Martian Posted May 15, 2020 Share Posted May 15, 2020 A while back I made the rather rash promise to run a vacform tutorial in order to show people that are frightened of the genre that there really is nothing to worry about. For this build, I have chosen Contrail's 1/72 Hawker Horsley torpedo bomber. In this part we will examine the kit and think about how we are going to proceed. Upon opening the box, things look somewhat basic but the most important thing to do at this stage, is not to panic. These are not shake and bake kits and do take care and patience to build. However, they are eminently buildable and all will become clear as we go along. Lets start by seeing what we have in the box. The kit comes on two sheets of stout plastic sheet containing the main parts for the airframe and includes some injection moulded parts of variable quality for smaller detail items. Some of these we will be using and some not. We also get a rather basic plan and some dreadful decals in this case. We will be replacing these with after market decals. I always make a point of making sure that I have everything I need before starting any build and, in my opinion, this is doubly important in the case of a vacform but there are plenty of aftermarket parts on the market that can be adapted for a kit. Also, as we are going to be making bulkheads, floors, spars and ribs, it is a good plane to have a good selection of plastic stock to hand For this build. I bought in a decent torpedo from Flightpath and an etched Scarf gun mounting from Mini World. My dwindling stock of Aeroclub parts will most likely end up getting raided at some point in the build. The next thing to do is to study every single reference source we can get our hands on. I checked any books that I might have with anything on the subject, plundered Google and put up a plea for information in the inter-war section of "Aircraft by era". Finally, have a good hard think about what you want to achieve with your model and how you are going to get there having a clear goal in mind always helps one to focus. Here are some pictures of what we are starting with and in the next installment, we will begin preparing the kit parts for use. Thanks for looking Martian 👽 30 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beard Posted May 15, 2020 Share Posted May 15, 2020 (edited) I shall be following, in the hope that I pick up some tips for when I get round to my Aeroclub Spitfire XII conversion. Edit - ps. I quite like inter-War RAF aircraft too. Edited May 15, 2020 by Beard 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackem01 Posted May 15, 2020 Share Posted May 15, 2020 Looking forward to this. Pen and paper ready to take notes and steal tips! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Massimo Posted May 15, 2020 Share Posted May 15, 2020 Very good idea Martian! Vacform aren't easy subjects and many people are frightened by them , but can be built with good results,once you know how to. A biplane offers also the opportunity to face other challanges like the rigging, thus there's plenty of tips to be given! And it'll be the perfect project to switch to when you want to take a rest from the Lynx! I don't know this subject, thus it's another reason to watch closely! Look forward for your first update!!! Ciao Massimo 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenCJ Posted May 15, 2020 Share Posted May 15, 2020 I am going to tag along too. I have built a lot of vacs but they aren't very good. All eyes and ears Stephen 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ex-FAAWAFU Posted May 15, 2020 Share Posted May 15, 2020 Room at the back? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenCJ Posted May 15, 2020 Share Posted May 15, 2020 (edited) 14 minutes ago, StephenCJ said: I am going to tag along too. Bugger that I am going to raid my secluded stash in the old army trunk and grab a vac to build along with this tutorial. Top stuff, Martian. Off to look in the trunk. Stephen the excited. Edited May 15, 2020 by StephenCJ 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted May 15, 2020 Author Share Posted May 15, 2020 1 hour ago, Beard said: I shall be following, in the hope that I pick up some tips for when I get round to my Aeroclub Spitfire XII conversion. Edit - ps. I quite like inter-War RAF aircraft too. Hopefully there will be something for everybody in this Just now, Ex-FAAWAFU said: Room at the back? 27 minutes ago, mackem01 said: Looking forward to this. Pen and paper ready to take notes and steal tips! You are welcome to use whatever you can get from this. 14 minutes ago, Massimo said: Very good idea Martian! Vacform aren't easy subjects and many people are frightened by them , but can be built with good results,once you know how to. A biplane offers also the opportunity to face other challanges like the rigging, thus there's plenty of tips to be given! And it'll be the perfect project to switch to when you want to take a rest from the Lynx! I don't know this subject, thus it's another reason to watch closely! Look forward for your first update!!! Ciao Massimo Thanks Massimo. I deliberately chose a biplane so we can try and lay the rigging phobia to bed as well. 5 minutes ago, StephenCJ said: I am going to tag along too. I have built a lot of vacs but they aren't very good. All eyes and ears Stephen The more the merrier Stephen. Martian 👽 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted May 15, 2020 Author Share Posted May 15, 2020 6 minutes ago, Ex-FAAWAFU said: Room at the back? I'm sure we can find a way to squeeze you in Crisp. 5 minutes ago, StephenCJ said: Bugger that i am going to raid my secluded stash in the old army trunk and grab a vac to build along with this tutorial. Top stuff, Martian. Off to look in the trunk. Stephen the excited. I shall be interested to see what you choose Excited of Casino. Martian 👽 PS: I should point out that this tutorial will have to fit in around other stuff I am working on but I would hope to have at least one update a week for you all. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marklo Posted May 15, 2020 Share Posted May 15, 2020 (edited) Great stuff. I love these wierd interwar types. Will be watching in interest. Edited May 15, 2020 by Marklo 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted May 15, 2020 Author Share Posted May 15, 2020 Just now, Marklo said: Great stuff. I live these wierd interwar types. Will be watching in interest. I thought that this would be right up your street Marklo. Martian 👽 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntoineG Posted May 15, 2020 Share Posted May 15, 2020 Hi, Good initiative. I have made a couple vacform kits years ago and would love to improve the technical for potential future kits (like Aerovac Latecoere) I'm on board ! Cheers, Antoine 🐜 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenCJ Posted May 15, 2020 Share Posted May 15, 2020 Excited from Casino has found this easy kit to build, it is a Phoenix D.H.6 WIP here Stephen 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted May 15, 2020 Author Share Posted May 15, 2020 24 minutes ago, AntoineG said: Hi, Good initiative. I have made a couple vacform kits years ago and would love to improve the technical for potential future kits (like Aerovac Latecoere) I'm on board ! Cheers, Antoine 🐜 Hopefully we can be of assistance. 11 minutes ago, StephenCJ said: Excited from Casino has found this easy kit to build, it is a Phoenix D.H.6 WIP here Stephen A very interesting type and I shall be keen to see what you make of it. No pressure on me here is there? Apprehensive of Mars 👽 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamden Posted May 15, 2020 Share Posted May 15, 2020 Room for another with social distancing in place, would like to try a vac at some time so will take notes as you go along Stay safe Roger 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr T Posted May 15, 2020 Share Posted May 15, 2020 I started this kit many years ago, but it stalled when I moved to Leeds to start nurse training. I have another kit in the stash and so will watch this with interest as I keep looking. I even have an Aeroclub prop and wheels. Mine will be a bomber from 504 Sqn if it ever gets built. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gondor44 Posted May 15, 2020 Share Posted May 15, 2020 Hope you don't mind if I follow this as I only have a 50-50 success rate with vac form items. The failure was a conversion set for the Gannet AEW version and the success was a Whirlybird P.1121 Gondor 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CedB Posted May 15, 2020 Share Posted May 15, 2020 Oooh, a tutorial from a Master! I'm in… 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Massimo Posted May 15, 2020 Share Posted May 15, 2020 54 minutes ago, Martian said: Hopefully we can be of assistance. A very interesting type and I shall be keen to see what you make of it. No pressure on me here is there? Apprehensive of Mars 👽 You seem to have found a pupil!!!! That was quick!!!! I'll be watching botth with great interest!!!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VG 33 Posted May 15, 2020 Share Posted May 15, 2020 Hello I have already told you that I have the same kit somewhere in the very dark side of my basement and I will certainly follow your path to this future little gem. Patrick 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andwil Posted May 15, 2020 Share Posted May 15, 2020 Looking on keenly. Hope there isn’t an exam at the end of the course.... AW 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandy Posted May 15, 2020 Share Posted May 15, 2020 (edited) 5 hours ago, Martian said: I'm sure we can find a way to squeeze you in Crisp. You could always rig up a chair to hang from the ceiling. He should be comfortable in that! Just make sure it's not above the bar. I know these pilot types, they throw beer (or worse!) on everything below them given half a chance. I'll be at the bar.. Ian Edited May 15, 2020 by limeypilot 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted May 15, 2020 Author Share Posted May 15, 2020 4 hours ago, Hamden said: Room for another with social distancing in place, would like to try a vac at some time so will take notes as you go along Stay safe Roger Always happy to have you along Roger. 3 hours ago, Mr T said: I started this kit many years ago, but it stalled when I moved to Leeds to start nurse training. I have another kit in the stash and so will watch this with interest as I keep looking. I even have an Aeroclub prop and wheels. Mine will be a bomber from 504 Sqn if it ever gets built. Hopefully we will be removing the reasons not to build it. 3 hours ago, Gondor44 said: Hope you don't mind if I follow this as I only have a 50-50 success rate with vac form items. The failure was a conversion set for the Gannet AEW version and the success was a Whirlybird P.1121 Gondor Hopefully we can get the success rat up Gondor. 3 hours ago, CedB said: Oooh, a tutorial from a Master! I'm in… I never noticed a master in the box so I don't know where he crept in. 3 hours ago, Massimo said: You seem to have found a pupil!!!! That was quick!!!! I'll be watching botth with great interest!!!! We are using the Martian we; very similar to the Royal we. 2 hours ago, VG 33 said: Hello I have already told you that I have the same kit somewhere in the very dark side of my basement and I will certainly follow your path to this future little gem. Patrick Little gem? It's only a basic vacform build. No pressure on me then! 1 hour ago, Andwil said: Looking on keenly. Hope there isn’t an exam at the end of the course.... AW That I can promise! Exam is the one word guaranteed to send me into a flat spin immediately so there is no way I would inflict it on others. Martian 👽 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted May 15, 2020 Author Share Posted May 15, 2020 4 minutes ago, limeypilot said: You could always rig up a chair to hang from the ceiling. He should be comfortable in that! Just make sure it's not above the bar. I know these pilot types, they throw beer (or worse!) on everything below them given half a chance. I'll be at the bar.. Ian Happy to make Crisp comfortable. We most definitely will not be allowing beer throwing. The very thought of it, the waste! I think I am about to have one of my turns! Distressed of Mars 👽 1 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marklo Posted May 15, 2020 Share Posted May 15, 2020 (edited) Been searching for 1/48 scale vac forms and there really aren’t many out there. Is anyone still making them? Now arguably since I make my own vacforms there still should be plenty of relevance to the thread. ( I like Martians threads anyway, I always learn something from them even if it is only the absurdity of the human/Martian condition ) My Snark, which I did vacform myself. I wonder if self Snarking can make you go blind. Edited May 15, 2020 by Marklo 2 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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