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Designing and Building an A380 Terminal-One |
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Airport Workshop
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Designing and Building an A380 Airport Terminal Diorama
Author: Brad Meyers
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The exciting new super-jumbo A380 is set to fly in 2006. We will, in the not too distant future, enjoy watching this behemoth at major airport facilities around the world. As an avid 1:500 scale collector, I was pleased to learn that C&C has a 1:500 scale model of the A380. I presently have five in my collection; two of the Virgin Atlantic, one each of Qantas and Lufthansa and one of the A3XX prototype. In addition to collecting the models, I really enjoy creating and building airport dioramas. This aspect of my hobby has been graciously recognized with articles in WingsWorld 4/98 issue and 1/2002 issue. The logical next project for me is the creation of an A380 terminal.
The A380 is designed to carry 550 passengers in the standard configuration. Any of us who travel have endured the hoards of people milling around a standard airport terminal gate assigned to a jumbo jet. There must be a better way! Two or three hundred people are funneled through one, or at most two, jetway boarding tubes; no wonder there is congestion! So, for this diorama project, I sought to design and build a terminal building that would serve the A380 as well as the B747 and B777 airliners. The design features a large open area with moving sidewalk and vast window walls. The passengers may relax in this large space before moving to the boarding area. To reach the boarding areas, one moves down escalators or elevators to a lower level. The boarding areas are suspended below the main concourse. The areas are on each side of the airplane. Two boarding tubes from each boarding area allow access to each side of the airplane. The A380 has two decks. One set of boarding tubes connects with the first deck toward the front of the airplane. Another set of jetways is suspended over the wing and mate with the second deck, just aft of the wing.
I have never before scratch-built an airport terminal building from basswood that would (hopefully) resemble an “architects” model. Architectural firms commission laser-cut balsa or basswood models to demonstrate their ideas to commercial clients. I have always admired these realistic models. Unfortunately, I must rely on razor saws and Exacto knives for shaping the panels, but 6 weeks and approximately 100 hours later I have my latest diorama. I will walk you through the construction of this diorama with description and the accompanying photos.
 Photo 1: I enjoy sketching out ideas on a yellow legal pad (or cocktail napkin, or scrap paper, or whatever is at hand when an idea strikes!).
 Photo 2: Fairly simple tools. I find the razor saw with miter box indispensable. The narrow masking tape works well to hold down parts as the glue dries. Borden’s Craft Bond Tacky Glue dries fairly quickly but allows time to position the parts. Tweezers are a must when working in such a small scale.
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