My 1st time

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

This is the first vac-form model I have attempted to build. This was the simplest and cheapest kit I came across to venture into this form of modeling. I have a couple projects in the stash that I want to look good, so weren’t the kits I needed to begin with (the only B-18 and C-117/Super DC-3 kits I could find are in vac!).

Any beginner’s tips would be welcome and helpful.

The Execuform 1/72 Vultee V-1A

2

deattilio

Congratulations on trying to build a vacumform (VF) model. You have started with the right approach to cutting out the parts. You will need to sand or cutoff all the extra material to get the correct part sizes. However, I have had a great deal of experience in building VFs and the Executive kits are very difficult and not one I would recommend for a beginner. Part fits are usually rough and you will need spars and internal bulkheads to develop a strong assembly. I would recommend that you scribe all the parts before assemblig them as it becomes difficult to work on the assembled sections. You probably would find it easier to build the C-117 kit since it uses parts from a basic DC-3/C-47 kit. If you need any specific VF building comments write me direct.

Richard

3

It looks like you are on the right track. Keep us posted on how the build goes.

4

Just a few tips from what I’ve picked up-

  • Bulkheads and (especially) wing spars are a must. I try to make them out of sheet plastic and glue them in with simple model cement instead of superglue. Cement has a bit more “give” to it before the joint snaps, and let’s you play around with the positioning before it breaks.
  • If you have a really large piece of flat sandpaper, it really helps in getting a flat edge around the entire perimiter of a piece. If you don’t get this flat edge, prepare for quite a bit of filling and sanding.
  • This is probably not something people mention too often, but then putting large pieces together (mostly the fuselage), glue small tabs made from scrap plastic onto the insides of BOTH pieces. If the two tabs are close enough together (but not so close they interfere with each other) they will “pull” the fuselage halves almost exactly level, eliminating your biggest problem with vac kit seams, that of a step (where one side is higher than the other).

These are just a few tips to get you going. If you have any more specific questions along the course of the build, simply give us a head’s up. Good luck with the kit. Vacuforms can be frusturating, but very rewarding. Just stick with it, and you just may suprise yourself.

5

I second the good suggestions above. Plus here’s a couple of links with ideas:

http://www.aeroclub-models.com/files/VacForm.pdf

http://www.donsmodelworks.com/reference.htm

And if you have questions, let us know - there’s a few of us that hang out here that build vac kits and would be happy to offer tips and suggestions.

Bruce

6

Thanks for the tips, I’m putting them to use and making progress on the kit. Kind of a frustrating project, I take more breaks than on my regular kits. I enjoy it though, as my favorite part of the build is usually the putting together and forming shaping sanding part, motivation peters out at the paint stage.

I’ve gone through and made four full views (top bottom port starboard) from the quarter views provided (Photoshop rules!!!). Now have a decent template when its time to scribe panel lines.

Anyway, is there an easy or cheat method to build those bulkheads and wingspars? The instructions provide no templates.

7

See if you can find a contour gauge at a hardware store or a biglots. A contour gauge is a tool that is made up of a bunch of small metal rods held side by side using another metal rod contraption and is used to replicate the contour of an item to transfer it to paper pictures say a thousand words

http://www.acehardware.com/sm-general-and-reg-contour-gauge-837--pi-1292852.html

http://www.constantines.com/browseproducts/Contour-Gauge.html

http://www.rc-airplane-advisor.com/contour-gauge.html

the end reult might take just a touch of trimming but will be well within the ballpark alot quicker than eyeballing it

8

That is a cool little tool, thanks. Amazing how many tools I have on the bench that won’t be found at the LHS.

Will be off to the stores. Time to test the restraint of only buying what I went there for, again.