Oh, the humanity!
Something involving a reworked mirrored disco ball with the mirrors and lights, maybe?
***Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL***
I hope you do a model of Major *Bazooka Charlie* Carpenter's L4 Piper Cub with the 6 rocket launchers. Leaving an assortment of burning Tiger tanks and armored cars on your layout would be optional, but I wonder if anyone around Urbana still remembers him. He taught history at Urbana High School, was born in Edgington, IL, a few miles from the Iowa state line near Bettendorf, and that's where he's buried.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Carpenter_(lieutenant_colonel)
There's used to be mobiles intended to visually stimulate infants in their cribs. These has some sort of drive and rotated. Maybe one of those repurposed?
Amyone remember more? Could be done.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
I added some most unlikely German ww2 planes as my nephew is a fan of them. Unfortunately my cat loved to play with them also. I have been trying to figure out a good way to make them circle the layout. I saw a layout with a balloon circling but not sure how h3 did it? Any ideas?
Leighant,
Yep, those blimps would be kinda tough to do in scale. I really like lighter than air, as it's so energy efficient and just plain kewl
I've read several of the classics on the Navy's lighter than air efforts, so well versed in all the advantages and aware of the several disasters. A very interesting history.
Nicely themed layout you have there.
The aircraft on my portable layout are smaller than scale to provide a forced perspective effect. They are painted on the background. Of course, they are not moving. But there is a prototype for them remaining motionless or almost so in the air.
Kyle,
Sounds good with a 747. I know there are some kits out there that are about 1:300. What scale is yours?
Also, I can sympathize with not damaging the aircraft. I will note that the drill I use to "implant" the single line suspension is a tiny #80, so there's little chance of leaving a big ugly scab. Sometimes I don't hit quite the right spot to get the angle of attack/climb/bank and turn the first time and have to try twice or more. You can't hardly see the boo-boo.
Neat, the L-188 "modern" Electra is one sharp looking airliner. I can't say no to a Connie, unless you wanted me to actually fly on one. Never flew in one, but I'm pretty sure my dad (retired AF) may have, as he was stationed in Saudi Arabia when I was born back in the 50s, when they were a mainstay of MATS. I still might, if ever given the opportunity. I always thought they were one neat plane, then I learned about those iffy tail structures...
jacon12,
Outstanding action shot! That pilot better hope no one got his tail number or his commander may be waiting on the flight line when he lands...
I had a little fun with this 1/100th scale aircraft by suspending it over a train on my layout and photoshoping the string out and giving a spin to the prop.
Several times I've thought about putting it in the air somewhere in the background, maybe over some trees.
Just got a Lockheed Electra 188 in 1/144 scale and plan on tucking it about 9' in the 11' apex of my vaulted ceiling and also bank it inward to the veiwing area of the layout. The Lockheed fits nicely into the late 70's to very early 80's timeframe of my layout.
I'll be going after a military version of a Super Constellation somewhere down the road.
Mark H
Modeling in HO...Reading and Conrail together in an alternate history.
I have a 787 model hanging in my bedroom. I hung it from a vent using fishing line that I wrapped around the wings and slung under the nose. That way I didn't modify/damage the model.
Thanks, Bear. I hope the line is restored.
Appologies for taking so long to get back to you.
Bear,
Are you sure one of those Electra's isn't Amelia's? For all we know, she could've taken a turn towards NZ and decided to start a new, quiet life away from all thay nosy press attention...
It was MATS until 1966, so that may help indicate when you saw the big Connie...
up831 For what it's worth, Monogram used to make a DC-3 that was smaller than 1/72 scale. It would be fairly proportional to a lo altitude plane in flight over a layout. And for those stalled out engines with no spin propellers, might I suggest a corcle of acetate or clear styrene the diameter of the propellers and a hole in the center to fit over the propeller hub.
For what it's worth, Monogram used to make a DC-3 that was smaller than 1/72 scale. It would be fairly proportional to a lo altitude plane in flight over a layout. And for those stalled out engines with no spin propellers, might I suggest a corcle of acetate or clear styrene the diameter of the propellers and a hole in the center to fit over the propeller hub.
Bear and up831,
Yes, definitely need a Gooney Bird, just haven't come across the model yet, as I'm looking for one of the Walthers HO scale ones. But yeah, will probably go with a C-47 when I can get one at a reasonable cost.
up831,
I am considering doing the disc thing on the Electra, as it disaasembles easily enough to get to the back of the engines to pull the props off. I've done it on some of my aircraft, but it kinda depends on the model, haven't done it for all. I'm thinking the Lockheed may get a new paint job if I can find suitable decals.
crhostler61 I remember seeing Super Constellations
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Jim (with a nod to Mies Van Der Rohe)
I'd say that fixing the RR is a no-brainer, but sounds like politcians are involved...
crhostler61want to find an approprite sized Bell Jet Ranger.
Mark,
Yeah, that's gonna be a tough one. I was thinking someone (Roco?) did a OH-58 model, but was unable to locate that...may have been thinking of their UH-1???
Meanwhile, my aircraft fleet was supplemented by purchase of a used Lockheed Electra. This a real classic, one of the first successful two-engine, all metal passenger aircraft. It didn't get Amelia Earhart safely home, but otherwise compiled an impressive record.
It's a bit on the large size for HO, being somewhere between S and O scale, but seems to work OK at eye level above Durango.
In the very late 60's when I was in grade school I remember seeing Super Constellations in some sort of regional service (Reading PA area). I want to get one in 1/144 scale and place it above the layout. I have an 11 ft vaulted ceiling, with that...1/144 should work well over HO. Also want to find an approprite sized Bell Jet Ranger.
NorthWestDue to storm damage, the line is currently out of service, although IIRC there are efforts to force KiwiRail to resume service.
Gisborne appears to have a control tower, easing the situation somewhat. Notably, there is only one paved taxiway, the rest (and the other three runways) are grass. I wonder which service has right of way?
Due to storm damage, the line is currently out of service, although IIRC there are efforts to force KiwiRail to resume service.
NorthWestThat said, I hope KiwiRail reopens the line through Gisbourne again. I have heard conflicting information about whether there is tourist service (or none at all) over the runway.
A rail line across an active runway? I'll bet that made for some interesting dispatching
Did the aircraft side of things involve crossing gates or were light signals considered sufficient? That and the common sense of not landing if you see a train approaching...
Could be a problem when landing from IFR conditions, though.
Not my photo, so thanks should be directed to the uploader over at Railpictures.
That said, I hope KiwiRail reopens the line through Gisbourne again. I have heard conflicting information about whether there is tourist service (or none at all) over the runway.
NorthWestSorry to "JaBear"
Ever since I've been into model railroading I've always had a plane of some kind hanging above my layout to match the time period I was modeling whether it's the 1930s biplane, 1950s DC-3 or modern airliner.
Tracklayer
NorthWest But hey, it was only a loud turboprop across the Channel... I think that bird was out of passenger service before the Chunnel opened, if the caption is to be believed. It was either ferry, or that, if one went by train...
But hey, it was only a loud turboprop across the Channel...
I think that bird was out of passenger service before the Chunnel opened, if the caption is to be believed. It was either ferry, or that, if one went by train...
Oh, I would've taken the ride if it was offered, just commenting on how other airlines were flying, a-hem, more modern aircraft by the date of this pick. The Chunnel opened in 1994, so yeah, no direct passenger competition.
But it was under construction for a long time and I vaguely remember several schemes by various combinations of transport all working to stay relevant for the day when it did open. This one actually was interesting as you caught the train from Paris, where connection were much better than from the coast, which went basically to Paris so you missed the most boring part of the train ride if that's how you were proceeding to your destination.
NorthWest Sorry to "JaBear": http://www.railpictures.net/photo/471819 A very interesting set up.
Sorry to "JaBear": http://www.railpictures.net/photo/471819
A very interesting set up.
Must have been one heck of a ride in that noisy drum. Makes that Space A C-5 ride I took once look positively luxuruious and I'm certain it rode better than that H-P. The poor thing looks like a leftover WWII glider thay threw some spare engines at.
But, hey, they had to do something to compete with the Chunnel...which is what I suspect this modern, innovative operation was mobilized to counter.
You're welcome Mike, Planes were my second love to trains. I'd love to pick up a B-17 as that is my favorite WWII, Warbird. I still need to find the 1:144 ones that I have and post them.
SP&S modeler, 1960's give or take a decade or two for some equipment.
http://www.youtube.com/user/SGTDUPREY?feature=guide
Gary DuPrey
N scale model railroader
Some notes in reverse order...
bigpianoguy...the revelation about smaller scales - thanks!
bigpianoguy,
No problem, glad to point it out. It's one of those simple things that you go "A-ha!" about as soon as you see what's going on. There is a pretty good number of 1:144 planes out there, including airliners. I just wish we had more bush planes.
Allan,
Nice pic. I'm remembering the gliders and tugs vaguely, but they do make an interersting scene. In fact, there's a glider field just north of Durango along the D&S, but I don't have room for a field. I may be able to work some gliders in overhead, though. Thanks!
Fergie,
It's pretty easy to convert some of the bomber aircraft to waterbombers, so that's a great idea.
Will,
Building Cessnas, cool job I'd almost bet no one would have a problem with one circling around your locker or toolbox.
Matt,
Bummer on your Gooney Bird. I've had that happen before. I have to get me one of those someday. Looks like she'll be OK with some work if you can get her opened up neatly.
Cisco,
Using sound only is a great idea. Not everyone can hang plnes for one reason or another.
Wayne,
Awesome pics...and awesome flying by Secord. I know a little about the USAF Secord, if that's the same personality, definitely quite the character. Love your cropduster, gotta keep my eyes open for that.
Gary,
Thanks for the Minicraft link. Even if you're not in N scale, kits like this are what you want. And they even have a KC-97! I can see one of those in the future, along with a Harrier.
George,
Thanks for those leads. If you are in O and have the room, there are a lot of 1:48 kits out there as it's one of the prime scales for serious aviation modelers. I've got a 1:48 DHC Otter that's one of my favorites, although I'm having trouble finding good decals for it. Too big for the layout so I have it upstairs fighting of bats...hmm, maybe I should get a pic of that, it's good for a laugh? I told Osborn I wish they'd make an Otter in HO to go with the Beaver, so if anyone else wants to lobby them we might get one.
Bob,
Love your Tri-motor, as I've been eying one and we have one from one of the nostalgia flying exhibits that visits the area semo-rgularly. Diffeerent sound form those engines. The Tri-motor also offers a way to work planes into your RR ops. For a time in the 20s, maybe into the early 30s, airlines and RRs teamed up on trasncontienantal runs while flying the Tri-motor and other early airliners. The passenger flew on planes during the day. The planes then landed near a station to allow them to board sleeping cars, where they rode until dawn made it feasible to get back in the air in the days before VFR. This could make a neat scene and even add operational interest.
Dave,
I alwaya enjoy trainwatching when I'm aloft. It helps take away the scared to death feeling...
I've given thought to aircraft over my layout, or maybe even a small 'local' airfield. In sourcing out HO models around Ebay, I've seen quite a few biplanes, which would work as I primarily model the steam era. I've also seen any number of Cessnas as well, and someone had a European manufacturer's hangar kit.
But the revelation about smaller scales - thanks!