About Our Ercoupe Plastic Model Kits

Overview

Designed in house and produced by ErcoupeTV, here in California. Modeled in 3D CAD software using the original ERCO blueprints, our range currently consists of the 415-C, 415-D and 415-E model kits and fully assembled models. 3D printed using UV sensitive resin. The models are made in a variety of sizes, primarily 1/72 and 1/48 scale. Future products will include Alon and Mooney variants of the Ercoupe, and possibly other aircraft types (Piper J-3 Cubs, Luscombe Silvaire, North American Navion) and larger sizes.

James designed the model using the 3D graphics software, Blender. Charles is the production manager and quality control.

Custom Orders

We can provide custom paint schemes for an additional fee (the exact amount depends on the complexity of the scheme). So if you'd like a 1/48th scale model of your Ercoupe, please send us a note.

About the Design

The original ERCO blueprints are available on www.ercoupe.info. These were used as templates when the model was produced in the 3D design software, allowing us to produce a very accurate model. The following details were included:

• Header tank 'rain-pruf' fuel gauge on top cowl.
• Wing tank fuel caps.
• Accurate wing dihedral and wing airfoil shape.
• Wing walk-ways and wing fairings.
• External longerons (cockpit horizontal stiffeners).
• Nut-cracker on nose gear.
• Seats and a blank panel.
• Tail light and top fuselage beacon.
• Landing lights on main gear, grimes lights on wing tips.
• Moulded engine cowl panels, and plug covers.
• Flat canopy and the bubble canopy options.
• C/D elevator and E model elevator options.
• Optional wheel pants (spats) are available.

A few compromises to the original scale drawings were made, particularly around the landing gear struts, to provide a more robust model. The canopy glass is not transparent, and I generally paint with a 'sky reflected blue' to look like glass. The prop is accurately modeled, but does not spin. It can be re-positioned at different rotations.

3D Resin Printing

3D resin printers are quite simple in theory. The magic happens when a special resin is exposed to UV light - the resin hardens. These models are formed when UV light is exposed to a vat of resin in very specific places. A 'mask' screen, actually a high resolution monochrome LCD screen is used to dynamically produce the mask that allows resin to be 'set'/hardened with a high degree of accuracy.

The 1/48 models take about 3.5 hours to print. The 3D model data is exported from the modeling software as an STL file, then imported into 'Slicing' software. This takes the 3D data, and produces a file that the 3D printer can use. The file is sent to the printer, and the printing process begins. The 148 model is composed of about 1,400 separate layer exposures, hence the time it takes.

The printer has a 'build plate' of about 8.5" by 4.5", and the print can be up to 10" high. The smaller 1/72 Ercoupe can be printed in one piece, but for technical reasons, the 1/48 version requires breaking the model up into parts that are glued together later.

After removing the prints from the printer, they have to be washed in isopropyl alcohol, to remove any uncured resin. The resin is quite toxic so this is a very important step. After washing, the model must be thoroughly dried. Then they are cured for about 5 minutes under UV lights to finally harden the model. Once cured, the prints are safe to handle.

Shipping & Tax

Shipping is calculated when you check out. Typically, $6.50 covers shipping anywhere in the US, and $14 outside of the US. California state sales tax will be added to your order.