SPA Modeler

Modelcrazy wrote:I had that kit at one time Lyle. Too bad I still don't have it or I'd send it to you for spares.

I do appreciate that. Thanks.

Well, started gluing pieces/parts together. At 1/144 scale, this thing is about the same size as the C-54. Still no joy on prop replacements. Shapeways is way too expensive and a spare parts FB page struck out. Asked Warren Dickerson if he could 3-D print some and he could not at that scale with the printer he has. So, I finally found most of the items I bought for casting. The small "kit" from HL was not much use at this point, but I'll see if the resin compounds work. I still can't fine the Instant Mold shapable material...it is here somewhere. I got the multi-pound bag of powdered molding compound out and mixed up some of that.

So, here we go.

The target:



First pour and making the impression:



Second pour:



Finally found a use for those needle caps from the insulin pens! I am curious to see if the mold separates as I want.

Well, that was a waste. I am not surprised given how small the subject is and not having done this before.

Wings elevator and outrigger floats are together and fit quite well. No warping and so far no filler. That is pretty much the parts count.

No, we try to rebuild broken props and give “running.”engines a try.

Why not try scratch building a replacement using strip and rod styrene, and a kit prop as a guide?

That is also an option. They are small enough.

The casting mold would be a perfect jig to keep it all in alignment...

Already in the trash. It mixes nice smooth and white and sets up like as you see in the pic. Sort of a cornbread appearance. May make another now. That is a good idea.

This is the first time I've tried to cast anything. I made another mold using the RTV Silicone stuff from Alumilite. Got the kit from Hobby Lobby some time ago, intending to cast a tail wheel for the Ventura. I'm not trying to cast the "stem" on the prop, just the hub and blades. I also deliberately (so far, anyway) have over filled and am trying to trim the excess before it fully cures. First one was "Meh", second one was better and who knows what the third one will be?





Worst case, I'll have a few hubs and extra blades to make the repairs on the kit items.

It’s getting there. How difficult is it to use the Hobby Lobby stuff to make a mold? I need to cast a few items...

Not too difficult. I like the silicone based mold material far more than that bag of powdered crap I baought...see first molds. Ten parts to one part activator. Mixes easily and stays smooth.

The issue is figuring out how to get something like a prop out....

The two part resin is a one to one. The props took maybe 10-12 drops of each. Mix well, pour, wait ten minutes, remove and let it cure out.