3D-Printed Stick Handle for the AB-206B
Hi,
After a very long time of almost zero modeling activity a resumed the build of the interior parts of my scale helicopter.
In the meantime a Creality LD-002R 3D resin printer has been added to my "arsenal" and it gives very decent results (at least at this scale, ~1:6). I have used the Druckwege type D standard resin with 20 μm vertical resolution. Exposure time is of the order of 3.5s per layer and I have used 5 base layers with 50-60s exposure time for a good adhesion of the raft on the build plate.
The handle has been designed from scratch with Autodesk Fusion 360 CAD program.
I have tried to print and paint the stick handles of the helicopter with quite satisfying results (see pictures below). After removal of the many support pins of the model quite some time has been spent with various sandpaper grit sizes starting with 400 (always wet) and ending to 1000. Next a primer coat (black gloss primer from Alclad) has been sprayed with my Airbrush (H&S Evolution with 0.2mm nozzle). I did not spend time to correct small imperfections on the surface (tiny holes for example) as this is just a prototype, I needed only to find the general "recipe" for sanding and painting. Filling can be done easily using the the same 3D resin applied with a brush and cured with UV, so that was not an issue (tested successfully in the past).
Once the primer set I continued with a fine brush to paint the buttons (red 71.003 and green 71.329) with Vallejo Model Air colors and when the colors dried I applied 2 coats of Matt Vallejo varnish.
The model shape is not yet optimized as it is not so easy to find good pictures of the real one. It is easiest to find some by looking for "OH-58A cockpit" or something with the "OH-58A" in it.
I hope to find some time to continue and finish the cockpit.
Cheers,
Hellenicopter