Paper/Card models

[Jay]

Anyone had any experience with these? I've been eyeing some Helinski models - mainly the F-117 but the Val looks pretty good! - I'm wondering if these would translate well into resin models. I guess the F-117 would be pretty easy, but I'm a bit sceptical about planes with rounded shapes. My idea was to simply convert the flat card shapes onto plasticard of various thickness to obtain a plastic and not card model. Even if I just use the internal structures incorporated into the card models.

[normandy]

Aferguson has, maybe he can give you some tips.

[aferguson]

that would work well with tanks or other flat sided vehicles, you simply scale up the card model and use it for templates.

Would not work very well with compound curves, which most airplanes have a lot of.

[Airacobra]

Anyone had any experience with these? I've been eyeing some Helinski models - mainly the F-117 but the Val looks pretty good! - I'm wondering if these would translate well into resin models. I guess the F-117 would be pretty easy, but I'm a bit sceptical about planes with rounded shapes. My idea was to simply convert the flat card shapes onto plasticard of various thickness to obtain a plastic and not card model. Even if I just use the internal structures incorporated into the card models.

Yes you can do it, but it will not be easy. I started my P-39 using enlarged paper model templates, but as Aferg said, the compound curves can be difficult. The model I used is a fantastic paper model and I have a tremendous amount of respect for card modelers because it is a difficult craft to master, but my example only included about four ribs per each wing half, and that is simply not enough to build a solid structure for sheeting. My current solution is to reduce some topflite 1/7 scale rc plans for structural reference. The problem with the topflite plans is that it is a sport scale model and the lines are a bit off. This has slowed my progress as I resize the sport scale rc templates to fit within the scale paper models outlines. One area where the paper model will excel is the cockpit area. I will be able to build a paper version that I can mimic with wood, resin, super sculpey, etc. Sorry to ramble on but to answer your question, Yes, it can be done but there will be a lot of work associated with it. Keep us updated with your progress.

[pickelhaube]

They are not 1/18 scale. Usually they are 24th scale. You need to enlarge them.

[normandy]

Aferguson, where did you get/order the card model of the Elefant? I like the one you made its very cool.

[aferguson]

i got it on ebay. They're out of print for a few years now. Look under 'paper model' and 'card model' and you may find one in time.

The kit is older and not of high quality but still can be built into a decent model. You'll want to paint it, the colours are awful. Just use normal model paints.

[normandy]

Aferguson, Thanks very much I'll look into it.

[aferguson]

i just use the photocopier at my local library.

[popeye357]

Here's a 1/16 Sd. Kfz 250/3 Greif:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Paper-Card-Model-Sd ... 286.c0.m14

[Jay]

Yeah, most of the planes I've seen are in 1/32 but it should be pretty easy to just scale them up on a photocopier. I figured it would just be a labourious process. Maybe you could even enlarge them onto card - build sections and resin the actual card?........maybe, maybe not. Ive read of card modelers soaking small cardboard parts in quick dry cement to add strength.

[smittyrob64]

I've been looking into these as well to use as plans
Here are some links I have found through other forums
http://www.papermodelstore.com/product_ ... ts_id=1753
http://www.ukpapermodels.com/product_in ... cts_id=107
http://www.modelik.pl/

This forum has some amazing card models made by some members
particularily this guy:
http://www.zealot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=162181

[Jay]

I sometimes can't believe that some of these models are made from card.

http://www.cardarmy.ru/avia/d3a1.htm
......has a nice Val model.
I think of it in terms of - a real warbird was coverd in sheet metal which was.....a flat sheet at some stage (yes yes, I realise it was also stretched and shrunk in places) so building a card model would involve the same process of "skinning". Especially if you used really thin plastic sheet and then reinforced it from the inside with resin.
I sometimes use a mix of plastic sheet shavings (like saw dust shavings) and resin to make a paste that can then be smeared onto plastic sheet to make it thick and sturdy (plus the plastic shavings help the resin bond - so it stays in a thick layer if needed). This can then be sanded/painted as you would a custom plastic model.

[smittyrob64]

Very nice Val.

The thing about making something like this in styrene (I would think) is that you can still sand and shape the plastic to help eliminate seams and the choppy angular parts on rounded areas you somtimes see with card.

That's my guess anyway. I'm ordereing a kit from UK paper models to see how proficiant (or useless) I can be with one of these.

[VMF115]

This is what I want in 1/18th.......
http://www.3dpapermodel.com.tw/shop/Pro ... ductNO=158

[smittyrob64]

Hilarious, thats the exact one I ordered

[VMF115]

Hilarious, thats the exact one I ordered

I was hoping one can scale it up to 1/18.

[aferguson]

i bought that kit years ago but haven't touched it. It's quite intimidating, especially if you don't have much scratch building experience. If you don't i would suggest starting with a simpler subject, like a simply shaped tank with all flats and angles. Sheet styrene is like paper in that you can't form it into double curves (aka compound curves) so it makes building any subjects with those types of curves pretty tough.

One trick is to soak the paper, once assembled, with krazy glue and then sand it to shape. This will require repainting the model, rather than using the printed on colours but that's usually a good idea anyway.

Paper models certainly have their uses, as far as this hobby goes. But they also have their limitations....however they are a great place to start with any scratchbuilding project as much of the work is done for you.

[smittyrob64]

Very easy, you enlarge image 139%

Divide 1/25 by 1/18 so 25/18=1.38888888 etc
round up and you have 139%

I usually use photoshop myself to do this, then I can crop and print it out in sections, so if it is a 4 view blueprint I can print out side, top, and then front and back on same pages.

[smittyrob64]

i bought that kit years ago but haven't touched it. It's quite intimidating,

Well, it might take me a few years to build it but my plan also was to enlarge it to (of course) 1/18. You can see where I'm going with this.
I'm hoping by enlarging it it might make it easier as I've seen the miniscule pieces these kits have.

Of course by the time I'm finished mine, 21st will have released theirs long time ago right

[pickelhaube]

i bought that kit years ago but haven't touched it. It's quite intimidating,

Well, it might take me a few years to build it but my plan also was to enlarge it to (of course) 1/18. You can see where I'm going with this.
I'm hoping by enlarging it it might make it easier as I've seen the miniscule pieces these kits have.

Of course by the time I'm finished mine, 21st will have released theirs long time ago right

Yeah right.

[aferguson]

the only chance of seeing one of those from 21c is to rent a kryo chamber and have them wake you in about 50 years.

However, i would say there is a shot FOV could make one and there were rumours Dragon has had a prototype of one for years, which they may release now that the 88 is out. I would say there's a decent chance that somebody will make one in the next couple of years.