(Building Pistachio Scale Models... pg 2)
Foam
I have made one pistachio, a P-39
Airacobra, entirely from carved foam. I
used blue insulation styrene foam that had been
disposed by some design students. I would guess
this material weighs about 2 lbs/cu ft, and it was
very easy to cut and carve into a realistic-looking
warbird. I hollowed out the fuselage to accept the
rubber motor and colored the finished model with
art markers.
|
|
Ibis (L) and P-39 Airacobra (R)
|
|
For
my pistachio model of the Ibis,
a modern single-engine turboprop, I decided to combine
a carved-foam fuselage (white beaded foam this time)
with stick-and-tissue flying surfaces. The combination
worked well and the finished model came out to only
0.7 grams.
|
|
Underside of Ibis
|
|
I
highly recommend foam construction for pistachio-scale
models, especially if they have enough complex curves
to make the traditional stick-and-tissue construction
overly time-consuming or perilous.
|
|
Summary
– a few tips for pistachio-scale construction
- Cover pistachios with carefully pre-shrunk
condenser paper.
- Try to find 1mm balsa, as it is a good compromise
for pistachio construction.
- Work patiently and carefully.
- Choose a design that interests you so that
you will have the motivation to stick to it,
even when the building and trimming processes
cause trouble.
- Consult existing pistachio plans for suggestions
in wood sizes and prop construction.
- Make weight under 1 gram (under 2 for biplanes)
your goal.
|
|
Author's BD-4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| There's
a Pistachio Postal Contest
running until January 10, 2005, and prizes
are being offered! It's a great chance for
you to put the info in this article to use.
For details on this contest, click HERE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
