Acme Engineering: 3D printed what-if products

[Hobbes]

As noted before, I've been experimenting with creating custom parts using a 3D printer.
I've now got my first printed part available for a what-if project: the radome for the BAC 1-11 'scheme 3' AEW project, in 1:144 scale.
See 'The Air Staff and AEW' by Chris Gibson for information on the aircraft. 

the dome is printed in two halves:


https://www.shapeways.com/shops/acme

[Hobbes]

As seen on 2 of my recent projects, I've created an interpretation of the RB.178-14 engine. Not much data was available (I just had diameter data), so some guesswork on my part was involved. I made the nacelle to look similar to the Conway (as the RB.178 was a replacement for the Conway).

Version for the Jet Belfast:

I've made the pylons to fit the C-141 wing, but they can be easily adapted to other wings.

Product link

Version for VC-10 Superb:


The pylon is a stub that ends in a straight line. To install on the model, you need to extend the pylon to match the fuselage curve. I'm amenable to suggestions to improve this.

Product link

[Hobbes]

And a work in progress: the domes for the Nimrod AEW system. I've got the front dome done, the rear one needs some work.



Front dome can be seen here: http://www.whatifmodellers.com/index.php/topic,46171

product link

[PR19_Kit]

The pylon is a stub that ends in a straight line. To install on the model, you need to extend the pylon to match the fuselage curve. I'm amenable to suggestions to improve this.

The pylons on the real VC10 are unbelievably complex in shape, tapered, twisted and variable in thickness along their length. Very few of the available kits have them all that correct, but luckily they're pretty difficult to see anyway. Taking pics of a real pylon is a mind bending exercise!