Author Topic: "How to" base for a seaplane  (Read 1835 times)

Offline NP

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"How to" base for a seaplane
« on: November 15, 2014, 09:04:36 PM »

I saw this tip on you-tube some while ago.  Silicon sealant makes very nice sparkly water and by building up in successive layers can be moulded into waves, ripples, wakes etc.  I found I had these pictures from a base I made a while ago (some of you will have seen them before on another site)

First, I sprayed up a piece of hardboard (aka "masonite") with 3 different colours, green and blue.



Then just spread the sealant over - it naturally forms wavelets as you squeeze and draw it out, with a minimum of spreading about you can get this effect:



The spoon can be used for "patting" or drawing up the material to form peaks (splashes), etc.

Then I cut a hole for the models' hull, and added some more sealant to form a wake.  I sprinkled a few grains of salt into that too, to approximate foam.



And this is how it looks:





Offline Nigel Jackson

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Re: "How to" base for a seaplane
« Reply #1 on: November 15, 2014, 09:57:00 PM »
Oh that's really useful NP, thanks for the tutorial.

Best wishes
Nigel

Offline lcarroll

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Re: "How to" base for a seaplane
« Reply #2 on: November 16, 2014, 01:39:38 AM »
   So simple but very effective, NP. Thanks for sharing this, I'm going to add it to my "Tickle trunk"!
Cheers,
Lance

Offline Jamo

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Re: "How to" base for a seaplane
« Reply #3 on: November 16, 2014, 04:54:51 AM »
How sticky is the silicon after drying? Would you be able to brush off any dust?
Happy Modelling
James Fahey

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Offline Bluesfan

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Re: "How to" base for a seaplane
« Reply #4 on: November 16, 2014, 04:56:13 AM »
Thanks for this, really good to know, and to see it applied so effectively :)

Mark

Offline Des

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Re: "How to" base for a seaplane
« Reply #5 on: November 16, 2014, 06:26:10 AM »
Thanks very much Nigel for showing us your water technique, it is very effective.

Des.
Late Founder of ww1aircraftmodels.com and forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com

Offline NP

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Re: "How to" base for a seaplane
« Reply #6 on: November 16, 2014, 10:20:11 PM »
Hi Jamo, the silicon is not sticky at all when it sets.   You could simply put it under a tap and wash off any dust etc. Also, it cuts cleanly eg with an exacto knife. 

I have searched for the you tube video I saw and found it.  The stuff the guy here uses must have been slightly different to what I found at the local DIY store and used - I suspect mine was a more expensive type - as I see his went on "white" and turned transparent when it set, I think my stuff was more "rubbery" and less creamy than his appears to be, the end result is the same though.  As he says, a tube of (silicon) sealant should be much cheaper than buying a "water effect" modelling product.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFOpc8Q6a7M&spfreload=10

Offline compressor man

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Re: "How to" base for a seaplane
« Reply #7 on: November 16, 2014, 11:10:32 PM »
If it went on white and then became clear as it dried then it was likely clear caulk. And yes caulk is much, much more creamy and less sticky than silicone. On a side note, you can spray wd-40 on already applied (but undried) silicone and it can be shaped easily. The wd-40 partially dissolves it and stops it from sticking to the shaping tool.

Chris

Offline lone modeller

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Re: "How to" base for a seaplane
« Reply #8 on: November 19, 2014, 04:55:39 AM »
What a simple but effective idea. Thanks for showing us - one to add to the ideas section of my notes.

Offline stefanbuss

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Re: "How to" base for a seaplane
« Reply #9 on: November 19, 2014, 05:18:21 AM »
And it comes very handy for this year's WNW christmas release, of course.

Stefan

Offline kornbeef

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Re: "How to" base for a seaplane
« Reply #10 on: November 19, 2014, 08:12:04 AM »
And it comes very handy for this year's WNW christmas release, of course.

Stefan

Oh yes indeed  ;)
Never too old to learn sumfink noo