# Rocketeer builds a Giant Airliner **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 25, 2018, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rocketeer-builds-a-giant-airliner/807484 "2018-01-25T21:46:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Rocketeer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocketeer/32/4437_2.png) [@Rocketeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rocketeer)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2018, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rocketeer-builds-a-giant-airliner/807484/1 "2018-01-25T21:46:08Z")
A while ago, an estimable fellow on one of the scale model forums posted some pictures of a GeeBee he had converted to a giant airliner. I liked it a lot; so, after obtaining his blessing, I decided to build my own. As is usual, the whole thing turned into a massive case of overcomplicationitis. šŸ˜‰ But itā€™s finished now. (ā€¦ahemā€¦) When the Granville brothers finally went completely mad, they decided to enter the airliner business; and what more logical than to simply increase the size of their (in)famous racing airplane? Hence, the GeeBee A-1 was born. I started with the fairly cartoony old Lindberg 1/32 kit of the GeeBee R-1, and re-scaled it to 1/144 scale. I decided that it ought to have working counterrotating props, so I built a little mechanism out of a gearmotor from eBay and some slot car gears: [Motor assembly](https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4523/37684960194_dc3d0fd692_k.jpg) A Giant Airliner needs a giant motor, so I selected the Wright Multibank aero engine, consisting of six radials driving into a common gearbox: [Wright Multibank](https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4537/38782460402_3b8def6c8d_k.jpg) And of course, the Airliner had to have a complete interior. I ended up with three decks (well, four, counting the flight deck). [The lowest is the cargo deck, complete with passenger entry vestibule and luggage shelves.](https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4557/24012310197_c40246530e_k.jpg) [The next is the passenger deck, which uses a potload of seats from the old Hawk Comet airliner kit (recently reissued).](https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4582/27124829879_e7e7f1b62e_k.jpg) [Deck installed in the fuselage.](https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4564/27124829579_420ecbddf7_k.jpg) [The third deck is the passenger lounge, which I furnished with sofas left over from **Aventine**.](https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4682/38916963471_539e8943fd_k.jpg) ā€¦and here are some finished shots: [Overall view](https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4613/27875298329_35bf10e074_k.jpg) [Another overall](https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4707/38756959885_0128c64478_k.jpg) [Boarding](https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4708/27875298029_6e42c792c8_k.jpg) [Airways beacon tower](https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4704/38756959445_0c01799cee_k.jpg) [Doodlebug tanker (from Shapeways) and a couple workers](https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4701/27875297659_c2e9593d35_k.jpg) After I took these pics, I noticed that the fershlugginer superglue I used to attach the figures had blushed white around the feet of every single one. ā˜¹ I touched it up, and itā€™s all good now. šŸ™‚ I am debating moving the boarding ladder a tad to better align it with the entry door; but Iā€™m scared of messing up the runway paint; nor do I want to foul the Airliner when removing it from the base. Decisions, decisions. ---
**Author:** ![Rocketeer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocketeer/32/4437_2.png) [@Rocketeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rocketeer)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2018, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rocketeer-builds-a-giant-airliner/807484/2 "2018-01-25T22:20:16Z")
> [@Rocketeer](#): > > I am debating moving the boarding ladder a tad to better align it with the entry door; but Iā€™m scared of messing up the runway paint; nor do I want to foul the Airliner when removing it from the base. Decisions, decisions. I did it; the boarding ladder is now better aligned. Amazing how much angst is associated with five minutesā€™ work. šŸ˜‰ ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2018, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rocketeer-builds-a-giant-airliner/807484/3 "2018-01-25T22:40:22Z")
Every time I see a concept like this, I think ā€œMy God, why didnā€™t we go ahead and build things like this back in the '30s?ā€ ā˜¹ (Same with rocket designs like the \*Luna \*and the XR-1, back in the '50s.) Looking at the interiors, Iā€™m reminded of **this plane** , which Iā€™ve flown on more than once. Itā€™s like sitting inside a whale: > **[Ilyushin Il-86](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilyushin_Il-86)** > > The Ilyushin Il-86 (Russian: Š˜Š»ŃŒŃŽĢŃˆŠøŠ½ Š˜Š»-86; NATO reporting name: Camber) is a short- to medium-range wide-body jet airliner that served as the USSR's first wide-bodied aircraft. Designed and tested by the Ilyushin design bureau in the 1970s, it was certified by the Soviet aircraft industry, manufactured and marketed by the USSR. > Developed during the rule of Leonid Brezhnev, the Il-86 was marked by the economic and technological stagnation of the era: it used engines more typical of the late 196... And yes, you do have to stow your baggage yourself on the lower deck, before climbing the steps to the main cabin. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2018, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rocketeer-builds-a-giant-airliner/807484/4 "2018-01-25T22:42:45Z")
As usual, Outstanding! Thanks for sharing. I hope they secure all those crates prior to take-off. šŸ˜‰ ---
**Author:** ![Tired\_and\_Cranky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a87d85/32.png) [@Tired\_and\_Cranky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tired_and_Cranky)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2018, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rocketeer-builds-a-giant-airliner/807484/5 "2018-01-25T22:49:47Z")
You sure do build some amazing things. My first thought looking at this fantastic scene is how beautiful the plane is. My second is how that tiny truck is going to fuel that giant airliner. Do you build these just for fun or is there some grander purpose? ---
**Author:** ![Rocketeer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocketeer/32/4437_2.png) [@Rocketeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rocketeer)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2018, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rocketeer-builds-a-giant-airliner/807484/6 "2018-01-25T23:57:27Z")
Thanks for all your kind comments! > [@Tired\_and\_Cranky](#): > > ā€¦Do you build these just for fun or is there some grander purpose? For fun onlyā€“but is there any grander purpose? šŸ˜ƒ ---
**Author:** ![Eureka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/74df32/32.png) [@Eureka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eureka)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2018, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rocketeer-builds-a-giant-airliner/807484/7 "2018-01-26T00:27:24Z")
Definitely fun to look at. Glad you shared it with us. ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2018, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rocketeer-builds-a-giant-airliner/807484/8 "2018-01-26T01:21:41Z")
Impressive work, thanks for sharing. GaryM ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2018, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rocketeer-builds-a-giant-airliner/807484/9 "2018-01-26T01:28:38Z")
Is it even possible to see any of the luggage deck, when the model is fully assembled? I think thatā€™s what impresses me most about your models: The attention you give to even the details which canā€™t be seen. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2018, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rocketeer-builds-a-giant-airliner/807484/10 "2018-01-26T01:41:58Z")
Those blade tips are going to be traveling at like mach 3 at speed. Itā€™s gonna liquify anyone standing within a quarter-mile radius, and cause uncontrollable bowel movements within a 1-mile radius (ref: [Republic XF-84H Turboscreech](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_XF-84H)). (nice work, though) ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2018, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rocketeer-builds-a-giant-airliner/807484/11 "2018-01-26T02:24:44Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Is it even possible to see any of the luggage deck, when the model is fully assembled? I think thatā€™s what impresses me most about your models: The attention you give to even the details which canā€™t be seen. The trait of a True Master, I think. ---
**Author:** ![Backwater\_Under\_Duck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ba8739/32.png) [@Backwater\_Under\_Duck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Backwater_Under_Duck)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2018, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rocketeer-builds-a-giant-airliner/807484/12 "2018-01-26T02:42:38Z")
That is very nice. Stuff like that makes me happy. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2018, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rocketeer-builds-a-giant-airliner/807484/13 "2018-01-26T02:42:51Z")
Is the Wright Multibank aero engine a real thing? No hits on wiki. I guess Immabe googlinā€™ ---
**Author:** ![Rocketeer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocketeer/32/4437_2.png) [@Rocketeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rocketeer)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2018, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rocketeer-builds-a-giant-airliner/807484/14 "2018-01-26T03:00:20Z")
Some of the luggage deck is (barely) visible through the entry door and the lower row of portholes. Thereā€™s actually quite a bit thatā€™s invisible, but I didnā€™t really know how much an onlooker was going to be able to see through the windows, so I decided to err on the safe side, and build everything. Compulsive, I agree. :rolleyes: > [@snfaulkner](#): > > Is the Wright Multibank aero engine a real thing?.. Totally fictitious! šŸ˜ƒ There was a Chrysler A57 Multibank engine used in WWII tanks that was a masterpiece of Rube Goldberg engineering: Five Chrysler straight-six automobile engines arranged around a common crankshaft. It was so huge that Grants and Shermans that used it had to have specially lengthened hulls. The Wright Multibank was built using six resin copies of the engine from a Goshawk kit, and some styrene sheet for the gearbox. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2018, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rocketeer-builds-a-giant-airliner/807484/15 "2018-01-26T03:04:47Z")
very cool ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2018, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rocketeer-builds-a-giant-airliner/807484/16 "2018-01-26T04:00:30Z")
From the [A57](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler_A57_multibank) wiki page: > [@](#): > > ā€¦five Chrysler 250.6 cu in (4.1 L) (bore 3.4375 in or 87 mm, stroke 4.5 in or 114 mm)[1] L-head inline six cylinder engines were arranged around a central shaft, producing a unique 30-cylinder 21-litre (1,253 cu in)[1] engine in a relatively compact but heavy package. The crankshafts were fitted with gears, which drove a sun gear arrangement.[2] With iron block and head,[1] it featured Carter TD-1 carburetors[1] and 6.2:1 compression ratio,[1] for an output of 370 hp (280 kW) at 2400 rpm. Ha! thatā€™s a lot of parts and engineering for a measly 370hp! ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2018, 9:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rocketeer-builds-a-giant-airliner/807484/17 "2018-01-26T09:17:42Z")
Awesome, as always ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2018, 10:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rocketeer-builds-a-giant-airliner/807484/18 "2018-01-26T10:58:22Z")
Wow! I apologize if this is unseemly, but do you ever sell your creations? ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2018, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rocketeer-builds-a-giant-airliner/807484/19 "2018-01-26T15:28:45Z")
Another epic build, **Rocketeer**! Now how about a battle zeppelin a la [Crimson Skies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crimson_Skies_%28video_game%29)? šŸ˜ƒ [Hangar Shot](https://i.pinimg.com/736x/54/9c/bf/549cbf937883b763df55f089dc768466.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Rocketeer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocketeer/32/4437_2.png) [@Rocketeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rocketeer)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2018, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rocketeer-builds-a-giant-airliner/807484/20 "2018-01-26T16:34:30Z")
Thanks for your comments, everybody! šŸ™‚ > [@zoid](#): > > ā€¦do you ever sell your creations? Iā€™ve done a bit of commission work, but when I build a model for myself I rarely sell it (although I sold a 1957 Cadillac model once). However, in the dark hours of the night Iā€™ve begun to wonder whatā€™ll happen to all of them when Iā€™m gone. Itā€™d be nice to place the whole mob of them with some sci-fi appreciating billionaire who could give them a good home. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rocketeer-builds-a-giant-airliner/807484.md?page=2)