Flapped B-732

Whoa, Frank.....

That's really cool, man.  The effect is impressive - the half-hull thing in front of a mirror is  something I've never considered before - and it really works!

That's excellent....thanks for sharing the great idea, mate. 

Judas Preist brother, talk about creativity.

Thats amazing.

Thanks for sharing.

Mike

Simply amazing!!  I wonder how my WWII subjects would look using this effect..hmmm...thanks for sharing your creativity!!

Mark

Oh man! Terrific!

DANG! That's the coolest idea I've seen! Now I must try it too!

However I wonder what kind of mirror you used? I mean, since all mirrors I know have a glass surface (front) and the reflective surface (behind), so when you put some objet touching the  mirror's surface you get this kind of gap (the thickness of the glass), so even when the objet it's touching the surface of the mirror you see it like it's not touching it at all, you see it like "floating" cause you're touching the glass instead the reflective surface. Your's model doesn't looks to have that gap! Looks fantastic! Did you used a very thin glassed mirror????

I wondered that too.....figured it must be polished or chromed metal......besides drilling glass can be tricky! 

Von Alfalfa wrote:

However I wonder what kind of mirror you used? I mean, since all mirrors I know have a glass surface (front) and the reflective surface (behind), so when you put some objet touching the  mirror's surface you get this kind of gap (the thickness of the glass), so even when the objet it's touching the surface of the mirror you see it like it's not touching it at all, you see it like "floating" cause you're touching the glass instead the reflective surface. Your's model doesn't looks to have that gap! Looks fantastic! Did you used a very thin glassed mirror????

What you need is called a "front surface mirror".  Glass dealers, trophy shops and some commercial plastics vendors, sell such material.  You can have a suitable material flash-plated (search the amateur astronomy sites for the location of a service).  Or, you could also use self-adhesive chrome mylar (from an automotive accessory shop) if you are careful to apply it to a perfectly smooth surface.

Phil

Von Alfalfa wrote:

This is the first time I hear about this front surface mirror! I gonna look for it cuz I really want to try this display technique, thanks for the advice Phil, and thanks for this very inventive technique Frank.

Cool idea! I'll bet hundreds of your fellow modelers are saying, "Why didn't I think of that?"

Chapter 17 of Sheperd Paine's How to Build Dioramas 2nd Edition is about a diorama aboard the HMS Victory gun deck that uses front-surfaced mirrors to terrific effect. Seek it out sometime.

Thanks fellows!

    I'm sorry I didn't get an opportunity to reply earlier, but been out of town for our middle daughter's wedding.               

Thanks again!     My next will be that of a 1/200 KLM 747-400 skimming the beach at St. Maarten!       **I'm currently experimenting with making a plane in high altitude flight... something like one of the test shots I made during the construction, before the gear or runway surface were in.   

  Take care,

Frank

Great stuff Frank! I believe most of us even though knowing the scale of the A/C, pictured a much larger scale!

Thanks again for the advice!

Another work of art! If FSM magazine wanted to do something different in an upcoming edition, they should use this as a how to. It would be the best thing they could do as far as I'm concerned.

   Eddie

I agree, that is too cool.  I have to give that a try someday.  Great job.

Hey folks....

    Just updating things a bit here; If all goes as planned, there will be a "MID Kit" on the market before Christmas.   

    It will consist of a uniquely shaped display case, first surface mirror backing, hardware & instructions to build your own display with your own model.    In addition, each "kit" will include a half of a resin generic 1/200 airliner (various Boeing, Airbus, and MD aircraft) of your choice with mounting bolts installed for Collectors and those who'd prefer to do the 'finishing' instead of 'building'.      (also a discount coupon for a second "kit" so the half kit left in the box won't be left out!) [;]

    Everything's worked out really well with the deal, and I will update as it becomes available.

   Take care,
   Frank

Absolutely GREAT news Frank! Very proud!

Now........where's our cut?