Swanny's Models

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The adventure continues at Swanny's Models. This time around we take a look at working with a vacuform conversion kit. This video takes the modeler through all the steps of learning how to work with vacuform model parts, resin and photo etched parts are revisited and the process of achieving a realistic natural metal finish utilizing lacquer based paints is covered in addition to some other goodies. Here you can purchase your copy of Advanced Modeling Skills; Vacuform Conversions & NMF. 7/1/09

Swanny's Models instructional video Volume #2 is now ready for distribution. This video covers advanced modeling skills required to assemble and paint resin cockpits as well as everything involved in building a photo etched cockpit. Acetate instrument details are discussed, how to anneal photo etch sheets is shown, basics of working with vacuformed canopies are covered and more. This is well over four hours of modeling bliss and you can get yours now right here. Advanced Modeling Skills; Resin and PE Cockpits. 8/27/07

Swanny's Models is proud to announce the re-release of the first in a series of instructional modeling DVDs. This DVD will take the modeler from the first parts preparation steps all the way through decaling and basic weathering. The primary purpose of this video is to assist the new modeler in achieving good results early. You can follow this link for more information on the video and ordering information. Basic Model Building Skills & the P-40K.
8/27/07

Did you miss out on the first issue of Swanny's Models Instructional Videos and are trying to catch-up? Here is your chance to pick up both DVDs and save a few bucks. This link will take you to the package deal location where you can get both Volume #1 "Basic Model Building Skills" and volume #2 "Advanced Modeling Skills"Two Volume Set.
8/27/07

Who am I:

I am 40+-year-old Industrial Engineer/Manager responsible for the development and implementation of chemical coating-removal systems aimed primarily at the automotive, medical and military industries. I am married with three children, two cats and live in Sandusky Ohio, the Roller Coaster Capitol of the World.

What this site is about:

       I remember the first model that I built. My father gave me a Revell submarine kit for my birthday in 1969. I clearly recall the two of us sitting at the dining room table with one of those orange tubes of Testors cement putting that thing together. It was an excellent bathtub toy for many years. Prior to that my older brother had entertained my sister and myself with aerial operas involving a 1/48 scale Monogram SBD Dauntless and a Monogram Corsair - I still have those two planes, dusty and worn but laden with memories that can never be replaced.
       Many times while shopping e-bay I've wondered what a particular kit consisted of or how good the detail of casting was or even if a particular kit had raised or recessed panel lines but could not answer these questions until I actually opened the box. While surfing various forums I would see common questions asked many times by modelers just beginning the polystyrene adventure, looking for clues to decaling, weathering and detailing. This site is dedicated to answering some of those questions. While I do not consider myself to be an exceptionally skilled modeler, I have picked up a few tricks over the last thirty years of modeling and will share them with you. Included here are full build reviews, in box kit reviews, construction tips and gallery photos of kits I have built. Most of these are 1/48th scale World War 2 aircraft. Also included here are a variety of links to on-line modeling forums, review sites, internet hobby shops, aviation art sites and real aircraft reference sites.

       This site is a work in progress. I hope that you find it as enjoyable as I have.

       Last updated 07/22/2010.

Contact Information:
Questions or comments about this page and the material covered here can be sent to Webmaster@SwannysModels.com

And now, for the good stuff,

The Sukhoi Su-27 was designed specifically to combat the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle As the F-15 program developed and the Russians learned more specifics of the aircraft their program saw continued modification to combat the American fighter’s capabilities. By time the aircraft entered service it was a formidable looking aircraft with amazing flight capabilities and is one of Russians premier multirole aircraft. From Academy this is the 1/48 Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker B. 7/22/2010

The Austin Motor Company was founded in 1905 by Herbert Austin, the first Baron Austin of Longbridge and manufactured a wide range of military equipment including a range of General Service trucks under the designations K2 through K6. Many of these trucks were shipped to Russia for service there but most were employed by British troops where they were referred to as "Screamers". During the middle 1970s Bandai, as part of their 1/48 Pin Point series of models, produced one version as the 3 Ton Austin K-5.
7/25/09 Construction completed 06/24/2010

Modeling starts with the introduction of a kit of a favorite subject and a few simple tools. Before you know it there are nine or ten models waiting and they have formed a small stack, the beginnings of the fabled Stash. Soon the modeler realizes that a new tool must be introduced that can keep track of what he has, what accessories he has or needs for a particular kit and just where is that kit hiding. Here is software specifically designed with the scale modeler in mind to track all those kits, from Suisoft the Scale Model Kitbase. 06/11/2010

The Romulan High Command commissioned the development of a small yet powerful raider type of spacecraft centered around two impressive technologies; an effective cloaking device and a nearly irresistible plasma cannon and was designated “Bird of Prey”. In the early 1970s AMT began to market Star Trek plastic model kits and issued a single production run of the Romulan BoP in the early 1970's which is now highly collectible, hard to find, seriously over priced and fairly inaccurate. AW Studios now has made available a large, accurate vacuform kit which I take a look at here, the 1/350 Romulan Bird of Prey. 9/13/09 Construction update 11/27/09

At first glance it looks like a B-17, just like all the rest flying over Europe in formation but as an enemy fighter moves in for the kill it suddenly becomes clear that this is no normal B-17, this is a meat grinder. In 1942 Boeing converted 20 B-17Fs into long range escort fighters with bomb bays filled to capacity with ammunition and extra armor plate on the fuselage. While a good idea on paper this never moved past the service test phase however I feel compelled to build a 1/48 Boeing YB-40 Escort Fighter. 03/24/09 Construction Complete 06/14/2010

Parasite aircraft is a concept that has intrigued most countries at least once in the past. Most forays into the application of linking and unlinking aircraft in mid-air never leave the drawing board. The most comprehensive of these projects happened in 1930's Russia, under the direction of Vladimir Vakhmistrov designated 'Zveno'. Mike Glinski is here to take us through the construction of this esoteric subject using a combination of 1/72 ICM kits, the Zveno 7. 6/8/08 Construction Update 04/04/2010