Plastic Modelers in the IL-2 Community

[voncrapenhauser]

31 minutes ago, LuseKofte said:

I want you guys to consider this

https://hayden.fit/products/large-scale-of-the-uss-nimitz-class-aircraft-carrier?fbclid=IwAR1ZCvYlfsFG-cQYHmfi74CZ0bbRMVZB_ubLDcynQXP2VJgkPZgPm5zUzIo

Nice .

Is that price for the kit? or a fully built up made model? no way!.....not sure?

[ZachariasX]

1 hour ago, LuseKofte said:

I want you guys to consider this

https://hayden.fit/products/large-scale-of-the-uss-nimitz-class-aircraft-carrier?fbclid=IwAR1ZCvYlfsFG-cQYHmfi74CZ0bbRMVZB_ubLDcynQXP2VJgkPZgPm5zUzIo

If I managed to build such a kit like that, I‘d rather shoot myself than giving it away like that…

2 hours ago, HappyHaddock said:

Perhaps I was never a typical teenager but I spent longer on projects then than I do now...

I wanted my Air Forces complete and only once I got through most desireable aircraft in 1/72 (other scales usually exceeded my budget) I was more exact with some if the larger scales. But that was only after I got proficient in building RC planes from scratch. Before that, like a kid building Legos, color is irrelevant as long as the part fits. (Sadly now, Lego does that with their kits. Bloody color disease…)

[HappyHaddock]

6 minutes ago, ZachariasX said:

...Before that, like a kid building Legos, color is irrelevant as long as the part fits. (Sadly now, Lego does that with their kits. Bloody color disease…)

 

I too was a huge fan of Lego as a child (but who wasn't?) , and oddly enough the most recent model I completed for myself (rather than a client) was a Lego Ferrari... there's something about Lego that defeats my natural tendency to want to make things more refined meaning I can quickly build a Lego model and be happy with it's "crude" character in a way that  if I start a "proper" model kit, my usual practice is to begin with discarding all the bits and working out that I can do better by scratch building everything where I get obsessed with making ever smaller details... and end up with a spare kit left at the end.

 

I once remember re-working the altimeter in the cockpit of a 1/48th plane simply because it bugged me that it showed the wrong height for the ground based diorama I was working on. On another occasion I fitted the wiring looms behind the cockpit instrument panel in a 1/144th scale jet along with such things as brake cables on the landing gear.

[ZachariasX]

19 minutes ago, HappyHaddock said:

I completed for myself (rather than a client) was a Lego Ferrari...

This is about one of the all time worst Lego kits and certainly the worst „Technic“ kit. And that took something after the „blue calamity“. Everything that is wrong with the company today is in that miserable insult to clients. As it sells for the dealers price (you‘d be an idiot to pay more than 30% off list price) it is one of the items that actively hurt retail as well.

 

Anyone ending up with that kit, see here. It‘s a great ressource anyway, as every god fearing citizen has half a ton of those bricks in the basement. I know it, I looked.

 

As it has gotten extremely convenient to buy parts, one can just buy decent instructions to complement what you have and make more meaningful builds. I am starting this one now with the kids. Will take a while to build. But the Saturn is one of the all time best kits Lego ever made. You should build it after the Ferrari, just to set the universe right.

 

[mavers92]

On 8/4/2021 at 12:03 PM, Diggun said:

 

 

UK people, is there an online store you'd recommend for paints, model equipment, clippers, files etc? There isn't a model shop in Cambridge and Hobbycraft is, frankly, rubbish...

Hi Diggun just to add to your search for model shops, i use scalemodelshop a lot, always had good service from them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Feathered_IV]

Blew the dust off my soldering iron.  

This was the bit that scared me off the whole project for two years.  Finally getting back into it now after having finished a few other things, it doesn't seem so bad.

 

 

Made the gravity tank and fuel pipe too. This was another bit that I kept putting off.  Glad its done now.

 

 

Painted the booms with a light base colour and some artist oils to try and get a woody effect.  Still need to do some of the black brackets and chord bindings (a mere 76 of them) but its coming along.

 

[ZachariasX]

58 minutes ago, Feathered_IV said:

Blew the dust off my soldering iron.  

This was the bit that scared me off the whole project for two years.  Finally getting back into it now after having finished a few other things, it doesn't seem so bad.

 

 

Made the gravity tank and fuel pipe too. This was another bit that I kept putting off.  Glad its done now.

 

 

Painted the booms with a light base colour and some artist oils to try and get a woody effect.  Still need to do some of the black brackets and chord bindings (a mere 76 of them) but its coming along.

 

 

[voncrapenhauser]

19 hours ago, Feathered_IV said:

Blew the dust off my soldering iron.  

This was the bit that scared me off the whole project for two years.  Finally getting back into it now after having finished a few other things, it doesn't seem so bad.

 

 

Made the gravity tank and fuel pipe too. This was another bit that I kept putting off.  Glad its done now.

 

 

 

Painted the booms with a light base colour and some artist oils to try and get a woody effect.  Still need to do some of the black brackets and chord bindings (a mere 76 of them) but its coming along.

 

 

Absolutely amazing Feathered.......Its looking great mate.

[DEDMANcjp]

Mr Feathered_IV,  your fantastic work stands up to detail scrutiny at a distance of 2 centimeters.  My work looks sorta OK at 2 metres +

 

I look forward to your next project.  

 

PS  are you by chance an eye surgeon?

[Diggun]

It begins... 

 

This is about 8x smaller and more fiddly than I remember! 

 

Respect for the work on show here is skyrocketing! 

Edited August 16, 2021 by Diggun

[Feathered_IV]

Go Go Go!!!!  

[Lusekofte]

On 8/15/2021 at 6:01 PM, DEDMANcjp said:

  are you by chance an eye surgeon?

He might as well be. His ability makes him classify for ?  surgeon.

I hate answering for others........ 

No, I don't, who am I kidding.

I believe he is a Silver Smith or was. 

Edited August 18, 2021 by LuseKofte

[Feathered_IV]

5 hours ago, LuseKofte said:

I hate answering for others........ 

No, I don't, who am I kidding.

 

 

 

Hehe, yeah I am a jeweller/ gold & silversmith by day.  What a ponce.

[Jason_Williams]

Hey guys,

 

At the IPMSUSA Nationals in Las Vegas this afternoon with my friend George who is also part of the IL-2 community. Only took a couple pics today, but will post more as the week goes on. I’m only recently getting back into plastic modeling. 

 

I always take pics of Russian gear for the team. 
 

Jason

[40plus]

Oh......Oh wow ! ?

[gn728]

Yah buddy - I think it's gonna be a good show...

Lol I'm betting by Friday those tables will be close to full

[gn728]

What the heck - couple more before lights out....

[Jason_Williams]

So from today.

 

 

[namhee2]

33 minutes ago, Jason_Williams said:

So from today.

 

 

Future examples for the future for IL 2 GB?

[cardboard_killer]

that SBD is really nice.

[gn728]

This showed up late in the day... the 24th scale from Kinetic

This definitely stands out...

[Hartsblade]

wow those are awesome!

[40plus]

This is some next level Sh#% ?

[Jason_Williams]

The models here are the best in the country. It’s really motivating and at the same time gives me pause to even try because the talent here is off the charts. How the judges pic winners is beyond me.

 

 

 

Jason

[Denum]

The people of that caliber and skill are something else. 

 

I'm in the sausage fingers club so trying to work on such small details is extremely difficult.

 

Currently working on the HMS Hood. 

 

Should finish that soon.

I save it for moments where I just need to relax and tinker. So its been taking a little while. 

Edited August 20, 2021 by Denum

[gn728]

A show like this is definitely motivates 

Haha - no matter what your modeling preference is...

[Denum]

Those really are phenomenal.

 

 

Still need to due the wires and repairs. One of the kids hit it with a ball of some kind. Then touch ups and I can move onto finally weathering her and putting it in a shelf. 

 

Next is a either a Spitfire Mk1 and I'll try a diorama or I might try something with my Crusader Mk III.

Would like to do a desert diorama, track is off one side of the tank, crew is working with one member firing a flare. Want to try my hand at doing an LED and everything. 

 

In regards to the Hood. I know a fellow who had a relative go down with her during the war. I think when I put it up I'll get a picture of her last crew and put it up there also. Truthfully I've considered giving it to him after I've completed it. 

Edited August 20, 2021 by Denum

[HappyHaddock]

3 hours ago, Denum said:

 

In regards to the Hood. I know a fellow who had a relative go down with her during the war. I think when I put it up I'll get a picture of her last crew and put it up there also. Truthfully I've considered giving it to him after I've completed it. 

 

Our family also lost a relative when the Hood went down, though we were not alone in that as many many families did.  

Edited August 20, 2021 by HappyHaddock

[voncrapenhauser]

Is it just me.

Or dose that WWI bomber remind me of Catch The Pidgeon cartoon seires?

Looks like something klunk would have built Lol.

[Feathered_IV]

Made the control horns for the elevators and attached them to the nacelle.  Which clears the way for the majority of the rigging to be added.

Those doubled up bracing wires are a bit sheksie  

 

[No_85_Gramps]

On 8/19/2021 at 11:47 PM, Jason_Williams said:

The models here are the best in the country. It’s really motivating and at the same time gives me pause to even try because the talent here is off the charts. How the judges pic winners is beyond me.

Jason

 

Ah, I forgot the Nats were in Vegas this year! I've been to a few of the nats over the years, normally when they are in Virginia Beach, but they always showcase the best of the best. It's amazing what hard-core modelers can do, and also the models that have been displayed in this thread.

[gn728]

So - final day of the Nationals - everything entered was in by like 5p yesterday - then they judge all night. Considering its Covid/mask - the turnout was pretty good

[Lusekofte]

On 8/21/2021 at 12:37 PM, Feathered_IV said:

Made the control horns for the elevators and attached them to the nacelle.  Which clears the way for the majority of the rigging to be added.

Those doubled up bracing wires are a bit sheksie  

 

I think ? you would do well in that exhibition them others speak about

[Feathered_IV]

I’ve never been to a model show but was thinking about going along to one.  There was supposed to be an ipms event here in October but I suspect it will be postponed due to covid (probably need all the time I can get).

 

Finished the majority of the rigging between the wings.  There’s maybe another 8 pieces to go before I can think about adding the booms.  It will be quite a milestone when it can stand on its own legs. 
 

 

[ZachariasX]

It is almost surreal how you do that double rigging…

 

My kids finished one 1/72 Revell builds and almost completed another one; the P-47 and the Me-262 respectively. I think I spent about one week just cleaning the airbrush. At least, that is how it felt. I definitely need some better suited colors for that… They are happy with their builds, but my nerves…

[HappyHaddock]

15 hours ago, Feathered_IV said:

 

Finished the majority of the rigging between the wings.  There’s maybe another 8 pieces to go before I can think about adding the booms.  It will be quite a milestone when it can stand on its own legs. 
 

 

@Feathered_IV  There are few miniaturists that genuinely impress me, but the immaculate finish you achieve in the small scales we both favour is something special.

 

Can I ask what you do the rigging with, is it a fine rigid wire to keep it straight or taught elastic micro-fibre? Also do you have some magical "putter on" tool that renders the glue adequate in quantity to actually hold, but so miniscule in amount to not from a visible bead in close up?

 

Myself I've spent more hours this last week than I care to think about churning out masses of indifferent "crud" for filling square foot after square foot of another "map -maker's scale" topographical model for a client.  I think just this week I've made more than four hundred model houses each smaller than the cockpit of your little masterpiece, planted  countless trees at about 1cm tall  not to mention the endless hedgerows and gardens I've installed.

 

Sometimes I envy hobbyists that don't have a client's budget and deadline imposing compromises on the standard of their work.... but then I don't envy those who don a collar and tie and sit behind a desk all week to earn a wage... so swings and roundabouts as they say.

 

Edited August 27, 2021 by HappyHaddock

[voncrapenhauser]

5 hours ago, Feathered_IV said:

I’ve never been to a model show but was thinking about going along to one.  There was supposed to be an ipms event here in October but I suspect it will be postponed due to covid (probably need all the time I can get).

 

Finished the majority of the rigging between the wings.  There’s maybe another 8 pieces to go before I can think about adding the booms.  It will be quite a milestone when it can stand on its own legs. 
 

 

 

 

Awsome.

 

On The bench again.

 

Test fit of parts before paint.

 

Just light blocking to do and Pilot figure.

[Feathered_IV]

21 hours ago, HappyHaddock said:

 

@Feathered_IV  There are few miniaturists that genuinely impress me, but the immaculate finish you achieve in the small scales we both favour is something special.

 

Can I ask what you do the rigging with, is it a fine rigid wire to keep it straight or taught elastic micro-fibre? Also do you have some magical "putter on" tool that renders the glue adequate in quantity to actually hold, but so miniscule in amount to not from a visible bead in close up?

 

Myself I've spent more hours this last week than I care to think about churning out masses of indifferent "crud" for filling square foot after square foot of another "map -maker's scale" topographical model for a client.  I think just this week I've made more than four hundred model houses each smaller than the cockpit of your little masterpiece, planted  countless trees at about 1cm tall  not to mention the endless hedgerows and gardens I've installed.

 

Sometimes I envy hobbyists that don't have a client's budget and deadline imposing compromises on the standard of their work.... but then I don't envy those who don a collar and tie and sit behind a desk all week to earn a wage... so swings and roundabouts as they say.

 

 

HH, that is very kind!  I'm using 0.05mm nichrome wire from this place in the UK: https://wireandstuff.co.uk/product/0-05mm-44-awg-ni80-nichrome-resistance-wire-578-ohms-m/

I'd prefer 0.03mm if I could find some but this stuff works fairly well.  Although it does not take solder however, which is a bit of a shame.  I roll short lengths flat between a steel and a block of clear acrylic.  When I glue them in place I brush a tiny bit of water on the model surface where I intend the wire to go.  Then dip the end of the wire in PVA so a little globe forms on the end.  The glue starts drying almost immediately, but the water on the model surface reactivates the glue enough for it to grip the surface.  I use the damp brush to move the wire around a bit and tidy the surface.  Then secure the other end of the wire with a dab of diluted PVA.

 

Commiserations on the topographical model.  When I was younger I used to work for a company doing those for architects and planners.  The thing that used to kill me was having to stand over a huge base for 12-16 hours a day adding all the trees and bits or masking for the next colour as it leeched a miasma of lacquer and glue fumes.  

 

 

Voncrapenhauser, that looks great.  Do you take requests?  Maybe an Angel Interceptor next??

[HappyHaddock]

7 hours ago, Feathered_IV said:

 

Commiserations on the topographical model.  When I was younger I used to work for a company doing those for architects and planners.  The thing that used to kill me was having to stand over a huge base for 12-16 hours a day adding all the trees and bits or masking for the next colour as it leeched a miasma of lacquer and glue fumes.  

 

 

Thanks for the info,  I have many non model making suppliers on my hit list for unusual specialist materials and a good few are for wire. I recently picked up some 0.01mm copper armature wire for rigging a planned micro model of a tall ship. 

 

If you don't know the following check them out - they are a medical suppliers that do all sorts of very fine metals aimed at dental surgery,  I find the stainless steel tubing good;  Hard Stainless Steel Tubing | KC Smith . That said the sales rep from Albion Alloys has given me so much by way of free samples over the  years (Brass, Copper & Cupro-nickel Tube | Albion Alloys)  I don't think I've ever needed to buy anything from them by way of precision shaped micro tubing.

 

EDIT: take a look at these as well Specialist in craft wire, knitted craft wire, silver wire, enamelled copper, resistance wires, stainless steel, plated wires and many more!

 

As for the topographical models, you've hit the nail on the head in terms of the hours of drudgery ... if the client only needed a few square inches of model I'd have time to fit so much more detail into each tiny miniature, but then if they only wanted to portray one or two buildings they'd want a much larger scale and we'd be back to racing to get things done in budget/deadline.  They choose micro map-makers scales when they want to show something the size of a town.

 

Anyway the following is a quick snap of a tiny section of the rough and ready  "square blobs and chopped foam" approach to infilling the acres.... it ain't pretty up close but across a few square feet gives an acceptable effect.

Edited August 28, 2021 by HappyHaddock

[voncrapenhauser]

On 8/28/2021 at 6:49 AM, Feathered_IV said:

 

 

 

 

Voncrapenhauser, that looks great.  Do you take requests?  Maybe an Angel Interceptor next??

You read my mind Feathered.

 

Allready have the old Airfix 1/72nd Angel interceptor.

 

I prefer The White falcon version from The CG captain scarlet and along with my best mate,(who dose all the 3d meshes, IE most of the grunt work) we have in the planning a large scale one.

 

As The Falcon version is much larger than the original ,we were thinking around 1/24th scale, would make the new one approx just under 3 ft

 

I am a fan of the old skool Interceptor but Think new one has more interesting lines.

 

Top Pic The old Airfix model complete with The inaccurate non copyright infringing Spectrum meatballs.( Later versions have corrected decals).

Second pic is a pre built Corgi but in comparison is about 100 th scale looking at figure This is quite accurate and gives my Best mate a starting point although he has really good blueprints he can see stuff better when he can hold a 3 d object to confirm ....I guess.

 

 

Edited August 29, 2021 by voncrapenhauser