Considering leaping into Shapeways; some questions

[HotleadColdfeet]

I was thinking about getting 4 Shapeways models to add to my Wings of Glory collection. They are:
A Hanriot HD.2 floatplane
An Albatross D.III
A Felixstowe F.2a late version
And a Friedrichshafen FF.33E

Before I make the leap though, I have a couple questions:
1) Where can I find bases for these (especially the bombers)?
2) How many points of damage do the HD.2, Felixstowe and Friedrichshafen take and what manouver decks do they use?
3) Does anybody know where I can get decals for these 1/144 scale planes? And what are good tips for painting them?

I'm also interested concerning the gimbal mounts. How exactly do you attach these and is it permanent? I can see this being a cool addition to our games and useful in putting some minis with the pegs broken back in action.

Thanks all,
HotleadColdfeet

[Nightbomber]

You are on the right way to expand your gaming experience.
I have ordered quite a number of S. minis and for gaming purposes they are perfect.
Answers:
1. Two options: a) use official ones, b) make them on your own cutting plexi to a desired size.
2. Refer to Offcial Unofficial stats file available in the file section. Easy.
3. Doms Decals on the internet. Search on Ebay pays off as well.
4. Mounting gimbals is easy: Drill a semispheric whole in the bottom of the fuse and superglue the ball. Works fine. S. models are much lighter than official minis - it help to make banks, dives and climbs without irritating falling down. However, sometimes giant planes will have to be fixed with a larger, bomber peg, because of their weight. Like the one of mine, below.

[RJG173]

Andrzej, may I ask what aircraft that is? I like it.

[Nightbomber]

It is a rare Zeppelin Staaken floatplane, a special jbmacek's 3D design

More pics in my album
http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/album.php?albumid=2681

Here is how it looked like printed out on my workbench.

[RJG173]

I couldn't see the second float in the first photograph you posted, so I thought it was some exotic single-float aircraft. You did a nice job painting and decaling the model.

[Doug]

Was it able to carry a torpedo?

[HotleadColdfeet]

Thanks for the replies, Andrzej!
I'm looking at red eagle miniatures in addition to Shapeways as they come with decals. Of course I'd have to mount them on gimbals, but from what I hear it's not too hard.

I looked up the unofficial stats but couldn't find anything on the Felixstowe. Are there any stats on it? I also noticed that some unofficial aircraft give "S" damage. What on earth is that? Is there an "S" deck?

One more question:
What are good ways to store these new models without eating up too much space? I'm able to store all my scouts/two-seaters quite well in Akro Mils storage cases and am loving it. But when I get into large bombers and WW2 fighters with oversized cards, I don't know what to do. I really don't like having to keep each aircraft in it's own box as that makes setting up and cleaning up Wings of Glory missions take forever. And I've learned the hard way that the easier a game is to maintain, play and clean up, the more it gets played.

[flash]

It's certainly in the latest iteration Cole, under official cards :
Felixstowe F2A Great Britain; Availability 18/Q2-18/Q4; Move XC deck; Damage type (S); damage points 29; alt 7; climb rate 7.
Not sure but the (S) may mean 'as specified on the card' as all types so noted appear in the FotG box set.
For storage - they may do bigger boxes, if not there will be similar products that do - maybe get some pluck foam inners to protect them, if you search on storage on the forum you might find a solution.

[Mike George]

I know this has been asked and answered but what do you pre coat your shapeway models with?

[Jager]

Either a clear floor wax, like Pledge, or diluted PVA (white) glue.
Search 'Shapeways" and Zoe Brain under the advanced search function.
Karl

[jbmacek]

I know this has been asked and answered but what do you pre coat your shapeway models with?

My method is to dunk them seven or eight times in Future/Pledge, and then hit them with a blast or two of Krylon Triple Thick Crystal Clear Glaze. I've gotten some amazing results with that.

[grumpybear]

My method is to dunk them seven or eight times in Future/Pledge, and then hit them with a blast or two of Krylon Triple Thick Crystal Clear Glaze. I've gotten some amazing results with that.

I don't go quite that heavy with Future , maybe should give it a try

[grumpybear]

My method is to dunk them seven or eight times in Future/Pledge, and then hit them with a blast or two of Krylon Triple Thick Crystal Clear Glaze. I've gotten some amazing results with that.

I don't go quite that heavy with Future , maybe should give it a try

[ReducedAirFact]

We really should create a sticky thread in this forum on preparing printed planes for painting (PPPP).