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I have for the last few years been thinking of and experimenting with the new possibilities that technology brings us. We are now able to design a model with a CAD program (with relative ease) and then use CNC routers and 3D printers to turn out the parts. However, as with all scratch building it is quite time consuming. That is why I thought I would post here and see if any skilled scratch builder(s) would be interested in a joint effort. I am fairly competent in a free CAD program called Blender, I own a CNC mill and 3D printing is readily available online. I would create the computer model, CNC mill and vacuum form large parts. Smaller parts would be 3D printed online (shapeways, imaterialise). I will then send the parts your way and your task would be to build the actual model! Some parts will also have to be scratch built. We should of course document our progress here at the forum. We could go super accurate and detailed or just try the actual concept. So I am hoping this will interest some of you. This will be a great opportunity to build an unusual aircraft or at a particular scale (no point doing it if we can just pick up the airfix box). Let me know what you think! What aircraft would be fun to make? I will be up for any aircraft as long as we can find decent references to work from. As a bit of inspiration I have posted two pics of a Swedish Saab J21A that I have been playing with in my CAD program.

Good afternoon chaps, I have recently purchased a 1/72 TSR.2 and am planing on doing a Whif Operational Strike aircraft. For this I plan on arming the aircraft with 2 of the WE.177Bs, apart a couple of resin sets (of which I would have to purchase 2), I have come across a set of 2 3d printed versions. See link: https://www.shapeways.com/product/UZR4HG7J7/we-177b-c-nuclear-weapon-bipack I wonder if anybody here has had any experience with the manufacturer? Kind regards, Ash

Hello all. For my sins, I picked up a copy of the Mistercraft 1/600 Tribal Class Destroyer - HMS Eskimo - the other month. It had featured in a recent Airfix Magazine, and they had said it was an old Airfix re-issue. The runner layout looked to be quite different to the images I have seen of the old Airfix Cossack, so my opinion is that it may well be a copy. Well, the moulding was terrible the scuttles actually PROTRUDED from the hull(!), there was flash in abundance, and the parts looked nothing like the instruction guide. The painting instructions look very professional (drawing-wise), and I think they copied verbatim the Colourcoats guide for HMS Eskimo on the Sovereign Hobbies website. I hope @Jamie @ Sovereign Hobbies is aware of that! Anyway, after overcoming my shock/horror on seeing the kit, I thought it would be a good one to hone my 'repairing' skills. I drilled out the scuttles, opened the hawse-holes, replaced deck splinter shields, rebuilt the masts with brass rod, replaced the breakwater, and have used my White Ensign etch details (from three separate sets). But... The Carley Floats are unusable! I have some spares from another Airfix 1/600 kit, but do not want to sell that one short (it is a MUCH better kit than this one), so I have been looking for some aftermarket. White Ensign have done some white metal ones, but there is an option or two on Shapeways: https://www.shapeways.com/product/G43H3MLSF/1-600-rn-ww2-10ft-x-5ft-carley-floats-84 There was another set of a different float size too, but you get the gist. The thing is, I get rather confused with the various qualities of 3D print materials, and, basically, is the "3D printed in matte translucent plastic that showcases incredibly fine and intricate details." the decent type of material? I know it needs to be cleaned well, and needs to be exposed to U/V light to cure, and to have acrylic paint instead of enamel. 84 floats would be more than enough for me. For the record, I am thoroughly enjoying amending this model and trying to get it looking presentable, and I will put in RFI when it is complete. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. All the best everyone, Ray

I wanted to do some OD Green B-17G's but the options are limited because of the Cheyenne tail turret. I modeled the early part and it's posted on Shapeways if you'd like one. http://shpws.me/Oi7o

Classic Aircraft ( http://forjets.netfirms.com/) has a developped a "ready to print" 1/48th Lavocshkin La-200 kit available through Shapeways. Problems: PRICY and rather crude compared to the injected or modern resin kits. Is this the future of our hobby... Source: http://forjets.netfirms.com/page55.html Available here: http://www.shapeways.com/shops/esotericplanes?section=Lavochkin+LA-200+in+1%2F48th+scale&s=0 V.P.

Merry Christmas, everyone! I was just looking around the web for possible candidates to fill in the GA parking stands on my prospective airfield apron. The A320s and 737s were catered for, but what about some Cessna & Co. in 1/144?... I came across a couple of online shops offering 3D-printing services which already have a good portion of aircraft, vehicles and airfield equipment in their portfolio: http://www.shapeways.com/search?q=1%2F144&s=0#more-products There are many items ranging from helicopters to WWI fighters, from Etendards to AMXs, from Tucanos to Lynxes, from firetrucks to access steps/ ladders and dinosaurs (it takes a bit to go through the couple of thousands of lines) and I am not commenting on the prices, but should you "require" a certain subject - like me with the Citation Excel and, say, some Skyhawk - then it might be worth a look. *** The other shop is click2detail: https://www.click2detail.com/store/c27/1%3A144.html Here, the product range might be a bit smaller in 1/144, but very much worth a look given the aircraft subjects aaaaaaaaand ... ...the 1/72 Global Express and 1/72 Sentinel R.1 [incl. markings by DRAW Decal] kits Apologies if this has been posted before. I did a quick search upfront but found nothing