Anyone know of a good place to get a Custom aircraft model?

Post by **aferguson** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 1:28 pm

A custom aircraft model made? There are many places that make custom airplanes on the internet but if someone knows a good, solid reputable place that does good work i'd like to get their name. I would prefer that the custom be made in resin or fibreglass or something like that, rather than carved in wood like many custom places do. However, wood is an alternative i am open to. (i just don't like the 'blue' canopies and the lack of surface detailing).

Any help would be appreciated.

Coreyeagle48 · Post by **Coreyeagle48** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 2:43 pm

Aferg,

I have had good luck with two companies on the internet that i have worked with.

Griffin Aerospace in Texas-They sell on ebay but think they have a website too. They do strange subjects and custom planes and they are excellent. I love their work although they mostly do wood.

Another good company is www.motionmodels.com, they are out of New York I believe. They do some work in resin too

Corey

Rogue · Post by **Rogue** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 4:06 pm

Griffin Aerospace is right down the street past the Globe Swift plant.

In fact, I need to get them to do a model of my Swift.

Aferg, let me know if I can assist.
(Shipping etc.)

Post by **aferguson** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 4:34 pm

Thanks Corey and Rogue.

Rogue, i'll keep you in mind... I emailed both those places about prices, materials etc and i'm waiting for a response. I've been planning on getting myself a 1/18 model of a Reggiane 2005 made for three years and i've finally saved enough pennies up to get it done (i think).

I'm not crazy about wood, mostly because of the painted on canopy but there is zero chance of ever seeing one in mass production and i don't have anywhere near the skill to make a decent one (i started and ended up trashing it) and since replicators and three dimensional photocopiers don't exist yet (one day!).....i've decided to go this route..

Post by **aferguson** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 10:53 am

iv'e heard back from a bunch of places so far and Griffin Aerospace is a lot less than everyone else ($199 vs. $400-$450). If the quality and accuracy are there they are the obvious choice. Would there be any reason to go with a more expensive offer?

buzzard · Post by **buzzard** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 9:52 pm

I recall, some time back that one of our members posted a link to a co. that does museum quality model a/c in various scales made from fibreglass & etc. with Detailed cockpits not painted blue. As good or even better than some of those seen at air shows. Does anyone still've or remember the link?

Post by **aferguson** » Wed Dec 15, 2004 6:24 am

That's HPH out of the Czech republic. Their distributor is Eagle Brand Products for North America.

Their stock 1/18 models are around $1500-$2000 and for custom made models it's about double to triple that.

I think i'll stick with my $199 Griffin Aerospace offer.

One day, though...

Post by **aferguson** » Sat Jan 01, 2005 2:58 pm

Well i did it. I ordered a 1/18 Reggiane 2005 from Griffin Aerospace. From the emails i've had from them they seem like very nice people and their price was far better than anyone else's. Should be done in about three months or so they tell me. If i'm happy with their work i'll have many more projects for them in the years ahead...

Thanks again for your help with this Corey! Much appreciated.

momaw nadon · Post by **momaw nadon** » Sat Jan 01, 2005 6:43 pm

aferguson,
Will it have a detailed cockpit, retractable landing gear, etc? Or is it just going to be a shell? Just wondering.
momaw nadon

Post by **aferguson** » Sat Jan 01, 2005 7:32 pm

no. it's a wooden display model.

It should look something like this when finished (only without the display base...i didn't want one). It will be 19 inches long with a 24 inch span.

http://www.motionmodels.com/custom/mmc-553.jpg

Zartan · Post by **Zartan** » Sun Jan 02, 2005 1:41 am

I was thinking about putting my custom 1/10 or 12 scale German HO 229 flying wing up on ebay but it's a R/C airframe made out of balsa and canvas and probably wouldn't fair to good being shipped.

Coreyeagle48 · Post by **Coreyeagle48** » Sun Jan 02, 2005 5:51 pm

Andy,

Congrats on getting the Macchi from Griffin Aerospace. They are very nice people to work with and they do offer very competitive prices. They are good with harder to find subjects and you should be happy with your model.

I bought a Miss America P-51 from them and a P-6E Hawk. I have been happy with both planes. I had some other wood models that have cracked but not the Griffin ones, they seem much more superior than some of these ones from the Phillppines or wherever they come from.

And Andy, if something is wrong when you get it, tell them. They are very good about correcting mistakes or making you happy. I had a friend who got a Pictarin Mailwing from them and the spar was broke. They made a whole new model and it was spot on right for him. They are a good company!

Corey

Post by **aferguson** » Sun Jan 02, 2005 6:01 pm

yes they seem really nice and folksy and down to earth people. I was looking at their site and they offer wooden models of some really oddball stuff....some i'd never heard of. That's good because I have a lot of projects in mind for them if i like their work (and i hope i do) and some of the stuff i want them to make is in the oddball range.. They have also been good about accomodating little requests of mine.

Great to hear about the durability of their work....that was a bit of a concern of mine.

oh, and it's a Reggiane not a Macchi