Floats! Getcha Floats Here: Red Hot!

Captain Canada · June 28, 2005, 04:51:41 PM

JHM, are any of theses floats gonna be big enough to sit on, and enjoy a drink whilst cruising the S.Saskatchewan ?

Looking good, btw, brother !

John Howling Mouse · July 01, 2005, 11:24:38 AM

QuoteJHM, are any of theses floats gonna be big enough to sit on, and enjoy a drink whilst cruising the S.Saskatchewan ?

You know, that COULD be an interesting diorama to do!

As noted, I realized I'd want at least one set of floats in monzo-size so this vac-formed shell (with some add-ons by me in strip styrene) is forming the basis for a really loooooooong float (TBF Avenger, Skyraider, B-25, etc.).

John Howling Mouse · July 01, 2005, 11:33:51 AM

First cut. For all of you who would like to try your hand at kitbashing: NEVER be intimidated to make that first cut!

Then both halves are cut. The delicately engraved panel lines on the float were incorrect for this so I just made my own where I thought it would be "true" perpindicular to the length.

First struts applied. Trick is to keep everything the correct distance apart, flat and level as you join the two segments, and ensuring the two float halves remain symmetrical. Little bit of juggling but no big deal. Good luck is always a nice bonus, too.

Then, filling in the struts is pretty basic and actually quite fun:

And the last of the filler struts are shoved into place. Next, I will "skin" the gap between the segments, attempting to curve the plastic to match some of the pre-existing slightly-concave cross-sections.

Eddie M. · July 01, 2005, 02:42:57 PM

JHM,
After seeing all these wonderful floats, I was wondering if you had considered doing a W/I of one of those ground effect subjects, like what the Soviets had to move troops. It skimmed across the water and was jet powered. Half boat, half jet transport. Just an idea. ^_^
Eddie

John Howling Mouse · July 02, 2005, 08:11:13 PM

QuoteJHM,
After seeing all these wonderful floats, I was wondering if you had considered doing a W/I of one of those ground effect subjects, like what the Soviets had to move troops. It skimmed across the water and was jet powered. Half boat, half jet transport. Just an idea. ^_^
Eddie

Have you seen that same build-up I have of the Brit who built his own 1:72 scale Ekranoplan using the same ribbing/skinning techniques I've used for the last float?

Some of the guys on the board here will know who I mean. Might have been Ken Duffy, the guy who does a lot of the Russian Aviation reference softcover books.

Can anyone recall that website. Eddie, if you haven't yet seen his in-prog build pics sequence, you WILL be impressed!

John Howling Mouse · July 12, 2005, 05:50:23 PM

The elongated float with its skin applied over the struts.

"Dey ver skinned alive!!!" (Arnie from "Predator" sorry).

This is prior to any filling or puttying. And the big black line is not a Matchbox-style panel line, it's just a pencil line (for the Matchbox-style panel line which I have yet to scribe!).

Okay, so it's not the most exciting update pic you've ever seen. But it will be cool once I have them molded and cast in resin for use on big airplanes (and a certain helo or two...)!

elmayerle · July 12, 2005, 07:51:18 PM

Mighty interesting, JHM. Useful too for when I get down to the hard work of my four-seat Hunter.

Leigh · July 12, 2005, 10:35:54 PM

Seriously tho Baz any chance of a set suitable for a 1/72 Fulmar?
I was gonna use the ones off a JU-52 but they are actually longer than the Fulmars fuselage which just don't look right, so now they're gonna go on a Blenhiem.

Julhelm · July 13, 2005, 06:10:26 AM

*Cough*

John Howling Mouse · July 13, 2005, 06:57:47 PM

QuoteSeriously tho Baz any chance of a set suitable for a 1/72 Fulmar?
I was gonna use the ones off a JU-52 but they are actually longer than the Fulmars fuselage which just don't look right, so now they're gonna go on a Blenhiem.

Are there any existing kits out there with suitable floats for recasting?

John Howling Mouse · July 13, 2005, 06:58:54 PM

Quote*Cough*

Don't tempt me.

I'm very impressionable, you know!

^_^

Leigh · July 13, 2005, 09:55:50 PM

Quote
Are there any existing kits out there with suitable floats for recasting?

Erm I would think any single engine fighter would work, tons of japanese stuff isn't there?

John Howling Mouse · July 14, 2005, 07:51:10 PM

What I know from models, eh?

Name a few: aircraft make and the model mfg.

I'll go on ebay while Ms. H. isn't looking... B)

elmayerle · July 14, 2005, 08:02:13 PM

Most obvious ones are an A6M2-N "Zero" floatplane and a N1Ki "Shiden" that replaced it. I believe both are available in 1/72. For that matter, the Tamiya 1/72 M6A1 should have eminently suitable floats.

John Howling Mouse · July 16, 2005, 10:52:00 AM

QuoteMost obvious ones are an A6M2-N "Zero" floatplane and a N1Ki "Shiden" that replaced it. I believe both are available in 1/72. For that matter, the Tamiya 1/72 M6A1 should have eminently suitable floats.

Evan, I just recalled that I have this kit. Would it's floats work for you?