3D Printing for Scale Airplanes

3D Printing for Scale Airplanes

OK, I could have gotten a lot more attention by titling this post “3D Printing Bombs” but I did not want the FBI coming to the MAN office. With today’s amazing new technologies seeming to be absolutely like magic, I decided to try out one of the several new 3D companies that offer services online. The one I chose was Shapeways. In keeping with my recent project, the 1/4-scale Sopwith Camel, I wanted to make some scale aerial bombs to drop at fun fly and Dawn Patrol events. So, I started some research.

Here are some photos of Cooper Aerial Bombs found online.

Cooper Aerial Bomb2

The one below seems to be the accepted color of British bombs used in WW1. I like the color and markings.

KONICA MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERA

In WW1, the British Air Service used what were called Cooper Aerial Bombs. These were available in several sizes from 25- to 200-pounds. So I chose the smaller 25 pounder. These were usually carried in racks placed under the aircraft and would support three or four bombs. So, the first thing I looked for was a sketch or drawing. Here below is what I found.

bomba_Cooper_Bomb Sketch

Here is the sketch of the 25 pounder I used as the starting point for my Camel. Notice it has a length shown as being 24 to 41 inches. At least that’s what I think “24-41″ H” means…

The next step was to draw it in a CAD format as shown below.

CAD Bomb

So I made it 6 inches long, 1/4 of 24 inches.

The next step was to send my 2D drawing to my good friend Stephen Philbrick, who just so happens to be a wiz at 3D modeling. He also happens to work for Solidworks! Below is what he sent me back.

3D CAD Bomb

We went back and forth in size and detail and we came up with a final rendering that looks something like this shown below.

Rendered Bomb

One thing we did modify was the positioning of the fins relative to the holding bracket. We rotated the bracket’s position 45 degrees so it fell between two fins making it able to be attached to the model much closer to the release mechanism.

bomb casing

The 3D CAD file was then uploaded to the Shapeways website and an order was made. Above is the proof of the bomb casing Shapeways generated.

Here below is the proof of the Nose cone and arming propeller.

nosespinner

The is a choice or materials your part can be printed in and we chose “Hard and slightly flexible” Nylon material. After about 10 days, here below is what we received in the mail.

bomb1

 

A close up look shows the surface is exactly what we ordered and it comes in a fine “matt” surface, much like the look of cast metal used in mechanized tank turrets and… well WW1 aerial bombs.

bomb2

The process used to produce Shapeways’ parts uses special powered that is hardened layer by layer with a laser. After every pass or the laser a new coating of powered is deposited on top of the previous layer and it is hardened with the laser again. The process repeats over and over until the final part has been formed.

bomb3

Here is a close up of the attachment bracket and the nose cone arming propeller.

Below, the propeller in place on the nose cone.

bomb4

Below are the slots molded into the final bomb casing. I will saw through the slots and install the fins which will be laser cut from 0.030-inch G10 fiberglass sheeting.

bomb6

Technology is like magic to Scale RC Modelers.

bomb5

Stay tuned! I will let you know how the material is to work with, how it glues and how it accept paint! For more information on Shapeways go to: www.shapeways.com

Until then, Bombs Away!

Updated: October 7, 2015 — 10:18 AM

2 Comments

  1. Gerry,
    If you look closely at the first picture, the attachment bracket is between the fins. Therefore you are still scale. 🙂

  2. That’s a set of parts I would absolutely cast in resin using the printed parts as masters. Slosh molding the body and nose as one piece would keep the weight, and amount of work, to a minimum, though a separate nose would leave the body open to fill with baby powder.

    I think this quote from Arthur C. Clarke accurately describes the things happening with 3d printing: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.”

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