Fiddlers Green

I've been working on a model of the control tower from the former Reese AFB, TX. Seems simple enough, but the cab took some doing. Here some pics of the beta...

Here's a pic from the web of the tower back in its heyday....

Not to be outdone, my 5-yr old took one of my earlier cab test models and made his own control tower...

I also model things in Lego bricks, but my son is taking possession of the bulk of the collection. Here's a control tower and ASR (with motor and gearbox to spin the antenna)...

My inspiration for modelling a control tower is the dilapidated structure at the long closed Webb AFB. It has lots of detail and character...



My goal is to not only model the control tower, but the flightline building as well....

Looks great. Make sure you submit the finished model to Chip, he's looking for somebody to design buildings, and want's a control tower model.

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We have enough youth. How about a "Fountain of Smart".

I seem to recall awhile back, there was a sort of "submission guide" as to how finished designs should be formatted and submitted to Chip. Any idea on where to find it, or a link to it perhaps?

http://www.fiddlersgreen.net/Comments/index.php

Those files should give you an idea of what's expected. Don't feel slighted if Chip still makes corrections, suggestions or comments.

For starters, make sure the file si at 200dpi and the document size is 7.56 x 10.5 inches (the allowable print area for a pdf) and the orientation "portrait".

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-Rob-

Currently working on: see avatar

It also helps to have any rolled parts or large scores oriented with the grain, wich runs vertically.

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We have enough youth. How about a "Fountain of Smart".

pretty impressive!

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I'm not wierd! I'm normality impaired!

Rob,

I've been pouring over the tutorials you linked above and there's LOTS of info there. I have been putting together all of Chip's comments from the various examples into a sort of "Chip's Gospel of Submissions". It's been an immense help to me thus far. Thanks for the link!

I also noticed that the above URL is not linked from anywhere on the main Fiddlersgreeen home page. I wouldn't have found it had you not posted it here...

Actually, it is--it's on the reight hand side, listed as designer notes. The FG website is immense--you can spend hours exploring all the different subjects, and still not have found everything. It's like a giant scavenger hunt, with the prizes, the entertaining and informative stuff you find in unexpected places.

Just glad I could be of help.

We all started out tentatively...my first submission was pretty bad, but I perservered and finally got it right. Back then there were no published guidelines, just a note from Chip with some basic rules, and saying that I should look over other models and do the sheets accordingly. Took some time, but eventually he published the A-7E and I was on my way.

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-Rob-

Currently working on: see avatar

Ahh yes, I see the link now. I'm so used to seeing various ads in that right column that I ignore it no matter what page of the website I'm on! If it wasn't linked up top, I couldn't "see" it!

Just wondering what ever became of this cool control tower. Would love to see it done. If you don't have time to complete it I would love to give it a shot.

Regards, Jeff

Lost a hard drive with the beta files on it, but I'm working on a do-over.

Overall the design is primatively simple- a tall box with an octagonal cab that sits on top.

The hardest part was the cab and it's essentially done:



I'm working on the details now- fencing along the catwalk, doors and windows, an external above ground diesel fuel tank for the internal backup generator, various antennae for the roof, etc.

I'm also trying to figure out if I want to model the corrugated metal skin with folds (there'd be alot!) or just draw them on as lines. Another thing I'm trying to decide upon is the window glazing- just use a generic shade of cyan as has been done on so many FG canopies, or attempt to show silhouettes of controllers in action.

I've also got a TON of reference material believe it or not, and I know Chip loves to have some nifty facts to fill in the dead spaces.

As you have expressed some interest, I'll make it my priority to get it finished!