Case study of unmanned helicopter model production: restoration creation based on the prototype of "Xuange-500CG"
1、 Material selection: Accurately matching the texture of the prototype
Choose light wood, oak wood, and paulownia wood as the main frame materials. These types of wood have low density, are easy to process, and can replicate the prototype lightweight structure; The body skin is made of paper or thin plastic sheets, simulating the smooth texture of composite materials; The rotor and tail rotor are made of bamboo wire or lightweight plastic strips, balancing strength and lightness; Acrylic pigment is used for coloring, with high color saturation and easy coverage, accurately reproducing the prototype's light green main tone and black decorative strip.
2、 Production process: Step by step restoration of core structure
1. Framework construction: The skeleton determines the form
Main body of the aircraft: First, use light wooden strips to build the main body frame of the aircraft, referring to the design of the prototype "high mounted flat tail, sled type landing gear", to ensure that the frame proportion is consistent with the prototype.
Rotor and tail rotor:
Rotor: Made of bamboo wire or plastic strips, made according to the diameter of the prototype rotor (scaled down according to the model), and installed at a connection angle with the fuselage that is consistent with the prototype.
Tail rotor: Similarly make the tail rotor, paying attention to its diameter (proportional to the model) and installation position, to ensure the visual reproduction of the tail rotor at the rear of the fuselage.
Short wings and mounting: The short wings on both sides of the prototype fuselage are key features. The short wing frame is made of lightweight wooden strips, and then the skin is pasted to restore its position and shape on the fuselage.
2. Skin and details: dual restoration of texture and details
Body skin: Cut paper or plastic sheets into the outline of the body, stick them to the frame with glue, and polish the edges with tools to simulate the smooth texture of composite materials.
Detail depiction: The text on the body is hand drawn with a fine brush to ensure that the font size and position are consistent with the prototype; The body decoration strip (black stripes) is precisely outlined with black paint, restoring the visual identity of the prototype.
3、 Post processing: The "divine restoration" of color and texture
1. Coloring process
Base color spraying: First, apply light green acrylic pigment to the entire body. After the first layer dries, apply the second layer to ensure uniform and full color.
Detail coloring: After the base color is dry, draw the body decoration strip with black paint, and trim the edges with a fine brush to ensure smooth lines and precise positioning.
2. Texture optimization
Gloss treatment: After coloring, lightly brush the surface of the body with transparent varnish to increase glossiness and simulate the texture of the prototype composite material;
Defect repair: If there is pigment overflow or uneven adhesion, lightly sand it with sandpaper and re color it to ensure overall aesthetics.
4、 Restoration guarantee: dual control of details and structure
Compare the prototype photos throughout the production process, checking the proportions of the fuselage, the installation angles of the rotor/tail rotor, and the positions of the text and decorative strips one by one; After coloring, compare the color saturation and glossiness to ensure that the model is highly consistent with the prototype in terms of structure, visual identity, and texture expression, ultimately achieving the creative goal of 90% restoration.
