Jul 292009
 

With these bits in place, the XAB is essentially structurally complete. Still some work to do, but the final product should look pretty much like this. The lower-rez shaded views show the different parts.

xab2009-07-29a.jpg xab2009-07-29b.jpg xab2009-07-29c.jpg xab2009-07-29d.jpg xab2009-07-29e.jpg xab2009-07-29f.jpg

The question will soon come “So what’s next?” There is currently nothing fixed-certain on my schedule for Fantastic Plastic, though we’ve certainly got a number of designs planned for Someday, even Someday Soon. It has been my hope to restart “Part Time Models,” which would focus on the same sort of “unbuilt projects” that FP does, but obviously with no overlap in subject. The old Lockheed CEV lifting body and X-20 Dyne Soar, both in 1/72 are in various stages of retooling, and I’ve tinkered around with several BoMi designs in 1/144 (including the early three-stage MX-2276 concept). For the most part, PTM would focus on simple models at relatively low cost. They’d be cast by *me* which means a pretty minimalist casting setup (no pressure pots or centrifuges or any of that stuff). But on the other end, I also want to do some “high end” models such as a number of 1/18 designs, including the Apollo CSM and the Dyna Soar. These would likely feature a whole lot of fiberglass, and I’m hoping to make them available in finished form, not just rough kits. My goal is to offer them to museums, NASA/USAF centers and the like as display pieces.

 Posted by at 10:28 pm

  2 Responses to “XAB: landing gear”

  1. Besides the 1/18 Dynasoar, a 1/18 scale X-24 (A or B) would be interesting also.
    The scale would allow really great cockpit detail, and yet the finished model would be of a reasonable size. The same could also be said for the Soviet Spiral space fighter in this scale.

  2. Scott…. I love you man but you should not be allowed to cast resin. 🙂 If you are going to do something do it right or don’t do it at all. (I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that) All that “fancy equipment” you speak of is mandatory to compete with todays high standards.

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