Front Side fins?

[Maxi Taxi]

These things:







Does anyone know how to make these for 1/24 scale? I've searched on the forum already and couldn't find anything. The reason I'm asking is because I'm making an R32 GTR Time attack styled car. The main issue I'm having is how to measure how big it should be and how to follow the curve of the car correctly. Any help would be appreciated

[nugundam93]

they're called canards.

the size depends on how much downforce you want to give it, and whether you just want to put one pair of canards or two. you can try those thin styrene sheets like the one for prepaid phone cards, those should do quite nicely.

[Maxi Taxi]

Originally Posted by nugundam93

they're called canards.

Ok thanks

Originally Posted by nugundam93

the size depends on how much downforce you want to give it, and whether you just want to put one pair of canards or two. you can try those thin styrene sheets like the one for prepaid phone cards, those should do quite nicely.

Yeah I know, I've got some styrene sheets but I just don't know how I could be able to measure it right and how to figure out the curve of the car to attach it.

[nugundam93]

hmmmm. i'm thinking of doing a mockup for that using thin cardboard, cutting and folding the edge until it sits flush with the bumper - that should get the contours for the edge that'll join the bumper. after transferring that to the plastic, that's when you'll need to bend (and re-bend, repeat until satisfied) the plastic to get the final shape...

that's how i'd do it anyway. haven't done one yet.

[Maxi Taxi]

Originally Posted by nugundam93

hmmmm. i'm thinking of doing a mockup for that using thin cardboard, cutting and folding the edge until it sits flush with the bumper - that should get the contours for the edge that'll join the bumper. after transferring that to the plastic, that's when you'll need to bend (and re-bend, repeat until satisfied) the plastic to get the final shape...

that's how i'd do it anyway. haven't done one yet.

Ooo ok thanks for the idea. I'll try that.
P.S. you got 777 posts

[Jay!]

Real ones are attached with little L-brackets on the underside.

[rsxse240]

What I did for the ones on my SAS C-WEST 350Z was use a thick chunk of plastic slightly longer than the length of both canards combined, carve the shape of the canard "wing" so they matched from left to right, then use a piece of paper to cut, fit, cut, fit, cut, fit... (you get the point) until I had a perfect shape for the wing to body mating surface. Then transfer the shape of the paper to the pre formed wing to cut out the mating surface.

blue represents material removed, red represents final part.

[Adam Baker]

One option, would be figure out where you want the canards, and mark the body w/ a pencil, pen. Then cut slots in the body that match the position of the canards, and then all you have to do cut the canard to the right shape, and slide it through the slot in the body.

[jmwallac]

I've been thinking about this same thing. I'm going to try taking some of that modeling clay and press it against the car to get the basic shape. The suggestion about using a pencil is good too. Carpenters do the same thing for making miter cuts. Hold the pencil tight and perpendicular to the body and trace it on card below.

[Maxi Taxi]

Thanks guys, I tried making some templates for the canards but it kinda kept messing up. I'll try some of the techniques you guys suggested and I'll post up the results.

Originally Posted by rsxse240

...on my SAS C-WEST 350Z was use...

Do you have a picture or link to your SAS 350Z? I'd really like to see how the Canards turned out

[rsxse240]

How's this? I don't know how well you'll be able to see them, but they are held on by a piece of small wire that is glued to the bottom of the canard, and fit into a very tiny hole that was drilled into the front bumper cover.

[Maxi Taxi]

Originally Posted by rsxse240

How's this? I don't know how well you'll be able to see them, but they are held on by a piece of small wire that is glued to the bottom of the canard, and fit into a very tiny hole that was drilled into the front bumper cover.

Whoa awesome! The canards turned out great.