P-61 Black Widow 1/48 Monogram

TomZ2 · November 20, 2012, 8:37pm

Back on 05-08-2003 4:50 PM (yes, 2003!)

QUOTE: Originally posted by Aurora-7

I want to simulate spinning props using clear plastic. I’ve read several ways of how to simulate the blur of the prop blades but it’s how to cut a perfect circle that I’d like some advice on. What have some of you used to do this?

I’ve done exactly what you’ve trying to do. Two suggestions:
(A) If you’re doing a multi-engine aircraft (e.g., a P-38 – EVERYBODY does a P-38 sooner or later), use a circle cutter as described elsewhere in this topic, but cut the circles a little large and mount them NOT TOUCHING on a common axis. Now you can use a disk sander (I used my Shopsmith) to make them EXACTLY the same size. It also leaves a nice “blur” at the edge, which leads to …
(2) [foolish consistancy being the hobgoblin of small minds!] If you take your prize(s), mask all but where you want the blurs to occur (nominally wedges in the same number and spacing as the prop blades that aren’t going to be there) with Scotch Brand Magic Tape, spin them up (one at a time this time) on whatever you’ve got that passes for a lathe, and lightly touch with 0000 steel wool – the result, after stripping the mask off, is a first rate prop blur.

You MIGHT want…