Plastic Modeling

[Tcoat]

OK so now that the pictures are sorted out.
There are very few pictures of the wing fold mech and the few there are show it all disassembled. I made up what I could based on the pictures but it is probably about 30% accurate and 70% "well that looks right".





Also added sections for the tail fold parts.


Canopy is one solid section


So I cut out the front cockpit part so I could open it. Forgot to take a picture but it is the part behind the windscreen that has green around it (rolled up masking tape to seal the openings and hold it in place for painting. I then masked the many many glass sections with bare metal foil. It is a thin foil with an adhesive on it.


So all ready for paint.


But...



I ordered the Zero kit for the figures (impatient ichi second from right)


and it arrived yesterday.



It is supposed to be one of the very best aircraft kits ever made and looks like a fast and easy build.




And since it has to be the exact same colours as the Seiran I figured I may as well throw it together and paint both at once.
Besides I need a break from scratch building and am waiting on some materials anyway.

[soundman98]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

I will just have to do all my updates from home I guess. Shame since Google photos is really easy to use and share.

it is until it isn't. google isn't exactly consistent with their program rules.

Dear Google User,
We are writing to let you know that we recently announced new storage policies for Google Accounts using Gmail, Google Drive (including Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drawings, Forms, and Jamboard files) and/or Google Photos that bring us in line with industry practices. Since you have previously used one or more of these products in your Google Account storage, we wanted to tell you about the new policies well before they go into effect on June 1, 2021. Below is a summary of the new policies. Please reference our Help Center article for a complete list of what's changing.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

How about now?

Good on this one, home and work.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

OK so now that the pictures are sorted out.

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.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

Good on this one, home and work.

Yep. Oddly enough this works for me at work as well. Considering that it is from Flickr I would expect it to be blocked.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Yep. Oddly enough this works for me at work as well. Considering that it is from Flickr I would expect it to be blocked.

I believe it is because FLICKR is typically categorized as a "photo search and images" site not a file sharing site.

[Tcoat]

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.

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.

[Spuds]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

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.

The problem with a 3d printer is it is harder to produce the digital model accurately without the physical references such as the wing profile being available to check how it fits. So you have to wait for the print to complete (if it does so successfully, which is it's own learning curve) before you know if it fits and looks right in the physical model. Definitely worth it if you are going to make a few sets, but probably not going to save much time for the first take.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Spuds

The problem with a 3d printer is it is harder to produce the digital model accurately without the physical references such as the wing profile being available to check how it fits. So you have to wait for the print to complete (if it does so successfully, which is it's own learning curve) before you know if it fits and looks right in the physical model. Definitely worth it if you are going to make a few sets, but probably not going to save much time for the first take.

Took much test fitting and trimming to get the inserts to fit right anyway so getting the data really wouldn't be much worse.
Doesn't matter since I doubt I will ever get one anyway.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Spuds

So you have to wait for the print to complete (if it does so successfully, which is it's own learning curve) before you know if it fits and looks right in the physical model. Definitely worth it if you are going to make a few sets, but probably not going to save much time for the first take.

The good news is the parts are small so the print time wouldn't be long (relatively speaking). But, you are correct, steep learning curve in both design and successful print.

My son has a relatively low end printer (a MonoPrice one, don't remember the model number) and we've done a few straight-from-the-web prints and a few custom designed ones, mostly D&D related, and each is a challenge.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

The good news is the parts are small so the print time wouldn't be long (relatively speaking). But, you are correct, steep learning curve in both design and successful print.

My son has a relatively low end printer (a MonoPrice one, don't remember the model number) and we've done a few straight-from-the-web prints and a few custom designed ones, mostly D&D related, and each is a challenge.

The nice part is I have access to some excellent CAD guys that would totally love little projects like this. I would pretty much just have to give them some pictures and base measurements and they would have drawing to me in hours.

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Also read that resin 3d printed parts shrink in the UV curing stage, so you have to factor that in the scale and design. Major props to those who 3D print their own stuff successfully.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Kaotic Lazagna

Also read that resin 3d printed parts shrink in the UV curing stage, so you have to factor that in the scale and design. Major props to those who 3D print their own stuff successfully.

Well my homemade ones may fall apart but they won't shrink.

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Lol