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moving propellers

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  • Member since
    August 2016
moving propellers
Posted by mwalton66 on Sunday, August 21, 2016 3:15 PM

hi everyone, we entered a diorama today into an Air cadet competition (attack on Pearl Harbour 1/72 ) and missed out on the top prize because the judges thought it would look better with the two Val aircraft having thier propellers turning. If this is the case what do you folks on here think is the best idea to impove it before the next competition. 

many thanks 

Mick Walton 

  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: Orlando, Florida
Posted by ikar01 on Monday, August 22, 2016 9:07 PM

Outside of just cutting of the prop blades, which wouldn't work out well, there are a couple things that can be done.  Someone makes or made a metal  product that was designed to look like a spinning prop giving the illusion of the fromt of hte blade with lines following it.  I don't remember who this was and have never actually seen the product in person.

 

Another approach would be to cut a clear disc the diameter of the prop you want to have spinning.  It doesn't have to be thick, the blades in that scale aren't very thick.  I would mean you would have to cut off the kit's blades and maybe even cut the blade attachments in have and then glue the three parts together evenly.

At this point you have the option of just letting the disc stay clear or trying to simulate the spinning effect.  If you have a box top with a picture of the aircraft in flight, hopefully showing the front, that will be your guide to paint the prop effect.  You will need to experiment on paper with a pencil, and or scrap plastic sheets with paint until you are ready.  Thinking about it, an acrylic or oil paint in a tube might work better than a bottle because it's thicker and takes longer to dry.  This will give you time to set your prop blur tha way you want it.  If you decide to go this way, I have some clear plastic sheets you can have to make your discs.  You will also need to learn how to use a compas with a swivel blade to cut your circles.  If not a swivel blade, an X-Acto blade with a sharp point, somewhere inthe area of a #11 should do.  I don't know where you live but some craft or office supply stores my have mechanical drawing equipment.

  • Member since
    January 2006
  • From: Pineapple Country, Queensland, Australia
Posted by Wirraway on Tuesday, August 23, 2016 4:59 AM

Here is the website for the prop blur guys.

http://www.propblur.com/pvr-group.html

making your own out of clear acetate would sure be cheaper though.

"Growing old is inevitable; growing up is optional"

" A hobby should pass the time - not fill it"  -Norman Bates

 

GIF animations generator gifup.com

  • Member since
    August 2016
Posted by mwalton66 on Tuesday, August 23, 2016 7:49 AM
Many thanks for your help and advice, i am going to get a few 48mm disks of 3mm clear sheet cut out using a hole saw and then practice painting them. I would have attached a photo of the diorama but not sure how to do that , sorry. Many thanks again , Mick ,North East Scotland.
  • Member since
    August 2016
Posted by mwalton66 on Tuesday, August 23, 2016 7:50 AM

many thanks for your help and advice :) 

best regards

Mick 

North East Scotland

 

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Mansfield, TX
Posted by EdGrune on Tuesday, August 23, 2016 8:06 AM

Pager motor

the thing in cell phones or pagers which produce the vibration.   Pull off the excentric weight.  Mount the motor in the engine space and run the wires down to the base & a battery pack (AA size).  Mount the prop on the motor shaft.   

You should be able to find a pager motor in an electronic surplus supply shop (or try eBay)  

It sounds like you may be JROTC.  This may be a good engineering intro which could serve you well in your future

 

 

 

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Tuesday, August 23, 2016 9:01 AM

If you have a good photo editing program, you can make realistic prop blur image. It can then be printed on clear decal paper to make a decal that can be placed on a clear plastic disk of proper diameter.

Scan the kit propeller.  Make any color corrections.  Then invoke a rotation blur function, with center of rotation at center of prop image, and amount of blur to suit.  Print out image on decal paper, apply decal to clear disk.  Mount disk in place of propeller, adding kit hub.

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    June 2014
  • From: New Braunfels , Texas
Posted by Tanker - Builder on Tuesday, August 23, 2016 1:22 PM

Heres another idea ;

 You know what a quad copter or octocopter is , right ? Find the true toy ones in the closest Discount store and use the motors from that .You could then do a B-17 if you wanted or a B-24 ? Good luck on the project .  T.B.

  • Member since
    January 2012
  • From: Barrie, Ontario
Posted by Cdn Colin on Tuesday, August 23, 2016 2:14 PM

On second reading, I'd suggest giving the judge a slap.

Seriously, if that's the only improvement they could recommend, it must have been an outstanding diorama!  Where are the pictures?

I build 1/48 scale WW2 fighters.

Have fun.

  • Member since
    July 2014
Posted by modelcrazy on Tuesday, August 23, 2016 2:17 PM

Cdn Colin
On second reading, I'd suggest giving the judge a slap.

Or you can try this.

Steve

Building a kit from your stash is like cutting a head off a Hydra, two more take it's place.

 

 

http://www.spamodeler.com/forum/

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: hamburg michigan
Posted by fermis on Tuesday, August 23, 2016 2:58 PM

Cdn Colin

On second reading, I'd suggest giving the judge a slap.

Seriously, if that's the only improvement they could recommend, it must have been an outstanding diorama!  Where are the pictures?

 

I kinda have to agree here!

Personaly, I have yet to find a GREAT solution to the issue. "Prop Blur" is a good effect, at a distance. I've never really cared much for the clear disc...even the best ones I've seen just didn't quite do it for me. Actually motorizing the prop is the best effect, but is not always very practical in the long run. I just leave the blades out and fill the holes where they would go.

Then there's the "snap-shot in time" argument...

This airplane is very clearly flying, no doubt....check them props!

 

Anyway...if ya go with the clear disc...I'd recommend getting a circle cutter. Micheals (probably any craft store) has them for about 5 bucks. "Olfa" is the brand I have. It is quite handy to have at the bench, and gets regular use.

 

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Cameron, Texas
Posted by Texgunner on Tuesday, August 23, 2016 3:24 PM

I deal with that problem by having my aircraft parked, engines off.  No prop blur, no moving prop...no flying airplane.  Hey, they do stand still sometimes...Big Smile

Gary


"All you mugs need to get busy building, and post pics!"

  • Member since
    August 2016
Posted by mwalton66 on Tuesday, August 23, 2016 4:28 PM

Many thanks Colin but i am not sure how to add a photo , sorry 

  • Member since
    August 2016
Posted by mwalton66 on Tuesday, August 23, 2016 4:33 PM

attack on Pearl Harbour

  • Member since
    August 2016
Posted by mwalton66 on Tuesday, August 23, 2016 4:39 PM

model is 750 x 750 and the scale is 1/72 

Attack on Pearl Harbour

  • Member since
    August 2016
Posted by mwalton66 on Tuesday, August 23, 2016 4:40 PM

we are going to remove the right hand side panel and draw in backdrops on the left and back panel 

attack on Pearl Harbour

  • Member since
    August 2016
Posted by mwalton66 on Tuesday, August 23, 2016 4:41 PM

putting in motors now is not really an option but i think i will try the disk approuch. The model has been built by our Air cadet squadron ad many have never built a plastic model before let alone water details. 

Thank you everyone for the help and we truly appriciate it . Smile

Mick Walton 

North East Scotland 

  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: Orlando, Florida
Posted by ikar01 on Tuesday, August 23, 2016 6:56 PM

Good luck with it, and let us know how it works out.

  • Member since
    May 2016
Posted by Revenant on Tuesday, August 23, 2016 8:21 PM

Don't know what rules the judges were using (IPMS, etc...) but based in most criteria I've seen they should not have deducted points from your dio because of this issue...sounds like you got robbed because of poor judging...

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 9:02 AM

fermis

 

 
Cdn Colin

On second reading, I'd suggest giving the judge a slap.

Seriously, if that's the only improvement they could recommend, it must have been an outstanding diorama!  Where are the pictures?

 

 

 

I kinda have to agree here!

Personaly, I have yet to find a GREAT solution to the issue. "Prop Blur" is a good effect, at a distance. I've never really cared much for the clear disc...even the best ones I've seen just didn't quite do it for me. Actually motorizing the prop is the best effect, but is not always very practical in the long run. I just leave the blades out and fill the holes where they would go.

Then there's the "snap-shot in time" argument...

This airplane is very clearly flying, no doubt....check them props!

 

Anyway...if ya go with the clear disc...I'd recommend getting a circle cutter. Micheals (probably any craft store) has them for about 5 bucks. "Olfa" is the brand I have. It is quite handy to have at the bench, and gets regular use.

 

 

The blur is a function of shutter speed in a camera.  In automatic exposure your camera sets shutter speed and lens aperture according to a program in their computer chip.  As digital cameras get faster and faster (meaning more light sensitive) they are indeed stopping propellers more than older ones. If you have a camera with manual options you have the choice of stopping or blurring the prop.  The human eye has an equivalent shutter speed of about 1/30 to 1/60 second, which definitely will blur most props.

 

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    August 2016
Posted by mwalton66 on Friday, August 26, 2016 4:55 PM

EdGrune

Pager motor

the thing in cell phones or pagers which produce the vibration.   Pull off the excentric weight.  Mount the motor in the engine space and run the wires down to the base & a battery pack (AA size).  Mount the prop on the motor shaft.   

You should be able to find a pager motor in an electronic surplus supply shop (or try eBay)  

It sounds like you may be JROTC.  This may be a good engineering intro which could serve you well in your future

 

 

 

 

I have managed to track down a couple of motors from Nokia 3310 but how do you attach the prop to the .8mm shaft ? Many thanks , Mick

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Mansfield, TX
Posted by EdGrune on Friday, August 26, 2016 5:10 PM

mwalton66

 

 
EdGrune

Pager motor

the thing in cell phones or pagers which produce the vibration.   Pull off the excentric weight.  Mount the motor in the engine space and run the wires down to the base & a battery pack (AA size).  Mount the prop on the motor shaft.   

You should be able to find a pager motor in an electronic surplus supply shop (or try eBay)  

It sounds like you may be JROTC.  This may be a good engineering intro which could serve you well in your future

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have managed to track down a couple of motors from Nokia 3310 but how do you attach the prop to the .8mm shaft ? Many thanks , Mick

 

 

On my 1/72 Tamiya P 51,  the prop & spinner was a press fit

if your prop blades have a hole, try press fit or cement with hot glue (or carefully glue with CA). 

if the prop has a shaft, cut it flush with  the central disc.  Carefully locate the center of the disc and drill mounting hole. Start with a small sized hole and bore it out to proper size to press fit on the shaft

  • Member since
    August 2016
Posted by mwalton66 on Wednesday, August 31, 2016 1:30 AM

EdGrune

Pager motor

the thing in cell phones or pagers which produce the vibration.   Pull off the excentric weight.  Mount the motor in the engine space and run the wires down to the base & a battery pack (AA size).  Mount the prop on the motor shaft.   

You should be able to find a pager motor in an electronic surplus supply shop (or try eBay)  

It sounds like you may be JROTC.  This may be a good engineering intro which could serve you well in your future

 

 

 

 

well after hours of ups and downs i managed to complete the fitting of the two motors into the Vals . Many thanks to everyone who offered advice , it is so refreshing to know there are people who will help :) 

We just have the dack drop to finish now but here is a short video of the work carried out by our Air Cadets 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/26739478@N04/29240554252/in/dateposted-public/

many thanks 

Mick Walton 

 

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Sydney, Australia
Posted by Phil_H on Wednesday, August 31, 2016 3:08 AM

Just as an aside, there's a video clip out there of a Hind helicopter in flight with what appears to be a stationary rotor. This occurred because the shutter of the video camera was exactly synchronised with the rotation of the rotor, making it appear as if it's not turning. Smile

  • Member since
    June 2014
  • From: New Braunfels , Texas
Posted by Tanker - Builder on Wednesday, August 31, 2016 8:19 AM

Hey !

I must apologize for someone elses judging ! . I hold myself to higher standards than most , I like to believe . Having been a proffesional model builder for many years now .

      This said I have seen the photos and believe me even if all props were standing still , I would NOT have dinged you for it ! . Job , Well Done . Tanker - Builder

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Mansfield, TX
Posted by EdGrune on Wednesday, August 31, 2016 9:47 AM

[quote user="mwalton66"]

  well after hours of ups and downs i managed to complete the fitting of the two motors into the Vals . Many thanks to everyone who offered advice , it is so refreshing to know there are people who will help :) 

 We just have the dack drop to finish now but here is a short video of the work carried out by our Air Cadets 

many thanks 

Mick Walton

 [/quote]

This story isn't about judging.  The Air Cadet instructor laid down a challenge.  Mick and his mates rose and met the challenge.  Good work

Don't be afraid to think out of the box.  Keep your head on a swivel and look for alternative ideas and approaches to the problem at hand

 

  • Member since
    August 2016
Posted by mwalton66 on Tuesday, September 6, 2016 3:54 PM

So much thanks to everyone who commented and helped us complete the diorama. The cadets and myself are now happy with the results thanks to your advice. The model will be entering the Scottish regional competition at the weekend and we are hopeful, however whatever the result we have learnt so much. 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/26739478@N04/28881272424/in/datetaken/

many thanks 

Mick , 

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