Scratchbuilt landing lights - it's easy if you know how


I just posted pics of my Italeri 1/72 DC-3 in TAA markings - and took a detail shot of the landing lights I made for it - well, here’s how I made them.
Most Landing Lights comprise 3 main parts - an element that produces the light energy, a reflector to reflect and direct that light, and a lens that can further focus the light.
First, using my home made punch and die set, 0.003" aluminum sheet (the seal from a can of Milo - a malt drink sorta like Ovaltine), and the back of a paint brush, I made a concave dent in a small piece of the sheet that represents the reflector.



Next, I drilled out the end of a piece of sprue - just enough to create a concave end - this concave end is where you superglue the newly made alloy. After nailing it with Zip-Kicker, I used fingernail clippers to remove the excess material, then used a sanding stick for the final tidy. I used the thick sprue with the drilled end to provide support for the thin sheet - otherwise it would just crumple with handling.



Next, I used a piece of 0.010" acetate and a round mandrel to make the lens using the same technique as I did to make the reflector on the alloy.




I marked the centre of the reflector with a mechanical pencil to give the impression of an element or bulb - you could add a small bump of some sort - I probably would for a larger scale, but for 1/72 scale, this effect seems to work as well as it needs to.

Using the punch, I cut out the lens, and glued it to the front edges of the reflector using Micro Kristal Klear. Then I used a black Sharpie indelible ink pen to black out the back of the landing light - job’s done.




There you go - this technique could be used for aircraft, autos, armor - whatever - and all you have to do is adjust the size of the mandrel and the hole in the punch and die set for whatever scale you need.

Great looking results!!! I wonder what an LED or fiber-optic light might look like through your landing lights. Keep inventing and show us more progress pics. You’re definitely inspiring!!!

Hey Lee, nice work! I’m gonna print that when I get home from school

wow! awesome results! I may try it on a search light on a S-100 class Schnellboot I plan on building… That would really set it off. Thanks for the tip!

Nice tip, look forward to trying it

Thad

Thanks for the how-to! Gonna give it a whirl.

The instructions and photos are excellent!

Thanks,

leemitcheltree,

What type of camera did you use…that is a great article worthy of publication in FSM!

Bwog

If I may add, I tried a trick from the tip section from thr FSM mag. I bought some of the " wiggle" eyes( like on stuffed animals) and cut the back off leaving the clear part. Using your method for the backing part of the light, I’m gonna have some real good lookers in the future. Thanks for the how to.[:D][8D]

Eddie

Bwog -
Sorry for the delay in replying - I just got back from an urgent, unexpected interstate trip - sorry.
I used a Kodak Easyshare CX7430…4.0 megapixels…it has a close-up or macro function, which is what you need.
You can also adjust for color balance with the lighting - daylight, incandescent or tungsten lighting…sure makes a difference.
Eddie, I used this method because by using my home made punch and die set I’m not limited to the size of the reflector or the lens, as you would be with the little “googly eyes” that you can buy - I can make then ANY size I want - large medium or small - or anything inbetween.
Good luck!!

How about a tutorial on how you made that punch set.

Plus the “dish” in your lens is more shallow than mine, thus looking more realistic. This was just my " poorman" way of making do.[:)] I think I’ll be trying your way soon.

Eddie

Thats a great tutorial Lee, you should make it a sticky in the “Techniques” section of the forums.

Marc,
I have previously posted a small-ish article on making your own punch and die set.
See:
http://www.finescale.com/FSM/CS/forums/393081/ShowPost.aspx
The article tells all, but if you have any questions, just email me or post them here and I’ll reply.

Good luck, mate!

Great “how to” Lee. Thanks for posting it. Darren.

Great stuff. This is definitely one that will go in the resources pile. Thanks for the lesson!

Leon

A great tuturial. Thanks for taking the time to share.

wow! now that I see it’s so easy, I might get off my lazy bum and make some lights for my 1:48 B-17! great tutorial!

leemitcheltree,

Thanks for the camera info.

Bwog

No problems, guys.
Always a pleasure.