How about a scale model trailer build?...or build off?

[Sam I am]

I made the galley counter and framed up the hatch on my 1/12 scale teardrop. The counter is 1/8" plywood with paper glued over it. I found a picture of a "boomerang" Formica pattern online and printed it out. The sink is the cap from a propane bottle painted silver.

Hatch frame is ply with basswood spars. The blue wire nuts will be used to make interior reading lights.

This is a lot easier than building a real teardrop!

[Sam I am]

The model is starting to look real!



My wife sewed up a blanket, sheet, and pillowcases for the foam mattress and pillows. Reading lights are made from a small electrical connector body and some plastic. I'll soon be ready for some 1/12 scale camping!

[Sam I am]

It's almost done! Skin is aluminum flashing. molding is plastic angle stock formed into a curve using a heat gun and a gloved hand.

Lots of details left to do, plus a hitch for the 57 Chevy tow vehicle model.

[mikeschn]

Very nice model Sam!!! You put mine to shame...

I'll have to try harder next time!

(Do computerized models count?)

Where did you get the wheels?

Mike...

[cuyeda]

I believe this is Dguff's as seen at IRG 2.0. He donated this for one of the raffle prizes.

[Sam I am]

Thanks for the compliment, Mike. Your model looks pretty nice, too!
The wheels are the stock wheels that came with the 57 Chevy kit. I used mag wheels on the 57 model, so these were left over. I plan to mount one on the front for a spare, too.

[oldtamiyaphile]

You're all model builders? I thought I was the only one

I build exclusively in 1/32 scale, and as much as possible my models are functional. That means my micro TD is designed to be towed with 1/32 scale R/C cars.





Features: Working 'torsion' suspension w/ride height adjustment (I originally wanted to do a leaf spring suspension, but then ride height would have been fixed), jockey wheel rolls, pivots and tilts. Hatch will open with a detailed galley in there, no bed detail as this space is needed to house the electronics. Yes, those are M1 screws.

It's not meant to be a 100% like the real thing build as one might do in a larger scale, but it still helped with the design somewhat, as I have loads of 1/32 people, bikes etc to pose in/ next to it, which helps with working out certain things.

I need to finish the electronics then the skin can be installed. It tows really well, but it's scale weight is a bit heavy

[Sam I am]

Wow! 1/32 scale? That's small. My eyesight isn't good enough for the small stuff anymore! Making those models rugged enough to be towed must be a challenge. Looks like your frame is soldered brass tubing. That's a lot of work compared to gluing sticks of wood together like I did! Nice job!

[mikeschn]

Now we need to experiment with some model teardrop photography. See if you can get it to looking like a full sized teardrop!

Thanks for the info on the wheels Sam.

Mike...

[irondance2003]

Try this for photo of model TD,
Mount on board + cover board with some dirt+ take outdoors on sunny day+set board about 5ft high and mount camera on tripod just above the horizon line of TD +background say trees or whatever.
Now with a tight shot on the TD model take a few photos and you will find a level with the camera (higher or lower) that brings the TD into the real world..
Also if you put some sort of plant life in the foreground 1/2 way from the camera to the TD (branch with leaves)
Idea is focus on the TD and the foreground will be out of focus ever so slightly and so will the background.
The book ...Model Railroading with John Allen by Linn H. Westcott.
John Allen was a model train master and a handy person with a camera, Made a living taking photos

[mikeschn]

Try this for photo of model TD,
Mount on board + cover board with some dirt+ take outdoors on sunny day+set board about 5ft high and mount camera on tripod just above the horizon line of TD +background say trees or whatever.
Now with a tight shot on the TD model take a few photos and you will find a level with the camera (higher or lower) that brings the TD into the real world..
Also if you put some sort of plant life in the foreground 1/2 way from the camera to the TD (branch with leaves)
Idea is focus on the TD and the foreground will be out of focus ever so slightly and so will the background.
The book ...Model Railroading with John Allen by Linn H. Westcott.
John Allen was a model train master and a handy person with a camera, Made a living taking photos

Thats some good ideas... were there some photos examples in that book that you can share with us?

Mike...

[irondance2003]

Any one that collects photos of ciggy packets here is mine 4 u.
You will need to crop a bit to get just the packet.

Now back to the modeling stuff,
The outdoor full sun light will do you good. It takes a bit of fussing about but you will find the correct spot sooner or later

[Sam I am]

My 1/12 scale teardrop is finished, and hitched up to my 57 Chevy model. Here are some pics.


The hatch props are 1/16" aluminum tubing with small ball links at the top. They swing rearward to close the hatch.

The tongue jack is made from a piece on an old R/C transmitter antenna. The caster can be slid up and down, and will stay where you put it. The safety chains are from one of my wife's necklaces with craft wire S-hooks. The hitch is wood and plastic with a ball from an R/C plane ball link.

The next project will be a camp site diorama with the 57 and tear parked, and things like a picnic table, fire ring, trees, etc. around it.
This was a fun project!
Sam

[teardrop_focus]

Soooo 21 people read my post but no one has anything to say?

Why do people feel the need to post this type of question? Dude, you'd just posted hours before. Post your idea then let it go for a few days before getting all whiney.







In other news...

Sam, that is a great model! Gives me additional motivation to build a model of my plan; thank you!

[starleen2]

Now If you'd posted them photos somewhere else on the forum - I'd swear it was actual size!