Hi again all,
Thanks again for the kind words. I'm realizing I should have posted this in the 'Under Construction' section. Anyway, just wanting to share some of the progress we're making with our 3d British bomb bonanza. We had to take a break because the weather was too cold for the printer in my bro's garage. I've learned the basic lesson that despite a design's accuracy, one has to compromise to get it to physically produce correctly. This means having to exaggerate some smaller elements in 1/72 scale. For example, the carrying handles on these 20lb Hales bombs won't print consistently because their soooo micro thin. This photo shows a batch that only partially produced (painted with lacquer, btw). Other times the ring handles do fully form:
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In contrast, we've resolved the print process on the 520lb bomb, with the ring fin, arming vane and hollow lugs all properly formed. Added the rivet and filling plug details. Threw in the penny for scale:
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Our first draft of the 100lb bomb printed rather well. We were able to capture all the rivets and fin-stiffening stays. Just need to add the lug and this one is good to go.
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We've tidied up our design on the 18in. aerial torpedo, adding the L-brackets, connecting bolt-holes and access holes. But, the images show how our current method of printing it leaves a 'grain' effect on the surface, and the midsection's front fitting is not as crisp as it should be. However, we have sorted out how to print the propeller blades using extra supports (see 2nd and 4th sprues) so they don't delaminate during the curing process.
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My print of the 50lb bomb totally failed, but the wee 16lb was a success, just like the one in this familiar photo:
Based on all the requests, we would like to make these available to the forum. Once we've perfected this batch, we should be able to scale up to 1/48 and 1/32. Cheers!
