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Scratchbuilding – getting started

March 14, 2022 By Francis Porter

Model Construction

with Stephen Foster

When building any model from scratch, or converting one using either aftermarket parts or stock materials, the first step is to convince yourself that you really can do what you set out to do. Many people tell me that they cannot scratch build, but when I ask them have they ever tried the answer is usually no. Many are frightened of making mistakes, parts will not fit properly, or that they do not have the skills. If I ask them if they have experienced problems with parts that do not fit with kits and they usually reply yes. Then when I ask them what was their response to the problem with the kit I get one of two answers: either they used their skills to find a solution and completed the model, or they gave up and threw it away or put it on the shelf. Most modellers know how to correct mistakes with kits, add PE or aftermarket parts, fill and sand gaps, etc, which means that they also have many of the the skills required to scratch build a model. If you get involved with scratch building you are going to encounter similar problems to those that you encounter with older or limited run kits, and to succeed you have to apply a little skill to solve those problems. The sense of achievement when you succeed has to be experienced to be fully appreciated: the feeling gained from “I made that” is a very positive one, especially if, as most people do, you started the project questioning whether you really could make a model from scratch. Remember: you can because you think you can.

Start with something simple and carry out as much research as possible to ensure that you know what you will have to do. In the case of conversions this means knowing what has got to be changed or modified. In the case of scratch building it means deciding how the parts and sub-assemblies are going to be made and what materials will be needed to make them: think about how a kit manufacturer would break the model down into different parts. You will also need to know which tools you will require.

This is a short guide to help those who might be thinking about converting or scratch building a model where not all of the parts can be bought or found in the spares box, but are hesitating because they think that it may be too difficult for them. I have tried to illustrate as best as I can the different tools and techniques that I use. They will not suit everyone – modelling is a very personal past time – but I hope to show that most processes are not nearly as difficult as many imagine them to be, and are actually quite easy if you are prepared to have a try and occasionally fail and start again. I am.

I have used illustrations from a number of different models, most of which I have made in the past 10 years, and although some of them may look very complex and difficult, remember that I started with simple basic subjects and as I gained experience I chose more challenging ones. I have made many mistakes along the way, and I continue to do so because, like everyone else, that is how I learn best. After all, the person who never made a mistake never made anything. I just don’t give up or put my part completed models on the shelf or throw them away.

Read on…

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modelconstruction
techniques-landing

Painting Techniques

Weathering Techniques


Model Construction Techniques

A BEGINNER'S TUTORIAL – How to Build a 1:35 AFV Kit
ADDING DETAIL & SUPER DETAILING
Adding cast texture to turrets
Advantages of adding Photo Etch to your Armour kits - Video Demo
Aerial wires – creating realistic aerial wires
Annealing PE belts to soften and bend to shape - VIDEO DEMOS
Converting AIM-9 to AAM-3 of JASDF
FOD guards for jet aircraft intakes – make your own! - 7 VIDEO DEMOS
Making corrugated iron - Video Demo
Making a model tree
Making jet aircraft mirrors for canopies
Making jet landing gear retraction locks
Making oxygen hoses for aircraft cockpits - VIDEO DEMO
Making sandbags
Metal foil for seat belts and harness
Metal foil to detail undercarriage and stores
Mini Spares Box – do you have one?
Navigation lights – making wing tip navigation lights
Pre-painted Photo Etch (PE) Brass in cockpits
Quinta detail sets – how to add the F-14 detail set - VIDEO DEMO
Ship rigging
Spoked wheels for WWI Bi-planes
Spoked wheels – Re-spoking wheels on motorcycles
Stretched sprue for rigging, aerials and lots of uses! - VIDEO DEMO
Turret periscope lenses on AFVs - VIDEO DEMOS
ADDING IMPROVED PARTS
Adding resin parts, getting the fit right
How to use AMMO Anti-Slip Paste - VIDEO DEMO
Assembling and Burnishing Friul Tracks
Construction of a 1:700th scale Photo Etch catapult
Creating ship masts in brass - VIDEO DEMO
Eduard Superfabric seat belts (HGW) and how to use them - VIDEO DEMO
HGW Micro Textile Seatbelts
Hinges
Making curved metal parts - VIDEO DEMO
Making one-off new components
Type conversions
Vac-form canopies
Vacuum forming your own components
Working with Fruil Modelisimo metal tracks - VIDEO DEMOS
CANOPIES
Attaching clear parts
Broken glass effects
Dipping canopies and clear parts to improve clarity
Epoxy lights – how to make them - VIDEO DEMO
Polishing canopies
Polishing canopies using UMP 4-Part system - VIDEO DEMO
Removing mould seam lines from canopies - 4 VIDEO DEMOS
Seamless front windscreens on aircraft - 3 VIDEO DEMOS
Wing tip navigation and landing light covers - VIDEO DEMOS
CLAMPING & FIXING PARTS
Making individual track links
Model Clamp to hold your model
Mini pegs for holding small parts - VIDEO DEMO
CUTTING TOOLS, OTHER USEFUL TOOLS and GETTING UNDERWAY
Starting out on your first armour project
The DSPIAE MT-C Stepless Adjustment Circular Cutter
Gyro Cut swivel head cutting tool - VIDEO DEMO
Infini Easy cutting mat Type B - VIDEO DEMO
Knives, what Geoff C uses
Lighting your workbench
Magnetic Handle 60 by RP Toolz
Mini Long Nose Pliers - VIDEO DEMO
Mini Needle Files - VIDEO DEMO
Revell Precision Scraper – How to use it
Side cutters, important choices and decisions - VIDEO DEMO
Simple ideas for parts holders - VIDEO DEMO
Tweezers – great value set from Pixnor - VIDEO DEMO
Using a razor saw - VIDEO DEMO
DRILLS AND DRILLING
Drilling out gun ports on aircraft - VIDEO DEMO
Pin vice drills – using the Humbrol Pin Vice Drill - VIDEO DEMO
FILLER
Filling seams with Mr Surfacer
Milliput White as filler
Using PVA Glue as a filler
GLUES & GLUING
How To Use AMMO Cyanoacrylate Glues - HD VIDEO
Applying cyano (superglue) with an applicator with Andy Brown - HD VIDEO DEMO
Attaching clear parts - HD VIDEO DEMO
Getting started on a new project – glues, tools and approach with Andy Burton
Glues the choices and how to use them - 7 VIDEO DEMOS
Gluing deck sections using Pin Flow Applicator - VIDEO DEMO
Homemade cyano applicator
Pin Point Bottle Kit - VIDEO DEMO
Ultimate Glue Bottle Holder (for Tamiya glue) - VIDEO DEMO
Using liquid poly to join parts and avoid filling - VIDEO DEMO
Using polystyrene cement - HD VIDEO DEMO
IDF MODEL PROJECTS
Common errors with IDF models
KIT INSTRUCTIONS
Kit instructions – an introduction and tips
Making a plan
LIGHT and SOUND PROJECTS and RESOURCES
Adding light and sound to Revell 1.48 Bristol Beaufighter
Revell 1:32 F4U1A Corsair
Tamiya 1:32 De Havilland Mosquito FB.VI
Magic Scale Modelling Now
SmartFX Now
MAGNETS
Preventing aircraft with tricycle undercarriage from tail sitting - VIDEO DEMO
PHOTO ETCH
Annealing PE belts to soften and bend to shape - VIDEO DEMOS
Working with Photo Etch, getting started
PLANNING
Deciding on and planning your next project
PLANS
Questions, Thoughts and Resources for using plans
REFERENCE MATERIAL
Choosing and using reference material – Aircraft
Operation Northern Watch 1994-95 F-4G, EF-111A, Harrier GR5
REPAIRING MISTAKES, REINSTATING & CREATING SURFACE DETAIL
Filling seams with Mr Surfacer
Hiding join lines inside engine cowls - VIDEO DEMOS
Improving overdone moulded rivet detail
Join lines: filling and getting rid of join lines - VIDEO DEMO
Mini chisel set to remove kit detail - VIDEO DEMOS
Oil Canning, how to create stressed metal effects – technique
How to use Plasticator Thin & Thick by AMMO - VIDEO DEMO
Removing ghost seam line joins – Micromesh - 2 VIDEO DEMOS
Repairing broken aircraft tail wheels - VIDEO DEMO
Scribing and re-scribing panel lines - VIDEO DEMO
Stressed metal effects on the Avro Lancaster
Stressed metal effects on panels
RESIN
‘Resin Rookie’ – building your first resin armour kit
Thinking of trying a resin kit or accessory?
RIGGING
How to rig a WWI Albatros Bi-plane in 1.32 scale
How to rig a WWI Biplane with Dave Coward – preview
How To Use AMMO Rigging
Ship Rigging
Stretched sprue for rigging, aerials and lots of uses!
RIVETING
Adding rivets using a pin vice drill - VIDEO DEMO
HGW Positive Rivets – how to apply them
Improving overdone moulded rivet detail
Revell Rivet Maker - 2 VIDEO DEMOS
Riveting aircraft - 2 VIDEO DEMOS
Rosie The Riveter – how to use this excellent tool - VIDEO DEMO
Using Dymo tape as a guide edge - VIDEO DEMO
Using a pin vice drill to enhance rivet detail = VIDEO DEMO
RUBBER-VINYL TYRES
Removing mould seam lines - VIDEO DEMO
Finishing Off - VIDEO DEMO
SANDING & POLISHING
Fine-sanding alternative: the coffee filter ‘onion’
How to use Ultimate Modellers sanders, buffers and Skinny Sticks - VIDEO DEMO
Polishing canopies
Tools to get you started – sander and buffers
Ultimate Customisable Sanding Sheets - VIDEO DEMO
Using Albion Alloys plastic sanding needles
SCRATCHBUILDING
Scratchbuilding – getting started
Scratchbuilding an aero engine
SELECTING A KIT
Selecting a Kit
1:48 Armour
SOLDERING
Soldering – how to do it
STORING PARTS DURING CONSTRUCTION
Plastic containers
TROUBLE-SHOOTING
Adding nose weight to stop tail-sitters
Stripping a Painted Model
OTHER
Fitting painted wheels, avoiding damage to painted areas

Disclaimer

While the hints, tips and advice in Scale Modelling Now magazine have worked for us, no guarantee is given that they will always work, that they are applicable to you or that there may be Health & Safety issues if you do follow the advice. It’s very much up to you to decide if you want to try them out. All relevant safety regulations regarding knives, adhesives, solvents, paints, etc. are implied.

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