Hello gentlemen,
I am attempting to try my hand at scratchbuilding a new FLIR turret for a 1/35 scale USMC UH-1N. The current aftermarket version I have is not accurate.
I would be curious to hear from anyone regarding what type of materials would work best for this. Ideally, it would have to be something easy enough to sand and carve into shape, but tough enough to hold the fine details and recesses. Someone has already mentioned carvable resin foam, but I am unfamiliar with this material, and don't know what it would be sold as. I realize this project may also take quite a bit of artistic talent and fine motor skills I do not have, but I'd still like to give it a go, lol.

My quarry:

Greetings, fellow Wisconsinite-
I would recommend using styrene round rod or even sprue if you can find the correct diameter. Then, round off the end to form the FLIR ball and scribe in the details. Hope this helps.
Kyle

How would you scribe in the details for something like this in 1/35th scale? Never did any scratch building but have always wondering how scribing details in on something this small could be done.

Got any dimentions and drawings---------hard to see what it is like out of context--------me a R recoery -clanky -guy so dont know these things---alien---but will help ..even parallel build if required
e-m what you have please and i will give it a shot
aye
BARV

Hey AH1Wsnake,

This is how I would go about it. It should work with no problems. I use Squadron putty all the time and shaping it with ease.



Hope it help some, good luck

Hi Snake

I would start w/ a plastic ball of the correct size and cut of the two sides (save them for the mount).
Then add thick sheet that has a half moon cutout for the two sides of the ball.
Then stick all that on a round plice of plastic stock.
Putty & Sand, Putty and Sand. Scribe lines.

A piece of cake. LOL

If this sounds doable and you need more info PM me and I'll draw something up.

Good Luck
N E O

Thanks for the ideas guys. I think my best bet will be to try and find a craft bead of some sort for the sphere, then use your suggestions and fasion a styrene/putty turret around it. Here is more information for anyone interested in the measurements:

My calculations to 1/35th scale means I am looking for a bead or ball bearing 11mm in diameter (actually 10.96mm). The turret will be about 12.7mm tall. I'll post any progress if I can find the right materials, thanks again.
P.S., I am also intrigued by the clay suggestion. I saw some in the local hobby shop that hardens when baked in the oven. Does it shrink or crack when baked? In other words, would it be worth it to try and sculpt some accurate details and measurements into a piece, or will it just contort itself as it dries?

Hey AH1Wsnake the clay works great. "Does it shrink or crack when baked" No it keeps it's shape. As for a sphere shape you may have a small flat spot once baked. This stuff can be drilled, sanded and scribed. Another tip is to make a small ball of tin-foil and wrap the clay around it. That's so you don't have to use a lot of clay, and I think it keeps it shape much better.