wellsprop Posted August 28, 2020 Author Share Posted August 28, 2020 So after a marathon 26 hour print, the prototype main aircraft is complete! The slicing software predicted 21 hours, but in reality it went significantly over... I'm not too worried though as the print quality was very good (printed everything vertically at highest resolution and anti-aliasing) and the remaining parts take less than 5 hours to print. Only some very minor amendments are needed, I'm increasing the height/depth of some of the detail parts to make them stand out more and adding a couple of extra supports. The cockpit, prop and undercarriage are all printing now, so this will be complete this evening (minus vacformed canopy) Ben 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wellsprop Posted August 28, 2020 Author Share Posted August 28, 2020 Here's the prototype! A very, very quick build, just to double check that there for assembly issues - the good news is, there are none The front panel slipped and I didn't notice (oops) I still need to get round to sorting out a vacform machine. Ben 14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Cornes Posted August 28, 2020 Share Posted August 28, 2020 Just one thing, you know that the rear cockpit canopy side panels are bulged outwards? Just thought I'd mention its in case you need to adjust your print? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wellsprop Posted August 29, 2020 Author Share Posted August 29, 2020 11 hours ago, Simon Cornes said: Just one thing, you know that the rear cockpit canopy side panels are bulged outwards? Just thought I'd mention its in case you need to adjust your print? Hi Simon, Thanks, I was aware of this, I haven't yet completed the model of the canopy, I intend to add the bulges before I print it and figure out how to make some sort of vacform machine! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Cornes Posted August 29, 2020 Share Posted August 29, 2020 That’s fine - you know what you’re doing! Just mentioned it based on the imagery Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 30, 2020 Share Posted August 30, 2020 (edited) This may be of some use: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VAC-Vacuum-Forming-machine-220volts-Vacuum-Former-for-all-thermoplastic-102510/173440202187?hash=item2861d775cb:g:txsAAOSwIh1edLe2 Possibly a tad on the pricey side and that's before postage, HMRC's extortion and the Royal Mail's protection monies too. Edited August 30, 2020 by The Wooksta! Joyless grammar nazism 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wellsprop Posted August 30, 2020 Author Share Posted August 30, 2020 7 minutes ago, The Wooksta! said: This may be of some use: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VAC-Vacuum-Forming-machine-220volts-Vacuum-Former-for-all-thermoplastic-102510/173440202187?hash=item2861d775cb:g:txsAAOSwIh1edLe2 Possibly a tad on the pricey side and that's before postage, HMRC's extortion and the Royal Mail's protection monies too. Just a bit expensive unfortunately! So far, I've created a box with a mesh top and glue gunned an old vacuum cleaner attachment to the side. I need to work out a good way of securing the plastic and forming an airtight seal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis95 Posted August 30, 2020 Share Posted August 30, 2020 That looks like a stunning print. A date with a tamiya panel scriber and Rosie the Riveting Tool and you'll have a fantastic model. I always think of 3D printed models as more of a carcass that needs some love but you're going a long way to prove me wrong! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wellsprop Posted August 31, 2020 Author Share Posted August 31, 2020 19 hours ago, Lewis95 said: That looks like a stunning print. A date with a tamiya panel scriber and Rosie the Riveting Tool and you'll have a fantastic model. I always think of 3D printed models as more of a carcass that needs some love but you're going a long way to prove me wrong! Thanks, I'm really pleased with it! I'm going to add some panel lines to the wings and fuselage, they do look a bit sparse, I'll do something like this I can't really do the raised fabric detail unfortunately (not with huge amounts of work). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackroadkill Posted August 31, 2020 Share Posted August 31, 2020 I’m fascinated by this; I know nothing about 3D printing but what I do know is that I’d love a 1/48 Chipmunk; as mentioned above I used to fly them back in my ATC days and would love to build a model of one that I flew in. Assuming you decide to sell some, what do you think the cost might be? A stunning job on a real character of an aircraft. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheshiretaurus Posted August 31, 2020 Share Posted August 31, 2020 On 8/30/2020 at 12:09 PM, The Wooksta! said: This may be of some use: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VAC-Vacuum-Forming-machine-220volts-Vacuum-Former-for-all-thermoplastic-102510/173440202187?hash=item2861d775cb:g:txsAAOSwIh1edLe2 Possibly a tad on the pricey side and that's before postage, HMRC's extortion and the Royal Mail's protection monies too. These are sold as Dental Vacuum forming machines perfect for small parts such as canopys, had one for a few years UK seller https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dental-Molding-Former-Thermoforming-Vacuum-Forming-Material-Machine-220V-UK/223769090638 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Excellent-Quality-Forming-Machine-Equipmem/dp/B00ZTZNCRO 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wellsprop Posted September 8, 2020 Author Share Posted September 8, 2020 Ok, so I've added a little more detail, panel lines to the fuselage and the wings. I'm happy that the detail on the wings is complete, not sure about the fuselage. In reality the Chipmunk has no distinctive panel lines on the fuselage (having checked one out for myself at the Hatfeild museum ), however, the fuselage does look much too baren without any detail. No panel lines is too little detail, I don't want to have too much detail now.... I'm quite happy with this, what does Britmodeller think? Ben 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airjiml2 Posted September 8, 2020 Share Posted September 8, 2020 I'd be interested in one or two. A suggestion with regard to the canopy. Why not just provide a 3d printed canopy that the purchaser could vacuform at home. Would fit will with he I made this in my garage ethos of the project. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Cornes Posted September 8, 2020 Share Posted September 8, 2020 That’s very good work. I have two Chipmunk kits already - Heritage and Aeroclub - so I don’t need anymore but, if you can vacform a canopy that would be better although it’s probably fiddly because of the bulged panels for the rear cockpit. I agree - no more panel lines. Sometimes ‘less’ is more! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truro Model Builder Posted September 8, 2020 Share Posted September 8, 2020 On 8/20/2020 at 2:03 PM, Kushan_Farsight said: I was surprised how this gentle trainer was used in some quite risky ways! Low level convoy escort and secret reconnaissance over Berlin. pretty cool! On 8/20/2020 at 9:51 PM, wellsprop said: I've always wanted to do this scheme, don't know what to do for this kit.... Fantastic history though! I suggest you both may be interested in this fascinating little volume: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Looking-Down-Corridors-Espionage-1945-1990/dp/0750955775 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangseat Posted September 10, 2020 Share Posted September 10, 2020 With regards to the canopy, have you considered clear resin printing? I have been experimenting with this. Of course the clarity is not vacform standard, but I am making progress getting an acceptable standard. Printed on .02mm layers, with anti aliasing maxed, the layers are very fine, and after that the part can be painted with more clear resin and put under a uv nail lamp to all but obliterate the lines. Laminating with CA and if course dipping in clear also improves shine and clarity. Sounds a faff, but unless you have a proper machine vac forming can be too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wellsprop Posted September 10, 2020 Author Share Posted September 10, 2020 51 minutes ago, Bangseat said: With regards to the canopy, have you considered clear resin printing? I have been experimenting with this. Of course the clarity is not vacform standard, but I am making progress getting an acceptable standard. Printed on .02mm layers, with anti aliasing maxed, the layers are very fine, and after that the part can be painted with more clear resin and put under a uv nail lamp to all but obliterate the lines. Laminating with CA and if course dipping in clear also improves shine and clarity. Sounds a faff, but unless you have a proper machine vac forming can be too! I have thought about that, vacforming isn't an ideal option either. I haven't tried it with a canopy of this size and I'm unsure what the results will be. The conventionally cast clear resin parts often need an amount of work done (pledge gloss) to get a satisfactory finish anyway. My main hesitation with the clear resin is the upfront cost... Plunge molding a canopy using an oven is cheap (so is bodging my own vacforming machine). 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOUSTON Posted September 11, 2020 Share Posted September 11, 2020 (edited) EXQUISITE work. You worked hard on this project and it shows in the development of it. Edited September 11, 2020 by HOUSTON 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackroadkill Posted September 11, 2020 Share Posted September 11, 2020 The Chippy’s looking great! I agree that less is more when it comes to the panel lines. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wellsprop Posted October 21, 2020 Author Share Posted October 21, 2020 Hi all, A bit of an update, I've slightly modified the instrument panel to make the instruments recessed by 0.2mm, rather than protruding by 0.5mm, I think this give a more realistic look. I have also updated the seat to make it a bit more like the "bucket" style seat in the Chipmunk, let me know what you all think! I'm just finishing the final few prints of my Fairey IIIF and then I'll be on to the Chipmunk! I have to first print the canopy to make a mold for a plunge formed canopy. Ben 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wellsprop Posted October 27, 2020 Author Share Posted October 27, 2020 Another quick update, I've designed, and I am currently printing, this... It's vacuum forming box thing, measures about 50 x 100 mm. I've got a load of clear sheet on the way, which I will mount between two pieces of mdf - this sandwich will be put in the oven to heat the plastic before being placed over the holey box. The hole int he box is the right size for the vacuum cleaner I have, it might work... I may have some canopies this weekend! EDIT: This was a complete failure and refused to print Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackroadkill Posted October 27, 2020 Share Posted October 27, 2020 This is looking grand! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tail-Dragon Posted October 29, 2020 Share Posted October 29, 2020 What would definitely interest me would be a printed vacuform master for the Canadian blown canopy! The other mods could be done by the modeler, but the canopy would be a huge plus! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Havilland_Canada_DHC-1_Chipmunk#/media/File:RCAF_Chipmunk_18041.jpg https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/9815673 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wellsprop Posted November 16, 2020 Author Share Posted November 16, 2020 I've had a go at vacuum forming a canopy, the third attempt (picture) has nearly got there! Im going to drill some more holes in the top and raise up the forming plug, hopefully the fourth attempt will be a success. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Cornes Posted November 16, 2020 Share Posted November 16, 2020 That is very impressive but are you sure you have the bulges right? In my mind they are more of a curve rather than flat panels if you see what I mean. I may be wrong but, whatever, your canopy looks really good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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