1/24 Airfix Spitfire Mk.IX Models

[@DavidRLentz-b7i]

David R Lentz, Columbus, Ohio, USA (Friday, 16 August, 2024) I like the general idea of your presentation of your two Spitfire replicas. Your execution of the builds of the models is excellent, especially your assembly, posing, positioning, and painting, which are of museum or motion picture quality. Most modellers quite dislike the obvious intrusion of the display stands. However, they take no effort to resolve the matter. Very likely, they assume that one can do nothing (well, till we invent, or learn from advanced beings from afar, some sort of antigravity; or an order of robe-wearing magicians and enchantresses come to us out of the sands of the distant past to our time and place reveal to us wondrous spells and enchantments). I have seen things (that is a long story) that in this context offer us options. However, I at present have no definitive answers, from an essentially complete lack of the resources (that derives from “that is a long story”) to develop my observations-well, certainly nothing so grand as that-what I have seen, and contemplated to the potential of a workable alternative. I am not mechanically inclined; I lack the technical skills or training to sort measurements, balance masses, or the like. I am a word nerd, and from that, an aspiring novelist and essayist of keen insight on the human condition (I would like to think you see herein a worthy sample thereof); in the nonfiction area am I decidedly more reluctant, however, as the difficult, often terrible, issues I endeavour to examine and to present to a dubious, indifferent world through my attempts at exposition upset me deeply, largely because I in the grimmest circumstances live them. I also design to be a motion picture producer, the better to shepherd my voice through our storytelling venues (such as these are); a classical vocalist of extraordinary range, enabling me to sing in all eight voices of the chorus; a pen & ink illustrator; a graphics designer, a humorist (possibly even a comedian, though the overwhelming majority of my jokes are two-thirds of a pun) trenchantly lampooning the worst of our world in the hopes that those reading my words might see the folly (and far worse) all round us; and in the immediate, a regular consumer of nutritious, tasty food (also deriving from “that is a long story”). Please forgive my digression; it is on my mind, and at this writing am I terribly weary. In my own model building (over the past several years, I have been unable to afford any of it) of combat aircraft, chiefly of the Second World War, though also of warbirds now operational, I very much prefer to build them in flight: 1) propeller(s) spinning (which may require metal replacements: I understand that the torque in time may warp or deform the polystyrene); 2) undercarriage retracted, the landing gear doors closed over their respective wheel wells; 3) separable flight control surfaces (ailerons, horizontal and vertical stabilisers, etc.) that one can set in various ways corresponding to airborne manœuvres (sharp banks and tight turns, deep dives and soaring climbs, combat engagement, etc.), their respective cockpit fixtures similarly adjusted or modified appropriately to reflect the changes); e.g., the attitude indicator, once called the gyro horizon or artificial horizon (source: Wikipedia, “Attitude indicator”); 4) cowl flaps closed; 5) in the cockpit or on the flight deck, a meticulously accurate figurine (or several, as appropriate for the setting) in polystyrene, resin, or similar material, that the kit-manufacturer, aftermarket, or 3D made, of a pilot/aviator that I would set upon the seat (molded with positionable limbs and head to fit properly, so our doughty flyboy looks like he actually belongs there. In many cases, I would add other finished models replicating the same æroplane (ideally of the same variant, camouflage paint scheme, squadron markings, etc.) in ascending scales (thus each of diminishing size in relation to its immediate processor), to create of several closely similar models a forced a perspective ærial diorama (FPÆD) of military aircraft in various combat movements at altitude (the barrel roll, the cobra manœuvre, the Immelmann turn, etc.). Alternately, some together might show to be in steady flight, e.g., a handful or so fighters in echelon, at high altitude on patrol against intruders; or a squadron of two dozen bombers in close formation high over an urban manufacturing complex. (continued) 1

[@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab]

Superb work! 👍🏻

[@SEMJW]

Thank you, Peter.

[@littlehistory2392]

Absolutely gorgeous! The figure painting is outstanding. As always excellent quality modelling👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@SEMJW]

Thank you, Terry.

[@DavidRLentz-b7i]

2 David R Lentz, Columbus, Ohio, USA (Friday, 16 August, 2024) (continued) In such a manner of display, I have some ideas for physically supporting the reproductions in a way that ultimately obviates any so-called “display stand”-to my mind, the undignified intrusion of the world’s tallest telegraph pole thrust up into its navel from several kilometres below! In lieu of this stand, to provide a necessary support mechanism, I would design and pattern (well, I am no engineer by any stretch of the imagination! I speak here expressly in terms of theory and concept, as far as I grasp even that much!) a device after what motion picture production calls the Chapman Crane, a robust, articulated steel arm with an amply counterbalanced gimbals apparatus. This supports well above the ground a high-resolution digital video or film camera, the camera operator, the director, etc., in a manner that enables them from an elevated vantage to approach the subject of the shot, to progress through the air in slow, graceful turns, or in more dramatic soaring and swooping and similar dynamic action, to achieve the desired action of the scene. One also can use it to suspend a performer in the air in an arrangement wherein the viewers cannot see the support apparatus(es). A good example of this is the mechanism that the on-set/on-location special effects crew of Superman: The Movie (1978, Warner Bros.-Columbia, Richard Donner, John Williams) had fashioned to hold and to pose the title character (who Christopher Reeve portrayed) as though in flight, where 1) the actor lay prone upon a padded cradle they constructed and formed to fit closely his physical form; 2) attached to the end of another sturdy boom counterbalanced with a gimbals (I call this the “Chapman cradle”); 3) the wardrobe staff (so I infer) covered in the costume this combination of actor and padded rack; 4) they next positioned behind the performer(s) all these mechanical components (and anything else not belonging in the shot), in turn placing them out of view of the camera (and therefore, the moviegoer). Upon filming the shot, they saw on their digital monitor the actor in character appearing to be in mid-air. My hope is to adapt that process-well, to have those with vastly greater wherewithal of the technical and the complex than I; I have my talents (albeit untrained), though I know my limits! (I will apply for a position as a ground-floor clipboard operator!)-to adapt that process to models and dioramas; especially to FPÆD. For my adaptation under discussion for my innovative models display here, the supporting apparatus (the entire Chapman cradle arrangement) would be much smaller, needing only 1) to hold forth a mass of round a half-dozen kilogrammes (though to allow for any possible kinetic force during movement of any cause, one out of caution might think to exceed that by double or greater), 2) whilst remaining completely out of sight of the viewer. To simplify the display’s function and operation, the mechanism also would serve as an insulated physical conduit for electrical wiring providing current to the motor(s) (propellers; any flight control surface servos, etc.), lighting (instrument panels, navigation lights on the aircraft’s exterior, duty stations, the control surfaces, and other purposes. For the necessity to keep the opening at the pass-through point to a reasonable size, I recommend a solitary line of ample amperage to meet the overall requirements, which would lead from a control board of some sorts, the conduit passing along the support arm to a location inside the model, where an electrical fixture (a junction box?) would distribute the current along finer insulated wiring passing all throughout the model. Let me know your assessment of the feasibility of my adaptation of the Chapman Crane to model aircraft presentation. I hope you lot can find some worthy use for my brainstorming. - 29.9 -

[@SEMJW]

Very good. Image if that is all I wrote for a response. Hello, David I could be wrong but I believe I am correct in recognizing your writing style and dissertation on support design systems from a comment given on the Becker's Model Aircraft channel over a year ago. It looks like a cut and paste for what I remember. If so, it proves you had an impact. Valid point(s). For aircraft depicted in flight as part of a diorama the ideal would be to eliminate the means of support while viewed in person if it allowed 360 degrees of exposure. A moment in time for the diorama so short that everything has completely stopped. Like a speeding plane its propeller and a lightning bolt or for example, a 1/100th of a second with a stationary plane, a blurred propeller, stationary but made to look in motion, as we are accustomed to seeing in photographs. For many of my current, custom made stands they are a compliment to the models not an unfortunate requirement. The practicality of the design, stainless steel with incorporated electrical wiring and multi-position base make for safe, strong, dynamic displays. Portable and easy to clean. The motorized propellers on the stationary aircraft models destroy the logical time factor otherwise in the case of the Spitfires they would have to be displayed moving forward at least above uncontrollable stall speed, 115MPH+. This is not desirable. The reason to motorize the props is to help in imagining what it would be like to fly along with the aircraft. Also it aids in taking images and videos and if desired the stands can be removed with image software. Nano carbon tubes could be made to be electrically conductive and future tech that unlocks the means to replicate the attributes of spider filament would make suspension devices more appealing because fishing line is not the answer. My latest project to complete after three years of effort is a 1/350 Polar Lights, Star Trek Refit project. Many modifications and upgrades. Using the Trekmodeller, paint guide, Warp 8 light and sound system with over forty additional light effects added. MaskDesign paint mask set. To answer the last question. For simplify wiring a electrically conductive internal coating could be put on a non conductive material, such as wood or plastic of a model in the form similar to a circuit board eliminating power hubs so components could be connected at the location needed without wires. Even an overall conductive coating would make it possible to use as a ground so only the positive wires would be needed similar to automotive wiring. I am retired since 2020 from my business of 20 years, designing, fabricating, building high end custom motorcycles. The website has been taken down but if curious there is still a few builds present if an image search is done. 'Special Effects Chopperworks in Burlington, Ontario, Canada.' I consider myself an artist first, and with the trade craft from the business the hobby of scale models was an easy return to in 2018 after forty years. The future will refine tech that can replicate three dimensional objects that are without physical substance, indistinguishable from the physical. When that happens there will no longer be the need for devices to pose scale representations of aircraft.

[@DavidRLentz-b7i]

​@@SEMJW , my "dissertation on support design systems from a comment given on the Becker's Model Aircraft channel over a year ago"? No; I wrote it yesterday evening, in the hours immediately prior to my sending it. "It looks like a cut and paste"? It is my own composition of round a third of a day past! My hope is that we collaborate on developing an alternative to the stand. Or perhaps more accurately, that you could adapt my rough outline of ideas to reify them into a workable, functioning system. Please review your sources to see that my correspondence differs fundamentally. I take great delight in learning from you of aspects of circuitry, power transmission, etc., that I had not known. (I am NOT a techie!) Thank you for that. These very much would simplify the process I outline above. All in all, I wish you every success in your modelling.

[@SEMJW]

@@DavidRLentz-b7i O.K. i meant no disrespect and trust you wrote it as you state. There was a close to or identical comment with the same ideas as you mentioned in a post on another channel I read about a year ago. I am amazed if it was written by someone else referencing and describe a Chapman Crane in the same manner but I guess it is possible. If I was interested in designing/fabricating a device you suggest why would I want to share a possibly workable, functioning system with anyone? The answer is moot because I am retired from that kind of work and only wish to enjoy the hobby of scale models. Thank you for the compliments and I wish you well with your concept.

[@DavidRLentz-b7i]

​@@SEMJW I do my own thinking and writing. I am NOT a mechanic or an engineer, though. I simply endeavour through my talents and imagination for a means to improve my grim circumstances.

[@DavidRLentz-b7i]

​@@SEMJW are you Australian? I am wracking my memory. Round a year ago, I briefly texted with a fellow who I infer from his accent to be Australian. If I recall correctly, he had been working on a multi-part video on a 1:32nd-scale kit of a USAAF heavy bomber; perhaps the Consolidated B-24D Liberator. Or a North American Aviation B-25J Mitchell USAAF Medium Bomber he was backdating to a B-25B Doolittle Raider over Tokyo, April 1942.