Model aircraft kits

[Doodlebug]

Greetings, all!

Just curious, here. Any other ppruners interested in plastic kits? Recently rediscovered one of my childhood hobbies and am finding it extremely addictive. 1:48, WW2 and as much superdetail as I can handle. Cool bananas.

Happy landings

Bug

[RabbitLeader]

I've been known to dabble somewhat! 1/72nd mainly, and a helluva lot of Spitfires and Me109s usually!!

If I could get a photo of the bedroom ceiling, you'd see what I meant! ;)

[astir 8]

I used to think that I could run up a reasonable kit (still got a Tamiya Swordfish part done) - but when you see the incredible standards of super detailing that some people can achieve, even at 1/72 it's very depressing

[Lu Zuckerman]

The last model I built was a SE-5 large scale and that was in 1952. Since 1988 I have been able to purchase ready built models from the manufacturers or agencies that sell manufacturers models. I had a part time business selling models so I could get them at a reduced price. The models run from 1:100 military models to 1:48 military. 1:40 civil models. 1:144 commercial models to 1:100 commercial models. I have four military models in 1:18 scale and two custom built military models in 1:16 scale. I have lost count as to how many I have but I suspect it is well over 300.

My collection of helicopter models would drive the guys on Rotorheads wild with envy.

:E :E

[Doodlebug]

As a kid I tried my hand at rudimentary dioramas featuring aircraft in centre-stage, however seeing as my attention span then was even less than it is now (roughly equal to that of the rare bearded desert-gnat), these projects tended to lose impetus as they progressed, or to peter out entirely. Trying to finish up some of my ideas from back then.

Also used to fiddle about with basic r/c models for a while. Astir 8, you'll appreciate this: got started as a glider pilot as a teenager and those of us into r/c would chuck our homebuilt 2 or 3 channel gliders into the back of our clubs' glider trailers when heading out into the 'bush' on long gliding camps. SF-34, Libelle, ASK-13 (THAT trailer was useless as a model-transport, all those cross-braces!), Blaniks and Phoebus. (old kit I know but, hey, this was in Africa and to us the aircraft were hi-tech! : ) When the days' soaring was done or when all aircraft were out cross-country, we'd launch a glider model and try to thermal with it. Great fun! One of my sidekicks actually became very good at it. I stank but the prangs were spectacular!

I digress. Am tempted to build some of the more unusual, read larger, types in 1:48 but it seems these models can often only be purchased in resin. Apparently these kits are not only difficult to construct but also exhibit an alarming tendency to sag after being on display for a while!? :uhoh: Any hints?

[pigboat]

I began building models as a kid, then gave it up and then got back into it again after I retired. I build 1:48 commercial aircraft almost exclusively since I was never in the military and since I find 1:72 a little too small for the detail I like to include.

Here's a few of my offerings
http://www.ipmscanada.com/models/jcourt/jcourtmodels.html
The kit of the black and yellow Norseman was actually given me by Robert Noorduyn Jr. the son of the designer of the aircraft.

[Lu Zuckerman]

About the time I built the SE-5 I also built five or six smaller models. The wings were preformed and the under sides were to be covered in model tissue. The fuselages also had parts that were to be covered with tissue as well. In stead of using model tissue I undercut those areas to be covered with tissue and covered those areas with 1:32nd balsa plank. These models were super strong structural wise. When I had completed each model I would balance it out so it flew well and we would take them up in our PBY when we went out on patrol. On our return trip I would place the model in a large paper bag that had a kite cord attached to it. The pilots would put the P Boat in a sideslip and I would toss the model in the bag over the side. When the model was in undisturbed air I would yank on the cord and the model would come out of the bag. We usually did this around five thousand feet and we would follow the model down until it crashed in the Gulf of Mexico. Great sport. Almost as good as when we threw our excess flight rations over the side and watched the sharks fight over it.

:E :E

PIGBOAT If you are ever in the neighborhood (Pincourt on Ile Perrot) give me a call and you can come over and check my model collection. There might even be a free meal. Your models are first class.

[astir 8]

I was once soaring the ridge at the Long Mynd, with a K6 approaching, but safely in the distance.

Then instantly it flew straight over my head - it was a scale R/C model much much closer than the full size one would have been.

Scared me witless - still does, thinking about it!

[You want it when?]

I build 144th scale stuff for my sons N gauge railway - he's got a nice military section - I'm slowly turning one end into an army camp but he's got wise and now insists that I buy him new engines and extend the track before I build any more planes. Great fun models - I can lose myself for hours in them.

[pigboat]

Thanks Lu, I shall certainly take you up on the offer the next time I'm in UL. My daughter lives in Montreal West so we visit a couple of times a year. We were there for Christmas, but the driving conditions were so terrible we went nowhere.

I believe you mentioned that you haven't a model of the PBY. Drop me an e-mail and maybe we can work something out.

I referred to Robert Noorduyn Jr. earlier. I've just found out he suffered a nasty accident on Monday. He slipped on some ice and fell and broke an ankle. He's going to be in a cast for six weeks. Bob was 82 in November.

[bolmas]

I USED TO BUILD PLASTICS WHEN YOUNG BUT NOW BUILD VINTAGE FREE FLIGHT MODELS FOR SPARK IGNITION , CO2 AND ELECTRIC

[CoodaShooda]

Pigboat

Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou. You, sir, are an inspiration.:D

As a youngster during school holidays I used to churn out 4 to 5 detailed 1/72 models a week and then work on larger projects instead of doing homework during term. Most got scrapped when I left home but a 1/48 Spitfire Vc, 1/48 Mosquito and 1/72 Sunderland were still gracing the local flying club a few years later.

Unfortunately, #1 son went straight into RTF R/C models and #2 son prefers FS2003 so I'd lost the memory of the satisfaction to be gained from crafting a fine model.

This'll make Mrs Cooda very happy as she's already hinting that she doesn't want me lying about the place and getting under her feet when I eventually retire.:E

[karrank]

Love 'em. Have been building mostly science fiction stuff for a while (fair cross section of the empire and federation hanging in my hall now) but still plenty of aircraft around the house. I'm not anal enuf to be into super-detailing.

Am scratch-building a 1:72 scale Cozy at the moment, but my eyes are hurting...

[Squawk7777]

wow pigboat, very impressive!! :ok:

I remember my first plastic model, a 1/48 Mig-25. I haven´t built models for a long time, but I´d like to get back into it, especially into Luftwaffe WW2 models (Ar 234, Do335, Fw200, He266, drawing board planes etc.). One thing I was not good at was colouring the models. I never figured it out ... :\

7 7 7 7

[pigboat]

Thanks guys.
Cooda, since half the battle after retirement is keeping Mrs. piggy - or Mrs. Cooda in your case - happy, I consider my job well done. :D
Down side is, women don't like the smell of paint unless it's being applied to the walls. I don't have a painting booth so I've been banished to the garden shed which means it's too cold to paint for six months of the year. You of course would not have that problem. ;)
Squawk, I'd suggest getting yourself an inexpensive airbrush. You can get Testors airbrush kit at Wal-Mart for less than $50.00. It comes with a single action airbrush, a can of propellant and a good instruction booklet. Buy one and whale away. With acrylic paint there are no petro based solvents, just plain water for thinning and cleanup.
If you're looking for some rare models, try this
http://www.cahood.com/ and for tools and stuff
http://www.micromark.com/
They're both in the US, but they ship anywhere.

[Airbedane]

Non-smelly glues - a non-allergic cyano might help, but it'll play havoc with the clear canopies. For the latter I use RC Modellers Glue - both are available from good (Flying) Model Shops.

I started aeromodelling at the age of about 8 in the 1950's and I've yet to give it up. I build mainly indoor free flight aircraft, most of which are scale, although I have been known to venture outdoors from time-to-time.

Solid wise, I'm trying to collect kits of all the aircraft I've flown to give me something to do when I finally retire, but some of the types are proving illusive in my preferred scale (1/48th) - Caravelle, CAP10 and Cessna 172 are three that are illuding me at the moment.

Recent builds include a Keil Kraft Achillese, Piper Family Cruiser and Aeronca Champ for free flight. Plus a Tamiya 1/48th Spifire V in plastic for no 4 daughter, who is mad on Airbedanes!

[bolmas]

airbedane, are your initials A.S.?

if so i have sussed out who you are

[BikerMark]

"and how DO you glue two fuselage halves together neatly??"

You clean up the two halves so they fit together as neatly as possible.

Assemble them together dry and press some sticky tape (Scotch Magic Tape is good) firmly around the join lengthwise, which will hold the two sides together.

Next, split the tape along the join with a sharp knife (Swann Morton scalpel is best).

This gives you two halves nicely masked so should the glue ooze out of the join, it'll end up on the tape and not on the plastic.

If all goes well this leaves only a wafer thin glue line to clean up.



I've just ordered some 1/144 Hurricane kits made by a Japanese manufacturer Sweet. Apparently, these are state of the art kits for this scale I'd love to see more 1/144 kits for the 1930-1940 period of the RAF, but don't hold out much hope as it's a somewhat specialist interest. 1/72 I'd find hard to store.

Mark.

[pigboat]

For gluing canopies, indeed for gluing any part that will not come under stress, ordinary white glue is fine. There's something over here made by Weldbond, called More Than a Great Glue, a kind of super white glue that works great.
Watch crystal glue is also supposed to be fine for clear parts. It's available from Micro-Mark.

Airbedane try the following for the models you're looking for. If they don't have it, it probably doesn't exist.:)

http://www.rare-planedetective.com
http://www.squadron.com/

[DamienB]

how DO you glue two fuselage halves together neatly?

Alternative to already mentioned method - hold them together and brush liquid cement over the join. Capillary action draws most of it into the join where it does its work. If you do not use excess amounts it will not run over the top and make any mess but will instead just leave a shiny line no different in texture to surrounding plastic - the stuff not in the joint evaporates pretty quickly.

Flat spin - some of the liquid stuff is fairly inoffensive smell-wise, particularly compared to some of the nastier tube glues.

[You want it when?]

BikerMark - Try Padgett Brothers in Barnsley. At one point they imported a range of double kits called Brave Force all in the 1:144 scale.

See my PM.

[grow45]

Airbedane.

There used to be a 1/72 kit of the Cessna 172 available. It was made by Arii (Japanese) and could be got with either wheels or floats. I have a half built one in the attic but intend hanging onto it and finishing it one day. They appear on ebay sometimes and only go for a few pounds.

Or there is a 1:48 version available at http://www.hannants.co.uk/search/?FULL=MCT48004.

Arii also did a Bonanza, Fuji FA 200, and a Cessna 337 - and I intend building my ones of these as well - one day - honest.

Edited to say I have re read the original post again and see you are actually looking for flying models not Airfix type plastic ones. Info might still be of interest to somebody.

grow45

[treadigraph]

I'm cr@p at modelling, but a great friend of mine is absolutely superb at making - and modifying - 1/48 kits: he churns them out very rapidly but doesn't have room for all - consequently there are a Bonanza, C150 and PA-28 sitting atop my monitor at work, whilst adroning same at home is the LDM white metal Extra 230 that he assembled for me. He's also built a Beaver on floats for me and currently has a 1/48th Catalina in his production queue which will eventually hang in my bathroom! (He did offer to make it seaworthy!). He also has a PA-18 for me and keeps encouraging me to buy a 1/48th Stampe or Tiger Moth, and my favourite Spitfire, a low back XIV...

In BEagle's Vulcan thread on the Military forum, there is a link to a modeller's site which features photos of his 1/48th Vulcan - yes, really! He has also built a 1/48th C-130, and occasionally wistfully expresses interest in either a B-52 or B-46 (I can't remember which) and Victor and Valiant at the same scale - but says then he'd have to move to a much larger house! Hangar more like...

[Airbedane]

Thanks for the info, chaps, all very useful. I must admit that I've not been too thorough in my searches as time is very much taken up by my other hobby at the moment. However, I was once discribed thus by a model mag editor friend:

'Most modellers use their machines as a substitute for the real thing, (Airbedane) is the only one I know who does it the other way round!'.......many a true word! ;) ;)

grow45 - I am after solids of the aircraft I've flown - by the time I get round to building 'em, I'll be too old to go chase.

A

[Aerohack]

Airbedane:

Only just caught your post about seeking out 1/48th scale models of types you've flown. I don't think there's been a CAP 10 in that scale (I have a neat little French resin kit in 1/72nd); Heller did a 1/50th CAP 20 that scrubs up well with a bit of scratchbuilding. Esci did a 172 in 1/48th; I believe I have an untouched one in the loft somewhere that I'll drop in to you next time I'm at OW if you don't get one sooner. Can't help with the Caravelle. I scratchbuilt the Shuttleworth Archaeopteryx in 1/32nd some years ago, and Des Penrose wanted me to do a 1/48th example for his collection, but one Archaeopteryx is enough for anyone. Also did the Wren, unfortunately damaged beyond repair in a hard landing (think shelves and cats...)

How did the PA-14 go?

[Airbedane]

Hi Aerohack,

The PA-14 progresses, thanks again for the info. The wings, empennage and two fuselage sides are built, but the latter are still stuck together awaiting some finishing. The whole awaits in the family home in Bristol for my weekend visits, but has to share time with the rest of the family.

It should be up and about for the BMFA Indoor Scale Champs at Nottingham in April.

Thansk for the offer of the 172, BTW - Yes please.

[Aerohack]

Treadders:

<<and keeps encouraging me to buy a 1/48th Stampe>>

If a Heller 1/50th scale Stampe will do you're welcome to one of mine. But be warned: despite originating from the Stampe's adopted homeland, this model bears little resemblance to a real SV-4. Quite how they got it so disastrously wrong I can't imagine. Having drawn up a long list of all the corrections necessary I concluded that it would be easier to scratchbuild, then along came the Belgian firm PJ Productions with a beautiful 1/48th resin SV-4B/C that one day I'll turn into a Tiger Club example. So, if you want to set your modeller friend a real challenge, one of the Heller kits is all yours. Believe me, that's no generous offer.