Life in Plastic (Styrene, specifically)

N2S-3

May 2011 -- 1/48 Lindberg Stearman

Well it's with a lot of delight I declare this one finished.

 
I will only claim it is a "decent" representation of an N2S in 1/48th scale.

 
The Lindberg kit is OK as a ceiling Stearman, a dangle from a string or fishing line Stearman, but not much to get wild about otherwise.

 
Color scheme was easy. Yay. Rigging, right? Stretched silver sprue tightened with the "Brass Balls" technique of smoldering toothpick. NOT for the faint of heart or the shaky of hand.

Bump in the modeling road

How does a professional modeler afford to eat? Can't, really. Therefore this one grows as much of his own vittles as he can. This entails some work -- especially in the spring.

 
The last couple of days have been fairly rain-free, so I've worked the dirt at the expense of plastic. If I ever win the lottery, one of the first things I'll buy is a nice gas-powered tiller.

 
'Bout halfway done. Enough rows ready to plant some beans. In this image, the sharp eye will spot McGregor, the amazingly garden-camouflaged cat. (His eyes sort of match the foliage.)

They're saying rain for the next couple days, so it's back to the plastic shop. Time to rig an N2S. 

Stearman inches forward

Really shouldn't have to force things (wings) together like this. At this point, it's the only way.

 
The end is almost in sight, I think.

 

Inspirational

http://s362974870.onlinehome.us/forums/air/index.php?showtopic=204317

It occurred to me recently that my lack of interest or downright disgust with what I see airplane modelers producing these days can be labeled "entertainment modeling." This seems to be where the goal of the exercise is to achieve a cartoon look -- the current benchmark if you will -- whereby praise and accolades are heaped upon you. The simple requirement is kit assembly, maybe helped with resin add-ons, followed by an over-the-top "weathered" finish. Rather than using a real airplane as reference material, or really caring about capturing its essence in miniature, assemble a kit, then put an entertaining (not realistic) finish on it. Yay! You're in the club!

Well a friend of mine tipped me off to this link. My God there is hope. Have a look at a real modeler at work.

Thunder-trio

Gotta say I like this group a lot.

 
Not a drop of that stinkin' Alclad involved.

 
If I could make a living producing nothing but this sort of model, I'd be a happy man. Or a happier man. (I'm not all that unhappy.)