wunwinglow

Had a scalpel slide off a book I had propped open above my work bench. It whistled past the edge of the table, between my knees and went DOIOIOIOINGGG. In my ankle. It had gone in about 5mm. I stared at it, griited my teeth and yanked it straight out. Thankfully no complications or infection, so I got away with it. Another time, having finally managed to get several cockpit parts lined up, but held in one hand, I had to pick up the superglue with the other. Blast, the cap was still on! No matter, what are teeth for anyway? But of course, the cap was a bit more bonded on than I though, so had to really bite hard and pull hard. Which meant I was squeezing the tube a bit harder than I should! So when the cap finally let go, there was a jet of superglue as well. Which went straight up my left nostril. The pain, the smell, the heat, the instant tear-gas effect on my eyes and nose, and the cockpit going ballistic, all made the incident a little bit traumatic.... This modelling lark can be a tad dangerous sometimes. Tim P

This might be of interest.... http://www.physicaldigital.com/uploads/pdf/Case%20Study%20-%203D%20Scanning%20-%20Spitfire%20MkIIa%20BBMF.pdf Tim

What is the book in the original post? Looks like it could be worth tracking down! Thanks in advance! Tim

These were designed to be air-dropped, so hopefully are eligible for this thread!! http://en.wikipedia....i/Vespa_150_TAP I think I'll stick with my GSX1250FA..... Tim PS Hi Ken!!

Interesting thread! Reminds me of an article I wrote for Airfix Magazine on scratchbuilding a T31 after I had done my A+B at RAF Locking. I soloed in XA310, Which I understand is still flying at Hullavington! Tim Perry

These guys are building a full sized one..... http://www.whirlwindfighterproject.org/ Tim

Go to Micro Mark in the USA. 8 times as many for the money..... http://www.micromark.com/ho-scale-decals-with-raised-3d-rivets-and-other-surface-details,9968.html and http://www.micromark.com/o-scale-decals-with-raised-3d-rivets-and-other-surface-details,9967.html The smaller HO ones are fine for 32nd aircraft rivets, the O gauge ones are a bit big! I bought both.... Usual disclaimers, no commercial links except being a happy customer. Tim

Here you go Jennings, PS853 is a Type 390, and served with 16 Squadron in Holland, looking for V1 and V2 sites, at least! http://www.rolls-roy...le_spitfire.jsp Tim Perry

Whoops, not PM631, but definitely a pressurised PR XIX. Like I said, I'll dig out the pics tonight.... Tim Perry

Jennings, I've already shown you a picture of PM631 on an airfield in Europe,taken well before the end of World War II on another forum. The pressurised variant certainly WAS delivered and used operationally during WWII. I'll dig out the links tonight, as I am at work just now.... Tim Perry

Are there any decent drawings published anywhere? I have the old Aviation News ones, but I don't know how sharp they are..... Tim Perry

Steve, get in touch with Greg Drawbaugh at www.drawdecal.com; excellent product and service! He did all the decals for my Comet tank kit. Usual disclaimers, just a very happy customer. The printed items work just like conventional ones, except the varnish is over the whole area, so you do have to cut out each design, but they work extremely well. Greg was at last years Telford IPMS show, so you might catch him there again this year. Tim Perry

I'd be more worried about the complete lack of 'Health 'N Safety'. They should be wearing hard hats.... Tim P

And you will probably have to pay Customs Duty and VAT, on both the kit, and the cost of mailing it to you, and a handling charge. The last kit I had from overseas cost an extra £16 when FedEx delivered it, and this will be the same if the Post Office deliver as well. And, you might have to go and collect it from the sorting office, as the PO won't deliver until the charges are paid. Tim P

Hey Edgar, your diet has worked wonders since I last saw you!! Tim Perry

Hi Steve, thanks for these, I have already seen these, pretty much all I have been able to find! I really need to see what is going on inside the aircraft, as with such an open cockpit it is all visible. But thanks anyway, much appreciated! I've written to Duxford to see if they have anything. I'll let you know what happens. Tim

I'm building a Mk III from the Mk II kit, so have a spare torpedo, if you still need one. Let me know at tim ( at ) tjpgraphics.com if it would be useful. Tim Perry

Hi all, actually started work on my Trumpeter Swordfish, with the intention of making a Mk III, but I'm drawing a blank on details of the radar operators cockpit layout, and the location of all the boxes and wiring on the floor. I've a couple of pics from the Interweb of the Duxford aircraft, but nothing below the sill. I've been through all of my library, nothing doing. I have just ordered the Pavla 1:72 resin kit from our friends in Lowestoft as a guide, but really need a bit more to do it justice! Any pointers gratefully received! TIA Tim Perry

I'm lucky enough to have a job that lets me operate a couple of these types of machines, as well as some CNC machines, and I have been able to master my last couple of kits using them; I know this isn't an aircraft, but you can see the possibilities. You can see a completed kit by Pat Johnston at http://www.network54.com/Forum/110741/mess...ser+Complete.... The masters were all designed in Rhino, (www.rhino3d.com) , built on a ProJet 3000 HD machine and then cast conventionally in RTV moulds and PU resin. The photoetched parts were extracted from the 3D data and arranged for etching in Coreldraw, while the turned parts were done for me by RB Model from a drawing extracted from the data. Once the kit was done, the 3D data was also used to generate the instruction sheet illustrations. This is the future, but it isn't really able to do the 'magic' just yet. There are still lots of issues, and the equipment needed to make really useful parts is still extremely expensive to buy and operate. I'm just glad I have an indulgent boss!! One of the biggest issues with these technologies will be the matter of Intelectual Property, in exactly the same way the music and movie industries have had huge problems with piracy. It is technically possible to scan pretty much any shape and reproduce it in any size or material, but rest assured, the big corporations and their lawyers will have an absolute field day when this becomes more mainstream. These are exciting times. But it isn't easy, or cheap to do. And while part of the modelling process is much quicker than traditional making process, the data preparation requires just as rigourous an approach to research and skill. If you put crap data in, you will get very accurate crap out.... Tim Perry www.fighting48th.com

Ken, drop me a line ref the wheels..... Tim