BiggTim

We is my wife Christie and I. She's been a big help, and is the bookkeeper of the outfit. She is planning to come to Nats this year with me, too.

For those of you who don't already know, in June of 2023, we purchased all of the AMS Resin molds and product line from Harold Offield, in an effort to keep his great products available for those who want them, and as a creative outlet for some of my own designs. It's very much a side hustle for us as we are both employed with regular jobs, but if there is anything you should want from the AMS Resin line of products, please email at bnresindesign@gmail.com, and I'll do my best to get you what you need. We've kept the prices the same as Harold had them, and have already added some new products to the line, as well as remastered a couple of older products using 3D printing. I've also begun 3D printing some things on contract for a few people, so if there is something you'd like to have printed and shipped to you, let me know. I plan to use this forum to post new products, or showcase some old ones that you might have forgotten about, so please stay tuned! Thanks much, Tim Biggers

I'm curious about the side gun pods on 2 of these kits - are they accurate? AMS sold a B-25 gun pod set with blisters on them. Were these just a different type, or are the kit parts inaccurate?

Here are some updated photos, since my old links broke. If you'd like to see the instructions, drop me an email at bnbresindesign@gmail.com, and I'll be glad to send you the PDF. Tim

I use both. I actually don't keep a lot of books around, as I don't have the space for them, so when I'm diving into a project, I will usually buy a few good references, and then pass them on when I'm done with it. I'm not one to build a lot anyway, and I definitely don't build many of the same type plane, so I usually only need them once. Except for P-38s - I keep all of that, and will build as many as I can.

Yikes! I can see where that would definitely change your perspective!

I think they are pretty dang cool, and I would happily drive one if I could afford it! However, most people I know who've had them found that the increase in insurance costs, paying for charges, repair costs, etc., wound up being the same or more costly than a fuel efficient hybrid or gas engine. And that's in WA state, where gas prices are high due to taxes. Add to that the problems in the cold (and it gets cold here), lack of charging stations, etc., and it's not something I'm gonna be doing anytime soon. On top of all that, I'm concerned about battery disposal when these things all start wearing out. I think hybrids are a much more cost effective and reliable alternative, though the same issue exists with the batteries, but to a lesser degree. I'm all for advancing that technology for sure, but that's just my take on it.

Here's another great one...

WOW! That is incredibly well done!! Tpim

Nice work on that seat!! I was going to offer to set you up with one of the AMS seats for that bird, but yours is every bit as good, IMO. Tim

Truly awe-inspiring!!

I said this in your other thread, too, but drop me an email - bnbresindesign@gmail.com.

I own the AMS line of products now, so drop me an email bnbresindesign@gmail.com. I'll see if I can dig one up for you. Tim

Not sure what happened with the links, sorry about that. I actually don't currently sell my files, but there are some links to some really good ones earlier in this thread. Let me know if I can help in any way, and I will try to fix those links. Tim

As promised, here are the results of my tests. As they came out of the printer: 1:48 files with supports provided by the designer: (I forgot to print the little caps for this one). As you can see, they printed well and the supports were well designed, though the rafts against the build plate were a bit thin and broke easily during removal. Not really a big issue. 1:48 with supports generated by Lychee: Lychee has better rafts that come off the plate easier, but it also filled the nose with supports, which are a pain to get out. 1-32 with supports provided: Worked VERY well, and left the nose clean and hollow. I need to tweak the settings a bit, as it didn't come out quite as smooth as usual. 1-32 with supports by Lychee: Also printed well, but again, too many internal supports, and the raft stuck so hard that it broke during removal. Also some texture issues to work on: The verdict: Use the supported files provided for either scale, or manually add supports in whatever software you use - don't let the software do it for you. I can't speak to fit, as I don't have a kit to test them on, but they look well done, and at least one other person on Cults3D scaled them up to 1:32 and said they fit very well. I'd say it's worth 10 bucks. Tim

I think when the dust settles, it will get worked out. There are lots of other hotels close by, so please try to find one and come. I'd love to meet all of you that I can. There are always some selfish turds that get in the punchbowl, but don't let them ruin the party!!! I'd also highly recommend that if cost is a concern, consider rooming with another forum member. When I went to Phoenix in 2018, I had a two bed room reserved for myself, and I split it with Brian (Out2gtcha) even though we'd never met. We got on great and had an awesome time, still talk frequently. It made it way more affordable for both of us. Tim

I did the same, though I did change the dates back to the 16-21, as we have other obligations at both ends. On a good note, I've stayed at other Homewood 2 Suites, and they are extremely nice, so I wouldn't be unhappy there, even at full price. It's not the Palazzo at the Vegas Venetian, but it's dang nice!!

Good news - he also provides the files with supports, so I'll be testing them both that way and with Lychee, and in both scales.

Great! Please post your results in the 3D printing forum, and I will do the same.

Since Rob started this thread, I've received quite a few inquiries about printing this one for people, which I'm happy to do. I figured I'd just post the process for everyone here, so you all know how to go about doing that. The files Rob posted above: https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/game/1-48-invader-8-gun-nose-correction-set, are designed by the user BREWITMAN on Cults3D, and as such, he owns the sole creative rights to the design. So, anyone who wants to print it has to buy the files from him through Cults3D. Once you have done so, you have the right to print them for your own use as many times as you want and in whatever scale you want. This is where I come in. If you can't print them yourself, you can contract someone to print them for you, like me. Sort of like hiring a contractor to build your house. I don't own the files, and can't claim them as my own, nor can I print them for you unless you prove to me that you have first paid the designer for the right to do so. SO, if any of you want me to do this for you, you must first buy the files from him and download them, then send them to me. I can't (won't) print them for anyone else who hasn't paid the designer his dues. (Deleted) UPDATE: On second thought, it's only 10 bucks, so I'm just going to buy them myself and try it. That way, none of you have to be the guinea pig. I still won't be able to do it for anyone else unless you buy them too, but at least we'll know. Tim

There are lots of theories being thrown around on FB about who and how, but I'm just gonna let the dust settle and see what develops. I was able to book a reservation at one of the nearby hotels at full price, so I'll sit on that and wait and see what happens. Jeff Herne, the convention chair, is doing his best to get it sorted, and I don't envy him that task. Tim

Boy, I feel sorry for the Madison IPMS folks right now. The hotel blocks just went live, and a bunch of people apparently did an end run around them and booked almost all of the rooms before they dropped!! It is a complete crap show, and people are pissed. Poor Jeff Herne. Tim

I unapologetically believe in scale supremacy!! Long live 1:32!!!

I'm with Iain - good luck to them, but I'm out.

The confusion comes from the incorrect use of the / in modern scale terminology. From the architecture POV, the / is reserved for fractional scales of the inch (1/4", 3/8", etc.) vs. 1 foot. Someone got us non-architectural model builders in the bad habit of using the / instead of the colon :. What we build in are actually ratios, not "scales", so if we would just learn to use 1:48, 1:32, etc. the problem would go away. I build both, so it's normal for me. Tim Good reference - http://www.complicad.com/CADScale.htm PS: The funny thing is that engineers use the : in their scales (1:10, 1:20, etc.). Stupid engineers. It was probably an engineer who invented 1:35, which doesn't equate to anything. (just kidding, they usually say 1"=10', etc., but it's fun to pick on them)