Propellor Blades - to clip or not to clip?

[intobattle]

Hi All,

I know this is a dumb question... I think clipping the blades off will get rid of the headache of constantly having to straighten them, and gives the impression of rotating blades in flight. But I also think the blades look pretty cool... what do you guys typically do? Clip or leave 'em?

I've done it both ways but can't decide

getting ready to start some aircraft which is why I ask...

[Xveers]

Me personally, I've left the props on. I think it looks nice

[Mk 1]

Most of my fixed-wing aircraft do not have prop blades.

Most of mine are various brand-X models which most often do not come with blades, or my own 20+ year old scratch builds which usually did originally, but which have often been lost over time.

Which do I prefer? Hmmm...

To examine the question, I offer a couple of my scratch-builds.

First, my scratch-built P-39:


Clearly my scratch-built prop blades are not up to GHQ standards, but then neither is the rest of the plane. The question is whether the prop adds to the overall effect. I don't really think it does.


Here are my scratch-built Soviet La-5s. No prop blades (had 'em originally back in the late 70s, but over the years the blades sort of took it in the shorts, if you know what I mean...)

I don't think the blades add much to the overall effect.

But it IS hard to argue with the appearance of those CR.42s posted above. Mighty tasty looking, I'd say!

So here are my own Italian fighters:


In this case, my research told me that the only fighter to see service in some numbers in BOTH Tunisia and the Eastern Front (the areas where my Italians are intended to fight) was the Macchi C.200. So brand-X it had to be.

In truth, I don't think that they suffer too much for lack of propeller blades when seen in action poses over the gaming board.

Might look nice with clear spinners with hints of spinning blades, as others here have shown a skill for creating on their planes. But straight-up blades or no blades? I don't see the blades as clear winners.

So why do the CR.42s look so good with their blades?

Here, I think, is the missing evidence:


I spent a lot of time on my little Stinson L-2 Grasshopper. Really pulled out all the stops on the painting. But without prop blades, somehow is just doesn't look quite right.

And I think the reason is ... because it is pictured on the ground, sitting on its wheels.

If I am likely to use my planes on the ground, in an airfield scenario for example, I think they will look better with prop blades. But so long as they are primarily for use in flying poses over the game table, I think I can manage without the props.

How's that for a long answer to a short question?

[Donald M. Scheef]

For a plane that is on the ground with the engine not running, having the propeller blades adds to the appearance.
For in-flight poses (as on a wire or post), visible propeller blades distract from the appearance.
I have dozens of sheets of overhead transparency sheets (from before I used PowerPoint for my training presentations). I also have a set of hollow drills (originally intended for making wooden plugs for furniture). For my aircraft models in flight attitude, I select the drill that most-closely matches the scale diameter of the propeller, cut out a plastic disk, place it on a sheet of extra-fine abrasive, rotate it under my finger (this takes off some of the shine & also gives an impression of rotation), when appropriate paint a thin line on the edge to represent the tip-warning color, and attach to the engine. This seems to give a good impression of a rotating propeller.

Don S.

[DAK]

Aircraft with fixed landing gear I leave on, those without I clip.

[intobattle]

Yep, I agree with you guys!

Mark, you always have nice pictures to illustrate Thanks for the response, you've made up my mind. I just started a handful of 109's and I've clipped the blades... it does look better.

Don, any chance you have some pictures of your spinning propellor setup? It makes perfect sense I just hadn't thought of painting on tip-warning colors.

Thanks guys,
Tanner

[Donald M. Scheef]

Sorry, I invested a bundle in 35mm cameras when I was young and never got around to digital photography.
Note that not all countries used bright colors on the tips of propeller blades. For example, in the Soviet Union during the Great Patriotic War they just didn't bother. If a ground crewman was foolish enough to walk into a spinning propeller, it just demonstrated lack of proper Communist Attitude.

Don S.

[Michael.Hatch]

Hello

For aircraft in flight, I believe that the models look best without their propeller blades.

Now, if they're parked at their aerodrome waiting for the SAS to show up, then of course they would need to have the blades still on.



Michael in Abbotsford.

Work In Progress, Bf 110 of ZG 26


http://s115.photobucket.com/albums/n296 ... 0Bf%20110/

[intobattle]

Michael,

Nice job on the Me110's; I've always liked the 110... I think it's such a cool looking aircraft.

You've done a excellent job with yours. How about the bases... are those custom made and etched?

Take care,
Tanner

[opsctr]

I've done it both ways and I really don't know which I prefer...

I guess it depends on the AC and the situation:

Here the rotor blades fit better because they stand out...


These two Osprey's need their rotors to give the sense of speed...


This Spitfire could go either way in my opinion...


This modified (single seat) Tank Buster might look better the other way...


I think the clear plastic disc looks better in this shot...


I still don't know for sure but I'm leaning toward the plastic disc...

Will

[intobattle]

Will,

Nice array of aircraft and examples... more fuel to add to the debate

Tanner

[Michael.Hatch]

Hello.

Thanks Tanner.

The stands are Litko's custom etched Acrylic Flight Stands. [Website link SNIPPED]

Looking at Will's photos, he makes a good case for discs. While they're more work they do look the part, especially for the helicopters.



Michael in Abbotsford

[ACWBill]

If I intend to use the aircraft in a a/c battle such as Red Sun, Blue Sky, the props get clipped. These games have the aircraft on flight stands for the entire 4-5 hour game. The first time they fall to the table top the whole prop and spinner comes off, gets bent all to H..L and must be repaired and re-glued. If they are simply being used for ground support I leave them on. This is due to the fact that they are on the flight stands for only a turn at a time.

[Mk 1]

Greetings Michael, and welcome to our little corner of the web!

That's a mighty nice looking 110 you've got there. Really excellent job on the detailing -- how you managed all the lattice-work of the canopy is a wonder to me!

I'm sorry but I had to go in and edit your latest post -- snipping out the weblink.

Our hosts at GHQ have provided this forum for us. The forum is pretty much self-policing, and you won't find a nicer bunch of chat-mavens anywhere on the web. Our guidelines are really few -- we like to keep the discourse topical and polite, and we don't allow links to web stores.

It is on this second issue that you have wandered off the track. Websites that don't sell things are OK, but if the website is in fact involved in commerce, selling products, you are welcome to discuss it but we don't allow the links. GHQ has asked us to keep this limit in mind -- they pay for this forum, and don't want it being used as someone else's advertising. Also, it helps us keep down the SPAM.

Nice first posts. We do love the pictures. Please proceed, and post bunches more!

-MODERATOR Mk 1

[Michael.Hatch]

Hello Mk 1.

Thank you for your kind words. The canopy lattice effect was created by just spraying on the top coat and using a water-based dark wash to fill in the window areas. A wet cotton swab can then be wiped over the frame work to uncover the base colour.

A thousand apologies for posting the commercial weblink. I should have reviewed the posting policy before posting. I will remember in the future.

I will post more pictures of the Bf 110 once it is finished.

I think your Stinson L-2 Grasshopper would look great with one of the discs that Bill uses on his aircraft. I wounder if the the clear plastic blister material that GHQ uses would be thin enough? Hmh, might have to look into that myself.

Regards, Michael in Abbotsford.