Quote:
Originally Posted by Dadhawk
Great stuff! Makes me want to get back into modeling.
Next step, you need a 3D printer to create some of your custom parts, and to suck up the last remaining bit of free time you have.
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A 3D printer to make those wing folds would have been wonderful. Each one of those teeth on the hinge points had to be rounded and cut separately then attempt to glue them evenly spaces so they would interweave with each other. Considering they are only 3/8 of an inch long it was very fiddley and tie consuming. I also spent hours digging through my spare parts boxes for just a couple of components that I didn't want to make from scratch. The release/lock indicator levers with the small rings at the end at the top (actually it is the underside) of the wing were from a mine clearing device from a tank and the box with cables at the very top are sections cut out of a F-4's landing gear. All in all there are about 30 separate, very tiny parts in each wing. With a 3D printer I could have just converted over the few pictures there are and made it all in one section. The other nice part is that there is a huge aftermarket fo such cottage industry model modding parts. With a 3D printer I could make the wing/tail fold mechs and storage carriage, sell them as a set and probably get $50 or so each.
