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View Full Version : FGMM Sikorsky S-38 at 1:100, in silver


papermodelfan
03-20-2010, 06:36 PM
This contest is the perfect occasion to make something I have wanted to do for some time - the twin engined S-38 flying boat in small scale, and on red river paper. I already built it full size, and found it a very satisfying design, as long as I took liberties with the struts to make them fit. It was designed by Glen Volyn, who also did the ingenious S-39.

I like to make small scale seaplanes as "silver ghosts", printing them on the back side of Red River silver paper, then building them silver side out. Like all white "concept ships" only reflective silver. I was inspired by an exhibition I saw once in Meersburg, Germany of models of all of Dornier's aircraft - executed at 1:20 in metal. Very impressive.

So the model. I printed out the "regular" size and reduced it to 50% making it 1:100,and then print onto RR paper. This size saves on the RR paper, which is pretty expensive. One nice thing about RR paper is that it takes a crease or embossment well. By going over some of the lines with a ball-point pen on the white printed side, one can make nice lines appear on the silver side, showing the outlines of wing ribs, window panels, hatches , etc. I go over most of the features. With a little practice the lines come out pretty even. The other thing is that one always has the option of building the part printed side out, which I often do for engine parts, and wheels - given them the black contrast with the silver.

I failed to capture pictures of the first part of the process, before I realized my camera was perfectly happy to let me take pictures without the chip in place. So this starts in media res with the hull, lower wing and central upper wing already built.

Also added a photo of some of the rest of the "Silver fleet". Cheers,

rmks2000
03-20-2010, 07:23 PM
Great subject. I was going to build it myself (love the zebra paint job) but I've got a few other builds to finish. What did the wingspan end up being after the reduction?

jobeaux
03-20-2010, 08:04 PM
Wow! Neat idea! Your "silver fleet" looks really classy displayed together like that.

willygoat
03-20-2010, 08:27 PM
That's pretty neat! I like your collection. Now, where did you get that Grumman Hu-16 Albatros?

papermodelfan
03-20-2010, 08:47 PM
Thanks Willy - that is a Wilhelmshavener Albatross, much reduced. Also, among others the JFSchreiber Martin Seamaster, and Reimers Dornier Seeadler, all reduced

papermodelfan
03-20-2010, 08:48 PM
Wingspan comes out at 9 inches

papermodelfan
03-20-2010, 09:35 PM
Reviewing the file of comments on the contest, I realize I was wrong about the designers - Glen Volyn did this S-38, but "Mauri" did the S-39,and both of you are in this contest. My apologies, Mauri. (And now I understand your Avatar. It is Porco Rosso, from the best seaplane cartoon of all time, no doubt).

Both full stock models hang from my ceiling, and were great fun to build. Any chance one or the other of you is thinking about taking it to the next level, the S-40?

Mauri
03-21-2010, 03:45 PM
;) You got me! I just loooove seaplanes...
The problem is that the S-40 is too similar to the S-39 and if I had to do a big seaplane, I'd rather go for a China Clipper for example... I don't think there's any chance I will do that in the near future, but an Bv-138 or a Republic SeaBee for FG are much more likely to end up existing one day :rolleyes:

Mauri
03-22-2010, 02:07 AM
Grrr... almost forgot to mention that your silver paper models looks awesome! :eek:

Wyvern
03-22-2010, 07:54 AM
Awesome display, Rob!

Schreiber did a SEAMASTER? Where was I when that was available? I would LOVE to have a Seamaster in paper. I have the old Revell box-scale kit in the "other medium".

Wyvern

birder
03-23-2010, 09:57 AM
(You can tell from the beautiful artwork that Mauri designed and painted the S-39, interestingly I have looked also at the Sikorsky Clipper for the last couple years, but have not been doing any design work due to schedule......) Your build looks great papermodelfan!! You have a neat collection and I am honored to see the s-38 in there.....:)

papermodelfan
03-24-2010, 08:03 PM
JF Schreiber published a wonderful big 1:50 Seamaster back in 1957. (#07914) It is BIG, 5 sheets of the old 36 x 43 cm format, and was designed by Hubert Siegmund, so it is a clear design that fits well. It is all blue. I stumbled on it on German eBay - and have seen it twice since there. I have only built it in reduced scale, silver paper.

papermodelfan
03-25-2010, 06:59 PM
A little more progress. For me, the trickiest bit about this model is joining the upper wing with the fuselage, and getting the maze of struts right. I have stiffened most of the struts by folding them around a strip of basswood, that I can get in 0.0208 x 0.0208 inch strips (I think it is supposed to be scale lumber for train sets). I had the upper wing, tail booms and tail all as one unit, and the lower wing and fuselage as a second unit. I started with a central kingpost that joins them, gluing it into slits in the bottom of the wing and top of the fuselage, letting the model hang by its wingtips in a box with blocking to keep the fuselage in the right position. Then I cut and placed the outer interplane struts, and the struts that go from the back of the fuselage to the tail. Now it is stable, and the rest of the struts and the two motors can be fit in. I let the basswood extend out beyond the struts slightly, and use that to help anchor it in a tiny hole in the wing or fuselage. The motors are little jewels at this scale Decision point = to build them silver or with the printed side out. Will try the latter, for contrast.

Zathros
03-25-2010, 08:58 PM
I love the model and display impresses me most. My wife tells me that is why she let me build a barn. Great job on both fronts!

birder
03-26-2010, 12:04 AM
Nice job on this one Rob! I really love these old seaplanes...looking forward to see the radials too. Looks great!:) You are skilled with the rr silver paper, I keep getting fingerprints on mine...

papermodelfan
04-04-2010, 10:20 AM
The Red River paper has many admirable qualities - in addition to the almost mirrored finish, it folds well with scored creases, it takes curves well, and it glues well. However, it is the most unforgiving paper I know for picking up glue spots and finger prints. I have to be scrupulous about keeping fingers clear of glue, and then I try to leave "handles" on parts so I can move them around without touching them as much. Still, I get more "spots" than I like. For coloring white edges, I use a felt tipped enamel paint marker from Testors, with shiny silver paint.

Here is a little more progress - having joined the upper wing with the hull on the centerpost, and the outermost interplane struts, now adding the "forest" of struts. You can see my handle - the 1 x 1 mm balsa spar that I use to stiffen the lower wing - still protruding from the lower port wing. When all is done, will snip it short, push it into place, and seal up the wingtip.

Then begin making up the motor cylinder heads - decided to make them dark grey for contrast. Note motor cone is is mounted on a needle temporarily. Later I swithc to the pin that mounts the propellor, which goes through the cone and out the back at this point. Then I added the two V shaped supports on which the motor hands from the wing. this is tricky, because they surround the major interplane struts. (Sikorsky sure liked struts!). I glue them on in a way that they capture those struts, but are not yet attached to the wing. Then, with model upside down, and the motor held in place with a jig (made of my ruler) I can glue them into place under the upper wing. The propellor clearances with the hull and with each other are tight, so I do this with the props mounted so can check. Then added the tiny strut that goes from the rear of the motor cone to the upper wing, so there is a solid three point connection. Finally, I add the horizontal strut that goes from the motor to the central kingpost (not there on the printed model, but definitely on the plane). One of these done, so far in the picture.

papermodelfan
04-04-2010, 10:32 AM
A few bits and details left. The landing gear, for which the main strut hangs down from the motors, so has to wait until the motors are securely mounted, the wing floats, and a few other touchups and little details.

papermodelfan
04-04-2010, 10:04 PM
Finished. Here are some photos of the finished model. Also a few of the FG Sikorsky S-39 cousin, also in RR paper, also at 1:100. Cheers.

Alcides
04-04-2010, 10:34 PM
Wow!!! Wonderful the idea and the execution. Your model Shines literally. Very good job with a difficult medium.

jobeaux
04-05-2010, 02:16 PM
Really cool :cool:! Your silver airplanes really emphasize the artistic value of the model's design. (Not to mention the beauty of the original aircraft itself.) Let me say it again just to make sure... I really like this! :D

papermodelfan
04-05-2010, 05:39 PM
Thanks - that was the original inspiration, after seeing some large scale seaplane models executed in sheet metal, which turned them into beautiful sculptural objects. Instead of imprinting on little red cars, when I was a kid, I guess I always had a thing for silver seaplanes.

Mauri - it may be worth a pilgrimage to Meersburg in Bavaria to visit Dornier's house and museum. They might still have the models, and in any event, it is just next door to the old (and new) Zeppelin and Dornier works on Lake Constanz. Cheers

rmks2000
04-05-2010, 07:23 PM
Beautiful work on both models!

Don Boose
04-11-2010, 01:21 PM
Beautiful models, Rob! I remember when you brought a multitude of silver paper model airplanes to one of the IPMCs a few years ago. But these flying boats are above and beyond!

Don

rickstef
04-11-2010, 01:53 PM
Don, Rob, et al,

Here are two pictures to document Rob's proclivities towards silver paper.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_D1ai3sDbkpI/SSeIoospjyI/AAAAAAAAEPA/_weQppSi0bI/s800/EPSN0015.jpg
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_D1ai3sDbkpI/SSeIsCByXyI/AAAAAAAAERQ/RvjulZs23_k/s800/EPSN28.jpg

It was IPMC 2003

Don Boose
04-11-2010, 04:30 PM
Yep. Them's the ones!

Thanks,

Don