Jorge Costa has been working for TAP since the beginning of 2011, as a service contractor. A true fanatic when it comes to aviation, TAP and its history, he joined the Company as an independent courier. After three years he became a driver for the Board, a position he occupied over two years with, in his own words, “the utmost dedication and professionalism”. At that point, he asked to be transferred to the mail services department, where to this day he has been on internal mail handling duties, which allows him to “get closer to the planes”.
He began to work on a personal project, building models of TAP aircraft using recycled materials. “it started out as a bit of fun after having seen on the internet how to make almost anything with old soft drinks cans. I began with a wing and before I knew it, I’d made a Dakota.” He ended up giving the model of the Dakota to the TAP Museum and then after that his versions of a Douglas DC-4 and a Super G. He made a model of the Caravelle, which he offered to a (female) co-worker as a gift.
When it comes to the creative process, Jorge – or Murano, as he signs all his work –says “it begins with a simple old-fashioned wire coat hanger, which I use as a frame for the wings, after which I then cut metal strips from a can and patiently build it up bit by bit.” He points out that the first three he made didn’t have exact measurements and he painted them by hand.
“The aircraft I most admire, and which is flying at this time, is without a doubt the magnificent A-330, with its two powerful motors and sheer scale. I’m so impressed with the OV, which has just been given a vintage makeover. I’ve no doubt I’ll be making a model of that work of art some time soon.”