Zactoman Posted January 2, 2005 Share Posted January 2, 2005 (edited) :D Thanks for the compliments. It's been interesting following the progress - it's far more interesting than just looking at pics of the finished item. I agree completely. I just love watching work in progress, especially the nitty gritty detail stuff. I just hope I'm not overposting and boring people here with slow progress. Not to mention that these posts should probably go in the in-progress section, but then I'm not building a model, just a canopy (I can't wait to build the model!). I keep deciding to add more stuff... Front edge of canopy framing carved from .050" styrene sheet. Rear inner canopy frame is made from thick aluminum foil tape with rivets punched from backside using a pin. This part will be molded as a thin flat piece and will need to be warmed to conform to the inside of the canopy. I'm a self proclaimed obsesive-compulsive rivet-counter but not an accu-nazi, does this make me an accu-ruskie? Edited December 5, 2007 by Zactoman Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Zactoman Posted January 2, 2005 Share Posted January 2, 2005 (edited) ... Edited December 5, 2007 by Zactoman Quote Link to post Share on other sites
KRI76 Posted January 2, 2005 Share Posted January 2, 2005 You are NOT boring anyone!!! I just keep on checking this thread only to see if there is any new post from this incredible canopy detailing project. I´m actually saving all your pictures as reference material also! Hope you don´t mind! :D /Kristian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rafael Winter Posted January 2, 2005 Author Share Posted January 2, 2005 Front edge of canopy framing carved from .050" styrene sheet. How did you do?... You carved the final shape straight from styren sheet or cut styren sheet line and molded it ... or... Rafael :D Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Zactoman Posted January 4, 2005 Share Posted January 4, 2005 (edited) Sorry to those looking for updates, but I've taken a few days off (family, stomach flu, and freezing cold garage). I'm getting right back on it though. As for a release date, I'm pushing as fast as I can (I just keep finding more details to add). Still hoping to get some molds poured by end of week, test shots shortly thereafter...Soon !!! Front edge of canopy framing carved from .050" styrene sheet. How did you do?... I carved the outer edges to fit the frame, then dremeled the inside sorta close, leaving material to support it until I had fully thinned the part. Then filed, scraped, and sanded. Finally removing the support and finishing those areas. Edited December 5, 2007 by Zactoman Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Zactoman Posted January 4, 2005 Share Posted January 4, 2005 (edited) Another way I deal with small parts is shown below. Using strip styrene I carve the main shape to size, then partially cut it off, leaving a small bit to hold it. Then detail the part using this "handle" to hold it. Then cut it off and detail the cut off area. Edited December 5, 2007 by Zactoman Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pete "Pig" Fleischmann Posted January 4, 2005 Share Posted January 4, 2005 Good Lord..I'm just blown away. You da man. Pig Quote Link to post Share on other sites
David Walker Posted January 4, 2005 Share Posted January 4, 2005 Wow. I think that about covers it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The_Animal Posted January 5, 2005 Share Posted January 5, 2005 Awesome job. Looking forward to ordering one. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
madmike Posted January 5, 2005 Share Posted January 5, 2005 Zactoman Most impressive work!! This is not rivet counting, far from it, this is art in action!! Thanks for sharing... If youy get the mould worked up, I really am keen to take a casting off your hands! MikeJ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Skull Leader Posted January 5, 2005 Share Posted January 5, 2005 I would just like it known that I don't even own a 1/32 flanker (and chances are I never will) and I would STILL consider buying this aftermarket set, just because of all the ingenuity and hard work that is going in to it! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Zactoman Posted January 5, 2005 Share Posted January 5, 2005 Hey all, I'm flattered (enough already :lol: ) Let's just hope I can pull off the molding and casting part of this project. This is much more intricate than what I'm used to doing at work (EJM Design). I'm pretty confident, but I am a little worried about molding things like small wiring with undercuts and through holes. I'm blown away by some of the Black Box stuff I've seen (not that impressed with some of the other resins out there). Anybody know of any good how-to/reference sites dealing with molding an d casting super intricate detaily stuff? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
richy Posted January 5, 2005 Share Posted January 5, 2005 Back from africa, i am discovering your article Zactoman. :wacko: IMPRESSIVE!!!!!!!!!! That's a "chef d'oeuvre" :D :lol: :P i print everything to keep it under my pilow. Thanks for sharing your technics Zacto. Just a question, i missed the part about the king of material that you used for the canopy resin or thermoforming? Thanks for your future answer. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dehowie Posted January 7, 2005 Share Posted January 7, 2005 You are making awesome progress Zactoman. Can wait t see the finished deal. Darren Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BadCop Posted January 8, 2005 Share Posted January 8, 2005 What can I saw ..... WOW!! It's craftsmen like you Zactoman who just keep raising the bar. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Zactoman Posted January 9, 2005 Share Posted January 9, 2005 (edited) Progress has been abit slow (sorry guys B) , I'm hoping you're willing to endure the wait for a more completely detailed part). This little detailie stuff is difficult when you have giant fingers as I do. Canopy de-misting ducting is about ready to attach. I made these parts from solder by rolling it flat between 2 pieces of strip stock taped down, the solder taped at one end. Curved 'horns' are also solder. Edited December 5, 2007 by Zactoman Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Zactoman Posted January 9, 2005 Share Posted January 9, 2005 (edited) Another view. You can see some of the foil tape with embossed details. Release Date: Soon, ASAP, quickly as I can. I'm almost finished with the details. I just bought some RTV for the molds. I just acquired a small vacuum chamber for my garage, so I will be able to cast parts more rapidly when I am ready to go. I'm still having a few problems with the actual vacforming, I'm pretty sure it's a moisture problem with my material. I'm hoping to solve the problem with a new sheet of plastic, or to oven dry the plastic before forming it(pain, extra work). I still have to deal with packaging and an instruction sheet (I will work with overanxious ARC members :o to get you parts in advance of 'proper' packaging and instructions) B) Edited December 5, 2007 by Zactoman Quote Link to post Share on other sites
skuki Posted January 9, 2005 Share Posted January 9, 2005 Incredible B) . No comment. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Michiel Nijkamp Posted January 9, 2005 Share Posted January 9, 2005 I still have to deal with packaging and an instruction sheet (I will work with overanxious ARC members B) to get you parts in advance of 'proper' packaging and instructions) I belong to that category!!! You keep amazing me! Great work! ragrds, Michiel Quote Link to post Share on other sites
KRI76 Posted January 10, 2005 Share Posted January 10, 2005 Sorry, one question Zactoman: are you going to keep the same level of detailing for the whole aircraft? The work you have done so far is not from this planet! Incredilbe isn´t enough! It makes me want to order a set even though I probably never will build a 1/32 kit!!!! /Kristian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Zactoman Posted January 10, 2005 Share Posted January 10, 2005 are you going to keep the same level of detailing for the whole aircraft? No, I was actually hoping to build the kit out-of-the-box. Now that that's not happening, I'm planning on just adding some wiring to the gear wells and struts, and using the Black Box cockpit. I'm anxious to move on to a full-on scratch-built (actually well along the way ) 1/32 jet fighter, with the intent to release it as a limited run resin kit with photoetch, metal gear struts, and decals. I wish I could share that one (and the rest on my list (all 1/32 scale))( He-162 was on the list ;) ), but I'm worried about somebody stealing my ideas and releasing it/them first. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Zactoman Posted January 10, 2005 Share Posted January 10, 2005 (edited) Getting closer... Edited December 5, 2007 by Zactoman Quote Link to post Share on other sites
richy Posted January 10, 2005 Share Posted January 10, 2005 That's a pure lesson of scratch building you are giving us zactoman continue to post please..... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rafael Winter Posted January 10, 2005 Author Share Posted January 10, 2005 I can´t wait to see it finished... Rafael Winter Quote Link to post Share on other sites
neu Posted January 11, 2005 Share Posted January 11, 2005 Hooly sheet....this canopy could be a stand alone model! Incredible! Congratulations! Greetings, neu Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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