Hobby Model MiG-15 Fresco

[Gil]

Ok, so this will be a highly modified build of Hobby-Models MiG-15 Fresco, 1/2009, Nr. Kat. 99. It's a 1:33 scale paper model of the venerable MiG-15F.

Why this model? First it's fairly simple from a design point of view in that it utilizes a round cross section and divides into major sections in step with panel lines. The real deciding reason is that the designer was nice enough to put all the rivet line details on the model. That's a hint.

Blindly crossing my fingers I scanned the fuselage pages, printed them out and proceeded to cut and build. Surprise! The fit is good! This is a very good way to start a model. Some guy at my house forgot to order more ink and that's why the fuselage looks green in the first photo. Additional bracing was installed internal to the fuselage to strengthen it for what's about to be done to it.

Slightly sanded and lacquered for moisture resistance;

Fill, sand, prime repeat six or seven times. This is the most labor intensive part and the messiest. There is the satisfaction of finally seeing a MiG-15F fuselage sculpt appear at the end though;

Next step is to plug all the openings and prep the plug for mold making...,

The fuselage is smooth and "hard" enough to be "foiled" but that would be a "one off" now, wouldn't it?...,

+Gil

[B-Manic]

oh yeah - this is going to be GOOD!

[Foxbat]

Mig-15 Fagot
Mig-17 is Fresco

[Texman]

Very interesting. I feel some learnin' comin' on!

[ultra]

Originally Posted by B-Manic

oh yeah - this is going to be GOOD!

i totaly agree with u man

ultra stone

[Paperwarrior]

I am really looking forward to seeing more on this build.
Keep it coming!

[RyanShort]

Awesome Gil!

Ryan

[Gil]

What an incredible blunder! Fresco switched for Fagot. Thanks for the correction but it's now written in concrete forever. I've been working on a MiG-17F late production version and slipped up late in the evening.

I've been doodling in my mind over the subject of whether a card model with a preformed molded (made of paper of course) fuselage and hard to make compound curved surfaces would be of any interest. This is, as most might have guessed, directed toward Natural Aluminum Finished subjects though other candidates might fall into this category (painted aluminum retains the "metal underneath" look).

I've come to the conclusion that an aluminum surface is virtually impossible to attain without using the metal aluminum in its sheet form. Another conclusion is that thin layers of the material (i.e. foil) require a fairly hard backing with a mirror smooth finish for a successful outcome.

Ok, why not just build the model out of all aluminum? I've thought about that route and decided that it wasn't within the range of the average modeler's capabilities nor their tool sets. Making NAF models is a fairly difficult exercise, even for seasoned modelers, and has been relegated to remaining a curiosity for an extended period now. I'd like to change that starting with the "molded fuselage technique" that I intend to show in this thread.

Some other thoughts on the subject directed toward designers and card merchants:

• Would effectively end internet theft
• An integral step up in quality that would not only challenge but surpass the level or realism attainable by plastic models
• Packaging with Laser Cut pre-cut parts and Formed Canopies would have mass market appeal
• Ability to offer larger scale models than is economically feasible in plastic
  

What say all of you?

+Gil

[Ron40]

Gil,
I have been keeping an eye on your quest to obtain a true
aluminum appearing skin. It is as I know a rather labor intensive
project. It reminds me of trying it back in 1995 using pop and
beer aluminum cans. It is possible to make an all aluminum
skin model using paper models as a pattern. I purchased the
book back in 1995 and it is still available for purchase or download
at (Scale Models From Soda Cans) It is photo illustrated and
provides a step by step guide of how to complete an all aluminum
skinned model. the author shows several models he has completed
including a Lockheed Connie.
I did several skins using pop and the larger quart size beer cans
and made a couple of fuselage sections before shelving the project
due to how labor intensive it was. It is also possible to install rivet
patterns in the aluminum. The author also lists the types of glue
that he uses. It is a well written book that most any novice can
understand. Regards, Ron

[Triop]

This looks so slik I feel an itch to upgrade my hobby...Great work !