1/32 Roland cII project

Milorg · 24 March 2005, 08:06 AM

Hello All

The Roland has always been one my favorite planes and since its not available in my favourite scale (1/32) I decided to try to scratchbuild one. (lucky me with the rising popularity on 1/32 kit, I guess its going to be released by a well known manufacturer the minute I finish mine )
Always been a diorama builder, I also going to place this in a hopefully dramatic scene. Its going to be crash landed in a slope with the pilot and wounded observer hiding behind the plane from two british dispatch riders (Scale Link Douglas 1913 with side car). I'm also planning scratchbuilding the figures. The Roland is still in an early stage and a lot of works remain. I guess if I'm going to finish the diorama within a reasonable time the amount of detailing on the plane must be kept at an average level. The engine and mg's are from Tom Modelworks.

Cheers
Per Olav

otis goodin · 24 March 2005, 08:31 AM

It looks like you've made a great start on it. I think it will be awhile before anyone gets around to making one of those. Maybe you should market your version!

PeterL · 24 March 2005, 09:05 AM

An old school modeler! The vacformer looks home-made. Any details? What's the power source for the vacuum? What are you using for heat? Questions questions!

Milorg · 24 March 2005, 09:35 AM

Hello

Thanks Otis, yes I guess youre right

Peter:
Yes, the vacum press is home made. The plugs are made of balsa wood. The box is made of MDF and pinewood and measure about 30x40 cm. The power source is an old vacum cleaner. The frame with the attached plastic card (1,5 mm) is put in the oven for about 2-3 min at 175 C.
When the plastic has a sag like an old hammok

its time to take it out (be very fast) and put it on to the plugs, hit the powerbutton on the vacum cleaner and.... voila !
This is my first try, and defenately not the last, its a fun way of making your own parts.

Regards

Per Olav

Brad · 24 March 2005, 02:37 PM

OOOOOHHHH I have LEARNED something!

Brad

24 March 2005, 03:00 PM

That is sooo cool Per! Thanks for sharing it with us and I hope you'll be able to post pics of your progress because I'd really like to see how this project develops.

Brian da Basher

Copperhead · 24 March 2005, 10:47 PM

Hey Milorg, as Otis asked, are you contemplating marketing it? Also, are the wings vac, or solid PVC? JW

Ross_Moorhouse · 24 March 2005, 11:09 PM

Great work there. But the bulkheads are not solid in this plane. They have cut outs. The Windsock Datafile shows these.

Milorg · 26 March 2005, 10:21 PM

Hello

JW; the wings are solid. I found an article on the net by Harry Woodman. I changed the balsa core with one in plastic. The skinning was done with 10 thou plastic.
ps, I'm not going to marketing this, its still just a hobby

Ross; thanks for the information, I will fix that.

Regards
Per Olav

Ross_Moorhouse · 26 March 2005, 11:16 PM

Milorg,

Please check your private messages here at the drome. I just sent you one.