The Walk-Thru of the 2023 International Paper Modeler's Convention (IPMC); the 25th

[THE DC]

With the shuttle’s bay doors opened, Joe’s work takes on an educational, as well as aesthetic, value (see pic 1). In the open bay, experimental packages and docking piers support the details of the open bay itself.

Even the inner doors were though out and detailed accurately in Columbia (see pic 2). The bay contents are separate models, in their own right, but enhance the truth of what this vehicle was, and the services that it performed (see pic 3).



Picture 1: Shuttles; one with open bay doors...

Picture 2: Mini shuttle c micro payload 5…

Picture 3: Mini shuttle c micro payload…

[THE DC]

With the shuttle’s bay details, Joe even makes sure other interiors are represented. Here again is the command deck of the model that I previously pictured, with better examples of how the chairs and consoles are crafted (see pic 1). Note how the pilot-commander and co-pilot are arranged in the half-deck, with the passenger seats behind them. It’s a shame that most of this detail is lost and cant be seen once the model is complete.



Picture 1: The detail of the shuttle flight deck...

[THE DC]

Joe’s interest in shuttles is not confined to only the actual craft built by NASA (Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, and Atlantis…with Enterprise a test bed craft, that was never intended for extra-atmosphere travel). He also builds film-fantasy depictions, like the Moonraker from the James Bond film of the same name. The command deck, as shown before, is part of a Moonraker build that he is progressing (see pic 1). Next to this fantasy shuttle build, a replica of a NASA craft is also awaiting completion (this one will be Enterprise). The build process is demonstrated in the parts of the build that he displayed for audience education (see pic 2).

Joe makes sure each Moonraker part is built clean and can fit easily into its mating-pair part (see pic 3). The frame had been carefully crafted, in a clean build, with details that even include the rear landing gear bays (see pic 4) Note how the pieces fit cleanly, before gluing, and even the front landing bay is detailed out for completion in this test fit (see pic 5). Test fitting, along the way, is an essential part of any well craft build.



Picture 1: A shuttle in process Moonraker…

Picture 2: Moonraker shuttles in progress…

Picture 3: Moonraker shuttle parts 2…

Picture 4: Moonraker shuttle parts…

Picture 5: Moonraker shuttle parts 1…

[THE DC]

Joe was particularly proud of his use of foil paper to achieve a metallic finish. He had previously demonstrated this in an aircraft build that he had described; the Korean era Sabre. In addition to the accurate, tight build, he’d shared his joy of using tiny water-slide decals to detail the build (see Thread entry pics in Teakell’s Table; more planes…).

His use of foil paper has also been extended to space vehicles, when appropriate. These tiny, foil wrapped builds also share appropriate decal-detailing and were constructed to break into stages; accurate for the craft being miniaturized (see pic 1). Next to this foil papered rocket was another foil-rocket creation; a Mercury system that was complete with a tiny capsule and the top that separated, and even the nose tower at the top of the capsule (see pic 2). The escape tower also breaks away, in this complete, detailed build (see pic 3). Note in these tiny rockets, the details of rocket nozzles, stabilizing rocket ports, and even identifying decals.



Picture 1: Mini foil paper rocket stages…

Picture 2: mini foil paper rocket stages 0…

Picture 3: mini foil paper Mercury rocket stages 2…

[THE DC]

Mentioned briefly before, in this Thread (Teakell’s Table; space craft (Continued)…
) several of Joe’s builds are capable of actually flying! One of his space shuttles (Atlantis again!) was constructed so that the engines are not applied when he wants to use a bladder to push air through a tube, blasting the paper model off in a flight of a few feet (see pic 1). Note in this picture, Atlantis sits ready to launch, but another rocket, possibly a mercury, sits at the ready to be placed upon the bladder tube.

Joe set up a second rocket, at ready, on the bladder launch tube, to fly it off with the depression of the green air bladder (see pic 2). This makes his detailed builds educational, as the aerodynamic qualities may be considered.



Picture 1: Mini shuttle Atlantis that can fly…

Picture 2: Joe's flying rocket exhibit…

[THE DC]

Joe’s work is clearly remarkable. He builds his models in micro scale but with macro detail. His exhibits displayed features rarely attempted in much larger scaled models. In the previously described B-17, and other aircraft kits, (see Thread chapter: Teakell’s Table) the small aircraft had rotating turrets, moving machine gun barrels, and rotating propellers. That kit had also been made from silver gift wrap paper; a technique that Joe expressed pride in. He’d added water-slide decals for extra authenticity.

This may not have been Joe’s favorite build, as one demonstration of his described modeling led him to share features of other kits, making any determination of his favorite build to be difficult. He pointed out how his mini-tanks had turning turrets and how his rockets had accurate, detailed stage separation pieces. He’d shared how he’d used different skins from different kits for his space shuttles, while developing options of moving parts and detail. He seemed less enamored with any one particular build as much as the pleasure of experimenting and “kit bashing” different designs to create all the detail and features that he desired. In talking to Joe, though he would recommend specific designers, like Bruno Models, he enjoyed exploring the interchangeable possibilities of multiple model designers to create his vision of the final build.

Creativity is his co-pilot.

This extended to the size of the kit. He was comfortable reducing larger sized kits to make micro-versions. In one instance, an African Corps kit from ABC, which had been in HO scale, had been reduced to 240 scale; requiring a couple of weeks to accomplish the task of creating the parts for the diorama that he wanted to attempt. Similarly, another ABC kit was scaled to accomplish a tiny Stalingrad diorama, or another one of Normandy. In these tiny tanks, and even more so in the tinier guns of the aircraft, he shared how rolling the paper to create gun barrels to be so small required many hours of practice to achieve clean results. Even with the built up skill, he admitted that he still had messed up in an effort on many occasions, but as is the benefit of paper modeling, trying again was time consuming but not materially prohibitive.

In another example, he used the models to show off aerodynamics by building air-launch, flying versions. In this respect, Joe wasn’t only interested in creating the design and look of the kit; he was interested in exploring the function of the represented craft. Joe’s approach to model building is quite intense and comprehensive.

His experimentation with foil paper increased the metallic appearance of the rockets, while he worked to mimic the rounded folds of the Saturn 1 and Apollo 7 designs, to accomplish as realistic, as possible, mimicry of the actual craft. Though he might seek out a Mars Designs model, his kit bashing, part swapping, and modification was an exploration of paper modeling, as much as it was the mastery of a specifically attractive kit.

[THE DC]

Joe’s enthusiasm for model building was reflected in the generosity of his time and detail that he provided in describing build tips. In the previous Thread Chapter, I mentioned his effort to roll such tiny scraps of paper into gun barrels. Joe shared some tips that he had learned to accomplish this painstaking detail.

Joe said that he used wire as a former for tiny gun barrels. After wrapping the wire in very thin paper, in the initial formation effort, glue would be applied to create the sustained shape. Once that initial shape has dried solid, add an initial joint to maintain the shape. Then, with the start of the barrel succeeding, he further rolled a portion, solidifying the shape further. Repeat this slow, painstakingly detailed effort, until the consistency of the barrel is accomplished, he guided that you slight roll-glue-dry, to the next slight roll-glue-dry; over and over. He explained the necessity of doing this in steps, instead of being impatient and trying to rush to the next phase of the barrel creation.

These results permit tiny turret barrels on tanks (see pic 1) or for even tinier machine gun barrels, on tiny bombers (see pic 2) and similar efforts can produce pencil-lead sized propellers.



Picture 1: Fingernail sized tanks c rotating turret 2…

Picture 2: WWII bomber…

[THE DC]

Similarly, Joe’s interest in shuttles and rockets reflected a detailed process for the shaping of the tube and the hull shape formation. He suggested that toothpicks were useful tools, as well as steal rods or probes, as formers for the light paper being rolled into shape.

Since the scale of his builds is so small, Joe’s builds are actual, "real" paper models; where most of us work in card-stock models! He has to roll extremely thin paper into shape, to permit the achievement of the effective final results. Too thick a paper choice, he explained, and the fold doesn’t appear smooth and clear, nor hold such a sculpted finish.

In accomplishing detailed, small but consistent folds, he used examples of some rockets that he completed. Using a template provided in the kit, he completed a series of folds in the outer skin to accomplish the desired realistic look at such a small scale (see pic 1).

Starting out, on a hard surface, he uses the metal probe from his toolbox, to begin to shape the paper toward the form of the template, by rolling the paper under the rounded surface (see pic 2). Once the paper loosely takes a rounded form, a tighter rounded fold is accomplished around the tool (see pic 3). The fold is then tightened around the probe to intensify the retention of the shape, using the fingers (see pic 4). Note how the template is referenced to make sure that the fold-shape is conforming to the intended outcome (see pic 5). The process continues in the next Thread chapter…



Picture 1: A mini sized rocket folded…

Picture 2: Demonstrating rolling technique…

Picture 3: Demonstrating rolling technique 0…

Picture 4: Demonstrating rolling technique 1…

Picture 5: Demonstrating rolling technique 2…

[THE DC]

Continuing his process from the previous entry, Joe uses his finger nail to sharpen the tiny curvature of the thin paper (see pic 1). A tight grip around the probe forces the paper into the desired shape (see pic 2). The paper is bent back, against the accomplished fold, to permit the extended shape (see pic 3).

The result is a series of rounded shapes, tightly creased next to each other, that permit the illusion of a separate series of tanks, but are actually a clever fold pattern, to make up a rocket body (see pic 4) The single fold of the body permits a better, miniaturized shape, far cleaner and tighter than would be possible with multiple joined parts. The results, in the pattern, the finished part, and then the finished model, illustrates the value of this approach (see pic 5).


Picture 1: Demonstrating rolling technique 3…

Picture 2: Demonstrating rolling technique 4…

Picture 3: Demonstrating rolling technique 5…

Picture 4: Detail of how folds that create the final rocket shape…

Picture 5: Tiny rocket breaks into stages 2…

[THE DC]

Joe had some good tips for preferred or recommended tools. He had stated earlier in the thread the value of using wire for gun barrels, and toothpicks for rounded shapes, but he added that paint brushes were good for applying thinned glue, especially for thin paper formations.

Tweeter clamps were also recommended to hold prepared shape in form, until the glue set the intended shape. Having a hard surface to form shaped paper is especially necessary, when parts are tiny and the fingers can only fold so tightly.

Because he works in such small scale, he explained that the tools (wire, toothpicks, small probes, and tweezer-clamps) are required to compensate for what his fingers cannot do in small scale. He added that the finery of the tools permit small scale folding, cutting, and gluing; "My fingers are too big!"