Hobby Master HL6011 RCAF 01 - Airbus CC-150 Polaris (A310-304), 2013 V.I.P. Scheme

[ACpilot]

HOBBY MASTER 1/200 AIRLINER SERIES HL6011 Airbus CC-150 Polaris (A310-304) RCAF 15001 437 "Husky" Squadron, 8 Wing, Trenton, Ontario 2013 V.I.P. Paint Scheme February 2014 Release As announced on Hawkone's website: Hobby Master 1/200 scale airliners HL6011 Airbus CC-150 Polaris (A310-304) RCAF 15001 Dan This scheme was only publicly revealed a few months ago and is drop dead gorgeous in my opinion. This aircraft is used to transport the Prime Minister, Governor General, Members of the Royal Family etc. Currently "RCAF 01" is in South Africa with the PM and three former PMs to attend the funeral for Nelson Mandela.

[fleetlordatvar]

Damn it JIM, must get

[FireAngelZero]

Soooo... is this Canada's Air Force 1?

[ACpilot]

Soooo... is this Canada's Air Force 1?

When the Prime minister is on board the call sign used is "Canforce One". In the press it is often referred to as "RCAF One ". Dan

[FireAngelZero]

That's really cool, I honestly didn't know! Thanks for the info AC!

[ACpilot]

That's really cool, I honestly didn't know! Thanks for the info AC!

Yes, and unlike the American VC-25A (747) - "RCAF 01" is used to transport Canadian Forces personnel when required as well. Dan

[ACpilot]

LATEST FOUR VIEW ARTWORK

[ACpilot]

Pre Production photos are up on Hawkone's website. Hobby Master 1/200 scale airliners HL6011 Airbus CC-150 Polaris (A310-304) RCAF 15001 Looks like all the corrections to the markings have been incorporated. The 3 antennas have been added to the upper fuselage and the passenger windows now properly angle upwards towards on the aft part of the fuselage. The correct G.E. CF6-80 Engines and pylons are present. The nose gear is new. The main wheels appear not be reduced in size in order to allow for rolling wheels - however slightly over scale rolling wheels are common on other manufacturer's 1/200 products as well. The cockpit printing has been improved somewhat. However I was informed later that they couldn't be changed more dramatically due to limitations of the tooling. The blue stripe along the fuselage does not continue above the wing on the actual aircraft. I have been told by William that this will not be present on the final product. Overall I am very pleased with the results and can't wait to add her to the Canadian collection. Dan

[fleetlordatvar]

Cool beans, i also look forward to it.

[Kitty Hawk 1903]

Stunning livery. Model final result also looks fine.

[Santos]

This fantastic livery fits very well on this aircraft.

[ACpilot]

HOBBY MASTER 1/200 AIRLINER SERIES
HL6011
Airbus CC-150 Polaris (A310-304)
RCAF 15001
437 "Husky" Squadron, 8 Wing, Trenton, Ontario
2013 V.I.P. Paint Scheme
Production Limited 400 Units

Five Airbus CC-150 Polaris (A310-304) were purchased by the RCAF in 1997 from Canadian Airlines (originally bought by Wardair) as a replacement for the Boeing CC-137 (B707).

Four of the five aircraft were converted to Combi Freighter standard with reinforced floors and a side opening cargo door. The fifth aircraft (15001) was modified as a V.I.P. Transport for Government Executives (such as the Prime Minister, Governor General or members of the Royal Family). All five aircraft wore an overall grey paint scheme until the V.I.P. aircraft, as part of a regularly scheduled maintenance period, underwent heavy maintenance which included getting this new paint scheme. The Government of Canada decided last year to repaint the aircraft with a colour scheme and design that is more reflective of Canada's national identity and more in line with patterns displayed by other countries aircraft in similar roles.

The attractive red, white and blue paint scheme was designed by RCAF Service Member Jim Belliveau, who has designed several of the attractive CF-18 Hornet Air Show Demonstrator schemes seen over the years. When the scheme was fist revealed to the public the Opposition Parties cried foul that the colours overtly represented the ruling Conservative Party. However one needs only to look at the RCAF Maple Leaf Roundel to see that the colours of the RCAF are Red, White and Blue.

I suggested this model to Hobby Master immediately after the aircraft was revealed to the Public in May of 2013. Research for the scheme had never been done before. There are no decals. However, by using several photographs from National Defence sources and (even some You Tube video footage) a four view drawing was made and this model became possible.

In addition I asked Hobby Master for some modifications and improvements to their A310 tooling for this release. First of all the Nose gear wheels have been reduced in size which helps with the appearance and stance of the model. Next the extra detail of the 3 external VHF antennas on top of the fuselage have been added. Printing improvements have been made to make the passenger windows a bit larger. The A310's characteristic upsweep of the passenger windows at the rear of the fuselage has been improved as well. The cockpit window printing looks better given the grey rather than black colour used for the windows on previous releases. The positioning of the cockpit windows remains the same as this was a limitation of the tooling. The main wheels are still slightly over scale, but this is true with other 1/200 Scale diecast airliner manufacturers and is an engineering limitation in order to have functioning "rolling wheels".

For those interested one can read over this thread again to see the history of the development of the four view artwork and the errors that were avoided.

Overall the model is simply Gorgeous! A very attractive (and accurate) paint scheme has been brought to life here. All the details are present - from the maple leaves on the winglets to the ridiculously tiny accents over the french words of the Canadian National Anthem underneath the cockpit windows. Even the lights embedded within the Maple Leaf Roundel on the fuselage are present. The model comes complete with gear down or gear up options and a display stand is included as well.

All the parts fit together well. With the already mentioned improvements, I highly recommend this model to all those Canadian Military and Airliner collectors out there. Only 400 have been made so get one while you can!

Dan

[fleetlordatvar]

WOW, other collectors are salivating at the hope of the manufacturer listening to their customers. I lost track of it's release & need to buy it ASAP, but doesn't look possible now until next month.

[ACpilot]

This model is now beginning to arrive at many North American Retailers. Dan CANADA AIRPLANE REPLICAS $115 CAN AirplaneReplicas.Com - The Source For 1/400 Models - RCAF Royal Canadian Air Force CC-150 Polaris (A310-300) - (Powered by CubeCart) MODELLER'S CHOICE $124.99 CAN HBML6011 Hobby Master Airbus CC-150 Polaris - RCAF CWH GIFT SHOP $124.99 CAN Airbus CC-150 Polaris, '15001' RCAF Diecast Model | Canadian Warplane Museum online Gift Shop USA AIKEN'S AIRPLANES $89.95 U.S. http://www.aikensairplanes.com/airbu...ter-hm-hl6011/ ADAMJETS $99.95 U.S. RCAF - Royal Canadian Air-Force Airbus A310-304 Reg. 15001 [HLRCA6011] - $99.95 : Adamjets.com:, Adamjets, Airplane Models: Gemini Jets, Herpa, Corgi, Aero Classics FLYING MULE $103.99 U.S. (FREE SHIPPING WITHIN U.S.) Hobby Master HL6011 - A310 Diecast Model, RCAF, #15001, Canada, 2013: The Flying Mule EZTOYS $104.00 U.S. Hobby Master Airliners Airbus CC-150 Polaris (A310-304) ?15001,? Royal Canadian Air Force Item: HL6011 1:200 Scale ezToys - Diecast Models and Collectibles PETE'S COLLECTIBLES $104.00 U.S. Pete's Collectibles - Item Display

[fleetlordatvar]

RCAF Royal Canadian Air Force CC-150 Polaris (A310-300)

Finally!