My name is Mark. Thought I’d introduce myself, since I’ve been visitning this site without participating for several months. I have greatly benefitted from your combined ingenuity and skill, and I’m inspired by your great photos.
I’ve recently returned to modeling after about twenty years, and I’m hoping to scratch-build an airplane in 1/48 scale. I know, this is probably extremely ambitious for someone of my (limited) skill. But I picked up a book a few months ago called “Scratch-Built!” that explains how to do so, beginning from carving the form from wood, then proceeding to vacu-forming (or else casting) and ending with a plastic model that looks just like a purchased kit (hopefully). The results achieved by the authors, using many techniques described in these forums, are truly amazing. However, I’m no engineer, and many of their explanations are a bit vague.
I’m wondering if any of you guys have ever scratch-built an entire plane in plastic? If so, would you be interested in sharing ideas, progress, etc?
Hiya Mark, and first of all, welcome in here! I wish you the best in your project and I’m sure there will be of help around if you ever need it. I have scatchbuilt a large number of models, but it’s been mostly small scale AFVs. However, to my ‘credit’, I have a couple of scratchbuilt Aviatik D.I, a Fokker D.VIII, a 1/72 Ilya Murometz and the plane that appears in Mad Max 3, the Airtruck. I have also heavily modified a large number of kits to give them different appearances, my two main ‘coups’ being the Airbus A310 and the A300 Beluga built from the 1/200 Hasegawa A300…
I’d be happy to share ideas and tips. What have you got in mind???
I’m thinking of building the Corsair F4u-1 simply because it was the first model I built from a kit years ago. I’m trying to challenge myself by not using any purchased parts either in the construction or by creating templates from them. I do have Tamiya’s kit, which I’ll use only as a comparison to whatever I build.
I’m going to begin with the fuselage, either by carving the basic form and then vacu-forming or by resin-casting. I imagine there’re going to be difficulties a’plenty, but if you (or anyone else in the forum) is interested, I’ll try to post pics as I go. I’ll likely need much advice along the way.
hi mark[#welcome][wow]
big undertakeing that is an interesting start. and a big undertaking… keep us posted as I like to learn also. and again welcome you got all the tools here . These guys are great.
Glen S
[#welcome] Mark & [wow] is right…!!!
ambitious indeed…otta the gate & scratchbuilding…
i’ll venture into scratchbuilding components based on form, fit and function but, kitbashing is more my speed…
all the best to ya…[;)]
Mark, I can’t help but wonder why you’d want to scratchbuild a common subject in a common scale when there are plenty of really good kits to choose from.[%-)] You could use that time to fill a shelf with completed models rather than solving a contrived problem, and save the scratchbuilding for a subject where no kit exists.[dinner] That pesky time factor is the reason many of us will buy an entire $20 kit just for four machine guns or two engines (for example): it would take ten hours to scratchbuild those same parts, and the result would likely compare poorly with the scavenged parts.
Why not use the Tamiya kit as a pattern for, say, a 1/24 Corsair?
Unless you just have to do it. I can understand that.[8D]
Hi Mark! Welcome! I’m new too, but I didn’t have the kindness of introducing myself as you did. For that, I offer an apology to everyone! [] I quite frankly admire your courage to scratch build an entire airplane. I wonder why Corsairs attract scratchbuilders so much? I sometimes build a tractor, a ladder, tools, etc from scratch for simple dioramas, and here in Mexico where conversion kits are more difficult to get, or are too expensive you have to scratchbuild the parts you need. I’ts really time consuming, and not as easy as you first expect but definitely more enjoyable than sanding seams of a kit that doesn’t fit well in the first place. I wish you luck with your project, and I hope I can give you a good tip for it soon. Send photos if you can!
Hi Mark! Welcome! I’m new too, but I didn’t have the kindness of introducing myself as you did. For that, I offer an apology to everyone! [] I quite frankly admire your courage to scratch build an entire airplane. I wonder why Corsairs attract scratchbuilders so much? I sometimes build a tractor, a ladder, tools, etc from scratch for simple dioramas, and here in Mexico where conversion kits are more difficult to get, or are too expensive you have to scratchbuild the parts you need. I’ts really time consuming, and not as easy as you first expect but definitely more enjoyable than sanding seams of a kit that doesn’t fit well in the first place. I wish you luck with your project, and I hope I can give you a good tip for it soon. Send photos if you can!
Thanks again for the welcome and encouragement. I know, you guys, it is a daunting task. Scratchbuilding a Corsair, with many fine market kits is perhaps a litlle foolhardy. But, I’m telling you, you’ve gotta see the results that these scratch-builders acheived. For example, do a Google search for Dr. Frank Mitchell: his work was featured on one of the scale-modeling pages (can’t remember which one at the moment). Imagine the satisfaction!
Also, this can only improve my skills (unless it ends in utter frustration). I think, too, the project will give insight into how our purchased models are actually engineered, a subject I’ve always been curious about.
Yep, I’ve just got to do it. I sure will post pics as I go along. And will likely be relying on your sage advice.
Hi Mark- I am scratch building here as well. Never done it before. I am a sign painter, (yes we still paint!), and a year ago this guy calls me out of the blue and says his wife passed away and would I be interested in a sign making machine? I said “you bet”, even though I had no idea what he was talking about. When I went over there, (10 minutes later), here’s what he GAVE me-
The machine has a bed 30"X24" and works well. It has its own heat source and vacuum. It is a manufactured machine, although, I can’t find out who made it.
I was his last hope, he was taking it to the dump! He also gave me everything that went with it, all the tools plastic sheets, and a couple of thousand letters and hokey clip art. It used to make those old “Blister magnet” type signs that were popular in the 60’s and 70’s.
I have just started carving the blanks for my project. I am finding out that this is probably the most tedious part. The only way to learn to do this in my opinion, is to just do it, and work out the kinks as you go. AND…Stick To It! All’s I can do is screw it up, and have to start over.
I did check out Frank Mitchells stuff, if he can do that, so can I. Plus- I printed out his step by step, never hurts to learn from others.
Mark and Steve YOu guys have heart. Congrats. Let us see what you all are working on and good luck. keep us posted.
Nice vac machine Steve you have a gold mine there.
Glen S
That’s a great rig! It is a goldmine.
I’ve just set out to construct a home-made vacuum-former that goes in the oven. This is the really tedious part. I’m also starting to build the basswood profile for my corsair. You’re right, this is tedious, too. The fun is all in the details (yet to come).
[#welcome] to the Forums, markworthi and Jorch! Honestly,
I havn’t done that much scratchbuilding on my own (a few interior details here and there. Nothing major.), and I applaud you for wanting to try! I may have to get into some scratchbuilding for my next project, a German paper project, the Ju 290Z. (See sig) I’d like to convert the kit to the version shown in the sig by adding a new gondola, nose and tail turrets, and a ventral remote turret. We’ll see how that works out. Until then, best of luck to ya!
] I quite frankly admire your courage to scratch build an entire airplane. I wonder why Corsairs attract scratchbuilders so much? I sometimes build a tractor, a ladder, tools, etc from scratch for simple dioramas, and here in Mexico where conversion kits are more difficult to get, or are too expensive you have to scratchbuild the parts you need. I’ts really time consuming, and not as easy as you first expect but definitely more enjoyable than sanding seams of a kit that doesn’t fit well in the first place. I wish you luck with your project, and I hope I can give you a good tip for it soon. Send photos if you can!