Howdy Guys,
Ok, first let me say that some sites list free models, but no instructions....thats just the way they are. Usually if there are no instructions, the models are fairly simple. The ones on the site with the Falcons (Swedish saab Drakken, gray, thunderbird and tigerstriped Falcons and the bell X 1) are all fairly simple models and can be built by even a novice. Plus like I mentioned earlier, if you do mess up a part, you can always reprint it.
Now as for .pdo files.....that is a file designation for a "pepakura designer object" Pepakura is the "unfolder" program which allows a designer to take a 3d model and unfold it into flat parts on paper. Unless there are those of you who design 3d models and wish to try your hand at unfolding them, we'll save the pepakura program for a later discussion. If I am not mistaken, most of those planes I showed above offer .pdf files, so I would say try the .pdf's for now and like I said we'll get into the design and unfolding elements of card modeling abit later.
And finally to Bunker, I have been a plastic modeler since about the age of six or seven, I just recently (within the last year and a half) discovered card modeling myself.
Like most of ya'll, I looked at it and at first wasnt real impressed until I built one, by then it was to late....I was hooked. It is a great hobby and you would not believe some of the things I have seen made from paper.
Its not a hobby that should take you away from the construction of plastic kits, but it is another hobby altogether.
And yes, you cant beat the price in most cases....FREE. Although the better more detailed kits are usually for sale. But even then, the price for a single plastic kit could purchase the plans for several card models.
I have a 1:48 scale C 130 that cost me $10 (see
www.thaipaperwork.com ). The Do 17 (
http://www.card-models.com/ ) pictured above costs like $13, so they arent all free, but if you look at the quality of the details on the models you can easily see where they could be mistaken for and highly resemble, plastic kits. Most people dont believe they are made of paper until they pick them up.
Card modeling has been around for hundreds of years but with the invention of the computer, they have seen a resurgence in popularity. Most hobbyist in europe are all aware of cardmodels, after wwII, there were very few resources for hobbies other than paper, one company that took advantage of this is Maly Modelarz, they originally offered hand designed and hand colored (low quality, but cheap) models, Now with the advent of the computer age, they offer some really nice models commercially. Other companies, like Halenski, GPM, Card models.com. and others all offer really nice models commercially. However there are tons and I mean thousands upon thousands of free models out there on the net. Below are a few links to some more freebies:
http://www.spacestation42.com/pt-planemodel.html see other models type links on the left of page.
http://www.3dpapermodel.com.tw/ Now this is the "Motherload" of links to free paper models. First you dont have to download the chinese characters if prompted by your computer. once the page loads, you will find on the left hand side the navigational links ie ...new, cars, trains, motorcycles, planes etc.... click on your choice to go to that type of models.
http://jleslie48.com/gallery_models.html this site is run by jleslie, one of the members I know from
www.cardmodels.net forum, He also runs the lower hudson valley challenger center which is a free educational center dedicated to the crew of the space shutle challenger. This site contains models of space vehicles, sci fi and real as well as other type models.
www.cardmodels.net is a forum much like this one where card modelers discuss and show off their work. Many designers post there as well as novices. There are great tips, some free models and lots of good people
http://www.lansbergen.net/eng/index.htm netherlands site which offers space related model kits.
http://www.currell.net/models/ site by Ralph Currel, another member of the above mentioned forum. His site offers space related models such as "spaceship one" the first private spaceship to make it into space twice in two weeks thereby winning the "X prize". He also has ridgid airships (blimps) and other models like the german V 1 and V 2 missiles.
This should keep ya'll busy for a few ....well.... a few months anyway lol.
I need to take a break from typing right this minute as sitting for long periods of time cause my neck to hurt worse, but only six more days until I get another epidural spinal injection to make it all better.
Look over the links and let me know whatcha think.
Have good day,
Greg aka GW
Linear Mode
