First ever paper model...wow! kind of a shock.

That is so cool!I wish this kit had a paper engine like that!

Top turret cut out and installed.I used small diameter alumminum tubing for the guns.i will paint them black later.  

I have been out of pocket for a while ( technical Issues ) So I couldn't reply sooner .That is a nice job . Now , how does that affect your thinking concerning " Paper Models "  T.B.

Now see !

 Philo , This is the reason I like " Paper ". I have more ship types , some very large ,even full hull sailing ships . The selection is almost endless even if you build armor .They are now getting their due .  T.B.

Hey Pavel ;

   I wonder .Have you ever tried Balsa leading edges for the planes ? They work in a very awesome manner . I would recommend this to any "Paper" plane modeler T.B.

Well this is my first paper model,but I have learned many things along the way, chief among them is the need for much more wooden structure in the wings and fuselage.This would eliminate the twisting that is evident.I have been told that this kit is notoriously difficult and the guys on the paper modeling forum are surprised I got as far as I did,given that this was my first paper model.I do like the way it looks and find it imposing despite its flaws.I will make other paper models in the future as the selection of esoteric subjects is quite extensive.

Hello!

Philo - sure thing, for a first paper model this is really something. I know I didn't get this far with my first paper model - boy, was that a long time ago, thirty years!

Then again, I'd like to tell you - paper models DON't really need wooden reinforcements. At least around herethey are designed around cardboard bulkheads and spars. If you get yourself some nice, consistent, 1mm thick cardboard, that's all you need. If it's supposed to be extra strong (seldom needed), you can always soak it with thin CA. You could for example glue two layers of stuff that plastic model boxes are made of, and you would be good to go.

TB - as for the leading edges - no, you don't really need balsa there. Even a complex leading edge, like that of a Spitfire can be made out of paper with just a couple of cardboard ribs beneath. The secret here is to shape the paper carefully before glueing, so taht it has the necessary curve on its own. This is done for example by pulling the piece of wing skin over some kind of edge, like the edge of the table top, or rolling it around a pin of the right diameter. You could also try some extruding - laying the paper part on a lyer of hard rubber and pressing it with a steel ball or something like this - it's good for wingtips, teardrop-shaped housings, propeller spinners and stuff.

Anyhow - good luck with your modelling projects and have a nice day

Paweł

Among the things  that I did right was to make basswod discs for yhe cowlings.Those came out very well.

OK she is just about done,Learned a lot and made lots of mistakes but the lessons learned will be valuable on future paper builds should I choose to build anymore paper models.Still it is big and imposing and considering the kit consists of a few sheets of flat color cut outs the 3d object is most unusual and not something that you see everday.Here it is!    

Hello Pavel !

Listen , I do usually build out of the envelope on the " Paper " stuff . I always recommend the Balsa for ease of construction by Newbies and was curious if you had ever done it this way.

 All my planes have specially shaped components as you described . That's why I still build paper Planes . All the shapes on a plane can truly be worked out in paper and wow you at the finish .

 I specialize in ships as you well know and the planes are a block - buster from the ship builds . Still love those metallic coated airliners from Schreiber !  T.B.

Hello!

Philo - lookin' good! I hope you will try another one soon and that it will turn out even better!

T.B. - I sure tried many things. Balsa wasn't that easy to get in Poland before 1989, so that was a problem. Mr. Wasiak, who designed many paper models in the 70's and 80's often recommended cork inserts in the wing, where the main landing gear strut went, as means of fixing it in place - this I did, as per instructions, later models then dispensed with that, when they started showing off detailed gear bays. I used turned wood for prop spinners a few times. I routinely use sanded down matches as cores for propeller blades. Copper wire of different diameters is in use all the time. Stretched sprue used for biplane rigging. Aluminium foil lined candy wrappers make a great material for oleo struts in the landing gear. And the list goes on! I think I should put on my own paper model thread here - I have to check what photos I already have online.

Anyhow - good luck with your modelling projects and have a nice day

Paweł

Thanks!I was just glad to get it together!

Yeah Pavel ;

    I just acquired another ship from a friend who went to Warsaw and Berlin .He got me ships from ModelArz and Wilemshaven ! New great stuff too with all those detail parts .They now cost about as much in Euros as a plastic kit in dollars . .

     Still as a break from my work in plastic for customers the " Paper " or card model is the way to get out of a rut and sharpen skills . Like you , over the years I have used just about anything imaginable to detail the Card models . It is all good ,Isn't it ?                      Have a good one my friend !  T.B.

Well , Philo ;

   As to your work on a very difficult plane - This was one English Bomber that looked to me like it had a broken back .     You want to do a good looking one ? See if you can find a Mosquito kit .That is one good looking plane .  T.B.

Thanks!it was an intereting and frustrating build but it is large and imposing.CANNOT really ignore it when you see it!

Hi Philo426 !

      Listen , the more I see the more I have to commend you on a job Well Done ! ! . Are you going to do another and if so when ?  T.B.

Well,at this point I think my next project will be the 1/72 Rareplanes KC97 Stratocruiser.I will do more paper bilds in the future,however perhaps a PBY Caralina.One thing I have noticed is how light this model is!About the same weiht as a 1/72 scale fighter this despite the use of the plastiic parts from the Revell Beaufighter.

Yessir ;

     I too have thought about this .I use a few inches of foil rolled up and flattened and put along the centerline between formers , that seems to help with weight issues .

Some have very detailed landing gear , Some don't . For instance if I do a JU87- B , I use the gear from a plastic model or aftermarket metal ones .

 That is the only dissappointing thing about the Schreiber airliners . Some suffer badly in this department .  T.B.

Yes it is difficult to make a perfect model kit.Compromises have to be made for various reasons.

Ah Yes !

 It may be , but wait till you see some of these at an I.P.M.S. show ! Detailed out the wazoo with , YES , Fully detailed interiors and clear canopies ! It's nothing short of amazing .  T.B.

Wow!I would like to know where to get paper kits like that!

Hello!

That's an easy one - in Poland, that's where! If you like I can send you some links, where you can buy modern paper models.

Have a nice day

Paweł

That is cool,are they expensive?

Hi Philo !

 As Pavel has said the better ones are available out of POLAND . The models from Model-ARZ are nothing short of amazing . I don't blame Pavel for bragging ! . Now that said , the prices are not prohibitive for some very detailed models right out of the envelope !  T.B.

WOW! Thank you for showing me how to do this without destroying your model. I'm too stupid to do this from paper! Everyone is always ogling my stuff that I make from wood, plastic, and metal, but this is amazing. If I made it I would have all sorts of wrinkles like the one on the left wing of your plane - only a LOT WORSE! I tried doing paper models when I saw a kid on "That's Incredible" in the early eighties that made Victorian era cars from brown paper bags. I just couldn't figure out how he made the wheels or the spokes. - and he was legally blind! I stopped right there as this was the hardest part of making it from scratch.

I love that you can print out your own details on the computer, but I'd have to make mine from paper pieces since I wouldn't know how to make these parts to scale with the images, or make them realistically with the correct proportions. I just don't have the intellect, or patience to make anything from paper, except for the usual paper airplane! Pawel: whoever made the plane on the site you posted in your post was a genius! I've had people tell me how talented I am, but that guy has a gift! I wouldn't know how to make any of that stuff from paper. The weathering he did was great and it looked just like someone had painted it that way. The control dash looked real, and the other parts although may have been made from plastic I still wouldn't know where to begin. www.papermodeler.com is an awsome site to get free models from. Thank you very much both philo, and Pawel for posting! This made my day.

~ Cobra Chris

Cool, I will have to check them out!

Awright, so please check those out:

http://gpm.pl/ (it has an option to google-translate it to english built in)

http://www.halinski.com.pl/indexgb.php

http://www.sklep.wak.pl/index.php?language=en

https://modelik.pl/index.php?language=en&sStore=07670485798a0c45111337d236dbb599

I hope you like 'em - good hunting and have a nice day

Paweł

Chris ;

   Don't be surprised . One of my biggest competitors and closest friends was Legally Blind .He and I must've built every Bandai Armor Kit in 1/48 that could be built. Insides and all .

   He got into Ship Models, Modified, and this was the only place I could beat him .We also locked out a lot of ship classes with a 1,2,3,4 at times .

 He was also the best Radiology tech at University Hospital . He was so close to the film , He saw things the doctors with 20/20 vision missed !     T.B.