I wish to model a crashed WWl aircraft in 1/72 as part of a larger dio. I know 90% of a WWl aircraft is made of fabric covered framework. How to represent that in 1/72 realistically without extensive scratch-building? Looking for a quick and easy yet effective method because I'm lazy!
Are there any tutorials, examples, etc., here?

If the aircraft didn't catch fire or splinter into pieces, you won't need to model the framework. How about a heavy landing - collapsed undercarriage, broken airscrew?

I've considered doing something similar myself a few times.
Maybe get a kit of the aircraft you want, chop off the sections you want to display damaged and build up the frame from plastic strip or rod. Painted blank decals could probably make torn fabric but I don't know if it might be too thin? Think about the aircraft your building and what it would be made from. Albatross for example had ply covered fuselages and Fokker used aluminium tubing for the frames of their aircraft.

I saw one done once that used one of Eduard's etch frame kits. Must have required the patience of a saint!

some plane like the Albatross was made in plywood and only the wing and tale in canvas

https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=10327.0

Hmmm...I'll have to wait until I decide what aircraft I want to use, then research it's construction method. I want to do one that has thoroughly crashed. Burnt is an option I'll have to think about. Guess I should also look for pics of crashed planes.

Now this would be good to model!

Wow!! Were there captions with that photo? I'd like to know if he got electrocuted?

This may be a silly suggestion but have you thought of tissue paper? It may be silly at that scale, but I found an instructable on a quick way to do it:

https://www.instructables.com/id/Covering-a-model-airplane-in-Tissue/

The article says you can Krylon clear spray it. Then, lacquer it, tear it up.


I agree with a "Hard Landing" approach. Just my opinion, but a crash would be just that in this case. Think F1/Indy Car vs NASCAR when they crash into an immovable wall at 200mph.


Don't forget the cables. Those things had a mess of them.

Article on wrecked or derelict WWI aircraft

Here you go. Some image links are broken.

As those are telephone rather than electricity lines, I doubt it. Clearly not a high speed impact though.

And as they say, any landing where you can walk away is a good one. If you can use the airplane again, it’s a great one.

What type of aircraft is in the wires? It looks cool

1. draw a line where you want any damage.

2. Start small, bend a wing, knock off an engine. dent a leading edge.

3. for fabric use the thinnest aluminum foil you can find. I have found candy bar foil is about the thinnest.

4. doped linen is stiff, get a piece of bed sheet and clear spry paint see how it bends and wrinkles when painted.

7. talk to a RC modeler or go to a club meeting or flying field and ask if any one has crash pictures.

8. always have fun.

Captn Tommy