TeaWeasel Posted July 8, 2022 Share Posted July 8, 2022 Had my eye on Airfix's Valiant for a while and saw on Scalemates that Aircraft in Miniature Ltd produce a handy B2 conversion set but I can't seem to find any for sale. Is AIM still in business, and does anyone know if this product is discontinued or are they likely to bring it back anytime soon? Cheers, Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
e8n2 Posted July 9, 2022 Share Posted July 9, 2022 Hannant's shows two versions of the conversion kit, one in resin, the other with 3D printing. Both are listed as future releases. I built it the first time around. Used a lot of epoxy to join parts and as filler. Still turned out pretty nice. Later, Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Swindell Posted July 9, 2022 Share Posted July 9, 2022 11 hours ago, TeaWeasel said: Is AIM still in business, and does anyone know if this product is discontinued or are they likely to bring it back anytime soon? Yes, AIM is still in business, Hannants is sole distributor. Neil is on here as @tnuag Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bentwaters81tfw Posted July 9, 2022 Share Posted July 9, 2022 Neil recently announced his retirement, whether the brand continues or not, we will see. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeaWeasel Posted July 9, 2022 Author Share Posted July 9, 2022 5 hours ago, e8n2 said: Hannant's shows two versions of the conversion kit, one in resin, the other with 3D printing. Both are listed as future releases. I built it the first time around. Used a lot of epoxy to join parts and as filler. Still turned out pretty nice. Later, Dave 42 minutes ago, bentwaters81tfw said: Neil recently announced his retirement, whether the brand continues or not, we will see. Ah I didn't see the 3D print version on there. Have any updates been posted recently? I'm not familiar with the in's and out's of the smaller manufacturers so wouldn't know where to look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bentwaters81tfw Posted July 9, 2022 Share Posted July 9, 2022 IIRC Neil has physical problems which prevent him continuing. I believe there is a short thread on here somewhere 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tnuag Posted July 10, 2022 Share Posted July 10, 2022 (edited) This is the first I have heard of my retirement - I had a spell in hospital, but there are still many models I would like to see. In fact all three of us had problems of one kind or another. High on the list is a 3D printed version of the Valiant B2 conversion. We have just delivered another batch of models to Hannants, and the next delivery should be in August, but that is a kit equal to the Argus in complexity. Edited July 10, 2022 by tnuag correction 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tnuag Posted July 11, 2022 Share Posted July 11, 2022 Just as a heads-up, here are some of the forthcoming evolving models: FLYING BEDSTEAD You can add so much more detail with CAD and 3D printing. 747 MULTI-VARIANT (YES 1:72) AEC MANDATOR This kit has now gone through three iterations in design, but is now finally in test build, prior to delivery, Retirement - not likely..... I find that I get as much pleasure out of my CAD as I did in the days of physical modelling. Mainly because we can produce pretty much anything which appeals - a nice situation to have. 9 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Swindell Posted July 11, 2022 Share Posted July 11, 2022 2 hours ago, tnuag said: Retirement - not likely..... Not until you get that Mandator out! 2 hours ago, tnuag said: FLYING BEDSTEAD Yes please! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bentwaters81tfw Posted July 11, 2022 Share Posted July 11, 2022 It appears I owe Neil a big heartfelt apology for spreading false information. From somewhere, I had read that he was having to stop production due to ill health - I am very pleased to hear that is NOT the case at all. I like many of you would have been very disappointed had this been the case. Please accept my grovelling apology for inferring you were in any shape or form infirm or incapacitated, and please keep up your amazing work. Humbly Frank @tnuag 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tnuag Posted July 11, 2022 Share Posted July 11, 2022 On 7/9/2022 at 11:06 AM, bentwaters81tfw said: Apology accepted Frank - I was more than a little surprised last night. Now back to the CAD. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeaWeasel Posted July 11, 2022 Author Share Posted July 11, 2022 18 hours ago, tnuag said: This is the first I have heard of my retirement - I had a spell in hospital, but there are still many models I would like to see. In fact all three of us had problems of one kind or another. High on the list is a 3D printed version of the Valiant B2 conversion. We have just delivered another batch of models to Hannants, and the next delivery should be in August, but that is a kit equal to the Argus in complexity. Hi Neil, thanks for getting in touch and glad to hear it's all going well. Very interested in the Valiant B2 set, do you have a rough idea of when we can expect it, or would it be August as you mentioned previously? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tnuag Posted July 11, 2022 Share Posted July 11, 2022 No, it won't be August delivery.. All I can say is watch the Hannants Hot News sheet until it appears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wavodavo Posted July 11, 2022 Share Posted July 11, 2022 @tnuag will you still be doing the Valiant B2 conversion in 1/144? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tnuag Posted July 11, 2022 Share Posted July 11, 2022 Yes eventually - design is done, but 3D is a slow production process. the quality and possible detail justify using it however. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeaWeasel Posted July 11, 2022 Author Share Posted July 11, 2022 1 hour ago, tnuag said: No, it won't be August delivery.. All I can say is watch the Hannants Hot News sheet until it appears. Cheers for that 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vlamgat9 Posted July 13, 2022 Share Posted July 13, 2022 On 7/11/2022 at 5:34 PM, tnuag said: Yes eventually - design is done, but 3D is a slow production process. the quality and possible detail justify using it however. Yay!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
e8n2 Posted July 14, 2022 Share Posted July 14, 2022 I just uploaded a photo of my finished Valiant B.2 and an OA-37 for size comparison. Per the instructions, all of the decals received a coat of MicroFilm first before being applied. The left side fin flash didn't want to fit over the vortex generators very well so I went over those with Xtracolour Roundel Red. At the wing joint to the fuselage where the red paint is you can just make out the rear of the fuselage extension piece. It took several months to get it done but I was very satisfied with the finished product. It will never win in a contest, but I build for me and not contests so my opinion is the only one that counts on that matter! I also installed seamless intakes at the same time which created extra work over and above the normal conversion, but on big planes like that, it is worth the effort. Later, Dave 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tnuag Posted July 15, 2022 Share Posted July 15, 2022 On 7/14/2022 at 6:11 AM, e8n2 said: I just uploaded a photo of my finished Valiant B.2 and an OA-37 for size comparison Very nice to see a finished model - congratulations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
e8n2 Posted July 16, 2022 Share Posted July 16, 2022 15 hours ago, tnuag said: Very nice to see a finished model - congratulations. Danke Schön. No, I'm not German, but I know a little so like to throw it in every so often. Hopefully the 3D printed one will not require as much filler as I needed on mine. The seamless intakes I used came from Alley Cat IIRC. Later, Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tnuag Posted September 2, 2022 Share Posted September 2, 2022 (edited) A brief update 2nd September 2022 Mandator: We are doing final tests of the articulation, and some parts have been produced. This is a complicated model, but the chassis and cab look beautiful (to my eyes!). There has been a lot of experimentation, and the reason it has taken so long is that design was finished and masters made, then the Elegoo Mars and 3D printing came along and so I started all over again. Valiant B2 conversion: The conversion is being redesigned for 3D printing, and we are doing the 1:144 version first. The fuselage plug is done, and next comes the wing pods. The main undercarriage will be built in ABS like resin, and each leg will be a single part, giving better realism, and it will now include the early and late main wheels. Dragon A-10 rearming trolley: We have just obtained some dimensions from the USA, to make sure the scale is accurate. Beech T-1 Jayhawk: Just about finished, following very promising build of a clear cockpit canopy. 747-all variants: This is an ongoing project, intended for when the Jupiter 3D printer arrives. Blackburn Blackburn: A new batch of 1:72 (and possibly 1:48) is being produced. Historic Wings kits: We have delivered the revised Goddard Rocket in 1:72 and 1:48. This includes a specially commissioned figure of Dr Goddard, and the sculptor has captured the photo very well. The intention is to bring back all the kits but as 3D printed rather than photo etch. General comments 1 - we never give planned delivery dates, because too many things can cause delays. My standard answer - watch/subscribe to the Hannants Hot News sheet, to know when the kits arrive. 2 - with 3D printing, it is possible to drastically reduce the parts count, and the Blackburn proved that you can do both the wings and the inter-plane struts as a single part, making a biplane as simple to build as a monoplane. Edited September 2, 2022 by tnuag correct typo 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disraeligears Posted September 2, 2022 Share Posted September 2, 2022 I know its a bit off-topic,but what about the Carvair conversion you had planned? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tnuag Posted September 2, 2022 Share Posted September 2, 2022 The Carvair conversion is designed, but 3D printing is a slow process, even with multiple machines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lusitanian Posted September 5, 2022 Share Posted September 5, 2022 Is the Carvair to 1/72 scale for the Revell C-54? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tnuag Posted September 5, 2022 Share Posted September 5, 2022 Yes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now