1:400 Scale North Queensland International Airport

[The_SingingAvgeek]

Hello all, I've been doing updates on my YouTube channel of this airport of mine for about 9 months now and thought that I'd show it to you all.

North Queensland International Airport is a fictional airport based off of Cairns International Airport in Far North Queensland, Australia. It features airlines still in operation and airlines that aren't, or don't serve Cairns anymore.

I've had various versions of this airport around for about 9 years now, and this is the first one that I'm happy with. It features 2 Terminals. Terminal 1 is for the majority of passenger operations (domestic and international) and Terminal 2 which focuses on regional operations. The airport also hosts a RAAF base, however, that isn't on the display.

The airport is a hub for: Alliance Airlines, Ansett Australia, Qantas, Regional Express, and Skytrans. While being an operating base for Australian Airlines and Jetstar and a Focus City for Bonza and Virgin Australia. While also receiving service from Airnorth, Hainan Airlines, Pacific Air Express, QantasFreight, Singapore Airlines, United Airlines and VietJet.

Here's some pictures of the layout. I am still in the process of putting the grass on the display.

Also if anyone has any ideas for what I can put over on the western side of the runway do please tell me.

From the roof of Terminal 1 looking North towards Bay 1.


Looking South towards Bay 10 (Jetstar A320neo) and Taxiway Foxtrot


Bays 21 and 22 where Alliance Airlines's Fokkers live while not in service.


Terminal 2's Secondary Apron (Bays 23-25). These aren't really used. They will be when I can get my hands on a QantasLink Dash 8. Also Airnorth operates from Terminal 1, but I might change them to Terminal 2.

Terminal 2's main apron with Bays 26, 26A and 27. Skytrans uses Bay 26 and REX uses Bay 27



And finally looking down Runway 15 with a backtracking A330. Taxiway Alpha can accomodate up to a 763, so all aircraft bigger have to backtrack via Bravo.

I only have a very small amount of GSE, hence why I am using lego for that and the terminal. I do want to get my hands on some cheap 3D Printed GSE.

 

[LeoMuse747]

Very cool! You have a very spacious diorama. I like the ground markings, although I suggest you to enhance them (specially the runway markings). Also a good idea would be adding the grass areas. I like the pic with the Bonza, Qantas and Ansett together at the gates, despite not being a fan of mixing eras

 

[FoxtrotAviation]

Hello all, I've been doing updates on my YouTube channel of this airport of mine for about 9 months now and thought that I'd show it to you all.

North Queensland International Airport is a fictional airport based off of Cairns International Airport in Far North Queensland, Australia. It features airlines still in operation and airlines that aren't, or don't serve Cairns anymore.

I've had various versions of this airport around for about 9 years now, and this is the first one that I'm happy with. It features 2 Terminals. Terminal 1 is for the majority of passenger operations (domestic and international) and Terminal 2 which focuses on regional operations. The airport also hosts a RAAF base, however, that isn't on the display.

The airport is a hub for: Alliance Airlines, Ansett Australia, Qantas, Regional Express, and Skytrans. While being an operating base for Australian Airlines and Jetstar and a Focus City for Bonza and Virgin Australia. While also receiving service from Airnorth, Hainan Airlines, Pacific Air Express, QantasFreight, Singapore Airlines, United Airlines and VietJet.

Here's some pictures of the layout. I am still in the process of putting the grass on the display.

View attachment 50259Also if anyone has any ideas for what I can put over on the western side of the runway do please tell me.

From the roof of Terminal 1 looking North towards Bay 1.
View attachment 50260

Looking South towards Bay 10 (Jetstar A320neo) and Taxiway Foxtrot
View attachment 50261

Bays 21 and 22 where Alliance Airlines's Fokkers live while not in service.
View attachment 50262

Terminal 2's Secondary Apron (Bays 23-25). These aren't really used. They will be when I can get my hands on a QantasLink Dash 8. Also Airnorth operates from Terminal 1, but I might change them to Terminal 2.View attachment 50263

Terminal 2's main apron with Bays 26, 26A and 27. Skytrans uses Bay 26 and REX uses Bay 27
View attachment 50264


And finally looking down Runway 15 with a backtracking A330. Taxiway Alpha can accomodate up to a 763, so all aircraft bigger have to backtrack via Bravo.View attachment 50265

I only have a very small amount of GSE, hence why I am using lego for that and the terminal. I do want to get my hands on some cheap 3D Printed GSE.

Crazy that you got a Rex Saab 340 I’ve been trying to get one for a few months now but can’t find them anywhere

 

[The_SingingAvgeek]

I got it back in 2019 when they were still available

 

[FoxtrotAviation]

I got it back in 2019 when they were still available

Nice, I’m planning on trying to make my own and maybe if it’s good enough selling them

 

[The_SingingAvgeek]

Nice, I’m planning on trying to make my own and maybe if it’s good enough selling them

I couple months ago I did some messing around with tinkercad and made a Jetstream 32, Metro and Saab 340. I would print them if it weren't for one small issue... I don't have a 3D printer

 

[FoxtrotAviation]

I couple months ago I did some messing around with tinkercad and made a Jetstream 32, Metro and Saab 340. I would print them if it weren't for one small issue... I don't have a 3D printer

Oh well if you want to get one I recommend the Bambu lab a1 mini

 

[Starz10p Aviation]

Nice diorama! reminds me of my own with the lego terminal. An AirNorth E120 would go well on your diorama, if 3Ddesigndeck ever gets around to making one

 

[The_SingingAvgeek]

Thanks. I made the terminal out of Lego because it's just so much cheaper. While an Airnorth 120 would be great to see, I wouldn't get it for NQX as they haven't operated out of Cairns since they their 170s in the late 2000s, which they don't even send them to Cairns anymore now that they have 190s.

 

[Starz10p Aviation]

Thanks. I made the terminal out of Lego because it's just so much cheaper. While an Airnorth 120 would be great to see, I wouldn't get it for NQX as they haven't operated out of Cairns since they their 170s in the late 2000s, which they don't even send them to Cairns anymore now that they have 190s.

I did it for the same reason.

 

[The_SingingAvgeek]

Greetings Everyone.

I made some changes to NQX this week most of them regard the regional terminal which is currently Terminal 2.

The apron now has 3 distinct sections; The area at the top of the photo is for Skytrans. I have 2 Skytrans customs coming which will allow NQX to have all but one of the bookable SmartLynx Australia (Skytrans has rebranded) services from Cairns. Then there is the area where REX, Impulse Airlines, Nexus Airlines and Airnorth park. And finally at the bottom there is where Alliance Airlines park their Fokkers when not flying, as well as an overflow bay for both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 Flights accommodating up to an A320.


And then the other changes that I have made are:

A parallel runway on the Western Side of the runway (right of image), which services the non-existent RAAF base and what will become the new International Terminal which you can see the start of the apron on the right side.

I have also extended the runway, so it is now the length of the board and will be able to accommodate flights to the west coast of the US and the Middle East.


I know there hasn't been an NQX video since the 9th. I try to do them as often as I can. I am just waiting on the 2 new Skytrans Dashies to arrive with 2 other extremely rare customs that will make their way into NQX videos.

Anyway, take care. Peace and love!

 

[LeoMuse747]

Greetings Everyone.

I made some changes to NQX this week most of them regard the regional terminal which is currently Terminal 2.

The apron now has 3 distinct sections; The area at the top of the photo is for Skytrans. I have 2 Skytrans customs coming which will allow NQX to have all but one of the bookable SmartLynx Australia (Skytrans has rebranded) services from Cairns. Then there is the area where REX, Impulse Airlines, Nexus Airlines and Airnorth park. And finally at the bottom there is where Alliance Airlines park their Fokkers when not flying, as well as an overflow bay for both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 Flights accommodating up to an A320.
View attachment 57567

And then the other changes that I have made are:

A parallel runway on the Western Side of the runway (right of image), which services the non-existent RAAF base and what will become the new International Terminal which you can see the start of the apron on the right side.

I have also extended the runway, so it is now the length of the board and will be able to accommodate flights to the west coast of the US and the Middle East.
View attachment 57568

I know there hasn't been an NQX video since the 9th. I try to do them as often as I can. I am just waiting on the 2 new Skytrans Dashies to arrive with 2 other extremely rare customs that will make their way into NQX videos.

Anyway, take care. Peace and love!

Great stuff! I really like the size and layout of your diorama, it's quite big. As a suggestion, I think you should improve the ground markings. The taxiway lines are mostly OK but the piano keys, runway number and touchdown zone markings could have some enhancements.

Oh, and the grass areas too, but I believe this will be done in a near future anyway, right?

 

[The_SingingAvgeek]

Thanks. I am doing the grass soon, to which I will be adding some taxiway signs that I've made which i just have to print out both the grass and signs. I'm going for paper grass just because its free, and the closest place that sells modeling grass is over an hour away.

In regards to the runway markings, what you're seeing is accurate to essentially every airport in Australia that has a paved runway. The only difference really, is that Cairns which is what NQX is based off of, has four sets of markers after the 1,000ft markers, and I could only be bothered doing one.

I will be adding the suggestion of arrestor cables as this is a RAAF base too which is just some yellow circles on the runway with a line going over it to show that there is a cable.

 

[BubblesAviation]

Greetings Everyone.

I made some changes to NQX this week most of them regard the regional terminal which is currently Terminal 2.

The apron now has 3 distinct sections; The area at the top of the photo is for Skytrans. I have 2 Skytrans customs coming which will allow NQX to have all but one of the bookable SmartLynx Australia (Skytrans has rebranded) services from Cairns. Then there is the area where REX, Impulse Airlines, Nexus Airlines and Airnorth park. And finally at the bottom there is where Alliance Airlines park their Fokkers when not flying, as well as an overflow bay for both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 Flights accommodating up to an A320.
View attachment 57567

And then the other changes that I have made are:

A parallel runway on the Western Side of the runway (right of image), which services the non-existent RAAF base and what will become the new International Terminal which you can see the start of the apron on the right side.

I have also extended the runway, so it is now the length of the board and will be able to accommodate flights to the west coast of the US and the Middle East.
View attachment 57568

I know there hasn't been an NQX video since the 9th. I try to do them as often as I can. I am just waiting on the 2 new Skytrans Dashies to arrive with 2 other extremely rare customs that will make their way into NQX videos.

Anyway, take care. Peace and love!

Looking great!

 

[LeoMuse747]

In regards to the runway markings, what you're seeing is accurate to essentially every airport in Australia that has a paved runway. The only difference really, is that Cairns which is what NQX is based off of, has four sets of markers after the 1,000ft markers, and I could only be bothered doing one.

I'm actually referring to the quite clumsy painting of the runway markings:



You can try using masking tape and rulers to make these more straight.
The whole spacing of the piano keys could also be adjusted. For example, compare yours and the real Cairns airport:

 

[The_SingingAvgeek]

I've masked up the markings and I will paint over them today and then once its dried tomorrow, I'll paint the white on.

 

[The_SingingAvgeek]

I have redone the piano keys, runway number and the touchdown zome markings. There was a little bleeding on a couple of areas, but thats fine. Luckily, none of the grey paint came up with the tape as the grey paint that I use does tend to come up with tape when tape is put on top.

The piano keys are a bit more of a realistic size, however there are less of them (as for a 45m wide runway there are 6 either side). I might redo them, I might not.

 

[LeoMuse747]

I have redone the piano keys, runway number and the touchdown zome markings. There was a little bleeding on a couple of areas, but thats fine. Luckily, none of the grey paint came up with the tape as the grey paint that I use does tend to come up with tape when tape is put on top.

The piano keys are a bit more of a realistic size, however there are less of them (as for a 45m wide runway there are 6 either side). I might redo them, I might not.
View attachment 57684

Good job! The piano keys look much better now. Since it's a 45m wide runway, these should be six on each side indeed.