An idea came up about holding a scratchbuilding class/campaign with Joe Szczygielski (Mother) leading it. We need to see if there are enough people interested in it to make it viable. Please give us your opinions.

https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/204179&page=1

Hisham

'mother' as professor? yeah, I'd sign up for class.

I'm In!

I just started in the hobby a couple of years ago. I find myself doing more scratch building to make my models more realistic.

Sam

I'm in.

I actually thought this would be a good idea which a lot of members would be interested in... but I guess not

So, seeing as there are only a couple of people, beside me, who showed interest... it'll be up to Joe if he wants to go ahead with this project.

Hisham

I feel the same way. I was thinking we would have more of a turn out. I'm sure in time. I'm still in and was thinking maybe "Mother", or another high speed scratch builder could start off with the following:

1. Working from simple prints, drawings, photos found on line or out of a book. Converting them to the proper scale.

2. Turning a printed card model into a plastic model.

3. Scratchbuilding simple parts for armor, trucks, ships and aircraft.


Just my two cents.

Sam

It is surprising, and I agree with your 3 points, exactly what I would look for (especially #1). Maybe lob a query into a different forum?

Ola Guys

I'd be game for a class like that. Even though I have a bit of experience in scratchbuilding (You have to do an awefull lot of that with building vacuform kits) I simply like scratchbuilding so I would join for the pure fun of it.

Great subject and yes I'm willing to help out. And these three subjects are the best to start of for the basics...

1. Working from simple prints, drawings, photos found on line or out of a book. Converting them to the proper scale.

2. Turning a printed card model into a plastic model.

3. Scratchbuilding simple parts for armor, trucks, ships and aircraft.

However get this started contact me via PM in case I happen to miss the green light.

Happy Modeling,
Joe

Mother:

Thank you so much for the help. I'm also excited that you approved of the three topics I posted. I have many card models sitting on the shelf waiting to be built. I really want to scratch build them into plastic.

I look forward to your input and what others may have. I'm just a modeler trying to get by with my builds. Not a "Contest Guy". I build for the history involved with the model, I like working with my hands and they look so cool in my home office.

Thanks
Sam

I'd be interested. I've recently finished a scratchbuild star trek ship that went fairly well. It'd be interesting to see what I could improve and pick up a few other tips on other subjects.

I'm very interested. I've seen several vehicles in need of scratch built parts, that I want build. Eventually, I want to build a T1E1 mine exploder.

Since you guys still want to try and get this started< I thought we'd post some suggestions of what we could work on.

This plan of a Panhard was given to me by member (Roy Kinsella) a while ago.


This one I found on the net. I was trying to look for something that doesn't have curves and difficult shapes like that


Or this one, if you guys want to try building something from a picture.. again, it's mostly basic angular shapes.


If any of you had a specific vehicle - or conversion - he wanted to work on, please post the pics so we can try and choose a subject.

Unless - JOE - you have something in mind that you have plans for?

I look forward to seeing your suggestions.
Hisham

I always wanted to sculpt these:

NSU Springer. Needs 2 Kettenkrads for the suspensionparts and the roadwheels.


or one of those of which I'm pretty sure I have drawings somewhere.

Hey, Robert.. that vehicle looks like it would be easy enough to start with.. but what about the wheels and the tracks? Does it share wheels and tracks with another vehicle that there is a kit of so we can use them? I just think wheels - and especially tracks - are some of the most difficult things to scratch.

Anyway, I'll go along with whatever you guys decide. I just hope the others would take a more active role so we can get this project started.

Hisham

hello, I'll join you. it is always good to learn.
steph

Ola Hisham

The NSU Springer is basically a lenghtened Kettenkrad. One set of wheels more then a standard Kettenkrad. Tracks are also from a Kettenkrad. That is actually the only drawback. You need 2 Kettenkrads for all the swingarms, wheels and tracks. And the best Kettenkrads are those from DML the rest of the vehicle is scratchbuilt.

The second vehicle is a bit harder as indeed the wheels need to be scratchbuilt. Since they are not the standard Panzer I roadwheels and sprockets. But the tracks are Panzer I. The rest is scratchbuilt.

IMHO, the wheels on that second panzer-thing would be okay to scratch build. I see where you are coming from Hisham (and love that 4x4) but we'd have to learn how to scratch round stuff eventually right? And those look simple enough and interesting enough to cut teeth on.

I'd love to get in on this if possible. Even if it doesn't end up as a campaign and maybe just a 'teaching thread'.

Will minor figure work be included at any point?

Hey Guys I see this post is gathering some interest. You know it doesn't have to be a campaign, we just start with a date in mind so as to have everybody on board and ready with supplies in hand. I'm thinking mid/late May?

I think at first we should start off with some basics, and then move on to getting a plan together. From there getting measurements and such. Then we can start cutting plastic and dropping glue.

As to what we would build, I think you build what you want, just following the above should have you pointed in the right direction. I someone has a problem or is stuck then all they have to do is ask questions…simple right!

I also will be adding that if there are multiple parts then I will show how to do a simple and easy 1 2 3 casting in resin. I know some will shy away even thinking this, that’s ok I too was like that until I was shown how easy it was to do. I’ve been doing demos each year at our local show on resin casting.

Anyhow let’s keep this alive and get a starting date.

Happy Modeling,
Joe

I like it Joe. What I am keen on is the basics first, how you get from requirement to design to measurement to plastic. seems we could each work on what we want after some instruction on the above and then share questions and progress. May sounds good.

I agree with Bill. Once we all have the basics down, an FAQ or advice on specific areas would be good.

I've wanted for a long time to build a WWII tram car, so maybe it could be something I could try for this project... but does anyone have any plans for one, or does anyone know where I can find plans for a tram car?

I know that there is a company that makes one in resin (I believe it is Custom Dioramics.. but it's extremely expensive, plus I'm not comfortable working with an all resin kit.

I'd appreciate any help with this.

Hisham

Hisham,
not sure if what your after is here, but its the first place I could think of.
http://www.the-blueprints.com/blueprints/

It would make an interesting centre piece to an urban battlefield diorama.
Best of luck
Stephen

I'm waiting for some plans for a flail device, on a Matilda. It doesn't look overly complicated. Maybe, after that, I can use one of Brach's minerollers to build the T1E1.

Thanks for the link, Stephen.. I couldn't find any plans for tram cars, but the site does have many other useful plans.

Hisham