1/18 scale Instytucie Szybownictwa IS-A Salamandra 53 scratchbuild model

[Guest]

CHAPTER X - Alles zusammen

Daily watering was successful and the green grass is now high & wild enough on the field display base. At last, I had to conclude the "alles zusammen" final step. To assemble all individual parts in one scene, without damaging the glider's construction, the paint, the weathering and the rust & dust effects. That’s why I had to constantly monitor and try some dryfit tests all time, to ensure that I will not face any nasty surprises later. The windsock & the PSP plates, would be the first to be placed on the green grass display base and secured in place with hidden metal pins encased in the polished beechwood base through balsa wood sheet & glued with CA super glue. A last moment’s addition, an also 3D printed Fahrrad NSU bicycle model, painted in light blue colour (ammo box removed) not to remind it’s German military origin, placed against the windsock wood pole. Some rust effects also applied on bike’s metal frame.

Later, the improvised anchor made by concrete filled tire and the IS-A Salamandra glider model, both secured in place with hidden metal pins and glued on the ground with transparent silicon. Final details were added, such as the seat belts & buckles in cockpit, the clear windscreen, some extra dust & rust weathering effects on tension wires, etc. As soon as the result was OK for me, the scene sprayed over with Humbrol enamel mat coat, to seal the work so far and left it overnight to dry. The next day, I did a final inspection on result and set it up to shoot some pictures.

[Guest]

CHAPTER XI - Epilogue & aknowledgments

Although I had other plans at the beginning of this WIP, I was not really sure about the ending and especially the display base for the model. I changed my mind during the building process and finally decide to present as found in a small green grass covered airfield, now used by general aviation pilots for their weekend excursions, where the Salamandra glider is now resting tilted sideways, with one wingtip touching the ground and the other on air. A kind of wordless symbolism for the old fella who tirelessly offered training services to thousands aviators, weary lying on the ground but still turning wing high in the sky, where it belongs.

I ‘d like to share with you, a rare photograph. It takes us back to autumn of 1936, possibly in Lwow, Poland (now Lviv, Ukraine). The man with the hat (right), is Mr. Waclaw Czerwinski, one of the leading aircraft designers and head of the "WWS - Wojskowe Warsztaty Szybowcowe" (meaning “Military Gliding Workshops” in Polish language). The WWS-1 Salamandra glider (re-engineered as "Instytut Szybownictwa IS-A" after the WWII), was the first project which was created under his leadership during the mid 1930ies. The other man (left) is Mr. Tadeusz Chlipalski, the head engineer who established the plant for the gliders production in Bielsko Biala at south Poland.

It was a pleasant surprise to discover that an American guy named Scott J Grunewald found the model kit build interesting enough and dedicated an article on 3D printing related site. For more info, feel free to click HERE.

I would like to express my special thanks to:

• All fellow scale modelers, who have expressed their ideas through this forum and suggested solutions to technical issues encountered during this WIP.
  
• Mr. George Papadimitriou, owner of Hobby Gallery hobby shop and exclusive distributor for LifeColor & AK Interactive products in Greece, for his kind support and providing all the goodies I asked for - from A to Z.
  
• Mr. Nikolaos Kountouris, owner of MDC - Model Display Case store, who personally supervised the construction of the polished beechwood base after my request and made sure superior quality work.
  
• Spartan king Agesilaus, from whom I borrowed the cue "today, the prowess died", later rephrased by me as "today, the scratch building died", which became the main motto during this WIP presentation.
  
• My sweetheart “4-star General in home” wife, who actively participated in the project as an indispensable assistant, offering me relaxing neck massage while working on my bench.
  

Finally, for those who are interested to check more info & pics, feel free to have a look on our Anyuta 3D printed scale models products catalog. Wife as website operator & sales cordinator is always ready to answer customer questions regarding 3D printed scale model kit & diorama accessories products. Thank you all for following this thread and I hope you enjoyed reading this article. I’ll meet you soon, on my next WIP - possibly a 3D printed.one.

Regards,

Nick

[Ian M]

A most enjoyable read that Nick.

I love the base as well. I can almost smell the grass.

As for the glider; wow! what a great example of what can be achieved be a talented CAD user and a 3D printer.

Wonderful.

Ian M

[Guest]

one word stunning!

master class on weathering and rust.

you have a great eye for detail.

martin.

[The Migrant]

Fantastic work. No need to be defensive about using 3D technology, most of the modern kits we build originate with CAD. Brilliant result Nick.

[flyjoe180]

Stunning Work! You've done a fantastic job on this, the thread is long but well worth the read and look. You are lucky to have such great support from your wife too, I think I would just run if my missus turned up with a hammer, no questions. 4-star General in home” & “family's financial director :

Great build!

[Guest]

I just feel that I've not read through a thread but read through a series of Masterclasses on various aspects of modelling. Many thanks for taking the time to put this together and share it with us on here. It was thoroughly enjoyable to watch this model going together and amazing so see how someone as competent as yourself can create solid parts from a 3D printer and your own laptop.

A stunning model with amazing detail and out of this world painting effects to end up with a simply beautiful diorama. Brilliant, thanks for sharing it with us.

[Guest]

one word stunning! master class on weathering and rust.you have a great eye for detail.martin.

Thanks for the acceptance and congrats, but I think you are wrong. The model does not worth a sh1τ!... ! At least, this conclusion was made after the recent IPMS Hellas National competition, during which the honorable judges decided that the model is not even worth a commendation.Certainly, the failure of the model to distinguish, probably occurred because the honorable judges spoted errors & mistakes that I did not identified so far. Apart from a natural temporary disappointment that lasted not more than five minutes, this filled me with great optimism about local scale modeling, believing that the level is so extremely high that my model was not enough good, to meet the supreme standards. Sh1τ happens and we are all human and make mistakes - even the honorable judges.

What I find difficult to understand is that the same honorable judges, decided to award the gold medal to an aircraft model that had visible gaps (lack of putty). Mistakes are made to let us become better in future. Better modelers AND better judges! That's life, sh1t happens and better luck next time


PS. Believe it or not, someone once saw the Noah's Ark model (1/350 scale by Minicraft) and said "...it's not accurate..."

[Guest]

I always think modelling is far more rewarding if you build for your own enjoyment rather than to impress a judge, who almost certainly will not see your work in the same way you do. Perhaps you can derive some satisfaction in knowing that your model and build thread was very much appreciated and admired by everyone who read it on here, which is a far wider audience than a single judge and so possibly a more accurate assessment.

[Richi72]

Wow Nick, don't take those judges to serious

absolutely stunning craftsmanship you are displaying here.

Great use of cad an 3d printer solutions, the weathering is wow really good, I mean really good.

Cheers Richi

[Guest]

Who's a better judge the people who make the models or the people who count the rivets, case closed.

Martin.

5big *****

[stona]

Who cares about the judges opinion? Not I !

I'd like to add my appreciation of the excellent lessons included in your thread. If ever I need to attempt 'wood' or any number of other things I know where to look.

I'd also like to express my admiration for a superb finished model and display, but then what do I know? I've never been an IPMS judge

It's a stunning display and as Richard said, it has been, and will be, much appreciated here. Thanks for sharing.

Cheers

Steve