Vertical Empires - Post your build ideas here for discussion.

[Weaver]

How about a bit of lateral thinking: get a couple of clear "eggs" of the right size (toys/packaging, whatever) and stick the pointy halves together?

[Mossie]

I had thought about that, but I've never seen anything suitable as it needs to be smaller than a standard egg.  As the master of found random objects, do you know of anything out there?

[Weaver]

Have to admit I havn't, but you never know. Another thing to keep your eye on is various spray cans or bottles that have snap-off clear domes on top: they're often the right half-shape. It does mean going and looking at the womens' products isles as well mind...

If it seats two side-by-side then it can't be that small, and you mentioned the Gazelle, which is a really tight little thing. I've got one (sorry, it's not spare) and I think it would be a pretty viable starting point, to be honest. Also, does anyone do a model of the EC-120 Colibri? That's an even more pure "egg" and equally small.

Gazelle on ebay, up in two hours: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SA341-WESTLAND-GAZELLE-AIRFIX-00059-1-72-SEALED-KIT-/200604450986?pt=UK_ToysGames_ModelKits_ModelKits_JN&hash=item2eb4f500aa

1/144th scale one: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Japanese-SA-341B-Gazelle-helicopter-model-kit-/280672028350?pt=UK_ToysGames_ModelKits_ModelKits_JN&hash=item41595b46be

[Mossie]

I haven't been able to find an EC-120 model, Revell would be the usual suspects for anything Eurocopter & I don't think they've covered it.  Gazelle's are pretty easy to come by, you can get them on a few second hand sites & it was recently released as a starter set.  1/72 Gazelle fits very well to the plans, I checked it with the one I used to have!   Let it go when I thought I wouldn't come around to this project again!

[General Melchet]

Been out of the saddle for some while so thisl'll maybe fire me back up...something simple,  Rockwell XFV-12A, USN, marines or RN with appropriate weaponry.

Melchie..

[General Melchet]

Cheers Dunc, I've been AWOL for a couple of months due to work, house extention build, lack of modelling space, constant partying and lack pf sleep!! not neccessarily in that order mind.......good to be back,

I'll crack on!

Melchett...

[Weaver]

Hey Mossie, I know you want to do the 100ft Helicrane, but the small "pod" pencil sharpener by Mapad in this pic is a similar shape to the 70ft cabin, but about the size of a two-seater in 1/72nd - possibly hybrid? Who's to say the helicrane wouldn't have changed twixt drawing board and metal anyway?



Unfortunately, it's doesn't have a clear option: just translucent blue or green (IIRC).

[Mossie]

Thanks Harold, that's very interesting, I'll keep an eye out for one.  I might even do the HM!

The one thing that's keeping this on hold is I'm struggling to finance the resin needed at the mo, that & I keep flitting in my mind between a thousand projects, yet not building any of them....

[Weaver]

Thanks Harold, that's very interesting, I'll keep an eye out for one.  I might even do the HM!

The one thing that's keeping this on hold is I'm struggling to finance the resin needed at the mo, that & I keep flitting in my mind between a thousand projects, yet not building any of them....

Tell me about it: I'm exactly the same....

Another option: the EC-145 has a parrallel section in the middle of it's cabin, which looks to me as though you could cut it out to shorten it.

[Mossie]

It's a possibility, although I think the cabin's a little tall.

Wherabouts did you get those Mapad sharpeners?

[Weaver]

They were in a supermarket I think, probably Sainsbury's.