discussion Focke-Wulf Ta 183 'Huckebein' - 1/17

[Steven000]

Hi guys,
I’m helping someone out with a 3D printed prototype of a Ta183 Huckebein.
In the long run it will be scaled up a bit for RC, for now it’s only a proof of concept, intended to hang up to the ceiling.
The scale is about 1/17 (span 617mm - 24.3”).

It’s printed on an FDM printer in multiple pieces, which were glued together with superglue.
There are no moving parts, but I've lowered the flaps to make it look more interesting.




After some light sanding I sprayed some grey primer (spraycan) in the shed. The surface isn't perfect but will do for now.



For this model I also 3d printed a pilot in resin, which I bought here and I scaled it down quite a bit (was 1/4th scale) to fit inside the cockpit.
The seat was printed on the FDM printer, so it's a bit rough.


Vallejo primer and a few colors added.


The face is always a challenge, here's some of the progress, with every step he gets like 10 years older! (Vallejo paints)


At the moment he looks like this.


I forgot to make an instrument panel, so this was quickly printed with FDM, so it's a bit rough but won't be that visible with the closed canopy.


That's all for now, next I'll make a canopy by shrinking a plastic bottle to finish the cockpit...

Thanks for reading,
cheers

 

[PaulTRose]

For a proof of concept that is outstanding!

 

[flyjoe180]

An interesting looking aeroplane Steven. Fantastic figure painting too

 

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Excellent work Steve. The detail is remarkable. Being an RC flyer the biggest problem we have with 3D printed models is the size to weight ratio, but we have seen some models £D printed and flying. On the plus side, replacement parts are easily made in the event of damage.

 

[Jim R]

This 3D printing malarkey has certainly come to the fore in the hobby. This looks superb. The pilot looks excellent to me.

 

[papa 695]

Great work Steve, the figure is coming along very nicely indeed.

 

[colin m]

with every step he gets like 10 years older!

Oh I have days like that. Oh I see, the pilot. Yes, you've done a great job there.

 

[Steven000]

Thanks for the comments guys,

Well I finally got a few hours at the bench, so I tried to make a canopy by shrinking a PET-bottle around a mold with a heat-gun.
The mold is also 3d printed from 'PetG-CF', which is a little bit more temp-resistant than 'PLA'.

I first tried a small bottle (50cl - 16,9oz)


But at the end of the canopy the bottle couldn't shrink any further,


Next I used a 1.5L bottle, the wooden blocks help to build up tension (for easier shrinking),


This seemed to shrink fine, but then I tried to smooth out a few last wrinkles and overheated the printed mold...
So the mold started to deform, showing true the inner support structure,


So both the mold and canopy are ruined, at the moment I'm already reprinting the mold, but to remove the layer lines I first need to sand and polish it which is a bummer.
I still cut out the deformed canopy for a test fit, but I'm hoping to replace this one with a better attempt...



Something that will work better is a vacuum-forming-box, which I no longer have at the moment, so if the next attempt fails I need to go that route and build a new vacuum box.

Thanks for checking in and happy new year to you all in a few hours.
Cheers

 

[flyjoe180]

Third time lucky Steven? The deformed canopy still looks a good fit.

 

[Steven000]

Well, I printed a 2nd mold and tried to use less heat but it still started to deform the mold.
Frustrated by a lack of spare time I decided to use the 2nd canopy never the less, it's going to hang somewhere in a room so probably not worth the effort making another one. Gluing the thing was sort of a nightmare as well, used Kristal Klear and small drops of superglue...

Started masking with Tamiya tape.


Next up is airbrushing the camouflage, which hopefully will be more fun!
cheers

 

[minitnkr]

.....am told flying a rocket will age you 10 years every time.....
Lovely work and very innovative.

 

[colin m]

I realise that's the mk2 canopy, but I still think you've done a great job there.

 

[flyjoe180]

Canopy looks good in the photos Steven.

 

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Looks great from where I am sat Steve.

 

[scottie3158]

That looks great nice work on the canopy.

 

[Steven000]

Thanks guys,

It took a while but yesterday I finished the camouflage, had some troubles to get good coverage with the airbrush but after multiple coats/days it seemed better.

I started with RLM76 (AK, late war) for the underside, then added green RLM82 (Vallejo) and brown RLM81 (AK).


I've cut stencils from paper (these I had already made for my '1/24 109G2' project, but I've scaled up the drawing to 1/17.


Again I made holes, added Tamiya tape and ligned up the mask on the wing,


Then added the mask for the fuselage,


Used white (Vallejo) with the airbrush, the stencils worked very good,


Close up,


That's where I'm at now, thanks for reading - Cheers