Scratch Building 101 part 1

[clipper1801]

So you want to try the dark art of creating your own mini? Once you start down this path beware! Few have returned empty handed. You will need a good source of inspiration. This has been mine since becoming obsessed . . .



Found this at Half-Price Books for $8!!! Find a design you just have to have.



Then search the web for a good 3-4 view drawing or two





Open a new file in your note pad-my is spiral bound!



Then start the fun! Remember telling your math teacher that you will never use this stuff-you were wrong : )



You will need to find the wingspan of the original plane, here in my book for the Shorts 184 it says 63'-6" Convert to all inches (multiply the 63' x 12 = 756" add the remaining 6" for a total of 762" (sorry to all you metric types-you will want to go to cm)



Now convert your 762" to 1/144th scale. Divide the total 762" by 144 which will become = 5.29" the wingspan of your new mini! Not so bad is it? Page two



Take your original 3 view and measure the exact wingspan on the drawing.



You will be wanting to adjust the size of your 3 view to 1/144 scale. To do this take the mini wingspan and divide it by the wingspan of the 3 view wingspan



Then re-copy your 3 view enlarging or reducing it to the percentage you calculated.


Check to make sure your new copy has the right wingspan measure, then make 2 - 3 copies onto card stock.



Cut out the parts you will have to make, set them out to make sure you have a paper pattern of each one.



I slip all the paper work and parts into a plastic bag to keep them all together while I write part 2.




Next time the fun continues on wood and plastic! Cheers! Clipper

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Very nice intro to the subject David. I'm glad to see our methods are almost identical. i even use Herris and Pearson, although mine cost a bit more.
I will be interested to see the rest of this article, and may even tell you about the time I thought nylon blocks would make a good basis for a fuselage section.
Rob.

[Jager]

OK, now you have us waiting with bated breath...go on
Karl

[jbmacek]

This should be fun. I'm pulling up a chair and munching on popcorn.

[The Cowman]

I am with Karl. A very nice start to what is sure to be a valuable article here on the site!

[Doug]

You have got me interested, please go on.........

[alpine]

Off to a great start! This is more than perfect for me/someone looking to get into their first scratch built model. Looking forward to more.

[gully_raker]

Yes a great "How To" start on scratch building.
Look forward to the next installment.

[ara398]

Great idea David!

Thanks for taking the time to do this, very much appreciated.

Regards,
Adrian

[Boney10]

Ive pulled up a chair next to John, hopeing he'll pass the popcorn round

[berthier]

Excellent stuff and very clear. Scratch Building for Dummies!

[Guntruck]

I am agog with anticipation of the next episode

[Blackronin]

I'm seated beside everybody waiting. I've got a Mars, Coke and Chips. Anyone interested? Can you pass the popcork, please, John?

[clipper1801]

Just grounded with pneumonia (again!) so it looks like part 2 is about to beginnnnnnn
Clipper

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Sorry to hear that David. Take good care of yourself old chap.
However, part two is something to savour.
Rob.

[Rat of Vengence]

Dammit you lot, there's only the black jellybeans left in the bag! Oh well, send the popcorn down

I hadn't thought too hard about scratchbuilding a WW1 plane to scale, but now you have me thinking. Love the tutorial so far

Dave

[Niclas]

I'm impressed by just about everything you do here, not the least with the apparent ease you produce your plans.
Me I hoard lots of different plans, photoshop a lot and then print - Lots more work but end result's not better.
If I'm really lucky, I can find the plan I want in the back of an Osprey book - then you'll only have to set your printer at 50%.

/Niclas

[Hunter]

Are you building the torpedo as well? Sorry to hear about the pneumonia.