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tnuag

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Everything posted by tnuag

  1. I have just received an email from Mike Belcher in Canada, this says it all. it reads Belcher Bits has taken over production with a release date in the fall. Their email address is [email protected] for anyone wishing to place an order.
  2. Yes, the Argus conversion will appear again, but not from Aircraft In Miniature Limited. We have passed the masters to another organization who will make an announcement when it is ready.
  3. Hi All, I have read this thread with interest, and will try to give a few answers. Firstly, I first knew that MSLA printing existed when a friend got an Elegoo Mars for Christmas in 2019 and he told me how pleased he was with the initial results, and suggested we try it. It all went from there, and there has been quite a learning curve. I think the thing is the cost of the machines - with industrial SLA machines you are talking thousands of pounds, while MSLA machines cost hundreds. The build envelopes get a little large with each generation which is nice, while the current machines use a monochrome light source, giving a greater screen life. For those not familiar with them, SLA means stereo lithography and use a laser to cure the resin, while MSLA is masked stereo lithography, where UV light shines through a screen and the transparent bottom of the vat to cure the resin. These lower costs mean that we can hold prices down more. Also, the Historic Wings series are intended to be reissued as 3D printed models, illustrated by the price of the 1:72 Bensen, which is still around the same price as the old metal kit. I will see what happens when we reissue the Pou de Ciel. Metal kits are expensive to produce because of the cost of photo tools and the sheet material. I agree with Dave Swindell's comments regarding the down-side of taking care, but I regard the results as well worth the extra care - I emphasize it in the instructions; look many times before you cut! We can incorporate much more detail now, for example the Sentinel now has very much finer grills than we could ever do in brass, and comes with separate covers for cable reels and generator set (which is separate, for easier painting. Anyway, thanks for all the comments, now back to the Mandator.
  4. It is still looking good - two kits are planned for June: the de Havilland No.1, and the Cuckoo. It may slip into July, but I hope not. The Cuckoo is more complicated, because it is possible to lift the superstructure off to see a detailed interior. The de H No.1 will test the modellers patience in removing all the 3D printing supports, but you cannot have the finesse and quality without it. I am still amazed at the results of 3D printing.
  5. Thanks - it would come in 1:72 & 1:48, normally
  6. Yes, if we had photos and a couple of major dimensions (plus ideally a drawing, but not essential).
  7. No point in larger scale F396, because there is no 1:48 C-17, Atlas or Voyager. Yes to Wendy loader and all the other tractors when time permits. We have two more large printers on order to help (June delivery on the machines, d.v.). As an aside, if you like larger scales, we are doing a 1:18 scale GPU for the USAF.
  8. We asked Hannants to do all our sales because mail order is so labour intensive, and it has worked well for many years. It is unlikely that we would go any other route due to lack of time. I will discuss i1:144 with them again.
  9. Have you looked at the Mick Bell plans? Now on line thanks to his son. They are 1:76, so you need to multiply by 106% to get 1:72 - the link is https://mickbellplans.com/
  10. I never cease to be amazed by the detail which is possible with 3D printing - the only significant drawback is having to remove all the supports and then flatten the mounting surface. Having said that, you can do things which isn't possible with injection moulding. We hope to get a big machine later this year, if we do, I plan on doing an ocean liner which we sailed on over half a century ago....
  11. Several of the decal sheets are nil stock. This is because the firm which produces the decal paper (in the USA) closed down for several months, due to covid. When we get all the paper needed there are lot of decals to restock.
  12. We have done the F396 tractor, Wendy loader and F59N flight deck tractor/fire engine in 1:144 and they are all beautiful. The main problem is that generally 144 GSE does not sell well, so I will ask Hannants if they want them.
  13. Yes, it will come. Briefly, when we have got all the RAF subjects converted to 3D printing, USAF will follow, with tractors at the top of the list.
  14. There is one preserved at the Scottish Maritime Museum in Invine. As an aside, we have just built the first 1:72 example and it needs a few adjustments, but overall I am pleased with it. If all goes to plan, the kit should be with Hannants in late May or June. I enjoyed building it in CAD and now have to do the Luftwaffe equivalent - the Lobster Pot.
  15. Yes, the Blackburn is finished and printed - to quote a friend, it clips together and stays together without glue. Another advantage of 3D printing, the upper and lower wings plus the inter-plane struts come as a single part, So it is automatically correctly aligned. When the transparencies are done, the kit will appear at Hannants.
  16. This was the source data I used, based on a document from Carrier Engineering Co. of Wembly. ASR1 to ASR 16 Displacement: 10.8 tons Hull dimensions: Length 32’ 02” Beam 10’ 0” Moulded Depth 6’ 0” Draft 3’ 3” It is simple to do some kits in 1:48 - it only means changing one value in the CAD program. I designed it so that you can lift the superstructure off to let the interior be seen if required. I will try to get the German Lobster Pot finished as well.
  17. We expect to deliver the 1:72 version to Hannants between May and July this year, provided no major problems crop up during production. As regards other scales, are there any of interest -1:144 / 1:48 / 1:35 ? - Some feedback here would be helpful and appreciated.
  18. Initially 1:72, but the beauty of 3D printing is that you can do any scale. I have put in all the details that I could find, so 1:48 is possible, while 1:144 has given some remarkable results. As an example, we are doing some test shots of the Wendy loader in 1:144, while a Sentinel tractor built in 1:144 as a single part. There are two photographs of this tractor on the Hannants page at https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/GE144050?result-token=eHiAR
  19. During WW2 these rescue floats were moored at various grid references in the English Channel as a haven for ditched aircrew. I started this project before my wife died and have finally got round to finishing it. The delay is beneficial as we now have 3D printing - very different to cast resin ad etched brass. Anyway the design is finished and we are now doing some rest shots - here are some screen shots including two of the interior. The model has a removable superstructure, to give access to this detailed interior.
  20. I also use Catia V5 and an individual can buy a license. A superb program and I import plans or drawings as dxf on a sketch, then trace them. It isn't cheap, and I was surprised when one of the Airfix designers told me they use the same software as an expensive Italian car manufacturer, and not Catia.
  21. We delivered several items to Hannants this week, I am still amazed at the level of detail and build quality possible with 3D printing Here are a few pictures, thanks to Andy Davies for building the models and taking the photographs: RAF Trolley Accumulator - pre-war & early WW2 in 1:24, 1:32, 1:48 and 1:72 scales RAF Trolley Accumulator - late WW2 & post-war in 1:24, 1:32, 1:48 and 1:72 RAF Taskmaster medium tractor in 1:72 scale RAF Super Taskmaster medium tractor in 1:72 scale RAF F59 medium tractor in 1:72 scale RAF F396 large tractor in 1:72 scale (shown with cab in raised and lowered positions) Blue Steel bomb trolley in 1:72 scale QRA pan ground power plinths in 1:72 scale
  22. Alternatively, you will be able to buy one from Hannants - it is so simple to 3D print.
  23. Just for interest, here are two photos of a 3D printed Blue Steel bomb trolley. It is shown with the Vulcan adapters in place.
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