[lordjw]

Hi all!

This is build thread for my new ModelExpo 2012 track. ModelExpo is a local toyfair with approximately 50-60 000 visitors in three days. Not very big fair in european scale, but biggest in nordic countries.

Event will be held 27.-29.4.2012 so I will have less than three months to complete the build.

Some of my previous builds:

Killer special stage (rally)
Fingraf track
Taxirace

Lets start !

With event like this everything starts with a given space available. I was given 13m x 4m stand for the track. This is the first factor which limits track size.

Second limiting factor is the tables. Fair centre has 2,5m x 1m tables and the track will be designed to utilize these tables. Tables will limit the track layout and design.

I will be using NINCO track for its ease of use and electrical reliability. Track design software for the NINCO is problematic. I have NINCO TrackMap plus, but it does not contain R5 turns. TrackPower has R5 and I would like to buy it but can not find their website anymore. So far I have designed my tracks with Slotman, which has done the job but lacks new NINCO R5 and 1/2R2 pieces.

I ended up by sticking with standard track pieces and drawing the track with Slotman and combining the end result to tables with Photoshop.

The track takes 12,5 x 3,5meters (41x11,5ft) space. Track length 30,75meters (98,4ft). 104 x straights and 40 + 40 x R3 and R4. 4 lanes.

Until next time....

Julius

 

[zendragon]

Julius,
Nice design, but I wonder, how many people are helping you, the more bends the more people required to marshal. Goodluck with the event.
Regards
Zen

 

[diegu]

Hi Julius,

nice layouts... and I especially loved you Taxis of some time ago.

Concerning planning: You might want to use Ultimate Racer 3.0 for planning. It's free and you can easily add an R5, or I can provide you with a library containing Ninco R5.

In case you want to add the R5 to the existing Ninco library file (Ninco.txt), you may just use the following definition.

[10115]
Name=R5 Ultra Exterior Curve
Notes=
Shape=curve,78.2,18.0,11.25
Equivalent=
OneWay=
Texture1=f,136,88,136
Lane1=4.5,4.5
Lane2=13.5,13.5

Regards,
Diegu

 

[lordjw]

Thank you Diegu,

That was the most helpful post ever. I downloaded the Ultimate Racer and defined NINCO R4/R5 4-lane component to the library. Works like a charm. I was able to convert bottom right corner to utilize R4/R5. The track was redrawn with Ultimate Racer. Great program, I will have to make a donation to help the developers.

Zen, I have local club members to help me. In my experience two or three people will be able to operate this kind of track nicely. I have always activated occasional spectators to help me if a car has deslotted at furthest corners.

Cheers!

Julius

 

[diegu]

Julius,

Wow! You're really fast!

That turned out nicely!
I am sure you will love that bottom right corner.

Regards,
Diegu

 

[lordjw]

Update !

I wanted to start with something fun. I have always wanted to include a chopper to my layout, but my previous tracks have been very small and there has not been any space left for helicopters.

This is what I got, Medicopter 117 by Revell.

It was time to use my modelling skills on plastic kit. Something which I have not done for a long long time. I cut the side door open to show the interior.

Interior was assembled and I cast and painted three resin figures as medical helicopter crew. Two pilots and one medical expert.

I kept modelling inside the chopper at minimum but I just had to add all nice decals for gauges and instrumentation.

I didn´t follow the Revell paint scheme closely and left out many detailing parts such as antennas and winshield wipers. Possibly I will add them later on but at the moment I do not have extra time to concentrate on every detail.

Finished helicopter ready to aid crashed drivers. Chopper will be added on accident diorama at the track.

Cheers!

Julius

 

[ss67]

Absolutley awesome!

The medicopter is also in my plans but there is no way I could make the crew.

Could you supply any more of these to others of us who don't have the same skills as you?

 

[lordjw]

Hi!

I would be happy to supply the figures if those were my design.

Unfortunately Preiser and FLY own the rights for the originals in this case. I do not want bad name by selling other peoples work.

I will make copies for my personal use only.

Cheers!

Julius

 

[lordjw]

Hi,

I have been making some progress on making figures. I will need about 200 - 500 figures. Teams alone take at least 100 figures.

At the picture below I have started making some new figure moulds. Originals are pressed on modelling clay.

Two-part mould is made out of silicone and polyurethane resin is flush-cast on each side of the mould. Mould sides are connected together and accurate copy of a figure is formed inside. At the picture below cast and stacked moulds.

When polyurethane has cured the mould parts are separated and ready figure can be found inside.

At the picture below you can see how nicely figures just peel off from the mould

Three hours of casting results about 150 pieces of 1:32 figures.

Extra polyurethane is trimmed out and I am left with the figures. I am concentrating here to the quantity over quality. Figures are very good copies of originals (Preiser/FLY/SCX/Carrera/SlotIt/Scalextric) but may contain some minor casting defects.

Painting them will be huge undertaking

Until next time...

Cheers!

Julius

 

[sokjo]

Congrats Julius for the clones. I have also wondered about making copies because, as you'd said, I really need a crowd of people and my pockets are getting empty. At this time, I'm in the process of painting team people for Lotus-Renault, Ferrari, McLaren...

 

[ss67]

Hi Julius,

Any more updates?