SPA Modeler

I wonder if fiberoptoc line would be easier to work with. I used a heck of a lot to light up the cockpit panels on my Falcon build. It's clear and bends easy, but it doesn't like superglue. Have to use mod podge or PVA

John, simply exquisite work!

jkim wrote: ↑Sun Nov 20, 2022 9:36 pm

BlackSheep214 wrote: ↑Sat Nov 19, 2022 10:25 pm Very nice. I’ve been on the fence whether or not to invest in a cricut machine myself for about a year now. If I do decide to invest in one, I wouldn’t know how to use it to make my own masks - let alone what material I need to get to make them. This all new technology to me.

How to make the mask files is the big question. I'm not sure how others do it but since I am adept in AutoCAD, it's easy for me to create the DXF files that the Silhouette Portrait software uses to cut masks. I simply import scans of decals or photos or even model parts into AutoCAD, use the photos to trace the mask shapes and then send the files to the cutter.

I use Inkscape, It's a free vector graphics program and is more than enough to make files for cutters. It can export to many file types including dxf and svg.

Floki wrote: ↑Wed Jan 11, 2023 8:25 pm I wonder if fiberoptoc line would be easier to work with. I used a heck of a lot to light up the cockpit panels on my Falcon build. It's clear and bends easy, but it doesn't like superglue. Have to use mod podge or PVA

Acrylic gel medium works great on fibre! I did 400’ of it in my carrier, all with gel medium.

I finally worked up enough will power to complete the wheel wells. Some wiring was added for hydraulic lines but not too much. Here is some lead wire on the gear door actuators. The actual linkage rods have been removed and will be replaced with brass tubing.


Here are the wheel wells after painting.



To complete the wiring within the wheel wells, I decided to glue on the wing tops first.


I tried to optimize the fit at the wing roots as much as possible.



With the wing tops in place, I can complete the wiring. There is a fuel drain line on the starboard side that I'm trying to replicate but I think it needs to be re-shaped.



Some more views of the painted wheel wells. I'll let this dry and perhaps add some more weathering before I glue the wing bottoms on.




The solid wheel covers have been glued onto the Barracuda resin wheels. The small gaps were filled with White Milliput.

John, that is just beautiful work.

Verify impressive detailing work going on there.

Thanks guys! Inching along here with some more details.

The fuel drain line was re-worked. The previous one was a little too kinky.


You can see from the previous picture and this next one that I've dirtied up the wheel wells a bit with some pastels.


I also re-did the tail wheel strut as the bent paper clip looked a little too much like a bent paper clip. I flattened portions of the strut using a rotary tool. It's also shorter as the first version held the tail wheel a little too far from the fuselage. Yeah, it's pretty hard to tell the diff but hey, I'm happier with it.




Oh and I added the "tail wheel centering unit" just to fill up some of the space in the tail wheel well but alas, it is all but un-noticeable in there.

And this is a commission build??!! I'd have a hard time letting this one go John. Very well detailed indeed!! Lookin' forward to more on this one!!!

This is some next level stuff indeed.