[:0] The latest FSM Issue covering Kit Releases states Sanger Engineering will release a 1/48 vacuume-form kit in Jul. [party]I have never built a Vac. kit but being a big Buff fan will give it a try[:D][:D][:D] Fitz.
when oh when are they ever going to release a Injection molded 1/48 scale B-52.
1/48!!! Dude- I hope you have a big garage to park it. Should be interesting being a vacuform. Could be good or could be nasty.
RATS !!! A vacuform kit !!! I agree with mikeym on an injection mold. When are they going to release that ?
[soapbox]
What’s vacumform compared to injection molded.
More of a challenge. I’ve got two boxes full of vacuforms that I’m procrastinating to start. Just think of trying to build a model airplane from egg shells.
Hmph. My house ain’t big enough, and I personally don’t go for vacs…
Unfortunately, Sanger has been showing the Buff as “coming soon” for a loooong time. I don’t think he’s released the B-47 yet, either. It would be really cool to have one of each! Vac’s aren’t too hard to build. You usually have to so some scratchbuilding, but a lot of times they’re the only game in town. I’ve never built a Sanger kit myself, but I’ve read that they require quite a bit more scratchbuilding and general work than a Dynavector or Falcon kit.
Cheers!
Ben
Something the size of a BUFF in 1/48 vacuform is going to require using sheets of plastic almost as thick as injection molded parts, especially in the wings. There will have to be a lot of spars, ribs, longerons and bulkheads in that beast, whether they are part of the kit or scratch built. There will need to be some white metal landing gear and a hefty support structure for it.
If a kit manufacturer is going to go to all that much trouble, they might as well make the thing injection molded to start with. I would love to have one of those, but I don’t think I will tangle with a vacufrom version.
Darwin, O.F. [alien]
Darwin just took all the words out of my mouth (and you all know how hard that is to do). The first thing I thought of was all the huge bulkheads, shims and spars that would have to be fashioned from plywood, aluminum pipe and lord knows what else. But, I’d still tackle the smaller B-47 if it was a decent kit. But I’ve seen the catalogue. I wasn’t that impressed with what was there (I wanted a 1/48 Vulcan) and I can’t afford anything in it anyway.
As to those people still intimidated by vac-form kits or conversions, or who don’t think they look as good as injection molded stuff, get one of Koster’s less expensive kits to start with (none of his are too expensive, especialy considering all the resin, white metal, PE, and decals he includes). You will wonder where these things have been all your life.
The sad fact is, everyone with a big enough vacuum forming machine wants to make money with it and there’s a whole lot of VF crap out there. You just have to know where to shop and for what brands. I mean, if you’re going to build, say, a 1/48 F-8 Crusader, you don’t got down to the LHS and buy the Lindberg kit. You get Hasegawa or Monogram. It’s the same with vac-forms. There’s no mystery, no special modeling talent required.
TOM
Man!!
a 1/48 B-52…that would be huge! In 1/48 scale you’d have a wingspan of 46"!!!
Almost 4 feet…my workbench isn’t big enough…maybe I’d have to build it out in the garage.
If I tried it, I’m pretty sure my wife would have me committed in the local looney bin.
Regards, Rick