Here is some pictures. The last ones are where I was this weekend in terms of progress
Wow, that is outstanding!
Is the whole shell of the 'copter carved from balsa? I mean, the nose, bottom, top, tail, and framing? I’m impressed at your results.
Regards,
brad
Hey brad,
Yes EVERYTHING is balsa. Even the skids! I started by cutting a lengthwise frame off 2mm thick balsa of the side view of the machine. Cut out the openings for the cabin and main transmission. Then I cut waffers of balsa of the profile at that station as seen from the front and top. Glued these to the lenghtwise frame at the appropriate spots.
Then I filled up the spaces between the waffers with rough pieces of balsa. Then spent few hours (phew) carving and sanding until the shape came to live. Then I filled up any small imperfections with spot filler (body puty). Then covered that with two layers of resin. Lots of sanding and a coat of actual aircraft primer.
I m busy making the doors next. Will show you the weekend what that comes to. I have already made the interionr paneling and carpets. Hope it works. I basically found some old shirts that has the correct grain pattern. Dye one set cream and the other one dark grey with water color paint. Dryed it and iron it for bout an hour while spraying starch on it. so now its stiff ;like plastic but with a scale matching grain to it.
I still have no idea of what color or pattern to spray the exterior as I work on helicopters I see alot of them and one thing most of them has incomen is that they are painted very very BORING. I want it ot pop but at the same time be stunning but not American Chopper (If you get my meaning).
Damm thats a lot! Sorry if I was rambling! Its a real passion of mine and I am VERY proud of her! Never thought my first would come out like this!!!
anyway please feel free to give advise or critique! Paint scheme? I would love to communicate with you more. If you want you can mail me at tvniekerk@hotmail.com. Anyone can!
Regards
Theo
Sure they would be welcome.
There is a member who goes by the user name Solid, that does some really nice wood models. I know he has been trying to work up interest and a forum for wood model building.
Here are a few of his posts
/forums/p/77046/758490.aspx#758490
/forums/p/79731/780850.aspx#780850
/forums/p/80500/787734.aspx#787734
He has done a lots more, these were just the first couple I found with a search.
Very impressive, Theo! And you’re helping me think about the project I want to carve.
As far as a paint scheme goes, how about a rescue vehicle? I seem to recall seeing either Swiss or German choppers used in Alpine rescue and recovery that had some bright schemes, like yellow with markings.
Regards,
Brad
Why dont we start a forum? I showed my uncompleted model to a couple of people today! WOW what a response. I even got offered an insane amount of money for it when its done as well got a few orders at a very good price! Never thought my hobby could be so populor!
That chopper is a great piece of work. And probably “greener” than using plastic shiopped to us from who-knows-where! (Well, untill you break out the spray lacquer anyway!!!) I’ve got a couple of kits on the go right now, but at some point in the near future I am hoping to scratchbuild one of the WW2-era Horten flying wings using balsa or something similar, finishing with plastic parts from the spares box. As somebody mentioned earlier, I could try to vac-form something… but if I’m only going to build one, why not just use that “master” as the actual model.
I’ll keep an eye out for anyone posting wooden builds, I may pick up a thing or two!
…and the Baron may be on to something. Canadian SAR helos are brightly coloured too, mostly yellow with some red. Not sure if your type is in their inventory though:
Wow I completely forgot that I made this post[:S]. I guess as I get into fall 2011 is as good a time as any to move forward. There are 27 replies and one fellow who made a Bell 206 that is a cut above my work[:'(]. That litte model must have taken 100’s of hours to create??? Could somebody help me with posting my photos? Thanks for the intrest and I think this winter will be great for our hobby[;)]
I suppose if I’m trying to impress afew modelers this one might do. There isn’t much to scratch building other than a set of line drawings and refrence photos. I began building my own 15 years ago as I couldn’t find good models of this subject and I have an extencive wood shop. For me this model is very easy to fabricate and could be completed in a couple of weekends. I use a scrollsaw to make the parts and motor tool to carve contours. Waterbased Acrylic will finish the model. I hope you enjoy and have questions. Alph AKA ArtworksIII
Looks good Art. Here’s my feeble attempt:
You have at least one guy interested here.
Your work seems familiar? Do you like model making? I mainly do civilian corperate airambulances and rare large model.
These were done for our local medical program. Wish I had more orders that 2 this year.[:D] I always have one sitting around incase.
These are test modles I want to re visit this winter but sometimes ther is anoth model to do as well.
Does anyone have an idea whare I can find a good page on the spitfire float plane? The line drawings were found in and old book of plans I found years ago. I suppose in a pinch I could refer to the typicalphotos of a spitfire[:D]
Of course it is a wonderful way to build models where you get the full credit for everything you build and not just assemble and paint according to printed instructions.
I started off in my younger days in school with thermocol or expanded polystyrene carved out with a razor blade and had a whole fleet of airliners and a mini airport too!!! Had a lot of cuts on my fingers due to using an open razor blade with no handle but then I was only a beginner with no instructions or help from anyone. No, not even popular magazines to guide me but just three view drawings from Flight International Magazine that helped me a lot in those days (late 1970’s).
Then I progressed to hard wood like Teak for making models using a hacksaw and rough and fine wood files to give the models the final shape. I used to use fillers for some sections that were difficult to carve out like pointed noses using sawdust mixed with Araldite (resin and hardener) or Fevicol (wood glue) adhesive to give a fine and smooth finish to delicate sections like the nose of the fighter aircraft with a metal pin embedded in it to make the antenna for some models. I also used thin plywood or veneer sheets for the wings and sometimes used thin aluminium sheets for wings and other moving surfaces too.
Then I moved on to thin plastic / acrylic sheets with wooden molds for making some parts like cowlings and wheels (in half sections joined together) by heating the plastic slightly before pressing it over the male mold to get the shapes required and then filing or cutting them off to get the final accurate shapes.
Finally I progressed to what I love doing best … using thin and thick ivory paper card to build the models and that really gives me a high when I finish my models. Using scale plans in either 1/72 and 1/48 from scale modelling magazines or some books is the way I make the models without any instructions using my own ideas about how to build them using techniques that include building the structure as it is actually built with ribs and spars in the wings, bulkheads in the fuselage with some stringers to make it look realistic if one were to cut it open or see inside the model too. I also try to make the cockpit as close to reality with the meagre resources I have at my disposal using ball point pen tips to etch out the ribs where there are too many to actually make inside a small wing on small size models, use a lot of indigenous plastic parts like cut plastic ball point refill sections for some parts like cockpit gauges, etc.
It takes a lot of time to build some of them and sometimes my models are lying around for months without any progress at all as I work on them only when I am in the mood to do so!!! I do build or rather assemble plastic aircraft kits too but they never give me the same satisfaction that I get from scratch-building my paper card models!!!
Cheers,
Aadil.
Mumbai, India.
There were quite a few different models of the Spitfire float planes so you will need to be specific about which plans you have. If you are not making very detailed models then I suppose you could use any one of them and they would all appear to be the same if seen from far.
Cheers,
Aadil.
Hello Aadil,
India is where many “Supurb” hand crafted models are made.I understand they have been since the 40’s I enjoy hand crafting, as many times I am the only one who has a particular size of model. My models are built up in a matter of 4 hours once the templates are made. And yes I have one model that is sitting waiting. Some one mentioned we should open a forum. “Sure” There are plenty of reasons to cross over to hand crafting the biggest is cost per unit. I build a model kit for $3.00 dollars and can sell it for $$25.00 Really it is as captivating as the modelers enjoy from a box. Both have their place in the glorious hobby we call scale modeling.[:)]
Aadil.
The model you see is one that I was inspired to create from what I see. The wings are short stubby the pontoons are a recent design use on the Airtractor Fireboss so pretty much the model spifire is kitbashed. As you said these models owe themselves to their builders. You’ll see this in my work as time goes on.
Plastic is a crutch for people who can’t cope with maple (and mahogany & …).
Hi Tom, I don’t sweat spelling as I’m just a hobiest,and while I’m more intrested in seeing the offerings from everybody on this forum my spelling is worst when excited I feel… Do You Carve civilian aircraft or what?