STEARMAN PT-17 CROP DUSTER 1:87 HO SCALE

Aircraft on model railroad layouts are not often seen. This 1936 STEARMAN PT-17 CROP DUSTER will fill that gap with a lot of vintage eye turning style. There are two wing styles to choose from. For the wing tips on the solid wings use wood filler to blend in the wing tips to the ribs, sand smooth to feather in, then paint. I have found acupuncture needles make for terrific applications where you need very thin and strong wire for let's say for the axles of the landing struts. Be aware, the needles are surgical spring stainless steel, very hard to cut. Do not use ordinary snips to cut the needles, they will damage the jaws, I use a Dremel cut-off wheel. Holes are already provided in the struts for easy assembly. Use glass beads for the tires. The wings that show the actual ribs can be used as if the aircraft is being refitted with a new skin.

I exclusively print with PLA and have found that ordinary clear Klean-Strip lacquer thinner is a wonderful glue. Make a small test for yourself of two flat pieces of scrap PLA and give it a try. Let sit for 20 seconds and then try to break it apart. It leaves no residue and is applied with a small brush. I've been using lacquer thinner as a glue on styrene and PLA for years. No sloppy or messy glue to show when finished. For heavier construction use Testors "CEMENT FOR PLASTIC MODELS".

I have always painted my models with artist oil paint, specifically Windsor and Newton Griffin Fast Drying Oils. They dry overnight. I never liked acrylics because they obliterate fine detail, and they always look chalky to me. Oil colors are made from the finest color pigments available; color saturation and permanence are proven throughout the history of art. Thinned with Mineral Spirits you will get the most remarkable weathering and aging finishes you have ever seen. I feel reasonably assured that once you try Griffin Oils you will never go back to water based acrylics.

Here's an interesting point for me to bring to your attention. Every model that I have designed is based on real world measurements and therefore each building is interchangeable with other structures. Simply bring the .STL file into any CAD program, even the wonderful TinkerCAD and combine to make a completely new design to 3D print.

If you would like me to custom design a model for you contact me directly at: [email protected].

It is totally free, but I will post it on Thingiverse for others to print and enjoy.

If you are kind enough to give me a PayPal tip, (they are not necessary of course, but are always welcome) please inform me via my email because when I am notified by PayPal I am unable to thank you properly because they just give me your name with no ability to contact you, they do however give your address.

This is my website:

https://garylavarack.com

Happy modeling,

Gary Lavarack - 3Designer