Material Used in Plane Construction (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Fraxinus
- Start date
ivanmoe
Command Sergeant Major
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2013
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I believe that they are mostly resin. They're are too light to be predominantly plastic or metal. Some of the models do appear to have some metal in them. For instance, I believe that the landing gear on the bf-109 is metal. One interesting (not to mention fortunate) characteristic of the models is that they are remarkably durable. I've never managed to do significant harm to one, in spite of an occasional hard-knock, or two, treatment that a completed plastic-kit would never have survived.
-Moe
Moe makes a good point about the toughness of the models. Despite their delicate appearance, they hold up well. I have over 2 dozen of John's WW1 aircraft and I have never even broken a bracing wire, and there are plenty of them. Normal handling is no danger to these excellent, tough models. -- Al
Polystone is a Polyurathane resin with a filler material added. The filler material can be powdered metal, ceramic etc. Otherwise known as cold cast Bronze, Marble etc.
Polystyrene and Polyurathane are both resins. One is thermo setting one catalytic both are plastics in that they cure by crosspolymerization. Polyurathane with a high level of filler material is both heavy and brittle.
Mixed media usually refers to a Resin base with applied metal detail parts i.e. headlamps, machine guns etc. The Corgi 1/48 scale WW I biplane series in an excellent example of mixed media. The fusalage and main wings are diecast metal. A Zinc, Aluminum, Copper alloy called ZAMAK.
The tail assembly, landing gear and prop are polystyrene. The wing wires are Tin plated Copper.
The best but most fragile WW I aircraft models are built from wood with fabric covering; as were the originals.
Polystyrene and Polyurathane are both resins. One is thermo setting one catalytic both are plastics in that they cure by crosspolymerization. Polyurathane with a high level of filler material is both heavy and brittle.
Mixed media usually refers to a Resin base with applied metal detail parts i.e. headlamps, machine guns etc. The Corgi 1/48 scale WW I biplane series in an excellent example of mixed media. The fusalage and main wings are diecast metal. A Zinc, Aluminum, Copper alloy called ZAMAK.
The tail assembly, landing gear and prop are polystyrene. The wing wires are Tin plated Copper.
The best but most fragile WW I aircraft models are built from wood with fabric covering; as were the originals.