Vacuform Group Build -- Bring it Here --

[bootneck42]

I put my name forward for this, so I had better show willing on this group build! I have to warn you now though, my success rate is somewhere between slow and stop; as can be seen by the stuff on my shelf of doom below:

Blackburn Buccaneer


De Havilland Dove


Avro Shackleton


Handley-Page Hastings


Ah well, better make a start on the Sherpa.

The pieces are cut out and primed ready for sanding. I was recommended to prime the pieces in a dark colour as this makes it easier to identify when to stop sanding


I might be a while now; the sanding can be Sooooo tedious!

Mike

[Jonathan]

You have the whole spectrum from almost-done to barely-started.
I actually enjoy the sanding out. It's after that I sometimes stall out and ponder what to do next.

Painting the whole sheet works as well as marker pen around the edges, I have done it both ways.
In fact I have another shelf-of-shamer that i did with primer first.
All the parts are done, now it needs a wing spar designed, nose wheel well, and goodness knows what all else.
This is the Welsh models KC-135

[bootneck42]

Not much done yet, mainly as I am scratchbuilding a 1:350 ship model at the moment and that's taking a bit of time.

With regard to the C-27 Sherpa; I have shaped the main fuselage pieces but not added the strengthening bulkheads yet. I have added a small bulkhead near the front and then added some ballast weight into the nose section.

More to follow.

Mike

[bootneck42]

I may regret this; however, there is such a lot of room inside that C-27 (a whole half inch, 15mm, of width!) that I am going to attempt to populate it. This means that the reinforcing bulkheads will need to be hollowed out to just frames before fitting etc., and then lining the walls, floor and ceiling. I hope to open up at least one door and have the rear ramp lowered. If I mess it up then the whole lot will get closed up again.

Query: What grade wet/dry paper do you vacformers find best for sanding? I currently use Halfords (UK) 400 grit and 800 grit. The 400 I find to be a bit rough on the plastic but the 800 is too fine and it takes foreeevvveeeerrrrr to sand down, by which time I have usually fallen asleep in the process!

Mike

[Jonathan]

oh good lord, no wonder you find it tedious. I use 100 grit! and i do it dry. wet sanding is an unnecessary bother.

"Sands Fast - Less work"
The dust it makes is not particularly friable and stays on the paper. you can just take the sheet outside and knock it off every so often.
If you wanted to, you could switch to 400 for the last final pass i guess, but really
there is no need to polish the mating surfaces, in fact the rough surface loves liquid welding solvent.


I am going to cut out the windows and do an interior in my Hastings as well. madness, but have at it!

[bootneck42]

Right, got the 100 grit and that's a great improvement!

Typical though, I've done the sanding and Hannants have announced that Eastern Express are bringing out a series of Shorts 330/Sherpa plastic kits in 1:144; initially as the civilian versions; including BAF.

[Jonathan]

I saw that too. Still, I wonder how it looks, some of those Ukranian IM kits are every bit as challenging as a vacuform.

Another item in Welsh Models catalog that he will likely never sell another.

[F_IV]

Using wet paper with a generous amount of detergent will make things much faster and give a crisper result. You'll live longer too!

[Jonathan]

I got this box out yesterday at last and got some assemblies started.
The wings and tail planes and the engine nacelles halves cemented together

got the wheel well doors cut out and welded in the open position.
Next I am going to saw the cowlings off the nacelles, drill out the front openings , mount the engines on firewalls inserted in from the back, and then remount the completed engines on the nacelles.

[bootneck42]

Looking good Jonathan!

Mike