Scale Models - View Single Post - Project: 1/3 Model Of Auster G-AGOH From Recycled Materials

OOLILISSIMA · 28-12-2006

I have started this thread to discuss my attempt at a scratch-built scale Auster aircraft from, as far as I can, discarded materials.

I know that recycling and adapting discarded materials and components is nothing new in modelling. However, I am using the project to see just how much of such a large, flying model I can build from such materials.

Having already spent some time experimenting and developing methods, and indeed collecting established ideas thought up by others, I am pretty confident that I can build about 75% of the model "from the bin" without compromising strength, durability or other performance as compared with a similar, balsa-based professionally marketed model. This is despite the fact that the airframe will be built principally out of corrugated cardboard.

I have therefore started designing in earnest. For some months, I have been (making a nuisance of myself) scrounging cardboard and paper for the airframe and covering respectively, litho plate for the cowl and other details, aluminium tube for the struts and other bits and pieces.

The volunteer Auster specialist at the Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland County Councils' Museum Service Records Office has been really helpful in providing selected extracts from the Auster company's factory drawings. The Newark Aircraft Museum have also been very accommodating in allowing me to photograph G-AGOH (which, coincidentally, also belongs to Leicestershire, Leicester & Rutland Museums). I hope shortly to post more of my photographs of G-AGOH on the forum.

I had originally decided against modelling G-AGOH as it is a military-style observer aircraft having a canopy that stretches from the cowl at the front to well beyond the wing trailing edge. This was because I believed that making the aircraft structurally sound in cardboard would prove impossible. However, I am finding it easier than I thought to combine the cardboard with other materials, so I now regard it as a challenge to be met.

I'll reserve description of a building methods etc. for future posts, preferably with photo's from the project. In the meantime, I'd be really pleased to hear from others with ideas or remarks.

28-12-2006	#1 (permalink)
OOLILISSIMA Scale Model Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Lincolnshire, UK Real Name: Paul Visit OOLILISSIMA's Gallery Posts: 37 Images: 52	Project: 1/3 Model Of Auster G-AGOH From Recycled Materials I have started this thread to discuss my attempt at a scratch-built scale Auster aircraft from, as far as I can, discarded materials. I know that recycling and adapting discarded materials and components is nothing new in modelling. However, I am using the project to see just how much of such a large, flying model I can build from such materials. Having already spent some time experimenting and developing methods, and indeed collecting established ideas thought up by others, I am pretty confident that I can build about 75% of the model "from the bin" without compromising strength, durability or other performance as compared with a similar, balsa-based professionally marketed model. This is despite the fact that the airframe will be built principally out of corrugated cardboard. I have therefore started designing in earnest. For some months, I have been (making a nuisance of myself) scrounging cardboard and paper for the airframe and covering respectively, litho plate for the cowl and other details, aluminium tube for the struts and other bits and pieces. The volunteer Auster specialist at the Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland County Councils' Museum Service Records Office has been really helpful in providing selected extracts from the Auster company's factory drawings. The Newark Aircraft Museum have also been very accommodating in allowing me to photograph G-AGOH (which, coincidentally, also belongs to Leicestershire, Leicester & Rutland Museums). I hope shortly to post more of my photographs of G-AGOH on the forum. I had originally decided against modelling G-AGOH as it is a military-style observer aircraft having a canopy that stretches from the cowl at the front to well beyond the wing trailing edge. This was because I believed that making the aircraft structurally sound in cardboard would prove impossible. However, I am finding it easier than I thought to combine the cardboard with other materials, so I now regard it as a challenge to be met. I'll reserve description of a building methods etc. for future posts, preferably with photo's from the project. In the meantime, I'd be really pleased to hear from others with ideas or remarks. Last edited by OOLILISSIMA; 28-12-2006 at 10:14.