Studio Ghibli Mystery Project(s)!

[zenrat]

Nope...sorry. It's not from Laputa.  You're probably thinking of the airship Goliath.  I'll give you a hint though, all these projects are (more or less) 1/72 scale.

Actually I was thinking of the Tiger Moth.

I'm racking my brain.  Maybe I should spend the afternoon revisiting Mrs z's Studio Ghibli collection?

[ericr]

beautiful collection !

I had found the large kits and enjoyed them : scratchbuilding in 1/72 is an achievement!

I just recently bought from HLJ  the 1/350 Tiger Moth by the way : it looks fine!

[zenrat]

Is that the Finemoulds one?  I was looking at that on HLJ and wondering what scale it was.

[ericr]

Is that the Finemoulds one?  I was looking at that on HLJ and wondering what scale it was.

yes it is a recent one ; I was assuming 1/350 but suddenly I realize I can't remeber why, as it is not indicated on the box, neither elsewhere actually.
Anyway, it is larger, and more detailed, than an older one which I had built some years ago.

[zenrat]

Finemoulds kit is, IIRC 19cm long when completed which seems a bit big if its 1/350.  It also has interior detail which if it was that scale would be way beyond my rheumy eyes and big clumsy fingers.
Looking at it I had sort of decided it was between 1/144 and 1/72.

[strobez]

The Finemolds one is 19.2cm... and there's a paper model listed as 1/300 which clocks in at about 16.8cm.  So I think it's more in the 1/250 range. It's definitely non-scale... but beautiful nonetheless.  I'm considering picking it up as I love the Tiger Moth... but I'm worried I'd use it to try and scratch build a 1/72 scale one...

[ericr]

Finemoulds kit is, IIRC 19cm long when completed which seems a bit big if its 1/350.  It also has interior detail which if it was that scale would be way beyond my rheumy eyes and big clumsy fingers.
Looking at it I had sort of decided it was between 1/144 and 1/72.

There is nice interior detail indeed : it seems to me smaller than 1/72, closer to 1/144 maybe.
I guess my belief was based on reading some annoucements, whereas it is the older, smaller kit wich is announced at 1/350

[zenrat]

...I'd use it to try and scratch build a 1/72 scale one...

You say that like its a bad thing...   

[strobez]

Well, I did start eyeballing the set of sails that came with the Cutty Shark kit...

[ericr]

Finemoulds kit is, IIRC 19cm long when completed which seems a bit big if its 1/350.  It also has interior detail which if it was that scale would be way beyond my rheumy eyes and big clumsy fingers.
Looking at it I had sort of decided it was between 1/144 and 1/72.

... the older, smaller kit wich is announced at 1/350

ah, that was it :

described here :
https://www.scalemates.com/kits/1077375-tsukuda-hobby-fm-07-tiger-moth

I found it on ebay a few years ago, quite nice, but the new larger one looks even nicer.

And a 1/72 version would be a dream 

[strobez]

Meanwhile... back at the workbench...

Made some progress on the ship-based project. Added the deck and the start of the cabin. Also got a bit done on the blue wings. Anyone care to hazard a guess yet? BTW, I'm hoping to put a bend in the wings. Anyone have any suggestions on how best to get a plastic part to take (and keep) a bend without causing a stress fracture?


I drilled out what will eventually be windows, but the tubing glued between the hull and the cabin walls needs to completely dry first.  I also used some epoxy to fill in some bigger gaps. I had some extra and didn't want it to go to waste. I also used some to fix my fishing rod.


The shape isn't 100% correct, but close enough I think.


Meanwhile, over at the Flapter project... I forgot to add the side venting! I carefully tried several options to add them, but settled on gluing some overlapping strips of plastic paper together, carefully bending them apart and the glued the whole set on to the side at once.  Not sure it was a good idea to try to blend it with a bit of putty... time will tell,


Finally, for the other Mystery Project, I just decided the shape needed to be a bit more accurate, so out comes the epoxy... sanding, followed by more sanding still to come.

[strobez]

Couldn't resist tossing in a bunch of stuff for the cabin interior...

That's the problem with windows... you can see through them!

[zenrat]

Use steam to bend the wings without breaking.  Jam* the kettle switch and hold them over the spout, then bend them.
It's a lot more forgiving than candles or ciggie lighters.

Haven't worked out what the thing with the blue wings is yet but I do know what the other one is.



*As an OH&S professional I didn't say that.  Get a grown up to help you.

[Old Wombat]

I feel I've seen something like the ship, somewhere, but I have no idea where.

[strobez]

Made some progress on several fronts...

First off, Tombo's propeller bike from Kiki's Delivery Service is finished! Yay! That tiny little 1/72 bicycle was a real pain to work with. I was trying to hold it so gently that I kept dropping it.


I even added a small bike chain using a strand of hair gently painted with Tamiya gunmetal enamel paint.  Still... it's missing something...


Ah! that's better. I confess, this was always my intention to add Kiki's broom as a kind of kick stand.  It's all styrene, but there's a hard plastic wedge hidden under the "bristles" to give it support.


A couple more angles to peruse.



Meanwhile, back at the boat... I'm trying to figure out the most structurally sound method of constructing the upper deck. 


Once I've got the basic shape figured out, I'll measure it out. Bit more... including where to cut the the windows.



I'm also quite happy where this is going. I can't believe my "almost missed the boat" last gasp to added the side venting actually worked?


Looks good to me....


Wow! Both sides! It's a miracle?