Michael Johnson`s Paper Planes

[batesyboy]

Hi there,
I came across old copies of the Michael Johnson Paper Planes books,(on Ebay)
I remember trying to build a few of the models, (back in the day) and finding that very few of the parts were die cut correctly, but the artwork was quite stunning.
I have scanned and adjusted the Hawker Hurricane as a test build, and have used my Tissue on wall foam technique to see if i could get one flying (after all these years)
I will post photos soon,
I was wondering if anyone else has built or flown any of these models,
and to expand, are there any similar books by Michael or others, that you guys would recommend
Cheers
Lee

[batesyboy]

Just got the wings on,
just the prop and spinner to do !

[MacSongLi]

Cool, never seen those before. Nice Hurricane!

Gary

[at6]

Nice model. They look well designed. Never heard of the designer before, but he seems quite talented from the looks of what you've gotten done so far.

[deki]

Wery nice model. I also tray to build paper flaying models but when i finished i never launch them because fear of destroying.


Models made of 80 and 120 gr. paper with the construction of balsa in scale 1:20.

Kok for Hurricane propeller and cabins for all three models are made using molds and thin plastic.
Otherwise, all three models are made with rubber engine in order to be flying models, but it is simply evil to them "launch", as they are a little heavier than flying inflatables from balsa and japan paper (by 10-15%), (Me 109 trop weighs 43 gr., Me 109 RYAF weighs 46 gr. a hurricane 56 gr. and hurricane is done with 120 gr. and the previous two with 80 gr. paper).

[Tenrik]

I purchased the first volume on Amazon a couple years ago, mainly because of the hawker fury. The models are nice as well as some unusual subjects. There are some similar books on Amazon.
Paper Pilot: The Paper Airplane Pilot's Manual by Juliette Cezzar
Paper Warplanes by David Hawcock
High-Performance Paper Airplanes: 10 Easy-to-Assemble Models by Andrew Dewar
Space Planes (Paper Airplanes That Really Fly! by Andrew Dewar
Fighter Jets (Paper Airplanes That Really Fly!) by Andrew Dewar
A-7 Corsair II (Paper Airplane Model Kit) (Top Secret Flyers series)

There may be more, but these are in my wish list. Most look like fair to good kits.
I hope this helps. Great work on the Hurricane by the way, gives me hope for eventually starting on the fury.

[Don Boose]

All these models look very good.

I have had a copy of Volume 1 for many years, but never tried building the models.

The art work is quite beautiful.

Don

[kahoody]

Originally Posted by Don Boose

All these models look very good.

I have had a copy of Volume 1 for many years, but never tried building the models.

The art work is quite beautiful.

Don

Same here, Don. Had the Golden Age copy of Mr Johnson's book for nearly 20 years. When I was young, impulsive and NOT a paper modeler I attempted 2 and botched it badly. Nowadays, I pull down the book and admire the graphics.

[batesyboy]

Hi Guys, thanks for the replies..
Firstly `Tenrik` I`ve had a good look at the Hawker Hart, and sadly the die cutting is badly misaligned, so you`ll need to scan, copy and correct, to make a successful model.
I redrew a lot of the Hurricane, particularly the nose area ( modded from a Fury that i have drawn from scratch)

Deki,
You can make your planes into ultra light flyers (like the rest of the pictures)
by Using 2mm wall foam (the big roll of material in the picture)
The tissue paper is wrapping tissue, not `Jap` type aeromodellers tissue.
To Print on the tissue, it is temporary spraymounted (remount, green tin) to paper, so you can print on it.
The printed parts are carefully peeled from the regular paper, then spraymounted (Photomount, red tin) To the wallfoam, I expect you can work out the rest !
Cheers Guys,
I will certainly try to track down the books you suggest Tenrik !

[Tenrik]

Thanks for the tips batesyboy, I will go that route when building it. The books do have some models that with a little work, like the Hurricane, can make for a decent model.