Mounting Idea........ ?

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

I just recently obtained one of the old Aurora 1/72 Aero Commander kits via e-bay…
http://gunsagogo.org/auroracommander.jpg

…and after looking through it, I keep leaning toward a kit bash diorama of Bob Hoover’s “Shrike”, doing an engine out low pass, trailing smoke…

…and using that smoke to conceal the mounting wires, which would be attached to the side of the case… probably have a background image on the mounting wall with the trailing smoke over some related scenery…?

What do you all think?

Take care,
Frank

2

I think it is a great idea. How are you going to do the speed blur??

I’m sure it will end up looking very cool. Will the nonmounting and nonscenery walls be glass?
Leon

3

Looks like a pretty good idea to me.

4

Fantastic idea, Frank! Just please share with us the pics of your masterpiece when it’s done [8D][^]

5

Leon wrote:
How are you going to do the speed blur??

I’m experimenting with in-motion static display techniques, the idea’s from the forum helped when I did the initital test…

When you look at some pictures of race cars in motion, everything’s blurred but the car body itself… so, I painted the raised letters/wheels, track & wall with what I call “Tracer Strokes” (achieved with the airbrush), and used a background (fan) image from a magazine for additional effect. The results amazed me, so I thought I’d like to try it on a unique subject, like Bob Hoover! [:)]

Leon also wrote:
Will the nonmounting and nonscenery walls be glass?

Yes, it will be contained within one of those IMEX display cases.

Thanks Ping!

Thanks onyan!

Frank

6

Looks cool…

I assume you’re going to be using acrylic (plexiglas) for the case cuz it’s pretty hard to drill through glass… have you considered using acrylic rod bonded to one of the walls to support the plane rather than coat hangers?

What software did you use for your illustration?

7

That’s an awesome idea!!

As I was reading your description, I thought about a few other similar things I’ve seen. One of the ones that came to mind was the #12 stock car you posted. I think that was posted here before?? (am I losing it?)

I’ve also seen something similar with a F1 car and a motorbike. The motorbike was cool because the spokes were removed so it looked like the wheels were in motion. Pretty clever…

I also read somewhere about someone who had an idea to do a mid-air refueling scene with the refueling plane being suspended in mid-air by the refueling boom/hose. That one has always stuck in my head, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen it…

Good luck!!

Murray

Goodluck!

8

Thanks ck,

Yes, I meant an acrylic display case when I said ‘glass’ [:)]

With it being 1/72 scale, there is a size/strength issue when it comes to the mounting mechinism, so I’ve experimented with coat hanger sections, with smaller diameter copper wire being soldered on the end of the hanger where the plane will be attached, which reduces the size of the contact point/s. Anyhow, I airbrushed the hanger and copper wire various pastel shades… when splotched with whiff’s of angel hair and highlited, the wire just meshes in with the smoke affect.

There will be a background image on the interior mounting wall, so the support arms of the coat hanger (contrails) will seem to mesh right into the background image, but more importantly, they will provide better strength and security to the model. (hmmm… maybe some stiff steel wire, like the gear struts on those old .10 cent balsa rubberband planes???)[:0]

I use MGI PhotoSuite to do the illustrations. [:)]

Take care,
Frank

9

Hi Murry,

Yes, I posted the #12 back when I built it, so you’re not loosing it. [:)]

I’d like to see the motorbike thing… it’s a fascinating subject for sure!

Take care,
Frank

10

that sounds like a great idea. after your done do a write up on it. i think there are many who would love to try this. i know i would.

joe

11

Zounds, what an ambitious project !! How would you simulate the smoke ? Most attempts at modeling smoke that I’ve seen weren’t that convincing. Hope you pull it off & post some pics.

Regards, Rick

12

Looks like a great idea. I had forgotten that a/c, though I don’t know how I could have forgotten it, having seen it perform. One year at the CAF airshow in Harlingen, TX, I saw this Aerocommander taxiing out during the aerobatic demonstration part of the show, and I almost went back inside. I mean, what could a pilot possibly do with that trash hauler after we’d seen F-16, F-18 and every other type of aerobatic routine that day? But I stayed. And I shall not forget that deadstick landing coming out of a full loop, then rolling all the way up to crowd center before Hoover jumped out and took a bow.
What a showman! What a pilot!

13

Incredible idea friend!!..Man I would like to see that one finished!! I really like you examples of the “blurring” effect . I understand how you did it on the tires,but how did you do it with the crowd? Did you take colors of their clothing and blur them?

14

Sounds like a good idea to me, Frank ! It would definately make building the old Aurora kit worthwile.
Looking forward to it !

15

I think that’s a sweet idea!!! I can’t wait to see it when it’s done!!!

Not to ask a stupid question… but having never seen this particular a/c perform… is this the Bob Hoover that is friend and fellow test pilot to Chuck Yeager? Regardless… this will be a show stopper!

16

Thanks Joe, Rick, sharkskin, A68Trans-AmMustang, Pix, and Adam! [:)]

Joe: Thanks, will do. Things like this could generate a bit more “stare time” at a diorama, and some planes just look better in action. [:)]

Rick; I’m experimenting with a couple methods right now. I too have been dismayed at some of the simulated smoke I’ve seen, and would like to replicate the little puffs, instead of just the long strands of angel hair material. Open to idea’s on this subject! [;)]

sharkskin: Yes, anyone who was privileged to see Bob take his Shrike though it’s paces, will never forget it.

A68Trans-AmMustang: For the fans, I used a picture from a racing magazine, affixing it to the back inside wall of the display box, behind the wall.

Pix: Will update as this materializes. I’m still focusing most of my attention on making realistic smoke, as this will be the weak-link in the display. (any idea’s?)

Adam: Yes, it’s the same Bob Hoover. If the phrase “The Right Stuff” were to appear in an encyclopedia, a picture of Yeager & Hoover would surely follow.

I was fortunate enough to get to see Bob perform in his yellow P-51 and his Shrike at Oshkosh, and the engine-out routines were breath taking! I saw a video clip on a documentary one time, taken from the front right cabin seat into the cockpit of the Shrike, of Bob pouring a glass of ice tea while executing a barrel role… you can see the earth rotating out the front window.

Take care,
Frank