For many years I had hoped to get this beautiful plane from Wingnut Wings as a kit.
I am not a resin fan, I also have no idea how to glue or process the material on a complete model (OK, not quite right, smaller parts or the wonderful resin engines from Taurus I have already built).
Will the wings hold, do the fuselage - and/or wings twist or bend over the years?
I don't know, I have no experience with this, but I will definitely get this model as soon as it is available.
Many thanks to Lukgraph!
Servus
Bertl
Hi Bertl,
Many modellers are put off building resin models, I think primarily because of the cost of the kits and the resin itself.
It is a different approach to modelling resin instead of the usual styrene.
Resin dust is harmful, so you need to keep your working area clean. Avoid creating resin dust.
Resin can only be built using CA adhesive (Superglue). Normal styrene cements will not work as they can't melt and weld the resin to achieve a good bond.
CA adhesive is a strong bond, but is liable to break away if the parts are subjected to shock loading.
Also CA adhesive may become brittle in time, especially if subjected to ultra-violet light for long periods.
No matter if the model is made by a small 'garage' company or a large well know company, you may find some of the following in your kit:
Resin mould 'flash' around parts, especially small or delicate parts - this has to be removed.
Fragile resin parts are very brittle and easy to break, so care must be taken when handling these parts.
The better kits have metal reinforcing inside parts, such as the wing or undercarriage struts and in the wings themselves. Sometimes these are not aligned correctly making the parts difficult to
join.
Surface imperfections, such as mould marks, air 'blow' pits or imperfect moulded parts (short shots) may be found.
Larger parts, like wings, which are usually moulded as solid parts, can be found to warped to some degree.
Mould release agent on parts is more common for resin kits than for styrene kits and this needs to be washed off.
Despite this, warped parts can be straightened and surface imperfections filled and sanded
I have read of some modellers saying that after time, their models show signs of warp etc.
Personally I have never had this on my models.
I have built several resin models:
HPH Models - Macchi M.5
Planet Models - DFW T.28 'Floh'
Lukgraph Models - Ansaldo 'Baby'
HPH Models - Aviatic 'Berg' D.1
Planet Models - Port Victoria PV.7 'Kitten'
I have found that all can be built, although some of the list above were found on some of these models.
I have also found it best to add extra or replacement rods of metal to better support large, heavier parts, such the wings.
Despite all of this, resin models can be built to a reasonable standard and they do tend to cover the more unusual subjects.
If it might help, download the detailed build logs from my site for the above aircraft (click the PDF icons).
Mike
