I never expected to use 3D scan data verbatim. My intent was always to model clean versions of parts optimized for assembly and printing. However, I also didn’t anticipate just how useful the scans would be in unusual cases—like these P-51 Mustang engine parts, which were used with some sprue still intact.

It seems likely that these gates were added to the tooling after the molds were made, once it became clear that knit lines were weakening the parts. The small bridges midway through the sprue improved mold flow, but since they were added by hand, they have a quirky, inconsistent quality. Interestingly, they also became an easy way to distinguish part 31 from part 36—two otherwise nearly identical components.

I bought myself a 3D scanner which should greatly enhance my creation of digital donor kit parts. My digital library has grown to several hundred parts, and this should help with some of the more complicated, or hard to measure bits. Tank hulls are notoriously tricky to get right.

Here is my first scan of a Nitto King Tiger (1/48… or is it 1/50?). A bit soft in the smaller details, but perfect for wayfinding.

This was done without any scanning spray, so I hope to refine my workflow and get slightly better results. The circular scars on some of the flat surfaces are from where I had placed tracking markers.