A MODELMAKER’S LIFE: 3D printed kits, music and an evening behind my drums…

7th April 2025

A very late update today, having only just returned from a band rehearsal, and some time behind the drums, one of my hobbies that takes me away from the day job and into another passion I can lose myself in. I’m not what you would call accomplished behind the kit, but I do enjoy it, which is the name of the game with any hobby!

Away from drumming, today has been almost entirely focused on getting the Aerocraft 1/32 Miles M.52 from a box of 3D printed parts to something approximating an aircraft. In the main, that has been achieved, my desk now covered in a collection of large airframe pieces.

The kit itself is very simple in approach with very few parts to deal with. The most time-consuming part of the project so far has been the need to remove all of the unwanted resin supports, a job that is as fiddly as it is tedious. Thankfully, a pair of GodHand snippers made simple work of the process, before cleaning up any remaining stubs with wet & dry, used wet.

This is the only thing I don’t like about 3D printed kits: removing the supports. Whereas traditional resin kits only had one area of unwanted resin to remove, 3D printed kits often have a number of supports around each part that have to be very carefully removed. I love the incredible detail: I hate the removal of those supports. Ah well, swings and roundabouts!

As we speak, the model is ready to be painted – almost. A few gaps here and there needed to be filled with Mr. Surfacer 500, which is now dry ready to be cleaned up in the morning. Whether I sand this smooth, or simply remove the excess filler with Mr. Color thinner I have yet to decide…

And that only leaves the overall colour scheme. Yesterday I asked you all whether I should go for overall natural metal or yellow and you almost universally, suggested the yellow option. Given that it was such a popular choice that’s what I’ll go for! The instructions suggest an overall yellow finish, but I might apply some additional trim, either blue or black. As the aircraft was never completed I have plenty of leeway when it comes to the paintwork, so I’ll have some fun with it. One thing is for sure though, it will be a glossy finish, after all, it is a prototype and prototypes look better in shiny paint, don’t you think?

See you tomorrow.