The Alaska Project
In late January, Alaska Airlines completed and opened their state-of-the-art training facility in Renton, Washington.
During construction of their new facility, Alaska approached us with a vision for a permanent installation designed to serve as a tribute to the extensive history and evolution of the Alaska Air Group and their newest subsidiary, Hawaiian Airlines.
We developed a plan with the airline to design, manufacture, and deliver 14 customized aircraft models, ranging from a 1/20 scale Bellanca CH-300 Pacemaker at just 16.8 inches long to a massive 1/8 scale Boeing 787-9 spanning over 25 feet. Once delivered, each model would be hung from the ceiling in the facility’s atrium.
The project presented several challenges. Beyond the massive scale, we had to navigate the complexities of a predetermined architectural space and unyielding technical requirements. That meant customizing the scale of each model to fit the space and engineering with structural integrity to meet strict building and safety codes.
Accuracy was very important as well. For more recent aircraft, we were able to use our extensive database of airframe designs and artwork. For older models, we had to dig in deeper by researching extensively through historical photos to reconstruct aircraft CAD files and livery artwork from scratch.
As the 1/20 scale models finished production, our team turned their attention toward the centerpiece – a 1/8 scale 787-9 Dreamliner in Alaska Airlines newest livery that would hang from the center of the atrium. See the slideshow below to follow the journey from the mold to the final product.
The next challenge was delivery and installation. Storing models on the premises was not a possibility, so we coordinated to ship and deliver all 14 models to arrive right on time for the facility’s crew to hang. See the slideshow below as the models travel from Pacmin Studios to Renton for final installation.
What started as an idea was transformed into an awe-inspiring physical reality. By creating a permanent visual record of their evolution, Alaska Airlines gained a powerful tool for internal culture-building that serves as a daily reminder of their legacy.
Today, the installation serves as a impactful greeting to everyone who visits the facility, educating them on the airline’s identity as a resilient, world-class, and still-evolving entity.
By Max Ouweleen
Marketing Coordinator at Pacmin Studios and The Model Shop
About Pacmin Studios
Pacmin Studios has been serving the aviation and transportation industries with creative physical and digital models and exhibits since 1946.
Known for producing high quality custom aircraft display models, Pacmin Studios has evolved to provide a suite of additional services, including graphic design, CAD, CGI rendering and animation, livery design, and other transportation marketing solutions.
