Modelling > Tips, Tools & Techniques

LP fans

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Hammerhead:
I would like to scratch-build low-pressure (N1) fans for a set of Textron Lycoming ALF 502R-5 turbofans.

They can be static - they won't be motorised - but I'd like them to look convincing.

Any ideas please? Should I cut them from a single disk, or go for individual blades on a hub?

deathjester:
What scale are we talking about?  If very tiny, you might be better off drawing them onto plasticard, and cutting out the discs!

Hammerhead:
deathjester, They'll be 1:24, so about 2.5" diameter.

The last ones I did (CFM65) were done from a single sheet of aluminum, cut and twisted and a spinner added, and I hated them. They looked like 1970s Airfix.

Any viable materials suggestions would be gratefully received too because these won't be the last ones I build.

elmayerle:
I'd be inclined to suggest, for this scale, doing one fan disk and spinner right and then "cloning" them for the other positions (perhaps save the masters and clone all four engines).  I don't know if it exists, but finding some suitable airfoil-shaped sections would help on the blades as they weren't really able to design blades in 3-D at the time that engine was made.

Jeffry Fontaine:
Small diameter computer and electronics cooling fans?  At least the blades might be useful if you can gather up enough of the same size/style and cut the blades from the center portion.  The advantage here is that you could then build one or two of these things if you can find enough of the same blade styles.

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