I posted something similar over in the scratchbuilding forum, but thought I would post it over here as well in case anyone here might have an idea. I need a piece of bicycle chain for the cockpit of a 1/32 Zero that runs from the flap wheel back into the dark areas of the cabin. It doesn’t need to be exact scale, but I do want it to look like a bicycle chain. Has enyone here made something like this, and if so- how did you do it? I am really at a total loss on this one. TIA! [tup]
Got a wrecked 1/35th bicycle? I know there’s at least one figure kit out there that have bikes in them, couple of German Soldiers bikes…
I got a couple ideas on scratchbuilding them, but I think I’ll experiment with it first an’ get back to ya…
Hmmm… not much 1/35 scale stuff in my shop. I’m intrigued about your scratchbuilding ideas, can’t wait to see what you come up with! [:D]
Hi Frank. Heres an idea. Get some thin gauge solder and the back edge of a blade (Blunt side) into it lots of times. That might give you a fair impression of a chain. The chains on bikes etc are a bit 1 dimensional.
…Guy
See if you can get a hold of the ABER PE set for the Tamiya Panther G. The Panther’s gun travel lock was a bicycle type chain and ABER is insane enough to include about 20 (or more) individual links in the PE set.
the smallest roller chain made is known as “micro pitch”, and very expensive (over $150 an inch). Plus it’s still too big (maybe 1/6th scale, and that’s still about 20% too big). Maybe somebody does something in photoetch.
gary
Get outta my brain! [:D] That was exactly what I did, and it worked out pretty good… I first tried lead foil from a wine bottle, that didn’t work too well, went to sprue, swing and a miss, but then tried some .22 solder and BINGO… Laid out about 4 inches and pressed into it with the back of the ol’ X-Acto and it turned out pretty good. With some drybrushing to pop out the detail, it should work…
Tamiya do a set of two German soldiers on bicycles:
http://www.hannants.co.uk/search/?FULL=TA35240
but the lenght of usable bike chain on each is fairly short. Dragon do a set of Vietcong, one of whom has a bike:
http://www.hannants.co.uk/search/?FULL=DN3304
possibly with rather more useable chain. There’s a bike included in Italeri’s 1/35 Schwimmwagen kit, but I don’t think it’s very well-moulded. However, if you really want fine detail, then Aber does an etched set for the Tamiya German cycle troops set which, I’m pretty sure, incudes lengths of bicycle chain.
http://www.hannants.co.uk/search/?FULL=ABR35097
Cheers,
Chris.
WOW! Thanks for the ideas guys. I like the idea of the solder- fits my MO of DIY detailing. [:D] I’ll let you know how it works out for me. Thanks again everyone for your help! [^]
I thought that Aber or Eduard offered a Tamiya bicycle upgrade set at one time???
Yes indeed. It’s Aber. Check my post three posts up this thread! I understand that it comees in two parts, which fit either side of the chain ring and rear sprocket.
Cheers,
Chris.
I think I may have solved my bicycle chain dilema! While shopping at a large department store this weekend, I came across one of those little motorcycle toys in the toy section. The painting on the parts must go, and it is a little overscale, but I think it will work! [:D]
Now you understand and have become enlightened in the ways of “creative gizomology”… Go forth and build, Grasshopper…