1/700 3D Printed Modern Jets and helos- CH-46

[Bill Oreto]

Since the demise of SNAFU of Shapeways modern jet aircraft and helos are hard find. Unfortunately Shapeways printers usually defeated his offerings. Found a seller on Amazon�AGSDGAWD�. I gather printing out of China. I purchased 5 CH-46s which took 4 weeks to deliver but sailed through customs with no tariff.

The CH-46s were printed in gray resin. No noticeable layering. Almost looked liked they were resin poured moldings. Printer cut away attachment points for shipping. Very interesting as usually there are many attachment points but not with this subject. Attachment points were on both nose and loading ramp and as I said printer cut them away. Left a few stubs which can easily be filed away. All one piece with definable landing gear. Fuselage detail was excellent Impressive for 1/700. Seller including printed rotors. Usually printers have attachment points all over the rotors making them unusable. Again something different. Attachment points were along only one edge of one rotor. Cut them away with a fine straight cut and the rotor is useable.

I placed a larger order for same. This to learn if quality is consistent or tariff catches up with them but highly recommended.The seller has other subjects with folded wings and loaded pylons etc. Will be trying them next

[Bill Oreto]

2nd and larger order of 1/700 CH-46s came in. As good as the first. No tariff and bit of wait. The only difference between orders is attachment points on resin printed rotors. Now two blades have attachment points running along one edge otherwise all good. Most of my 1/700 modern aircraft for my bird farms came Shapeways. (My WW2 USN aircraft came from Tom�s Modelworks ) With Shapeways the larger the aircraft the more visible print layers. Will try a larger aircraft within vendor such as an E2C and see what happens.

[Bill Oreto]

Just a quick follow up. I learned that the Amazon store AGSDGAWD printing 1/350 -1/700 aircraft will modify orders upon request. In this case I wanted their EA-6B, F-4E and F-18C with folded wings which are not offered on Amazon. I placed my order on Amazon and learned there is an option button to modify your order which puts you in direct contact with the seller via Amazon mail. Seller contacted me and modified the order to folded wing. He also informed me that next year they are expanded their Amazon store with more offerings. Looking forward to that. I have to say with exception of Tom’s Modelworks offerings of WW2 aircraft, AGSDGAWD produces the best modern USN aircraft.