forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
WW1 Aircraft Modeling => Under Construction => Vacform Kits => Topic started by: ta152c on April 20, 2012, 03:59:58 AM
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Here are some pics :
(http://a.yfrog.com/img736/5772/v7kxz.jpg)
(http://a.yfrog.com/img612/8049/dusrrl.jpg)
(http://a.yfrog.com/img876/3043/svdxr.jpg)
(http://a.yfrog.com/img875/7082/jgqnw.jpg)
(http://a.yfrog.com/img808/4307/mzlmx.jpg)
(http://a.yfrog.com/img737/8191/26vgx.jpg)
Sanded out with 80 grade paper on my home-made sanding block, then thinned out the wings (double-surfaced), built the basic interior ribbing, floor and added tabs for strength, will continue once I know what variant I'm doing. I will probably fully expose the engine and internal guns etc.
There you go :)
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Oh boy! I don't think I could cope with a vacform, but you are doing a splendid job.
Cheers
Pete.
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Give it a go, you can get them at a very reasonable price in shows now, once sanded out, just like an injection kit.
Regards :)
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David,
The Aviatik D.I is coming along beautifully my friend. Your interior work is really great,can't wait to see it with paint. The only thing I would add would be to thin the wig down a little more. I know you'll loss the details on the wings but these can easily be replaced with 1mm tape. That's what I ended up doing to my example many years ago and it came out very well. I always appreciate you guys who build these great vacuform kits and your vac builds here are no exception.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette
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Pete,
My friend you've got to give one of these vacuform kits a try. As David has said once the sanding is done they build up just as any other kit. Judging from your many excellent project you've post in the past , it wouldn't be anything you couldn't do and do well. Take care my friend and give it a little thought.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette
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Thanks Gregory.
Once the cold lifts I'll go over the wings again, as you say, I can add rib tapes anyway.
Regards :)
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Oh boy! I don't think I could cope with a vacform, but you are doing a splendid job.
Cheers
Pete.
It only took an hour, sitting in the back garden with the cats, cup of tea, cigarette and a 4" long block of 3"x 1" wood, some double-sided tape, 80 grade paper and all the major parts were sanded out. I got the tip about the block from George Munro of the Between the Wars IPMS UK SIG. No need to wet sand, just outline the parts with a black marker, cut as close as you can all round (I use scissors) leaving an edge about 2-3mm (not much bigger), sand away a section at a time, block keeps things nice and level, till the surrounding edge is almost flaking off. Continue till done. Any further work is done with flexible nail buffers you can buy at any discount store.
There you go :)
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You make it sound so simple . . . but I can't be fooled. I know it involves a healthy dose of black magic. ;)
Cheers,
Chris
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This is coming along splendidly! I just got a couple more vacs for suupppppeerrr cheap at a recent show and am itching to get started on at least one of them.
We'll all be watching this one!
Cheers,
Dan
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You make it sound so simple . . . but I can't be fooled. I know it involves a healthy dose of black magic. ;)
Cheers,
Chris
As long as you keep checking, thats it. Vacforms get a bad press, but its still a model, and, like injection kits, any gaps can be fixed. They are really cheap now, usually in cardboard boxes at shows. I'm going to try and get a Brandenburg C.I, Aviatik C.I and Phonix C.I in 1:48, same manufacturer as the kit above. If you see any, let me know!
Regards :)
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This is coming along splendidly! I just got a couple more vacs for suupppppeerrr cheap at a recent show and am itching to get started on at least one of them.
We'll all be watching this one!
Cheers,
Dan
What did you get -1:72 or 1:48?
Regards :)
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i really gonna try to cast those 3 a/d engines for you in the next few days. 2 for the oef albies and one for this guy.
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What can I say, except thanks, Scott.
Regards :)
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Hi David (I think?? :o)
I got a 48th Albatros 2-seater. I have several 72nd and 48th in the stash. I think if we ever get an old kit GB going, I'll be cracking those out.
Vacs really do get a bum rap. :'( Plastic is plastic and filler is filler!! ;)
Keep posting,
Dan
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You're off to a fantastic start, David. I'm really gonna enjoy watching this one come together.
Cheers,
Bud
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Hi David (I think?? :o)
I got a 48th Albatros 2-seater. I have several 72nd and 48th in the stash. I think if we ever get an old kit GB going, I'll be cracking those out.
Vacs really do get a bum rap. :'( Plastic is plastic and filler is filler!! ;)
Keep posting,
Dan
Hello Dan.
Well said :)
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excellent work David! I am enjoying watching this one on both sites 8)
RAGIII
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What you have done so far looks very good, never having made a vacform leaves me in the dark a little, I will follow this build and see what tips I can pick up.
Des.
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Thanks Des!
If my WIP helps people, cool. I do hope that the vacform section gets full of really interesting aircraft, there are lots of esoteric ones out there.
Regards :)
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Hi David (I think?? :o)
I got a 48th Albatros 2-seater. I have several 72nd and 48th in the stash. I think if we ever get an old kit GB going, I'll be cracking those out.
Vacs really do get a bum rap. :'( Plastic is plastic and filler is filler!! ;)
Keep posting,
Dan
Hello Dan.
Well said :)
Dan,
I couldn't agree more vacuform do certainly get a bum rap. Having said that have you noticed the biggest critics have never build one or in some case have never even attempted the build. With most I believe it's a fear of the unknown while others simply don't like vac's because seen as too much work.
At some point I hope we can have that Old Kit GB here and vac's would certainly be welcomed. You never know I might just build one myself. My last was in progress and about 90% complete went it was totally wreaked. I think you can still see the thread over at Aeroscale somewhere.My Strutter was part of the Two Seat GB several years back.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette
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Great work ! I really cannot fathom why vacs get such a bad press. They are an ideal medium for WW1 stuff, need the same prep as a modest resin, but are 1/3 the price or less!
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I think that modellers expectations have changed, possibly due to the magazines, and that the many good things about vacforms are submerged by the cliches. Yes, they do take 'preparation', but not that much. Yes, they can be 'difficult', so can resin kits and plastic ones. "You have to make your own parts", who hasn't? After all, the definition of a model is 'reproduction of a subject', ergo any media.
"Offbeat subjects" Unlike resin kits then? Or the recent 1:48 Trumpeter Me509 (which I have, lol).
In my opinion, admittedly not everybody's, the advantages of them outweigh the disadvantages. You also learn things that are transferable to injection-moulded models =WIN, and they are cheaper too =WINRAR
There you go :)
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Ta152c,
I just happen to agree with you. WW1 aircraft modeling has not only survived but,
grown with Vacforms. They provided the Base that DML, Blue Max, Pegasus, and Eduard,
grew from. Think of Aeroclub, Tom's, and Foto-Cut in the aftermarket. I feel that if we had
that larger base in 1/32, more injection Mfgs might take the plunge. Just 2-cents and in
today's economy?? ::) OK, back to building!!
Jim
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Thanks, hopefully this section will get more busy as people give them a go, looking forward to seeing more builds.
Regards :)
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my experience w vacs is very limited but from what i can see the fuselage is almost better than a rudimentary im kit cuz the plastic is much more to scale thickness. you just have to scratch the interior framing and other details just like for a short run kit. now the wings and struts are another story. i just dont care for the vac wings. on my hb c1 i will be scratching them,most likely balsa core with 5 thou skin then use strips to sim the ribs. on my spad a2 i lucked out and realized that my lindberg jenny had wings that were slightly wider in cord so i'm using those im wings from that old dog for that one.
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Some progress today. Cut open the cowlings, cockpit windows, made wooden slat effect on cockpit floor, made fuel tank. Decided to add some thickness to the fin/rudder, so glued it onto thin card (20 thou), sanded and reprofiled it. To add tapes to it. Also cut the lower wing in half, made temporary spar from brass tubing. Its starting to look better :)
(http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv223/ta152h/IMG02281-20120523-1300.jpg)
(http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv223/ta152h/IMG02280-20120523-1258.jpg)
(http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv223/ta152h/IMG02282-20120523-1615.jpg)
There you go :)
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David,
Wow the Aviatik is looking fantastic my friend. Outstanding work on her interior . Can't wait to see the interior complete and painted.I've got a feeling this is going to be really something else.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette
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Thats coming along nicely. Its like an injection kit now that the parts are cut out.
Steve
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Its slow, but I'm on it. White plastic is a pain but hardly a criticism. Tomorrow should see more interior stuff done. Nice kit though.
Regards :)
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As promised, more work. Engine bearers, IP, fuel tank, opened up nose for frontal radiator, fitted it (cut a bit over :( but will repair). Cut out shell ejector chute and hole for mg barrel. Had to widen cockpit bulkhead with plastic strip, and noticed that port fuselage is a wee bit over-sanded at the nose. Thinned down the kit radiator part a bit, gap in cowling will be filled with plastic strip, and the condenser unit atop should also cover the join.
Added base for rudder bar.
Prop isn't the correct one, just there to give a general idea. Thickening the tailfin makes it look much better, I felt the one I sanded out was too slim in profile, but that was probably me, not the kit. Its very good, actually. I've learned a bit from it, and since this was my first thread, I need to finish it first.
(http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv223/ta152h/IMG02293-20120525-2019.jpg)
(http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv223/ta152h/IMG02295-20120525-2026.jpg)
(http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv223/ta152h/IMG02299-20120525-2140.jpg)
Next job is rudder bar, control column, mounting brackets for fuel tank and buried mg, throttle lever and some internal stuff. Seat and seatbelt too. Its moving along.
There you go :)
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Looks good. its shaping up!
Steve
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David,
She's coming right along my friend. It's awfully difficult to avoid over sanding at times isn't it. A little too much finger pressure on the part you're sanding and there you go over sanding. Sounds like you've the matter well in hand though.I'm looking forward to seeing the interior painted and complete.I know this is going to be excellently done.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette
PS: Tell those slacking pilots and ground crew in the background tea time's over.
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Fantastic job on the cockpit, David. This makes the Flashback kit look kinda weak, by comparison.
Cheers,
Bud
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Fuel tank needs made smaller, just noticed :( Easy enough job though. Wonder where I put the seat? I need to drill a hole in the radiator for the starboard gun as well, I'll check references.
Looks like it will be a ser.138 (Aviatik) D.I, not decided on colour scheme yet. I'd like to do it with the 'X' shaped Jaray propeller though. I had to remove some of the cockpit framing, but I'll replace it. Still some sanding to do. Will probably replace the cockpit coaming with insulation wire sheathing.
Thanks for the comments,
Regards :)
P.S. Gregory, the pilots and crew are still 'jet-lagged', they say.
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Hello everyone!
Been busy, but here's some updates, on with the pics. Firstly, (after spraying with Tamiya fine primer) base coat of Panzer sand yellow, then the washes begin with burnt sienna, vermillion and yellow. Little mixing palette is an end cap from reel of photographic paper in photolabs, ask, they throw them out. Washable, strong and free.
(http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv223/ta152h/IMG02382-20120620-1712.jpg)
Afterwards, more glazes. Still more to go, but getting there. Looks a bit better now with some paint on, details still to add. Anyway, left to right (all 1:48) UFAG C.I, Morane 'G', Aviatik D.I, Glencoe Oeffag D.III. I'm going for a 'wood' effect, rather than woodgrain as I don't think it is evident at 48 feet away. Others may not agree, but thats my take :)
(http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv223/ta152h/IMG02383-20120620-1942.jpg)
There you go :)
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David,
I had wondered where you were hiding lately. At any rate excellent update my friend. The interiors all look great to date and I'm looking forward to seeing them with all the details included. Outstanding Trio .
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette
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Nice production line you've got going there David ;)
Andrew
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Update : washed with inks, some details painted.
(http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv223/ta152h/IMG02388-20120621-1537.jpg)
There you go :)
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David,
Excellent works my friend. Interesting seating arrangement Morane 'G' too.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette
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I think the seatbelts must be attached to the seat supports, at least, thats how I see it. I think I may have to respray a mist coat of sand yellow or similar to tone the inside down, but it looks ok closed up. Still needs petrol tank and other stuff inside.
Regards :)
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I can't imagine building four kits at once. I have a hard enough time dealing with one. Kudos to you!
Cheers,
Chris
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Nice work. The fleet build approach is something I would have trouble with....I have trouble with one....
Steve
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looking good david. did those engines and stuff get to you in one piece?
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Hello Scott!
Yes, they did and they're fabulous. The level of detail is stunning and I'll email you later today. Great to hear from you as well, you've probably been busier than me!
I'll go over the fuselages today with a coating of 'Klear', then I'll be able to add more detail and painting, start painting the engines and other assemblies, and close up the fuselages -once I do that I'll be quite pleased, the wings and tailplanes will be fun.
The vacs have been great fun (most of the time), although I'll be onto the injection kits after these vacs. Still got the Phonix D.I to detail as well, plus the injection SVA.5, which has just had the basic interior framework so far, as well as a rescribed cowling and louvres. I cut off the exhaust stubs and redrilled holes for brass tube exhausts, as well as chopping the lower wing from the portion that attaches under the fuselage which I then cut in half and re-attached (inverted) to fill up the gap, as well as plastic card spacers. Thats about as far as I've got.
Regards :)
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Pic updates. Coat of 'Klear', then black wash followed by yellow wash (heavier on the fabric-sided Morane 'G'), all washes acrylics. Starting to look better, in my opinion.
(http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv223/ta152h/IMG02406-20120623-1818.jpg)
(http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv223/ta152h/IMG02407-20120623-1820.jpg)
There you go :)
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David, have you been struck by lightning? Abducted by aliens? Sipped from the Fountain of Youth? What's gotten in to you, mate? Four absolutely gorgeous projects all going at the same time. It ain't natural. I'm not envious, I'm in awe.
Cheers,
Bud
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I'm just plodding along, thought I'd best get some work done on these :)
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David, I'm plodding along. You're meteoric!
Cheers,
Bud