Hi Ya'll:
As you well know I go off a lot about found materials. I ain't gonna do that here. If any of you mess with " N" scale or even "H.O." trains this may be imnteresting. If you don't it will be interesting anyway if you like as much realism as possible when Scratch-Building. This is not about " Found" material. It's been around for years for modelers of all types.This is just one product I use a lot!
First to set the record straight.H.O.- Is 1/87 Scale-"N" scale is 1/160, The larger ones are anywhere between 1/48 and 1/20 or 1/24 and Bigger so those we won't drag into the article, but only once maybe.. I once wrote that if you buy TichyTrain Group " N" scale Boxcar roofwalk it comes in scale 40' sections-3 to a package, Sprues that is!
That is enough to sand paper thin, and cut in three sections lengthwise for rails for the U.S.S. Randall or any of the Revell Box scale ships. And Yes, even with postage( If you have to order it online) it is cheaper than P.E., Easier to glue and with some very hot water easier to bend! The only place you have to get creative is the Stairs(Ladders on a military and working ship) Stairs on the Likes of the Costa Concordia!
There's even a solution for that. That is another story though.
have you ever noticed that certain Planes and yes, some Armor is just begging for the kind of detail these items can provide. Just think.You can also use this stuff on Machines like the Cat Bulldozers and Japanese Dozers in 1/35 from W.W-2?
I took some and using sprue, built a tower scaffold. About a scale ten ft. tall and made a service platform with a model aircraft undergoing a paint job. Most folks liked it and more than one wanted to know where I got the grating. I led him over to the car display and showed him the air conditioners on top of my 1/25 travel Trailer. Same stuff different use.
I looked carefully at some intakes on a 1/48 scale plane( civilian) that had only one engine. The grates made perfect grills in the cowl for the air intakes! They work well on Monograms old and re-released by Round 2 - Cessna and Piper kits too!
Great Commercial and Farm vehicle uses too. How about the grated walkway around the type of Wagons or Carts they use to haul produce to the trucks for highway hauling to market. Those walkways for the top area are just begging to be Tichy!
Do you do dios? Think of the applications for fire escapes and other items. Something simple , say a plain old Billbboard in a dio for a sign supporting our troops next to a "Big Ole M1-A1 Abrams".Well, that sign's walkway is grated-(I.E. use the Tichy stuff.) Oh, in case you are thinking I work for them," No Way Jose' " I just like that they, over the years have produced a consistent, High Quality product every time!
I was looking for a grille to replace one on a 1/25 - 72 Chevy pick-up truck one time. I didn't want the chrome High End one. Well, Tichy grating in H.O. filled the bill for a painted textured unit! AND it fit inside the regular frame that you sand down to de-chrome!
So you see. There is ton's of uses for stuff some modelers don't even consider if it's not something they pay attention to. Do you Really want nice headlights on your Armor? Well, Jewelled Ditch lights from a 1/48 scale train will work fine.
Me-at present I am getting some stuff together to find a site Upload some photos with my NEW camera and show you some of how I use stuff like this. I can't seem to get back to Flickr. All I wanna do is change my password, unless it's been too long?