OT - Calling all enthusiasts

I recently moved and now have something I've always wanted - my own office/room to do as I wish 110%. I have decided that I am going to transform it into a mess (RFC themed). Since I am researching for all the cool memorabilia, printing posters, and the like, I was wondering if anyone had any ideas I could throw into the mix. If anyone has items in their own collection they want to share for ideas that would be great. I feel like a kid in a candy store - so much to choose from, so little space.

Cheers

It would be relatively simple to make some 'Trophy Rudders' from 'scratch'. Get some 1/2" blue foam and cut to shape, add some foam ribs (use Gorilla foaming glue), use yellow wood glue to put the fabric (dress lining material) onto the rudder outlines. Shrink the fabric, if needed, by 'hovering' a steam iron over the fabric. Seal the fabric by painting thinned yellow glue onto it then use spray bombs to paint. Mask numbers, etc. and paint onto it. Take old newspaper, colored chalks, pencil graphite, etc. and rub all over the finished item to dirty it up then clear coat with a semi-gloss clear. Weighs nothing and can hang anywhere!

For a more robust item substitute more robust materials like 3/8" or 5mm cabinet grade ply for the outlines

ARUP, that's a terrific idea that I didn't even think of. Thank you for that!

That's a brilliant idea! Also great advice ARUP. Unfortunately I live in subsidized housing, so I can't do anything like that. I'm looking forward to seeing pictures.

That's a great idea ARUP. Have you done that? Do you have any photos of one's you've made?

I've 'threatened' to do this but using materials more suited to original items. I have steel tubing I could bend around a plywood form. I don't know how to weld but can solder pretty good. JBWeld works wonders, too, to attach hinges, ribs and stays! I'd use nitrate and butyrate dopes to attach the fabric and for the finish. I build really large vintage sailplanes for RC and use some full scale techniques in some of the construction. I build a powered RC model every now and then but find it is more fun flying a vintage sailplane! See them on www.scalesoaring.com in the 'Scale Sailplanes' build threads.

The recommendations made above will work. You can't use solvent based adhesives on blue foam for the foam will melt. That's why you want to use Elmer's wood glue or similar. Be sure to use polyester dress lining material. Non-certified Ceconite or Koverall by Sigmfg.com is very close to the same thing, a little better, maybe, but also more pricey. It's too bad the old time TV antennas aren't around because the aluminum tubing used on those would be perfect because it is very ductile and easy to jamb one piece into another to make longer lengths.

You can make a Gnome or other rotary from cardboard, card stock and cardboard tubes, bits of wire and scrap wood, too! Paint it silver them glob on some black and then glob on some varnish to look like dried castor. I have that one on my mind, too. I've been so busy building sailplanes I haven't had time to really build some fun things like this. I am almost finished with a 1/6 Sopwith 'Pup'!

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ARUP, it's timely that you should mention the rotary. I'm currently brainstorming a 1/2 scale version using Slinkys, PVC pipe, an aluminum pan, and various nuts, bolts, and brass bits and pieces. If it works out it should look fairly similar to the light fixture Manfred had in his office, except I'll be using the vintage Edison-style bulbs rather than the globe bulbs.

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I never even thought of rotaries either. These are great ideas. I need to get researching for dimensions and such.

Just like as shown in RAF_Louvert's post you can make 'trophy fabric patches', too! Go to the Dollar Store and buy a cheap set of bed sheets and stretch them over a card board box or similar then paint away! You could even get the serial off one of the Richthofen clan's steeds!

Ace, this is a "fabric swath" off of a Spad of the Lafayette Escadrille that my wife did for me a few years back. Lots of ideas out there!

Mfair, that is amazing. I remember you posting that when it was finished...totally forgot until now. I appreciate the ideas. I've decided to currently go with cloth "cut outs" and rudders. Keep the ideas coming if anyone thinks of anything else.

So far I have the bar stocked in the room, although I'm unsure how long that will stay that way,