Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: gofaster on June 13, 2004, 12:25:20 PM

Title: Scale models
Post by: gofaster on June 13, 2004, 12:25:20 PM
My first attempt at a diorama.  I thought it turned out ok.

(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/528_1087146798_f4phantomdiorama1.jpg)

Everyting is in HO-scale except the bombs, which I cannibalized from some 1/72 kits.


Here's an Airfix Me109G I bought for $3 (second-hand, unbuilt).  Crappy kit - wouldn't buy another except for parts.  I decided to make it "crashed" to hide a bottom seam line.  

(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/528_1087146902_me109g-crasheddiorama-2.jpg)

(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/528_1087146938_me109g-crasheddiorama-3.jpg)

Here's what is sitting in my garage and on my bench waiting for me.

(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/528_1087147402_onmybench-june2004.jpg)

Sorry for the size, but I'm too lazy to shrink it down.
Title: Scale models
Post by: B17Skull12 on June 13, 2004, 12:28:41 PM
how much for the 109 and 190?
Title: Scale models
Post by: gofaster on June 13, 2004, 12:37:52 PM
I try not to spend more than $6 on a kit ($10 if there's shipping involved).  Most of the second-hand stuff I bought off eBay for $5 or less (plus another $5 for shipping).  Hasegawa and Revell make some phenomenal values for what you can do with them.  They build up well and can turn out really nice with some scratchbuilt c-pit details.
Title: Scale models
Post by: NUKE on June 13, 2004, 05:49:08 PM
nice gofaster!

Man, you have LOTS of models! You better get busy :)
Title: Scale models
Post by: gofaster on June 13, 2004, 10:12:30 PM
LOL! Average build time for me is measured in months.  In the case of the Starfighter buried underneath the 109, the barricades, a tree, Sidewinders, and miscellaneous bits and pieces, that's a plane that's sat under there for years.  And it is sitting on top of its box! :eek:

What I'm really looking forward to doing next is that tuna clipper sitting off to the side by the dryer.  Its N scale (more or less) and will still be plenty big.  I want to get it built before Autumn, and before the dryer's heat warps the pieces.

The tan 109 is destined for a desert diorama of Hans Joachim-Marseilles.  I just finished painting the palm tree (not pictured) and hope to get started on the crew figures soon.  The plane itself is waiting for landing gear and the prop/spinner, then decals, then a pilot, then the c-pit glass.

The white plane is the "Ike" racer plane.  The white tower is the racing pylon for it.  I'm going to turn it into a diorama I can keep at my desk at work.  It makes a nice non-military diversion from the fleets of 109s and Mustangs I have.

Under the two Spitfire V boxes is a Tamiya F4U that I'm going to try and build with some weathering effects similar to frank's PBY Catalina.  Hopefully I won't screw it up!
Title: Re: Scale models
Post by: gofaster on June 15, 2004, 08:47:28 AM
Quote
Originally posted by gofaster
My first attempt at a diorama.  I thought it turned out ok.
Here's what is sitting in my garage and on my bench waiting for me.

(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/528_1087147402_onmybench-june2004.jpg)

Sorry for the size, but I'm too lazy to shrink it down.


Ok, now I have a problem.

You see that white plane on its wingtip next to the white tower?  That's a 1/72 scale of the "Ike" racing plane.  Now, according to the pictures I'm using as reference, there's supposed to be some tension wires strung from the wings to the fuselage, and another set betwen the landing carriage (whenever I get around to installing it).

My question is, what do I use for these wires that would be easy to install and wouldn't sag?
Title: Scale models
Post by: Mathman on June 15, 2004, 09:50:48 AM
Get some very fine fishing thread or some of the nylon thread that is labelled as "invisible."  Once you have it attached, light a cigarette and hold it under the thread.  It will shrink it up a bit.  Don't touch the thread with the cig, it will melt it.
Title: Scale models
Post by: gofaster on June 15, 2004, 10:45:02 AM
Two problems:
(1) I don't smoke
(2) there's not much room between the wing and the "cable".  

Is there any sort of stiff wire that I could use?
Title: Scale models
Post by: Dune on June 15, 2004, 11:35:38 AM
Do you always leave your crack-smoking tin foil out where people can see it?

BTW, nice models.

;)
Title: Scale models
Post by: Mathman on June 15, 2004, 11:38:00 AM
You could find some very thin brass rod.  You don't have to use cigarettes.  A soldering iron could work as well, you just need to keep it a bit further away.  A candle held at a distance as well.  You could even use the cigarette lighter from your car (you just need to take the model to the car.
Title: Scale models
Post by: gofaster on June 15, 2004, 02:11:28 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Dune
Do you always leave your crack-smoking tin foil out where people can see it?

BTW, nice models.

;)


LOL!  I use tinfoil because it won't leave fibres on paint like paper would.

and thanks!
Title: Scale models
Post by: gofaster on June 15, 2004, 02:12:17 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Mathman
You could find some very thin brass rod.  You don't have to use cigarettes.  A soldering iron could work as well, you just need to keep it a bit further away.  A candle held at a distance as well.  You could even use the cigarette lighter from your car (you just need to take the model to the car.


There's some good ideas.  There's an art supply store up the road from where I work.  I'll check it out and see if they would have thin rod.
Title: Scale models
Post by: Sikboy on June 15, 2004, 02:20:53 PM
Say GF, is that the Bunker Hill there in the background? I think I have the same model.

-Sik
Title: Scale models
Post by: Weezer on June 15, 2004, 03:24:49 PM
u could also use 24ga or 28 ga  copper wire
Title: Scale models
Post by: Shane on June 15, 2004, 06:18:10 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Weezer
u could also use 24ga or 28 ga  copper wire


way too overscale... even 32ga is pushing it for 1/48 for that purpose.

36ga or more...

some people use hair "donated" from those within arm's length - if it's long enough.
Title: Scale models
Post by: Blooz on June 15, 2004, 07:14:46 PM
Very nice especially the 109 diorama with the skid marks and the fence.

Needs weathering though. The planes look pristine. Combat aircraft need to be dirty, oily, paint chipped vehicles.

Great job. Diorama's are cool.
Title: Dioramas? you want steenkin' dioramas?!?
Post by: Shane on June 15, 2004, 07:32:40 PM
http://www.dynamicdioramas.org/

turn green and die!!!!


dayum!
Title: Re: Dioramas? you want steenkin' dioramas?!?
Post by: midnight Target on June 15, 2004, 07:44:14 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Shane
http://www.dynamicdioramas.org/

turn green and die!!!!


dayum!


In freakin credible!
Title: Scale models
Post by: Weezer on June 17, 2004, 11:56:43 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Shane
way too overscale... even 32ga is pushing it for 1/48 for that purpose.

36ga or more...

some people use hair "donated" from those within arm's length - if it's long enough.




i didn't know it was 1/48      
   i used 30ga on my Ho scale models
Title: Scale models
Post by: Dune on June 17, 2004, 12:05:45 PM
Those are amazing.

:eek:
Title: Scale models
Post by: Reschke on June 17, 2004, 03:10:35 PM
I have a 1/48 A-36 (P-51 Attack version) that I am about to start working on. I also have a Fw-190F-8 that I have to rebuild since my oldest sons books on his dresser fell on it and destroyed the tail section and landing gear. He and I were in his room building Lego stuff when his books started sliding on top and the book end (large Noah's Ark front end) slid out of the way and his Disney story collection came crashing down. Talk about a disheartened 7 year old.
Title: Scale models
Post by: gofaster on June 17, 2004, 04:19:41 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Sikboy
Say GF, is that the Bunker Hill there in the background? I think I have the same model.

-Sik


Yes it is! You and I must have the same budget.  You poor man.

The sinkholes and generally poor fit have made that kit a labor of sorts.  Took a lot of sanding to get the forward sonar dome on the bow to look ok.  It had some extra bits and pieces in the box so I added some extra missile launchers (hehehe). Its an on-again, off-again project.  I work on it, get cross-eyed after awhile, and put it back.

How are you coming along with yours?
Title: Scale models
Post by: gofaster on June 17, 2004, 04:21:42 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Shane
way too overscale... even 32ga is pushing it for 1/48 for that purpose.

36ga or more...

some people use hair "donated" from those within arm's length - if it's long enough.


Its 1/72.  I'm willing to go somewhat overscale (artistic license is a wonderful thing) so long as the solution is practical and workable.  I still haven't gotten out to that art supply store.  Maybe tomorrow.
Title: Re: Dioramas? you want steenkin' dioramas?!?
Post by: gofaster on June 17, 2004, 04:23:23 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Shane
http://www.dynamicdioramas.org/

turn green and die!!!!


dayum!


That's the site I use when I run out of steam on my projects.  I look at his stuff, look at my stuff, and get back on track.
Title: Scale models
Post by: Reschke on June 17, 2004, 04:23:47 PM
GF,

In your 109 diorama what did you sue for the ground? I am curious as I haven't tried a diorama and was thinking about getting the stuff to make one with this A-36 that I am starting now.
Title: Scale models
Post by: gofaster on June 17, 2004, 04:24:36 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Blooz
Very nice especially the 109 diorama with the skid marks and the fence.

Needs weathering though. The planes look pristine. Combat aircraft need to be dirty, oily, paint chipped vehicles.

Great job. Diorama's are cool.


Thanks.  yeah, I'm going to practice some paint chipping on my next one.  I was going to try it with the Ki-43 dio, but I kinda liked the silver finish, nice and clean.
Title: Scale models
Post by: Sikboy on June 17, 2004, 04:25:13 PM
Quote
Originally posted by gofaster
Its 1/72.  I'm willing to go somewhat overscale (artistic license is a wonderful thing) so long as the solution is practical and workable.  I still haven't gotten out to that art supply store.  Maybe tomorrow.


I haven't touched it since 2002, the last time I had a garage. But since my new place has a GIANT garage (4 cars :eek: ) I'm hoping to find some time to get back into it. Then again I have a 1:1 scale model of a car to work on too.

-Sik
Title: Scale models
Post by: gofaster on June 17, 2004, 10:46:46 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Reschke
GF,

In your 109 diorama what did you sue for the ground? I am curious as I haven't tried a diorama and was thinking about getting the stuff to make one with this A-36 that I am starting now.


The base is plastic - one of those display cases for 1:18 car models.  On top of that I put a layer of sand from my front yard (strained through a bug screen, glued to the base with white glue, then artfully shaped with a popsickle stick).  The grass is "Fine" model grass.  I've lost the original bag but I think the color was "Burnt" or "Dry" or something like that.  It only cost me $3.50 for the bag, which is plenty.

You'd be surprised how well a good base can make an average airplane look.
Title: Scale models
Post by: gofaster on June 17, 2004, 10:48:55 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Sikboy
I haven't touched it since 2002, the last time I had a garage. But since my new place has a GIANT garage (4 cars :eek: ) I'm hoping to find some time to get back into it. Then again I have a 1:1 scale model of a car to work on too.

-Sik


Buy a tv cart with wheels so you can roll it out of the way after you drop that small piece that you absolutely must have to finish the kit. :p