Static Models – Aero modelling
This section of the hobby is related with the creation of the static scale models of the popular aircrafts whether civil or military. The greatest care is taken to give the perfect shape and provide the minutest possible details irrespective of the size of the model. Second most important aspect taken care in this section is the coloring or the selection of the color scheme and greatest care is taken to produce a look-alike of the original one. Since the model is not being made to fly, therefore there is no problem as regards to the weight of the model is concerned.
To make such models you require a good quality of plan, and some soft wood or you may go for the readymade kits available in the hobby shops in the many big cities. If you decide not to go in for the readymade kits than for the plans you may refer to the Jane’s World Book of Aircrafts. This book has all the details sought to make a model. Only problem you may face is the size of the plan of the selected type of the aircraft, for which you can go in for the manual enlargement of the plan or you may get it enlarged with the help of photocopy enlargement or computer scanned enlargements.
After the selection of the type of the aircraft is made and size is fixed and proper enlargements have been made. The second requirement is to select the medium in which you would like to make your model; the best suited medium for this work is wood. The Wood also has different hardness and you would require the quality of the wood which is medium hard to soft. For best results you may use Balsa wood in the absence of this wood you may select the wood like the nu-balsa or the japonica wood if you are still not able to locate such type of wood then go to your carpenter or the timber mart he would help you out to procure such type of wood. After you finish your working with the model’s primary shape give it a very smooth finish giving 200 and 300 No. waterproof sand paper. When the desired smoothness is obtained then start working on the accessories and fix them up one by one at the desired place. After you are done with the model apply metal putty and smoothen up with the help of the cutter polish when you are through then get the model painted using spray painting. Your model is ready for display; keep it in a display box before proceeding for the next model.
The Tools required to make the models are quite ordinary, for your ready reference we are giving you a list of the tools required for the purpose:
Small hacksaw, coarse file of 6 inches, smooth flat file of 6 inches, a set of miniature files of various shapes, sand paper of 60 & 100 No., waterproof sand paper of 220 & 300 no, metal putty, Cellulose Nitrate paints (These things can be had from the general hardware store near you) medium dry general purpose adhesive (quick fix), any cyano acrylate adhesive (can be had from any general merchant shop), surgeons scalpel and blades or cutting knife, Transparent acrylic sheets (from stationery shop). If you buy a regular hobby kit then you are saved from purchasing few items from the above list.
There are few competitions arranged in India to promote this hobby you can participate in those if you want to. If you wish to have any further knowledge you may mail at malkhandi@ rediffmail.com. However this hobby engages you fully and fills you with a joy and sense of achievement as you complete your model.
