgamated into QANTAS.
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The Kit
The Airfix kit has been around along time. All detail is raised including the flap and aileron sections on the wings. The tail bumper is molded too far aft, I noticed this too late (when I started decaling) and had to leave it where it was. Some filler was used on the wing roots but the kit went together quite well. I added some sheet plastic antennae and used a small blob of superglue for the fuselage anti-collision beacons.