Hello, new user here, long time modeler.
I’m almost set up to do some short run kits (using vacum molding and resin casting), mainly in 1/72 scale aircraft. I figured if I was going to make something, I would make several and offer them for sale. Does anybody have any requests or any ideas on what I might make?
One of the first kits I’m planning to set up to produce is the U-2, though I’m not sure which version I’ll start with.
Kent
How about a Nieuport 12?
Lots of information here:
http://mars.ark.com/~mdf/N_12.html
http://mars.ark.com/~mdf/N_12d.html
Regards,
-Drew
Okay, that looks interesting. What scale would you like it in?
Oh, and thanks for the input.
Kent
Hi Kent!
1/72 scale would be good. How are you planning on producing the models? I understand that a lot of folks make forms with balsa wood. I know there are aftermarket engines, guns, and even strut material available that would probably be appropriate for this subject, but I don’t have any experience with them.
Regards,
-Drew
Mmmm… Tupolev Tu-144D (1/200 rr even 1/144)… Dassault Rafale (1/32)
I’m building the works to do vacuforming right now, and experimenting with resin. I’m already quite experienced with working in wood, clay, and metal, so I have quite a few options there. I’m planning on short runs at first, perhaps only 2-3 of each, but I also plan to store all my forms so I can pull them to fufill any requests.
Thanks for the input! I’ll add the Tupolev Tu-144D to the list, along with the 1/32 Dassault Rafale and the Nieuport 12 in 1/72.
As an aside, I’m presently building: (all in 1/72 unless otherwise stated) a FW-189, a Me 262, a Hawker Hurricane, a Supermarine Spitfire, a AH-64 Apache (in 1/48), and a T-26.
Kent
Bt-13 in 1/48 would be sweet especially since there isnt any available in that scale.
Hi Kent, how about a two seat A10 thunderbolt? maybe a conversion kit would be an option for this one. and some experimental aircraft like the lifting body series that NASA was testing. cheers. Greg
How about working your way in 1/144 through all the various military versions of the Boeing 707 family. That should keep you busy for a decade or two 
Seriously, it would be great to have a MK.32 Sabre in 1/72 or 1/48 without needing conversion kits to do it right.
The Hawker Hunter T.MK.8M, thats the Royal Navy Hunter trainer with the Sea Harrier FRS.1 nose on it, would also be great in 1/72 or 1/48
Hi Kent,
You know, now that you posted here, you’ll have to keep up updated, right? [:)] Let me know if you need help with additional research. I may be able to scrounge some stuff up.
Regards,
-Drew
Work proceeds on the 1/144 TU-144 SST, and I have also started work on the 1/48 F-101 Voodoo. I’ve taken on some temporary employment, so that has slowed me down a bit, but I should have something to show soon.
Kent White [8]
That sounds great Kent, i’ll look forward to seeing the TU144 (and hopefully building one). are you doing decals with it? alo what other kits do you have in the pipeline?or on’t you want to let your secret projects out?LoL. if you plan on doing some large aircraft how about doing the DC9 and Boeing 737 in 1/72. the military versions would probably be welcomed by quite a few of the members here and so would the civilian versions too. cheers. also another sugestion, how about a 1/32 scale dehavilland chipmunk?, i’d have a go at that one [:D] Greg
A kit I would like to see out, is a 1/48th FW-200 Condor, and maybe a 1/35th Marine CH-46. With Trumpeter releasing 1/24th WW-II aircrafts, is there a chance we would see a ME-262 in that scale in the future? It would be awesome!
Scott
I like the NASA lifting body idea…maybe even some of the other X -“Planes” like the X-37, X-38, X-43… etc. Of course I would be interested in some of the UAVs out there. Not a lot of kits for Predators or Global Hawks…and maybe the Beoing “Bird of Prey”, that would be cool!
Well, I finally have some stuff to work with on the TU-144-a fairly good 3-view drawing that needs clean up and a 1/360 scale kit. The kit is simple and straighforward, the fun part is going to be adding the detail when I scale it up. I also got a 1/72 U-2 vacuform kit that I will probably clean up and make also…it is sooo hard to resist the urge to build it, though. I may have to take Greger’s suggestion and build a DeHavilland Chipmunk, that is one of my favorite planes.
The Me-262 would be an interesting project; that scale would indeed make it awesome. The lifting body planes are not that hard to make given the basic shape, and I already have dimensioned drawings for most of them. I just have to find the time to work on them. 
I saw a kit for the Predator UAV recently at Hobbytown (in Macon, I think). Probably need to have one available with the Hellfire missles mounted, eh? 
Kent
Hi Kent, i have a copy of the pilots notes with cockpit photos in for the chipmunk, (plus some flight time in them)and also i have some photo’s of them so if theres any info that you need just let me know and i’ll see what i can do. the biggest chippie that has been done as far as i know is the 1/48th vacform by aeroclub. maybe a look at one of those would help in producing the kit. cheers. Greg
Kent,
If you’re looking for additional references, there’s a 1/144 kit of the TU-144 as well. Here’s a link:
http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/Gal2/1501-1600/Gal1565_Tu-114_Bigey/gal1565.htm
Any progress on the Nieuport 12?
Regards,
-Drew
Nieuport 12 is in the stack of files to convert in to DWG files to be reworked in AutoCad.
Kent
Cool!
If you’re looking for something really odd, try scratchbuilding a IA-24 Calquin (argentine “version” of the DH Mosquito) or a IA-30 “Ñamcu” (local flavor of the DH Hornet), in the scale of your choice (1/48 would be ideal, I prefer 1/72).
I really don’t have sources for plans, try to contact Lockeed-Martin argentina branch (ex-“Fabrica Militar de AViones” - Argentina’s Military Airctaft Factory).
Good luck and happy 2004.
Diego.