Welsh Models 1/144 scale
Saab 340 "Chicago Express"

by Frank Cuden

Here are two finished photos of the 1/144 scale Welsh Models mixed media kit of the Saab 340 with the "Chicago Express" scheme coming from DrawDecals. The fuselage is vacuform white plastic and very smooth while the wings, engines and horizontal tail planes are injection molded. Props and landing gear legs are white metal.

I had to re-work the engines a bit and I added six new vents on the right sides of the cowlings. Thinned plastic tubing was added to replicate the turbine exhaust pipes at the rear of the nacelles. Stretched sprue was used to make up the windshield wipers and miscellaneous antennae were made from plastic sheeting. Spraying on the paint scheme was a bit tricky but came together after proper measurement.

I used Testor's enamel for the white crown while Testor's enamel #1110 was used for the blue trim. De-icer boots are decal strips and the wing inspection panels, escape routes and walkway outlines are kit decals.

While not a difficult kit to build, care and proper placement must be taken into account when applying the decals. Overall, it was an enjoyable build of a Midwestern United States Regional carrier.

The full-build article will be appearing in an upcoming issue of FineScale Modeler Magazine.

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