Romeo Alpha Yankee Posted April 9, 2015 Share Posted April 9, 2015 You are making it look so simple Tom, and so tidy as well Still A question on your scribing technique (again!). Do you pencil in the lines you are going to scribe prior to making the groove? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomprobert Posted April 10, 2015 Author Share Posted April 10, 2015 A question on your scribing technique (again!). Do you pencil in the lines you are going to scribe prior to making the groove? I don't tend to draw the line in as such, but I do often make a small pencil mark at either end of the line. When doing wings etc, I tend to do one surface first, then measure from that to do the other - that way if a line is out somewhere on the initial surface, it least it'll be out on the other too and won't look different! Tom 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woody37 Posted April 10, 2015 Share Posted April 10, 2015 We think alike Tom, I do exactly the same. Better to have equal inaccuracies if you have them!!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viking Posted April 10, 2015 Share Posted April 10, 2015 Lovely work as always Tom! Cheers John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomprobert Posted April 10, 2015 Author Share Posted April 10, 2015 Another productive day with the C-17 and I've now got the tail area finished off, complete with the installation of the rudder. The kit's rudder was removed earlier in the build as I planned to have this posed at a deflected angle as often seen when the C-17 is powered down and at rest - I imagine a lack of hydraulic pressure or the like means the rudder hangs over, usually to the left. The kit parts are rather basic so I decided rather than spend hours trying to bring them up to scratch it'd be far easier to scratch-build my own rudder assembly. The real aircraft's is a complex double hinge set up, with upper and lower portions of the rudder split horizontally approximately halfway along its vertical length. The picture below shows the original kit parts with the new home-made rudder shapes cut from plastic card: The rudders are a basic aerofoil shape so this was replicated by some old off-cuts of sprue being cut to shape and glued to the leading edge where the hingeline is located. The sprue is then sandwiched between the two layers of plastic card, with the openings at the top and bottom covered with more plastic card cut, glued and sanded to shape. The picture below gives some idea of the process: The end produce looks like this: All very simple really, and only an hour or so's work. They were then fixed to the fin, with the lower section posed at a greater angle as often seen on the real aircraft. I have also made the fairings above and below the stabiliser from plastic card and attached them - these were once again modelled on CAD drawings and the Revell kit: And now, at last, I have a structurally complete C-17: It's taken a huge amount of time and effort to get this far (and I must say despite the head-scratching it's been great fun) and I can now put the filler and sandpaper way at last and concentrate on adding the final details before I can begin the painting process Finishing off the gear bays will be the next task I think... Tom 20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perdu Posted April 10, 2015 Share Posted April 10, 2015 lovely work on those rudders, soon be in the paint shop 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Ranger Posted April 10, 2015 Share Posted April 10, 2015 We think alike Tom, I do exactly the same. Better to have equal inaccuracies if you have them!!! It is a well-known axiom of model building that two equal inaccuracies cancel each other! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uilleann Posted April 11, 2015 Share Posted April 11, 2015 More gorgeous than my girlfriend when I was 23. Yeah she was a looker! :thumbsup: 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy wood Posted April 11, 2015 Share Posted April 11, 2015 Love to see this Ãn the flesh 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bentwaters81tfw Posted April 11, 2015 Share Posted April 11, 2015 Nice to see Combat Models can be beaten. My Vac-form modelling took a major leap forward yesterday. I just secured a sheet of plate glass about 5 feet by 3 for sanding purposes. Now I have a flat surface for large components. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Headroom Posted April 11, 2015 Share Posted April 11, 2015 Nice to see Combat Models can be beaten. My Vac-form modelling took a major leap forward yesterday. I just secured a sheet of plate glass about 5 feet by 3 for sanding purposes. Now I have a flat surface for large components. What on earth are you going to sand? Excellent work Tom! Trevor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomprobert Posted April 11, 2015 Author Share Posted April 11, 2015 What on earth are you going to sand? Excellent work Tom! Trevor A 1/32nd B-36?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxfriend Posted April 11, 2015 Share Posted April 11, 2015 This man Tom is far too modest! I know Tom and his father, Rob very well, and both are excellent modeller's. So believe me when I say that Tom is a master when it comes to Vac forms. So, Tom, credit where credit's due. Absolutely excellent build, and a pleasure to watch progressing month by month, and I am in the fortunate position to see it 'in the flesh' so to speak. Larry. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hub Plott Posted April 11, 2015 Share Posted April 11, 2015 Great work and stunning results! As I have always said about Combat Models: "Company name and accurate description of the building process!" You have really done a great job! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bentwaters81tfw Posted April 11, 2015 Share Posted April 11, 2015 A 1/32nd B-36?! Aw Shucks, - you guessed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Navy Bird Posted April 11, 2015 Share Posted April 11, 2015 Superb workmanship! This is another topic that is bookmarked for that day when I tackle a vacuform kit. I've tried on several occasions, but always binned it before I finished. Of course, that was back in the 80s when vacuforms only *slightly* resembled a shapeless piece of plastic. I dare say this C-17 is looking better then the injection kits I've seen. A triumph! Cheers, Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heloman1 Posted April 11, 2015 Share Posted April 11, 2015 Great work with the rudder and tailpalane Tom. She's coming together really nicely. Colin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomastmcc Posted April 11, 2015 Share Posted April 11, 2015 stunning work ... airfix take note ! .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phildagreek Posted April 11, 2015 Share Posted April 11, 2015 Good grief. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomprobert Posted April 11, 2015 Author Share Posted April 11, 2015 This man Tom is far too modest! I know Tom and his father, Rob very well, and both are excellent modeller's. So believe me when I say that Tom is a master when it comes to Vac forms. So, Tom, credit where credit's due. Absolutely excellent build, and a pleasure to watch progressing month by month, and I am in the fortunate position to see it 'in the flesh' so to speak. Larry. You're very kind Larry - and I still think it's time you took the plunge and tackled a vac! The old man has another of these kits in his stash and I'm sure could have his arm twisted and send it your way... go on... you know you want to! Great work and stunning results! As I have always said about Combat Models: "Company name and accurate description of the building process!" You have really done a great job! I've heard that said a few times with Combat's kits - and the description is not far wrong! Superb workmanship! This is another topic that is bookmarked for that day when I tackle a vacuform kit. I've tried on several occasions, but always binned it before I finished. Of course, that was back in the 80s when vacuforms only *slightly* resembled a shapeless piece of plastic. I dare say this C-17 is looking better then the injection kits I've seen. A triumph! Cheers, Bill I think it's about time you took the plunge again, Bill! There's a non-injection moulded GB on the horizon and it'd be great if you could join us. To be honest I'm not sure how much the quality of 'modern' vacs has improved that much - Dynavector, Aeroclub and Welsh aside there are some horrors out there - even relatively recent stuff - so choose wisely! And thanks for the kind words and interest everyone Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S5 modeller Posted April 11, 2015 Share Posted April 11, 2015 Absolutely stunning work Tom, I think you've got this one beat. Would love to be able to tackle a kit like this, but seeing all the work you've put into it, I'm scared to even try. Are there any east vac kits to attempt? Something almost fool ( idiot) proof? Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hub Plott Posted April 11, 2015 Share Posted April 11, 2015 Absolutely stunning work Tom, I think you've got this one beat. Would love to be able to tackle a kit like this, but seeing all the work you've put into it, I'm scared to even try. Are there any east vac kits to attempt? Something almost fool ( idiot) proof? Matt Matt: While I am not Tom, I would try vacs from Falcon, Sierra Scale Models, Koster Aero Enterprises or Dynavector. Maybe start with one of Kosters conversions to get your feet wet. Hub 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bentwaters81tfw Posted April 11, 2015 Share Posted April 11, 2015 Absolutely stunning work Tom, I think you've got this one beat. Would love to be able to tackle a kit like this, but seeing all the work you've put into it, I'm scared to even try. Are there any east vac kits to attempt? Something almost fool ( idiot) proof? Matt Just buy a cheap one and practice. Doesn't matter if you mess up, you get used to the sanding and skills needed, like handling butt joints by measuring and making spars from card or sprue. If you think the parts lack rigidity, some card or strip to brace the interior can be added with liquid glue. Don't be tempted to use tube glue on them. My first effort was a Blackburn Ripon. It isn't perfect, but I got the hang of it. If you can do a short run kit like Pegasus, you can manage a vac. Sometimes you need to re-inforce areas from behind before cutting or sanding. It is better to cut details like windows when all the parts are on the backing sheet, as everything is stiffer and easier to measure and cut. If the finished article goes together to your satisfaction, move on to something a little better. I bought two Contrail cheapies the other week to refine my techniques before tackling a couple of 1/32 beasts. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomprobert Posted April 11, 2015 Author Share Posted April 11, 2015 Absolutely stunning work Tom, I think you've got this one beat. Would love to be able to tackle a kit like this, but seeing all the work you've put into it, I'm scared to even try. Are there any east vac kits to attempt? Something almost fool ( idiot) proof? Matt The advice from Hub and Bentwaters is spot on. The best thing to do is to have a rummage through the bargain basement sections of kit stalls and you're likely to find a very cheap vac or two in there. Buy it, play with it. It may not even be a subject you have interest in, but it's learning the technique that matters. Practice joining of the parts by lining the join with plastic card tabs, make bulkheads and spars etc. When you've got the idea you can venture onto a model you'd like to make a decent job of. The best vacs out there have been mentioned by others - Welsh, Koster and Dynavector to name some go together as well as any injection moulded kit once out of the backing sheet and sanded to shape. If you're new to vacforms avoid Combat - they'll put you off for life! Once you've mastered the craft though kits like this provide a huge amount of fun and you'll learn a whole host of new skills along the way to apply to any genre of model building. Tom 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sten Ekedahl Posted April 12, 2015 Share Posted April 12, 2015 (edited) If you find old Rareplane vac kits, grab them! They are also among the best, eve the early ones. Their Victor kit is still the most accurate Victor, although today it's as rare as hen's teeth. Edited April 13, 2015 by Sten Ekedahl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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