Today I may not bring a lot of news but I am glad to say that most of the issues I had a couple weeks ago are practically solved.
Currently I am doing the last preparations for the restocking of the new towbar trucks, towbars and catering trucks which will be available again next Friday.
I had to take some days to remake/adjust a few aspects of the new towbar trucks in the process of solving these issues I mentioned in my previous entry.
I have been progressing forward with the 1/144 antennae pack, which at first, it was something “straightforward” to do, but I must admit some of them will be quite small, I will see if I can have them resin made as I initially thought, so far the sizes I believe are possible to make.
I have also started (I forgot how many times already) the B747-8F/-400F project. By starting I meant studying the steps that will need to be done as this won’t be an easy task, the most difficult as always is, make things so that a set can be made out of it and be built again, as opposed to work on the fuselage for just a single project, fittings and positioning must be taken into account.
I am also doing the roadmap for the 1/12 B737 cabin now that I have the basic shape of the main instrument panel. This project will be a continuous project for this year.
Having to overcome the latest issues I had, prevented me from pushing forward these two projects, but little by little things are getting in place.
There are some other things I am also working on, but that don’t have a specific release time, sharklets and winglets are in this category, but I am glad to say that the B747-400 winglets are very much advanced.
Today I was able to do a first test fitting with the ceilings I previously made for the B787-9 cargo holds and I am afraid to say that I am not quite happy with them, so I will rework them and make them again, it won’t take too long as it is a relatively simple part to make.
Once the ceilings are done, manufacturing of these cargo holds will begin. Decals have already been made, there will be different markings, STA positions, pallet numbers etc. Once the manufacturing process starts, I will make the first ones as a finished version in order to share the finished product and to have them made for my hopefully someday-to-start B787-9 KLM project.
Before I finish this entry, I would like to present to you a couple more new galleries from two more friends; Felipe from Colombia and Walter from Austria. Truly beautiful models they have made, I personally know that for Felipe, the B767F is probably very special to him, the modeler who built it is Zamir Sotelo and I can imagine how much work was involved to open the side cargo door on that Zvezda kit.
Walter’s diorama is wonderful, such a nice representation with the characteristic yellow GSE from Vienna Airport, of course and an absolutely brilliant paint job on those figures. As he said, it is not a “fixed” diorama but a base to take photos, as it happens to me as well. I do not permanently glue the models as everytime I finish a model, I make use of the same ramp base and thus I change the position of the GSE unless it is a specific scene of a certain airline. The A320 is from Zvezda with Nazca and Authentic Airliner decals.
As always, I am at your disposal if anyone wishes to add their GSE/ramp galleries on my blog. It makes me very very happy to see those GSE models around the world, it makes all the efforts worth it.
The next entry will probably be on Friday, and as I always say, work continues, so hopefully I can share some photos of the projects with you soon.
During the last few days I have been chasing a ghost and I’ve been able to track him down, let me explain.
Lately, I guess since the last update on the equipment, I have been having a lot of issues printing certain parts. As you can imagine, the parts to be printed require a structure from the bottom so that they can build up layer by layer. I had issues of certain parts of the model with supports not attaching to the actual base of the part, you can see an example below:
These are the catering truck interiors for the Mercedes cabin. On example 1, you can see two of the supports snapped right where the body part starts. On the example 2, the supports did not pass through the height of the body part, only one portion in the center did. The third example was a total disaster with supports barely reaching up to the body and thus not being a support “column” for the part (even so, it came out quite well).
I was suspecting this since some days ago, it appeared that everything failed when there was a crossing with the main part designed.
Upon inspecting the resulting file in the slicer, nothing weird was to be seen, everything seemed perfect, the model was also seen perfectly within the 3D software, so there was something invisible messing with the parts.
I have been using newer software to see if preparing the parts for printing with that software could solve the issues, but to my surprise, the software itself showed me that there were structural issues and holes within those parts even though they were not visible to the eye.
To sum up, a combination of both, primitive 3D software and my not-so-accurate skills while designing those parts in an ancient software, lead to several problems that only happened recently and on specific parts, I guess due the firmware update which may have made this problem more sensitive.
I am lucky in a way to have made the move to a CAD based software, so a lot of the functions I was doing are now prepared, effective and quicker.
The models that have been affected by this were the pushback trucks and the catering truck. This issue only appeared in the cabins and not always, since some files printed fine, others did not, hence my guess about the temperatures as well. I have been able to solve it by making a new cabin for the F59. These corrections mean that a clone of the cabin is done, but this time it is done in the new software and without the invisible structural errors. I will see what are the next ones that will require this fix, for the moment I also remade the F396 cabin just to be sure as it also displayed several structural errors in the initial file.
This should not affect the restocking because the root of the problem was found and it was quite difficult because it was a problem that was invisible, but I am glad that I finally found it.
This leads me to give a restocking date of January 28th 2022 for the following items:
F59 towbar pushback truck.
F110 towbar pushback truck.
F210 towbar pushback truck.
A320 towbars.
Widebody towbars.
Catering truck Mallaghan CT6000.
Right now I have about half of the units I wanted completed for the towbars, around 10 each and would try to increase the quantities during the next two weeks.
The catering currently is at about 14 units, but will try to make a few more.
That is all for now, unfortunately all those sudden issues made things slower for me to release the B787-9 cargo holds and the F396 pushback as I predicted for the end of the month, it may take me a little longer but both items are certainly on their final stages, as I am doing a final test fitting with the cargo hold ceilings and ultimating the parts of the F396.
I will try to show some other stuff during this weekend or next week, which hopefully will be a little bit more interesting than the present update.
This is the first entry of the year for me, and I wanted to take the opportunity to overview a bit which will be the main path for the next twelve months.
I hope you had a very nice start of the year, for me unfortunately it has been a bit bumpy, having to deal with personal difficulties that add to my stress and mood as well as trying to overcome problems with my work, but I guess this is probably something that has also happened to you before and something we often go through.
I have taken the last few weeks to remodel my workplace and modify some of the tools that I have for the production of the resin parts as well as the photo etched parts. Changes that could bring me a not so exposed-to chemical environment as well as a more practical workflow.
I am currently struggling with the temperatures, my printers do not work well at 20ºC – 68F and thus recently I had to throw away hours of work and material. Changing them from place is not an option, so I am looking at methods to keep the room warmer within the possibilities of the room which is located at the top part of the house.
A powerful electric stove is currently being used, but that cannot be the ultimate remedy due the increase in the costs of electricity (which keeps rising) and thus I am studying a modification for the printers to keep their chambers (and the resin) at a more stable and warmer temperature, that means a PTC heater controlled by a digital thermostat.
That is a part of what I am dealing with to solve issues, another part is to adjust settings so that delicate things could actually get built without issues. This has to do with the speed at which a part of the printer moves, slowing it down reduces the risk, but also increases the time of production significantly, an extra hour to the usual time with the lowest settings I am trying, may be able to reduce time a bit if results are fine at the lowest setting.
20º-68F is not very cold for us humans, but now that we have colder temps, it is making this delicate work very much difficult to accomplish sometimes.
Before I depress you with more of my waffling, I would like to inform you that the restocking of the new towbar pushbacks, towbars and catering trucks will be in about a couple weeks, as I am trying to finalize their packaging and their PE parts. If temperatures permit, will also make a few more units for the pushbacks. Will say a restocking date in just a few days.
Work has also started with the production of the next group, which will include the Belt loader TUG660, the AST-1 pushback, the FMC15i loader and the TLD ABS1740 stairs truck. Going by groups will be my choice at the moment, because that is how I want to restock items, since several are out of stock, then I want these to be at the same time back in stock, so that customers who may wish to purchase another item, they can have the chance to do so and not to wait for another restocking date/shipping fee.
The quick overview for the next 12 months:
I have learned many new techniques that are allowing me to make more intricate and shape-complex work, thus there is in the works a comprehensive 1/144 antennae pack with several ELT’s, VHF’s, ADF’s, ADS’s, TCAS II, Satcoms, UHF’s, Glideslopes, marker beacons and GPS antennas (pitot tubes also on my list). Also, in the works (and pretty much advanced at this moment and tested successfully) the B747-400 wingtip with winglets, may also do a wingtip with the HF antenna for the -100/-200/-300 variants. Other sharkletsto be produced will be for the A320/A321 and A350-900. These were done in the past, but the new techniques I learned allows me to make them this time with engraved lines.
These are little projects that I will be working on and possibly several other more as I progress alongside the “big” projects for this year.
My two center pillar projects for this year are going to be: B747-8F/-400F cargo deck detail set, as you may have read before, it will be a full open cargo operation scenario, nose door, side cargo door, cargo hold doors, everything open (well, probably except the bulk cargo door) and surely L1 door will be open as well. Detail of the main deck as well as the cargo holds. This will be produced for the Revell B747-8i and B747-8F kits as well as for the Zvezda B747-8i kit. On the way, and picking up where I left with the B747-400 winglets, I will also be working on conversion parts to produce the -400 model from the -8 model kits, that means the -400 engines and some other details, if that comes out well, I may work on the classic engines as well, and a modification of the wingbody fairing for them which is different than the -400 model.
1/12 B737 cabin project, what can I say about it? It will basically be the whole B737 cabin in 1/12 scale from the start of the sidewalls onward. Not saying it will be completed this year, but it will now be a regular project I will be working on.
There are some other “smaller” projects that I would like to make on the way and probably to have a bit of a change and fresh air from the big two projects, some of these will be the Komatsu towbar pushabcks, pushback personnel as well as some more crew stuff.
The upcoming releases will be the B787-9 cargo holds, both forward and rear as well as the F396 pushback model that I previewed on the last entry. The F70 is also in the plans and will be started soon. I am hoping to release these new items soon. I mentioned in the past that it would be at the end of the month, but I need to first figure out the solution for these cold temperatures and see if adjusting the settings will definitely be of help. Fortunately issues happen only in certain parts and not all of them, so that should not prevent me from releasing these new models soon.
Things sometimes seem quite easy, but more often than not, they aren’t. The AST-1 body mold gave up the other day, so I need to make a new mold for it. There is always things that get in the way, but little by little these will be overcomed, it’s part of the work.
These are my main focuses for the year, but there is also another project that may take me longer and that I haven’t mentioned before yet.
As you know, some time ago I had my silk screen detail decals printed by a company (For the A320/A321 family as well as for the A350-900/-1000). There is a reason for the delay of their release besides the work on the illustrations/instructions, and that is that I am also working on my silk screening setup.
Having seen those silk screened decals has increased the interest in me, that perhaps some liveries could be made in silk screen and so I am trying to do this myself, which in a way a part of the process does not differ much than of the photo etched process, in fact, you need to expose to UV everytime you make PE, but you expose only once with silk screening for every color (until the design cannot be used anymore after a long time).
That is all I can say about it, because I am not even sure I will be able to produce such type of decals, if I can’t, that would lead me to switch back to laser/livery and silk screen/details, which will be the case for some liveries, but some others I would very much wish to have them silk screened. This I kind of leave it as my “outside of work” hobby, because it will probably take me quite a lot to be able to produce them, if I ever can.
Last but not least, I want to share some photos that arrived to me from my fellow modeler friends. I have to say that it brightens my day everytime I see these models I dedicated so much time to, to be painted/assembled and portrayed by friends and modelers from different parts of the world.
For such, I dedicated a new category in the blog, where I will be adding more photos and galleries from anyone of you who wants to share their work with the rest of us.
This is a diorama my friend Miroslav from Czech Republic is working on:
Another ramp from India, this time in 1/200, of my friend Shivam:
Lastly, a ramp from France, of my friend Ludovic, who is currently working on this project:
I will be publishing more photos, and if any of you wish to share theirs, please do contact me and I will be more than happy to put them in the new gallery.
That is all for now, work continues, it never stops, whether it is an improvement or a solution of a new problem, production and the creation of newer things.
Wish you are all safe, wish you all that this year can be the year we can start to leave Covid behind, the year we can start to see a light at the end of the tunnel even the tunnel may have its own curves, we shall not give up, take good care of those that are around us, be kind and be nice.
I wish you and your loved ones a Happy Holidays and above all, that health and happiness can be with you.
We are still going through tough times around the world. During all this time since I began doing what I do, I had the enormous pleasure to know, write to and send my creations to people around the world giving me a very wide perspective of how are things in these countries.
My friends from all the places in the world, be safe, be cautious and be happy, enjoy the time with the family and share, give and protect you and those around you.
Today I wanted to share with you a very important update for me, things that I’ve been working on for a long time and that I can finally show.
First of all, the project that I started dreaming about back in 2017. The B737 cabin project is by no means abandoned.
This is the main panel which is designed together with the glareshield/autopilot panel due its complexity and to avoid issues joining these parts together, I thought that the whole block as one would provide a much better result. Of course, there will still be enjoyment assembling this, because this main panel has lines that indicate the areas where the other “sub panels” will go such as the different screens etc.
The forward of the glareshield extends around half of the nose (not seen/made) here. Although I shared a few bits of this before and a long time ago, this is the first element I share that is going to be a part of this kit. It is “only” the master part, as now it requires sanding and applying putty in some areas.
From the photo of me holding the part with my hand can give you a general idea of the size. I have other elements designed but not made yet. For the first steps I want to have the main panel/glareshield and sidewalls (sidewalls are fully designed) put together so that I can focus on each structure/panel like the throttle quadrant, radios etc. There is a lot to do, but having the main panel and sidewalls together, will feed me the motivation I need to complete this.
The next tow truck, the F396 is ready for production:
This kit is based on the biggest of the Schopf pushbacks, above is a comparison with the F210. I made it in a way so that you can install the rear platform and thus have a second cabin. The rear cabin as well as the GPU are included by default in the kit and they are designed to be joined without need of glue, allowing you to represent the model in different configurations. The same applies for the four top covers, which you can decide to put them on anytime you like. The set also will include two figures and plenty of extra parts.
The model may seem quite dull at this moment, that is because a part of the details will be represented as a decal, such as the several ventilation grills and other small details.
The latest update for today is the B787-9 rear cargo hold. It is 98% completed, the ceiling is designed and basically the remaining things to do are: cast the main shape of the rear hold and design the decals which were done already for the forward hold.
This as well as the forward hold and the F396 are the first new releases that I plan for the beginning of next year, end of January if all goes well.
About the restocking of the items, I am at 90% done with the F59, F110 and F210. The catering truck units are half the way done. I am glad to say that I finally received the material that I needed, thus now I have everything to continue. I will be giving a restocking date as soon as I have things more advanced.
I am trying to progress as much as I can, till a little while ago I was tidying up and replanning my workspace, because space was starting to be a problem, luckily all is solved, for me holidays are times to slow down a little but keep on working, organizing and learning so that I can work in a safer and healthier environment.
That is all for now, take good care everybody! Happy Holidays! Best wishes, Guillem
I want to start this entry by saying thank you. I’ve been working from the heart with these new tow trucks and catering trucks. Seeing that they were sold out on the first day showed me that the work was well worth it and that the items are of the liking, this gives me the motivation to continue and do my best in every project.
Naturally, I was not able to do more than 10 units of each, bear in mind these are a total of 40 models which was a big challenge for me to make with just one piece of equipment.
I am trying to grow as sales continue, thus another equipment unit has been purchased and hopefully it can arrive soon so that I can produce more at the same time. Material to make PE is also on its way, this may delay things a bit with the pushback trucks since these days the post services are at their busiest time and material may take longer to arrive. I have plenty of PE ready for the catering truck, so I may be restocking this item as well as the towbars prior to the pushback models.
I would like to share with you some news on this entry, first, the finished and assembly videos of the tow trucks:
Second, I was finally able to paint and make a finished version of the towbars:
Please note that the handles on the A320 towbar should be closer to the head.
The other news I wanted to share was concerning the shop. I have been adding some more information at the store front page, there you will be able to see which items I am preparing stock for and read some news concerning the items at the store.
As things progress, so must my knowledge, and thus I am also learning some other 3D modeling techniques that will help me create more complex elements such as sharklets and better detailed engines. I have made sharklets before, but this time I would like to try other techniques and see if I can add some panel lines on them. With this, it will be possible for me now to try and make the B747-400 wingtips which may be a part of a conversion set that I would like to do in the future, once I have more progress on the B747-8F/-400F cargo deck set. My learning on this subject is also getting me closer and closer to my dream model; the A330-300.
The B787-9 cargo holds are progressing very well, the rear cargo hold shell is already done, only the container rails need to be added and thus production of these will start soon. Prior to that, I expect to make a couple of finished versions in order to see the overall result.
The 1/12 B737 cabin is progressing very well as well. I am going to have the Main Instrument Panel / Glareshield tested in the next few days, going from computer model to real model is a challenge, but I am optimistic with the results, it will be a very important step for the project, so I will do my best to share a few photos of it in a couple weeks.
I am also progressing with the next tow truck which will be the Schopf F396, currently at 87% completion, this model is so heavy that I decided to represent the weight effect at the base of the wheels, similar as it happens in real life with the real 1/1 model. The F70 will follow afterwards leaving the Komatsu “brothers” for a 2022 project.
That is all for now, work continues which is sometimes quite hard to do, as the temperatures drop, I must keep the room warm or else the resin won’t work. Also, working conditions at home can change from one day to another as taking care of an elder person drains a lot of energy from oneself, but I keep trying my best.
I will be writing more news as soon as I have a restocking date for all those new items (and the rest of the currently out of stock GSE models).
It has been a few weeks of quite a lot of stress around here, having to prepare so many things, I have learned that those things that may seem easy, often times are not.
Upon finishing the production of the parts I did realize that the F210 did not have the door lines engraved on the cabin, similar thing for the right door on the F110, so I had to remake those as well as remake the bodies since I was having some more issues producing them, I learned the lesson that it is not the same to make one or two for initial tests and preview, than make more at the same time.
Here are the three little guys finished:
On top of that, I decided to rework the online store a little bit, trying to make the thumbnail images bigger was a nightmare to do, something so simple as make an image bigger, isn’t it? But the thing is, there is a lot of coding behindit. It is just not making the image bigger in the photo software, and I could not spend days with it, thus decided to purchase a module that could help me deal with some visual and practical aspects of the shop in a quicker and easier way.
I did have to spend some time with the coding to make new changes such as the header background color and a few other things.
The online store is not yet 100% completed, I will be reworking the front page and side column tonight, so that everything is ready for the release of the pushback trucks, towbars and catering trucks tomorrow.
I usually upload the new products right away, but this time I will try to upload their product pages ahead (during the evening/night) so that you can take a look at the product page as well as activate the email notifications if you wish for each product. The initial units are going to be quite limited as I did not have time for more. I am aware that some other GSE models run out of stock recently so I will be making units of these upon the new items are uploaded.
The Schopf F110:
The schopf F59:
And the Schopf F210:
As I did with the catering truck, I also took the chance to record the building process of those pushback trucks, which were built at the same time. I will be editing the video very soon. That is all for now, I must continue with work so that everything can be ready for tomorrow.
