Melb Model Expo (2008)

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Originally posted by Heinz
I'll try and get some shots from my local museum. They have a RAAF Beau, its massive to walk around

Sounds awesome,

there was a RAAF hasegawa beaufighter on trademe a while back ,wish I'd won it now!
 
You probably won't need drawings, Lucky. In general, many work platforms etc were 'jury rigged' by the ground crews. Take a look at, for example, 8th Air Force pictures; many steps and platforms were knocked together from packing case materials!
Just noticed, and it is definitely NOT a slight on the excellent diorama, but there are no cowling support stays on the Beau's engine cowlings. I could be wrong, but I assumed all Beaus had them? Apart from that, the attention to detail, particularly the physical poses of the figures, is truly outstanding!
 
Really!? Because I've got a few things that I'd like to try with a PBY Catalina at a later date, with those platforms, some hanging of and around the engine itself....
 
Well, with plastic rod, strip and card, maybe some stretched sprue, I'm sure you can fabticate some convincing gantries/stands etc. Just measure up around the area you want to place them, and make them 'to measure'.
Of course, there would have been 'standard' pattern servicing platforms//equipment, but, who's going to have those patterns today? And, especially with such types as the 'Cat', operating away from major servicing Base Depots, such aids would more than likely have been assembled from materials available, at best, welded or bolted tube, made in the Engineering Division. If anybody asks what type of stand it is, your reply would be something along the lines of "Field mod 36A, type 2B, with modifications from Pattern 2(c)4D, Cheyenne Modification Centre, 1942............!"
(Hides stupid grin!!)
 
Ah! Got your drift! The platforms 'hanging' from the wings would, I suspect, be factory-produced items, whilst the others would have been manufactured to requirements, However, by taking a scale from, for example, one of the groundcrew and, say, an engine, you should be able to make some 1/48th scale replicas that will be near enough to look accurate. O.K., so they may be one or two scale inches out - who's measuring? For some of them, it might be better to use brass or copper wire for the main frames, although plastic rod would probably work just as well. Good luck(y)!! BTW, nice pics!
Terry.
 
Another great selection of pics Lucky!

Anything that stimulates discussion and education is always welcome Jan!
 

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Wish that it was a way to grab a hold of this guy, who built the diorama and ask how he did those platforms etc....even if it's in 1/32, it's just different scale but it'll be the same technique....
 
I guess he used a pin-board jig, Jan. Each section of frame is marked out on a soft board, such as balsa, and pins inserted at the critical points, in order to hold the tube, plastic rod or wire. Any bends are made by literally bending the rod/wire etc around a pin. With the frame 'assembled' on the board, all joints are glued and left to set. Once that's done, the various sections can be assembled. It's not unlike the real thing, only in miniature, and using adhesives instead of welding. (Although, technically, poly cement welds.)
If I get time later today, and if you think it might help, I'll knock up a sketch to illustrate what I mean. It's fairly straightforward, but takes time, and a LOT of patience!
Terry.
 

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