Johan Scherft's Finch

[Erik Zwaan]

Hello paper modelers,

When working on the Mirage I sometimes slipped away from it and worked on and off on a beautifully designed model of a flying finch, by the Dutch artist Johan Scherft. Johan has designed several birds and they can either be obtained through his site or zeistbouwplaten.nl or Dutch publisher Leon Schuijt. In Dutch the bird is called "vink" (finch) and is also nicknamed "puttertje". It's a cute little flyer and is quite common over here.

I'm still working on it and hope to finish before going on holidays. Thereafter it's time to work on a mighty steam locomotive. More to come in a few weeks time but I'm preparing for it already as a fair degree of studying in advance is certainly recommendable.

Herewith a few pictures of the puttertje. The model isn't particularly difficult but I must say it took quite a bit of effort to make the tail section fit to the main body and also the wings required attention to make them fit tightly.

The model consists of two sheets only with just a few parts, but that's not an indication of supposed simplicity. It's a bit tricky, but that's the fun and I trust the end result will all be worth it. The model is a dowload and can best be printed, as also advised by Johan Scherft, on 120 grams paper. Clear instructions and some finch facts are included.

See you later,
Erik

[MacSongLi]

Nice work again, Erik. I did the Firecrest, and it turned out great! John's kits are fantastic.

Gary

[rockpaperscissor]

Your model is coming out great! I love these birds, but have yet to build one. I've downloaded his freebies, and have also purchased his published collection of "Beautiful paper Birds", which includes: Bluebird, Nuthatch, Cardinal, and Goldfinch. One of these days.....

[Don Boose]

Excellent work on this finch, Erik! It looks like a challenge, but it looks like the end result will be a good-looking little bird.

Don

[busoramas]

Everyting that can fly is on my likes! good model

[Seascape]

Great looking bird so far!

Fred

[Wad Cutter]

I built this beautiful model for my wife and she loved it. I mounted it on a heavy piece of wire into a small home on a wooden base. I thought the way you reinforced the wings from the inside was brilliant. I never thought of that. It might be time to make it again. I had a hard time placing the two small feathers to the model but I think I got it at last, I think. Bird models are the perfect model for every one. Thank you very much for the idea. wc

[ricleite]

Not a lot of parts but clearly a complex assembly!

[elliott]

Lovely goldfinch Erik. You did a nice job.

[Erik Zwaan]

Thanks guys! I'm a few days away to England, so greetings from the Bovington Tank Museum in Dorset.

Erik