The alternative materials report (as of 25 Oct 17)

Introduction. This is an attempt to summarize 6mm (1/300, 1/288, and 1/285 scale) airplanes and ships from other than the traditional metal manufacturers like H&R, Scotia, GHQ, CinC,

and ISM. I’d like to apologize up front to any manufacturers and designers whose products

I’ve overlooked. I started off calling this “The Shapeways report,” but realized that I needed

to talk about other manufacturers as well.

Aircraft in Miniature. These are wonderful models cast in creamy resin. They require very little cleanup and are quite inexpensive. The 6mm product line currently includes the C-17, C-74,

C-97, C-119, C-123, C-124, C-130, C-133, C-141, B-50, Airbus A400, An-12, An-22, An-124, Beriev A-50 AWACS, Il-38, Il-76, Mi-26, Tu-95, and AS-4 missile. Future announced releases include a

B-47, B-58, He.111Z, Me.321, Me.323, An-26, An-32, Il-96, and Tu-126. You’ll probably never find a better deal in this scale. AiM’s website is at

The PT Dockyard has a small range of 6mm resin products, including the Curtiss Hawk III, XF5F, Lockheed L-133, P-59, P-66, Hungarian Marton X/V, Finnish Myrsky II, and SOC-R SEAL support boat. You’ll find pictures and ordering information at

Czech Mini Models made a superb resin model of the Martin Mars, a very large flying boat of the late 1940s. I found mine on eBay.

Nichimo models had an extensive line of modern U.S. Navy and WWII Japanese navy aircraft. You can still find them on eBay occasionally. The models are very nice, with landing gear and often underwing stores, but they’re also very delicate and probably not suitable for wargaming. U.S. planes include the A-4, A-5, A-6, A-7, E-2, EA-6, F-4, F-8, F-14, F-18, and S-3. The E-2 comes with a nice set of flight deck equipment, including a starter, fire engine, and crane. Japanese airplanes include N1K1-J George (two versions), C6N Myrt, Paul, A6M Zeke (three versions), A5M Claude, D4Y Judy (inline), B5M, Kate, A7K Alf, N1K Rex, Jill, Jake, Glen, F1M Pete, and Val. You’ll find photos of some of these and models by other manufacturers on the Micro Armor Mayhem website at

Other plastic kits. Revell had a brief series, which included the AH-64, F-15, SR-71, Tornado, MiG-29, and Concorde. Eastern Express/Toko offered the An-24, An-26, An-30, An-32P, An-71, An-72. Starfix made a C-5A model. Yujin made kits of the A6M5 Zeke, B5N Kate, J1N Irving, N1K1-J George, Ki.61 Tony, F4U, F6F, and B-17G. There are also models of the XB-70, Tu-160, B747, DC-10. Beware of a model which claims to be an E-3. It’s really a B747 with a radome! Look for them on eBay.

Finished plastic models. F-Toys Famous Wings offers the Japanese YS-11, PS-1/US-1 flying boat, C-1, C-130, P-2, and P-3C. Pre-painted and marked with just a little assembly required. A couple are available in American finishes. Just beautiful models.

Finished metal models. B-2, B-29, B-52, L-1049G Super Constellation (commercial and President Truman’s Columbine I) DH-106 Comet, Lancaster, Tu-22M. I wasn’t going to talk about metal models, but these are very nice and ready to display.

Shapeways prints three-dimensional products designed by private individuals around the world. Their website contains thousands of items, many of which are models of aircraft and vehicles in 6mm. Most are either in FUD (frosted ultra detail) or WSF (white strong and flexible) material. FUD models are (I believe) made of acrylic. They’re brittle, relatively expensive, and often have wonderful detail. WSF models are made of nylon. They’re very robust and relatively inexpensive but don’t have the detail of FUD. In my mind WSF works well for airplanes but not so well for vehicles. Some WSF models are available polished. This gives them a smoother finish but may remove details and costs a little more. Some strong and flexible models are available

in other colors, which also costs a little more. Very few of the models offered by Shapeways are available in metal from the traditional manufacturers, which is why I like the company so much. WSF prices are roughly comparable to metal models, while FUD models are much more expensive. Typical turnaround time for an order is less than two weeks. (Remember: each model is printed specifically for you.) The people are very easy to deal with. If you’re not happy with your model, tell them within (I believe) ten days. They may ask you to send a photo that shows your complaint. The photo should show the model in “as received” condition, before you’ve started to paint. My experience has been that, if it’s their fault, they’ll make it good

at no expense to you. Sometimes models are withdrawn from the website, usually because they couldn’t be printed. Designers usually correct the faults and they’re put back up for sale. Shapeways designers will often re-scale a model to 6mm if you ask them. When requesting a scale-up of a large airplane, you might want to ask about the probable cost when it’s printed. (Big airplanes are pretty expensive, even in WSF.) Models in 1/700 scale don’t have a lot of detail; so, when they’re scaled up, they appear to have even less detail. The following link will take you to the website: When you get there, search for specific airplanes or on the scale of your choice. Unless I’m doing something wrong when I search on “newest,” I get lots of products not related to 6mm. If you’re new to Shapeways, you may find it more effective to search on “relevance”or look for a specific product. Shapeways provides pictures of all their products. They recently added a fun feature that lets you rotate the image on the screen, so you can view it from any direction.

Working with WSF. The models need a little preparation but no cleanup. Unpolished WSF models should be scrubbed with a small brush to remove any residual powder. I give mine two or three coats of acrylic floor sealer before painting. Be sure to blow out any acrylic webs that might form in the landing gear or between the struts. The sealer is very runny. If it pools under your model, you can scrape off the excess with a fingernail when it’s dry. I usually prime my WSF airplanes. It shows up glitches and makes the model much easier to examine than the bright white plastic. The enamel primer appears to react chemically with the acrylic sealer but eventually dries hard after a few days. That’s a good time to do any filing, repairs, and modifications. Liquid cement for plastics will soften both the primer and the acrylic sealer beneath it. WSF drills pretty well but is hard to smooth. Use a sprue cutter to trim something or remove a part from a sprue tree. Droopy gun barrels can be replaced with brass rod. I’ve found that epoxy works better than superglue – for example to repair broken propeller blades. A very few models display something called “layering” (which I used to refer to as “shingling”), in which the deposited layers of nylon are very prominent. Although I consider this a printing defect, Shapeways doesn’t seem to agree. You can ameliorate the problem somewhat by giving the affected areas several layers of primer. Wait for it to dry, file the surface as smooth as you can, then prime it again. This works fairly well on large, flat surfaces like wings. Conventional modeling fillers might also work, but I’m afraid they may flake off when the flexible surface is bent. Or you can just buy another copy and hope it turns out better.

Working with FUD.Parts should be separated with a sprue cutter, then cleaned in hot, soapy water or rubbing alcohol. I prefer the latter because it reduces the risk of losing small parts down the drain and it’s something I can do conveniently at my desk. One designer suggests exposing FUD models to sunlight for a day to make sure they’re properly cured. I use an ultraviolet bulb for this purpose, but I don’t know if it’s effective. A coat of white acrylic primer will reduce the number of coats you’ll need of aluminum or yellow paint. Some modelers have reported a reaction between certain enamel paints and FUD, which is why I switched to acrylics. I haven’t experienced any chemical reactions yet, but I have noticed tiny silver particles emerging from some of the FUD models painted with acrylics. These are easily removed with a brush. Maybe this is a result of incompletely cured FUD or maybe it’s caused by the paint. My biggest concern is how much material I may lose over time by doing this. A layer of acrylic primer may allow you to safely use enamel paints on FUD. You’ll find many more tips on the Shapeways forum. FUD drills and files well, but don’t forget that it’s also brittle. I’ve read of modelers adding tiny drops of superglue where struts meet wings and fuselages. It sounds like

a good idea. Broken struts and gun barrels can be replaced with lengths of plastic or brass rod.

I don’t think there’s any hope for broken propeller blades.

Shapeways 6mm aircraft. The following is an attempt to summarize what’s currently available. It’s probably not complete but should be enough to whet your appetite. Note that it does not include fictional aircraft, of which there are quite a few. I’ve taken the easiest approach to organizing this and simply listed things by country. (It could also be done by era or type of aircraft. American aircraft are broken down by type because there are so many. (Note that there’s sometimes duplication among the sections.) It’s important to note that most models – including biplanes with struts – are in a single piece, with no assembly required. (Propellers are occasionally separate.) Detail usually includes windows and canopy framing, control surfaces, engine exhausts, and sometimes wheel wells – about all you need in this scale. In most cases you’ll have to add your own gun barrels, for which I recommend thin brass rod. Many of the models come with underwing stores already in place and some have detailed landing gear. Some airplanes come in sets of more than one, which brings down unit cost. Models are light

in weight, which means even large aircraft are fairly stable on bases. You’ll find photos of some painted models at (Micro Armor Mayhem specializes in 6mm military vehicles, but includes airplanes.) Note that not all

of the models shown are from Shapeways. (Many are in metal.)

Austrian aircraft. Aviatik (B.II and D.I), Brandenburg C.I (several versions), Lloyd (C.II and C.III), Lohner B.VII, Oeffag C.II

British aircraft.Airco (DH.2 and DH.5), Armstrong Whitworth Fk.8, Avro (Anson, Lancaster, Vulcan), BAE P1233,Blackburn (Kangaroo, Blackburn I and II, Firecrest, Botha), Boulton Paul (Sidestrand, Overstrand), Bristol(Scout, M1C, F2a, F2b, Brabazon, Britannia, Beaufighter, Buckingham, Brigand, F11-37, Bloodhound), DeHavilland (DH.9, DH.9A, 89 Dragon Rapide, Mosquito, Vampire, Sea Venom), Douglas Skybolt, English Electric Lightning,Eurofighter Typhoon, Fairey (Campania, Battle, Hendon, Gordon, Seal, IIIF, Spearfish, Gannet),Folland Gnat,

Gloster (F18/37, Gauntlet), Handley Page (Hinaidi, Clive, Harrow, Sparrow, Victor, HP 75),Hawker (Demon, Hart, Hardy, Hind, Audax, Hector, Nimrod, Osprey, Hart Trainer, Hurricane, Harrier, Hunter, Tempest, Sea Hawk), Martin Baker MB-5, Martinsyde S1, Miles (M.39B, M.52, 20/2, 20/4), Panavia Tornado, Royal Aircraft Factory (Be.2c. Fe.2, Fe.8, Re.8, Se.5a), Short (Sherpa, Sunderland, Empire flying boat, Singapore, Stanraer, Sturgeon)), Saunders Roe AV1, Sepecat Jaguar, Sopwith (Snipe, Camel, Ship’s Camel, Triplane, Swallow, Hamble Baby, Scout, Pup), Supermarine (224, Attacker, Spiteful, Sea Fang, Swift, Spitfire XIV), Vickers (FB.5, Victoria, Windsor, “C” heavy bomber, VC-10, Vespa, Vildebeest, Valiant), Westland (Welkin, Lynx, Merlin, Sea King), BAC (111, TSR-2). One designer (Bill’s Models) offers sets of airfield vehicles, including a Matador tanker, Queen Mary trailer, and Coles crane.

Canadian aircraft. Avro Arrow, Bombardier C-100 and C-300, DHC-3 and DHC-4

Chinese aircraft. J-7, J-8, J-10, J-11, J-20, J-31, Q-5, WZ-10 (two versions), WZ-16 (three versions), WZ-19 (three versions), Harbin SH5, Shaanzi KJ-500, Shaanxi V8-600 (three versions),

French aircraft.Aerospatiale Gazelle, Airbus (A300, A320, A400, Beluga), Arsenal VG33,

Bleriot Bl127, Bloch (MB152,MB162, MB 200), Breguet (14B2, 19A2, 127, 482, Alize, Atlantic), Breguet-Michelin 4, Caudron (G4, G6, R4, R6, C440 Goeland), Dassault (Mirage III, Mirage F1, Mirage 2000, Rafale), Delanne (DL10 and DL150), Dewoitine (D.27 and HD.780), Donnet DD8, Dorand ARI, Eurocopter (Dauphin, Fennec, Super Puma), Farman (F.168 and F.222), Hanriot HD 1, Henri Farman HF.20, LeO (20 and H257bis), Letord (1 and 2), Levy Besson Alerte, Maurice Farman (MF.1, 2, 7, Morane-Saulnier (A1, G, H, L, T, MS 406), Nieuport (6M, 11, 12, 12bis, 16, 17, 24, 52), Paul Schmitt PS 7, Potez (25, 540, CAMS 141, and 621), Salmson 2A2, SPAD (VII, 13, 16, 17, 23), SNECMA Coleoptere, SNCAC NC 1070, SNCASO SO 800 Narwhal, Tellier (T.3 and T.6), Transall C-160, Voisin (5, 8, and 10), 11, 50), Caquot Type M observation balloon with separate basket, Bessoneau hangars (6-, 9-, and 12-bay plus a bare hangar frame you can

cover yourself)

German aircraft. Albatros (B.I, C.I, C.III, C.IV, C.V, C.X, D.II, D.III, D.V, D.Va, J.I), Aviatik B.II, DFW C.V, Fokker (A.III, D.I, D.II, D.III, D.IV, D.VII, D.VIII, Dr.I, E.I, E.II, E.III), Gotha G.5, Junkers J.1, LVG (C.II, C.V, and C.VI), Hannover (CL.III), Hansa-Brandenburg (CC, C.I, D.I, G.I, KDW, W.12, W.29), AEG (J.I, C.IV, G.II, G.III, G.IV, N.I), Halberstadt (C.V, D.I, D.II, and D.III) , Pfalz (D.IIIa, E.I, E.II, E.III, E.IV, and E.V), Rumpler (C.I, C.III, and 6B1), LFG Roland (C.II and D.II), Junkers J.I, Ar.232 (two versions), Ar.234B, Ar.240, Ar.E340, Ar.E500, Ar.E530, Bf.108, Bf.109 (several versions), Bf.109Z, Bf.309, Bf.609, BMW Strahljaeger Project III, Bv.141, Bv.155 (two versions), Bv.P170, Bv.P185, Bv.P193, Bv.P212.03, Bv.237, Daimler Benz Projekt E, DFS.230, DFS.331, Do.X, Do.17, Do.18, Do.19, Do.23, Do.26 (two versions), Do.31 (two versions), Do.217, Do.335, E.555, Fa-223, Fi.167, Fw.42, Fw.56, Fw.58 (two versions), Fw.187, Fw.190 (several versions), Fw.P0310-1006 (as “Focke Wulf fighter with As.413 pulsejets, or something like that”), Go.P60, Go/Ho.229, Ha.139, He.5, He.50, He.51, He.60, He.70 (two versions), He.111, He.114, He.115, He.162, He.178, He.219, He.280, He.P1078A, He.P1078C, Heinkel Lerche and Wespe, Ho.229, Hs.P75, Hs.P87, Hu.136, Ju.88, Ju.89, Ju.90, Ju.187, Ju.287, Ju.322, Ju.EF128, Ju.K43, Li.P04-108, Me.163, Me.262B, Me.262 Hg III, Me.264, Me.309, Me.323 (two versions), Me.609, Me.P08-01, “Libelle” concept, Ta.183, Ta.283, V-1, A4B, V-2, Wasserfall, Type P Zeppelin, VJ-101 (two versions), Parseval-Siegsfeld “Drachen” kite balloon, large tent hangar. diStefan 3D print offers a model

of the cruiser Hipper’s catapult that’s good for basing floatplanes. (See below under “ships catapults.”)

Israeli aircraft. Kfir, Lavi, F-16I

Italian aircraft. Savoia-Pomilio (PD, PE, SP2, SP3, and Farman), SIA 7B, FBA Type H, AL12P glider, Ba.65, Ba.65bis, Ba.88,Ba.201,Ca. 3,Ca.101, Ca.133, Ca.183bis, Ca.309, Ca.311, Ca.313, Ca.314, Caproni Campini, Cr.20, Cr.32, Cr.42, G.55, Piaggio P.119, Ro.37, Ro.43, Ro.44 Ro.58, SM.91, SM.92, SM.93, SAI.403, Agusta Mangusta, Fiat G.91, Bugatti 100P, Atlas Impala, Avorio-Prassone kite balloon (also used by Britain)

Japanese aircraft.Ki.1, Ki.2 Louise, Ki.4, Ki.5, Ki.10 Perry, Ki.30 Ann, Ki.34 Thora, Ki.36 Ida, Ki.64 Rob, Ki.78, Ki.93, Ki.94, Ki.98, Ki.100, Ki.102 Randy, Ki.115, Ku.8 Gander, A7M Reppu, B4Y Jean, B5M Mabel, C6N Myrt (which seems to have at least temporarily disappeared from the website), D1A Susie, E7K Alf (two versions), E8N Dave, E9W Slim, E16A Paul, F1M Pete, G5N, G7M, G8N Rita, J1N1 Irving (two versions), J2M Jack, J7W, M6A1 Seiran, N1K Rex, N1K1-J George, Q1W Lorna, Kawasaki Type 88-2, and Nakajima Type 91. diStefan 3D print offers a wonderful Japanese ship’s catapult that’s good for basing floatplanes. (See below under “ships catapults.”)

Polish aircraft.Polish PZL P-24and M-15 Belphegor, PWS-10

Russian and Soviet aircraft. Lebed 12, Morane Saulnier G, Grigorivich M9, Anatra (D and DS), Mosca MBbis, Sikorsky S16, Grokhovsky G-38, A-7 glider, Kalinin K-7, An-2, An-12 (two versions), An-20, An-22, An-32, An-71, An-74, An-124, An-158, An-225, Beriev VVA-141IM,

Be-4, Be-6, Be-8, Be-10, Be-12, Be-42 (A-40),Be-103, Be-200, Beriev A-50, Il-10, Il-76, Il-95, Kamov A-7, Ka-50, Ka-52, La-7, La-15 (three versions), M-4, M-20-14 (the “large” version is about 6 mm), MiG-13, MiG-15, MiG-21, MiG-23, MiG-29, MiG-31, Mikoyan 1.44, Mi-17, Mi-26, Pe-3, Polikarpov I-5 and I-16, Po.2, Su-2, Su-5, Su-12, Su-15, Su-22, Su-24, Su-25, Su-27, Su-30, Su-33, Su-34, Su-37, Su-47, Su-UTB-2, Sukhoi PAK-50, PAK-DA (two versions), PAK-FA, Tupolev TB3, Tu-14, Tu-16, Tu-22, Tu-104, Tu-154, Yak-3, Yak-6, Yak-23, Yak-38, Yak-44, Yak-130 (actually the M-346), Yak-141, Bereznyak-Isayev BI-1, Nyeman/Charkov P-10, Buran spaceplane

Swedish aircraft. Gripen, Tunnan, Viggen, Saab 105, Isacson Flyg, Northrop Nomad

American fighters. P-26, P-30, XP-31, P-35, YP-37, P-38, P-39, P-40, P-40 (twin engine), P-43,

P-47, XP-50, P-51, XP-55, XP-56 (two versions), P-59, P-61, P-66, XP-67, XP-72, XP-75, P-80, F-4, F-14, F-15 (two versions), F-16, F-18 (several versions), F-20, F-22, F-23, F-35, RF-84F (three versions), XF-84F, XF-85, F-86, XF-90, XF-91, XF-92, F-94C, F-104, F-106, F-107, F-108, F-111, F3B, XF8B, F6C (two versions), F9C, XF15C, F3D, F4D, FF-1, XF5F, F6F, F7F, F8F, F9F, XF10F, F11F, F2G, FJ, FJ-4, XFL, YFM-1, FM, FR, F2R, F4U, F6U, F7U, FV, FY, XF2Y (three versions), XFV-12A (two versions), Northrop Fang (two versions), Curtiss Hawk II, Curtiss 75N, Boeing F/A-XX

American strike aircraft. A-1, A-4, A-8, A-10, A-12 Shrike, A-12 Avenger, A-14/18, A-19/V-11,

A-26, AT-28 (several versions), A-37, A2D, A3D, AF-2S/2W, AJ, AM, BM, BTD, CS/SC,TB2D, T3M (two versions), T4M (two versions), TBF, DT (three versions), SBA/SBN, SB2D, SB2U, T2D, XT2D, XBTU, OV-1, Textron Scorpion, Piper Enforcer

American bombers. B-1, B-4, B-7, B-9, XB-15, B-18 (three versions), B-23 (two versions), B-24,

B-25, B-26, XB-28, B-29, B-36, XB-42, B-45, XB-36, B-47, XB-48, YB-49, B-51, B-52, B-57, B-66, MB-2 (two versions)

American transports. C-1, C-2, C-7, C-9, KC-10, C-12, C-17 (four versions), C-23, C-27, C-37 (Grumman G550 Gulfstream), UC-43, C-60, UC-67 (two versions), C-69, C-78, C-119, EC-121,
C-123, C-124, C-125, C-130, C-141, J4F (three versions), JRF (three versions), MV-22, DC-3, Boeing 314, Boeing 707, Boeing 737, Boeing 747, Grumman G400, Gulfstream 550 (including

an AEW version), Boeing Sonic Cruiser, Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation

American helicopters. H-1 (several versions), UH-2, HH-3, H-5/R-5, MH-6, H-13 (four versions), H-19, CH-37, HH-43, CH-46, CH-47, CH-53, CH-54 (two versions), AH-56, MH-60, AH-64, UH-72, HUP, S-55, MV-22, V-280 Valor, S-97 Raider, Bell-Boeing Quad Tiltrotor

American observation aircraft. OV-1 (two versions),O-2, O-35, O-46, O-47, O-52 O2C/F8C,

OL-8/9, O2U (two versions), SOC, SO3C, RQ-4 Global Hawk

American patrol aircraft. P-8, P2D, P4M, P5M, P6M, PBY, PV-1, PV-2, P2V (two versions), P2Y, PBY, PB4Y-2, S-2, S-3, AF-2W, Boeing 737 AEW&C, E-3, EC-121

American seaplanes. DT (two versions), J2F, J4F (three versions), JRF (three versions), P2D, P5M, P6M, P2Y, PBY, SC Seahawk, SOC, SO3C (two versions), SC/CS, UF/SA-16 (three versions), XF2Y (three versions), Northrop Nomad, OL-8/9, O2U, N3N, T3M, T4M, R3C. Ford Trimotor with floats, Curtiss HS-1L and HS-2L, Boeing 314, Douglas Dolphin (two versions). Note that some flying boats are depicted both in flight and resting on the water. diStefan 3D Print offers a pair of wonderful American ship’s catapults that are great for basing floatplane models. (See below under “ship’s catapults.”)

American trainers. AT-11, BT-13, T-28, T-34, T-43, T-45, T-50, T-2/T2J, T2V (two versions), N3N (two versions) and Ryan STM

American missiles. Bomarc, Snark, Navaho (two versions), Matador, Mace, Regulus I, Regulus II, Polaris, Poseidon, Trident, Thor, Jupiter, Corporal, Sergeant, Redstone, Pershing, Atlas, Titan, Minuteman, Peacekeeper, Rascal, Hound Dog, Nike Hercules

American experimental aircraft. X-1, X-2, X-3, X-4, X-5, X-13, X-15 (several versions), X-20, X-29, X-32, X-37, X-43, X-45, X-47A, X-47C, X-51, Douglas Skystreak and Skyrocket, Boeing Bird of Prey

Other American aircraft. E-1, E-2 E-3, E-7,EC-121, U-1, U-2/TR-1, SR-71, AD-4W, Firebee, Predator C, Convair Fish, Curtiss Osprey, Boeing 737 AEW

Aircraft of other countries.Brazilian Embraer Super Tucano, Czech Avia B-534 and S-199, Dutch Fokker DXXIII, Hungarian Weiss WM-21 Solyom, Swiss Dewoitine D27 and Doflug D-3802m, Yugoslav IK-3, Norwegian Northrop Nomad, Indian Tejas, South Korean A-50 and T-50, Pakistani JF-17, and Latvian VEF Irbitis

Ships catapults. Designer diStefan 3D Print makes beautiful models of Japanese, German, and American ships’ catapults in 1/285 scale. They’re great for basing floatplanes. You’ll find them at

Carrier accessories. Bacon Fist Models provides replicas of modern U.S. MD-1 and MD-3 tow tractors and a lovely model of a CVCC “Tilly” crash crane. You can see them at

Military vehicles. There are hundreds of 6mm military vehicles available from Shapeways.

I haven’t been maintaining a list as I have with airplanes, so I’ll simply summarize what’s available from some of the more prolific designers. Maybe I can provide more details in a future report. For starters I suggest you check the following Shapeways stores, listed alphabetically.