Modeling Mediums 103

They are not GAS MASKS.....they are Protective masks.

[StephenLawson]

Though not mentioned in the opening statements I would like *to mention decals here too. *One fellow writes me asking about Propagteam decals. *These people did an awful lot of work for Eduard at one time. Some of their proposed artwork to Eduard was rejected and *to save money they released this artwork in decal form(Sheet # 48101) on their own several years ago. *Squadron wound up selling them for $2.99 USD a sheet. They are very translucent and very thin. They tear so easily that they are almost impossible to apply. To test this I tried some off of the sheet that I had. through experimentation I found that applying a gloss coat to the decals first then cutting out the individual decals helps tremendously. With the decals with white portions I had to double up with two decals stacked on each other to get the opaque look needed. Apply one then let dry and apply the other on directly on top and let it dry. You will find that the crosses are too large for the Albatros D.V & Va subject/profiles for the sheet. The persoanl markings are inaccurate in outline and overall are mostly too large in proportion. *The 'Stropp' decals lack any white outlines at all. *On the fuselage crosses they have the crosses for these locations mixed up. *The larger should go on the tail unit and the smaller should go to the fuselage. Caveat Emptor!

[drIace]

Speaking of STROPP decals. The correct ( taken right from the NASM A/c/Book, it is a complete decal -by SCALEMASTER-even includes the serial no. that is painted over. and other "bonus" items)white outlined markings in 1/48 scale are available from IPMS Spruce Goose for $5.00 postage included.
Send to:
IPMS Spruce Goose,
929 Jasmine Circle,
Costa Mesa CA. 92626.

All proceedes pay for the Michael L Fritz Memorial Award. So you get a great decal and help increase interest in WWI modeling.

[drIace]

RE: MLF Award,I tried to attach attach a picture of the 2003 Winner Lance Krieg holding one (his) of the Individual Plaque each winner receives, the Perpetual Trophy inscribed with all previous (and yet to be) winners and his Felixstowe all in the same shot.

However an error message said it was too big . Soooo, either email me to get a pic or post some help on how to reduce it to 50KB or can I send it to a computer whiz so it can be posted???

[StephenLawson]

In our next discussion here lets touch on the subject of 'Woods' Tightly grained woods can do a great deal to add somew realism to a build. We can either use the real item or learn to recreate this using paints. This is an art form used by the Disney comapany for many years on such mundane articles as large trash bins. It helped to visually to simulate the wood on items such as cabinets again to be less modern to the viewer. In both Dinsyland and Disneyworld areas like 'Frontier Days', 'Pirates of the Carribean', 'Splash Mountain', The 'Magic Tiki Room' and 'Swiss Family Robinson Tree House' this was done to a one to one effect. In 'Small World' it was done extensively to smaller scale items. First a light cream base coat was applied. Next a streaked coating of red brown with a lighter application coat of dark brown. There are decals out that attempt this same 'wood' simulation. There is a thread in the aerodrome that discusses this in several different forms. Try a clear decal sheet and streaking the wood grain wash on it. Then cut to fit and apply on a cream coated base colour.

At first, I thought you were discussing Tiger Woods.

And then there is always "contact paper" .

[StephenLawson]

On the subjects of rigging or representing skeletal structure We can use various wires and rods that are available but brass is always the best. WARNING!!! Do not use florist or piano wire for substituting structures like struts or any pinning, joining or uniting to resin parts!!! *Some resin kits use formaldehyde in its mixing process. *This process won’t allow resin mixtures to cure completely. *Ever notice a sheen on the surface of unbuilt resin kits? * If you use florist or piano wire for struts or pinning it will rust and bleed through paint and you will lose the strength you sought to have with metal. *I know, believe me. *ONLY USE BRASS *rod or wire for these purposes. *A couple of years ago I ruined a $30.00 kit because of this. *

Pop Quiz; What did the cottage *companies Cramer Craft and Airframes have in common.

But Sir:

Doesn's brass turn green?

Answer to pop quiz: Never heard of either.

Cramer Craft and Airframes produced vacuform kits using a male mold process resulting in a lack of detail on the outer surfaces.

W/O a female mold how did the vaacuum know when to stop?