Custom 1:18 F-117 Nighthawk, First Progress Pics 9 Feb 09

Jay · Post by **Jay** » Sat Jan 24, 2009 5:32 pm

So here goes nothing.......I've been toying with the idea of using a paper model as a basis for a custom. I've settled on building a F-117. Mainly because of its flat sides (but hey..it's a pretty cool plane!). I have already enlarged the paper model pieces. I'm using the GPM cardmodel.
To be honest i'm really jumping into this head first so it's going to be really experimental, in terms of building processes and techniques. My first plan of attack is building the main fuselage parts out of cardboard and then simply resin them. Feel free to chime in with any advice or whatever.........

Post by **aferguson** » Sat Jan 24, 2009 5:51 pm

http://rc-castle.com/shop/product_info. ... ts_id=1143

Jay · Post by **Jay** » Sat Jan 24, 2009 6:14 pm

aferguson wrote:http://rc-castle.com/shop/product_info. ... ts_id=1143

.......now where's the challenge in that?!

pickelhaube · Post by **pickelhaube** » Sat Jan 24, 2009 7:00 pm

aferguson wrote:http://rc-castle.com/shop/product_info. ... ts_id=1143

About 4 1/4 inches short in wing span and about 1 3/4 short in length. Not to to bad for $100.

Jay · Post by **Jay** » Mon Feb 09, 2009 12:45 am

VMF115 · Post by **VMF115** » Mon Feb 09, 2009 1:20 am

DUUUUUUUUUUDE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

pickelhaube · Post by **pickelhaube** » Mon Feb 09, 2009 6:43 am

Are you using card board or thin foam board?
MAN THAT IS LOOKING REAL GOOD !!!!

Jay · Post by **Jay** » Mon Feb 09, 2009 12:14 pm

I'm using various grades of cardboard. Thick stuff for the main fuselage parts and thin board for the smaller parts (The cockpit tub is thick - cockpit parts are thin). The thinner stuff is actually pretty strong once the board is creased, folded and glued. Bit like sheet metal.

Post by **aferguson** » Mon Feb 09, 2009 1:43 pm

looking excellent. I gather you laminated the enlarged photcopied pieces to the cardboard. I used bristol board when i made my tanks and then glued that to a much thicker carboard, after bending....mostly because i didn't have a ready source of thick quality cardboard and i was worried about being able to bend and shape the pieces if glued to a thick cardboard. But i can see you've had no problems.

Are you going to paint it when done?

And what are you going to do for the canopy?

When you're done this you'll have to try something a bit more curvey and see how that goes. There's a world of choices for aircraft models. I've got a B-52 and B-2 that i'm trying to work up the courage to try some day.

Jay · Post by **Jay** » Mon Feb 09, 2009 5:05 pm

...the advantages of having a sister who teaches art is a readily available supply of cardboard

.
The aim is to seal all the parts in either resin or instant glue (which soaks into the board like nothing!), then paint.
Canopy is pretty basic with a card frame and some sort of clear plastic sheet for the glass.
.......And I had already enlarged a set of sheets for a Ki-44-IIc-Shoki so maybe that will be next.......

popeye357 · Post by **popeye357** » Mon Feb 09, 2009 5:08 pm

That looks awesome!!! How did you resize the original??

Jay · Post by **Jay** » Mon Feb 09, 2009 6:45 pm

popeye357 wrote:That looks awesome!!! How did you resize the original??

I used the cad sofware we have at work. I set the scale to what ever the originals are, scan them in, then reset the scale to 1/18. The programe takes care of print sizes and such. Each page from the 117 typically took up an A2 size piece of paper.

Post by **aferguson** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 6:20 am

you don't need to cover the model in resin or glue....you can just paint the paper as it is. The paint will seal it and it wil be quite strong and safe.

The only danger is warping in high humidity, so i would brace the large interior spaces with cross braces of cardboard, if you haven't already.

Jay · Post by **Jay** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 9:29 pm

Aferg.....So maybe just a quick skim over with filler to take out the fold lines (some off the bends were cut/scored outward) and imperfections? maybe a sealer coat then colour coats?
This particular model has internal supports/framing so shouldn't be a problem (famous last words)

Post by **aferguson** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 10:42 am

on my tanks i never bothered to fill in the fold lines because i'm very lazy, i just painted and unless i look for them i don't notice them. On my KV 2 i actually did do a bit of it but only because i wanted to simulated the weld seams on the upper hull. I didn't do it at all on the Ferdinand.

However, if you don't mind doing the work go for it. Just be careful sanding as paper can get a fuzzy texture if you're not careful and it's hard to get rid of.

The paint will do the sealing for you, so i don't see a need to seal first, but again, if you want to, go for it. It would actually be better to seal the inside of the model if you can as the cardboard could warp a bit in high humidity....although very unlikely if braced. Sealing would eliminate any chance, however.

Having said that i never sealed the inside of my tanks and through a few very humid summers i've had no problems at all.