Lloyd C.V 1:72 Resin Kit

[redhorse]

Back in the mid 90s I produced and sold two resin WWI aircraft kits. A Lloyd C.V and and an RAF FE2b. I don't have any of the FE2b left and never ended up building it. Interestingly enough by selling these I learned that Barry Goldwater collected WWI aircraft kits, he bought one of each through one of the hobby shops I sold to.

Anyhow, here are some pictures of the Lloyd kit and the completed model. After several moves, a number of parts had fallen off which I had to glue back on and the rigging is a bit loose, but still an interesting aircraft. The kit came complete with a baby coffin and two figures which were also sold seperately.

[Don Boose]

Thanks for the images! A beautiful model!

Don

[dansls1]

Very nice model. What medium was the original 'tool' made from that you created the mold from?

[redhorse]

Thanks guys! The masters were made out of sheet styrene, milliput, bondo and wire. I made molds with RTV silicone rubber. I de-aired the rubber in a vacuum chamber and then pressure cast them to get rid up bubbles in a modified house painting pressure tank. You can get around 40 to 50 castings before the molds wear out.

[zachy]

I have been working off and on with the FE2B in paper. It's front cowling never comes out right. Then I go back and work on something easier. Working on a Nieuport and Fokker now. Still I think the FE2B deserves another try. I'll send in progress.

[redhorse]

Originally Posted by zachy

I have been working off and on with the FE2B in paper. It's front cowling never comes out right. Then I go back and work on something easier. Working on a Nieuport and Fokker now. Still I think the FE2B deserves another try. I'll send in progress.

The front would be really difficult, it's just one big compound curve!

[Lex]

I'm interested in this process you're using to make the resin kit Redhorse, may I ask if it's something that's to be done in your back garden? Or does it need a 3000-up factory?

[redhorse]

Lex, I did this in the mid 90's in a 1 bedroom plus den apartment. The only problem was the noise from the air compressor when I was casting in the middle of the night I set up the whole operation in the den.

All I needed was:

Masters (made those)

RTV rubber

A vacuum chamber to de-air the rubber and a vacuum pump. I got the vacuum chamber at a medical supply company and the pump, which doubles as an air compressor, at a DIY store.

A paint pot, I forget where I got that but it looks like they sell them special now for casting at a significantly higher price.
Casting Pressure Pot

Then I needed some various tubing for the pot and some Legos to make boxes to pour the molds.

[Lex]

Thanks a lot, I'll sure save that for the future!

By the way, is there any tutorial of the sort available on the internet?

[redhorse]

Alumilite has some tutorials - Alumilite - Solutions in Casting Resin and Silicone Rubber

Interesting. I learned how from Fine Scale Modeler articles and pictures in Hobby Japan magazine. Much easier to learn through the web :D