Occasionally I see a model aircraft on a curved display armature with a nicely finished wooden base. Are these bases and armatures available?
Thank You,
Dave
Once upon a time every aeroplane kit came with a stand so it sould be be displayed in flying configuration, but more recently it’s become fashionable to display them stationary, on the ground, and usually with all sorts of panels and things opened up.
Frankly, I find that boring and if at all possible prefer to display my models zooming, swooping, banking, looping etc. Every aircraft, well nearly every aircraft, looks at its best in the air.
You have to make your own stands now though. It’s quite a challenge to make a stand that looks good, doesn’t detract from the model and holds it safely.
Michael
I think FSM had an article about making your own display bases maybe 2 or 3 issues ago. If it’s in the article archives, you shouldn’t have to dig that far to find it.
-Fred
Making your own isn’t as hard as it may seem. Hobby Lobby or Michaels sells pre-cut wall placques that work well for the base itself. Clear acrylic or brass rod are readily available and can be shaped to your preferred angle of attack.
I’ve only built one stand so far, and have yet to complete the aircraft or finish the stand. I bought a length of brass tubing, and matching brass rod that snugly fit the tube. Then I drilled a whole into the model cut a piece of the tube and used CA glue to cement it into the fuselage. Then I bent the rod at the angle I wanted, drilled and glued the rod to the base. This method allows me to remove the aircraft for playing cleaning and moving.
I did find this link. The table top models appear to be out of stock (or they’re free!), but the wall mounts are a neat idea!
Thanks for the ideas. I think the rod method might be the best one within my means.
Thank You!
DJ
I do believe there is an old FSM that showed how to make the plastic base, fill it with sprue bits and epoxy, than use an acrylic tube heated i nthe oven and bent to shape.
Looked pretty sharp.
Does anyone know what issue this article was in? I recall reading it, but as much fun as it would be to go through 10 years of Fine Scale back issues, I don’t have the time to check every issue I have.
Good Grief…LOL…turns out to be the 3rd from last of about 50 mags…ah well. Now I have it again too.
April 1999 http://www.finescale.com/fsm/default.aspx?id=99&c=i
Page 56. Article by Pat Hawkey. he mounts a 1/72 B-52
Has the Killer Komet on the front.
Cheers
Brent
If you can get an old FROG kit with a SKYBASE stand, they’re the best.
Matchbox stands are second-best, while Airfix stands are a close third (aesthetically better than Matchbox and FROG SKYBASE, but not as functional).
Many thanks, Reload!
Your welcome!!
Glad I could be of assistance.
Cheers
Brent