Life-size cardboard replicas

Welcome Everybody! (especially aircraft construction experts)

What I'd like to know is, is it possible to build a life-size replica out of cardboard sheeting? I do realise that one would have to have some kind of frame to give it some rigidity; it would probably resemble one of those cardboard models that one can purchase over the 'net. When constructed, it could be used for photographic purposes. Obviously, because it's life-size, it would have to look like the subject in question - ie.Fokker DVII, Se5a, etc.

Bearing in mind that this would only be for personal use, not for merchandising, it could be constructed and disassembled with ease for easy storage in a garage or shed. The main idea of this, is that you could say "I own a replica WW1 airplane"...and only be a little economical with the truth!

Guys: constructive comments only, PLEASE!

Best Wishes, Ken. *

[wolfenbill]

I would imagine it would be no problem to build a full size replica of a WWI aircraft out of cardboard but you would still need a good frame to keep everything rigid and in the proper shape. And if you build any decent frame you'd just as soon cover it with some kind of inexpensive cloth and dope or paint it to look right. It would be similar to the backdrops used on stage sets. That would make it more durable than cardboard. Once cardboard gets damp it wrinkles and never does reassume its former shape. Cloth could be stretched over a frame and look real. Cardboard would probably only work well on the fuselage. It would not look good on wings. You've told us what you want to do, can you tell us why?

[PeterL]

Ken, obviously I'm as nuts as you are because I think it's a fun idea. Cardboard mockups and even flat cutoutsI have been used in quite a few films

I don't think the framework would need to be as robust as all that either. Wing spars could be made from cardboard box girders and the fuselage built on the egg-box principle with several separate compartments to give it strength. If you actually want to sit in the thing you would need a basic a-frame to carry the seat and a load bearing undercarriage. A cardboard prop could even be convincing with a coat of papier mache. Just don't leave it out in the rain *

Hi Gang,

I've been asked why I would want do it: well, here goes!....

Obviously, at the moment, I'm very much into building model airplanes: but in the future, possibly when I'm semi-retired, I wouldn't mind doing a project like this. I do realise that it would have to look decent and not like some lash-up! The question is, what to do with the finished airplane once it's built?

I wouldn't want to be selfish with it; I would welcome other aviation enthusiasts to come and have a look and have their photos taken next to it, if they wished. Obviously, as a working-class enthusiast, one has limited funds - so only the most basic and readily-available materials could be used. Also, you have to bear in mind that I could only apply what I already know, to building this replica...and learn other skills along the way! At the end of the day, I would want to have FUN doing this. I just think it's a great way to have your own 'airplane' and no doubt, it'd give other people a bit of a laugh as well!

Best Wishes to everybody, Ken. *

Ken,

Nothing wrong with your idea at all! Big model concept is quite appropriate. After all, it's only a matter of scale and the self you set the model on!Nothing wrong with cardboard as a medium, either. I have scratchbuilt models from flat sheet styrene (quite satisfying!) and helped a friend biuld and fly several succesfull cardboard R/C models. Coruggated paper panels have been utilized in full scall composite construction. Resin impregnated brown wrapping paper squeegeed onto both sides of your sheets would make them quite strong and waterproof. Judicious applications of FG cloth could render a nearly bullet proof structure capable of holding anyone's "arse" as they daydream. Wing ribs could br fasioned from a cardboard web profile with a relatively cheap wood strip cap glued top and bottom. You might think paper instead of cloth coving. It will look will look like fabric when shrunk and "doped". If you think about it, a fully flying "cardboard" WWI replica would not be beyond the relm of possibility.
If rendered to a high degree of representative accuracy, I would think a number of local mseums or organizations could make use of such a donated item. Imagine a very real looking full size Nuieport 17 that kids could climb into (did I mention bullet proof interior?), or the same appearing on a float in a parade.
What do you need to get started?
Charlie

[PeterL]

I'm warming to this idea * Although it would be nice to see a Nieuport or a Sopwith practical considerations suggest a thick winged type, of which the most practical of all is the Fokker EV/DVIII. A good strong wing would be a doddle and could even have working ailerons. The fuselage is of a shape which lends itself well to the method of construction and the cowling means you only have to detail half the engine. And you know you're gonna love that lozenge. Get a team together and start looking for a local packaging firm to sponsor you right now!

ps. It also occurs to me that these days you dont actually need to have an aeroplane to be photographed in one, all you need is the right software.

Hi everyone!

I will do this project but first of all I need to build myself a decent workshop! Oddly enough, I mentioned this airplane idea to my father-in-law and, with him being a draughtsman, he's offered to help me with scaling drawings etc. as he has the necessary computer programs and equipment.

In the meantime, I'm going to build smaller versions, possibly the first version will be 3ft and the second, 6ft....just to get a feel of how things go together. Oddly the Fokker DVIII Flying Razor, mentioned by Peter L, was one of the choices I was considering! Obviously, before I build a life-size version of this airplane, I shall have to find out if I'm infringing any copyrights; as mentioned before, this is only for my own personal use and not for any level of manufacturing.

Taking on a project like this, one has to take one's time and not rush it: I'd rather it took some years to do an excellent piece of work, than be too hasty and make something which looks absolutely ridiculous. I've also been advised by various people to obtain a much better PC, in order to post pictures of the project as it progresses.

I'll be posting from time-to-time, to let you all know how it's going.

Best Wishes, Ken. *

[wolfenbill]

I don't believe you have to worry about copyrights. You're just making a giant model airplane. You only have to worry about copyrights if you're publishing something.

What a cracking idea Ken English eccentricity at its finest .er ken.....kenwhenyou`ve finished your fokker can i have a spitty please-markings PR-A

Ken,

Don't know if you saw the recent thread about copyright (believe it's under Replica heading -Kiger's Sopwith Pup drawings). I believe its an important discussion and worth a review.

No matter whose scale drawings you used to develope YOUR project, the particulars of YOUR project are what make it YOUR own. NO ONE owns a historical shape or outline IF they have been presented as factual. So unless you plan to copy the particulars of a plan to the minutest detail and offer them in a "verbatum" format as your own, there's not much to worry about. Ethically, I believe the only credit owed to the originator/owner of the scale drawing you use would go something like, "Outlines based upon a scale drawing by-----"
If you feel you must research the subject of copyrights further(by all means!), I suggest you give particualr attention to the legal concepts of "fair use" or its UK equivalent and copyright of "non-fiction".
All the best ,
Charlie