Hawkins751511 (Mark Hawkins)is one of the makers/vendors selling his products though Shapeways has a few interesting accessories for modeling purposes.
1.
1:18th scale Water Jet Kit with impellers for static display consists of two sets of complete water jet pump units including the inlet ports that are the almost perfect size for a large 1:35th scale boat hull (like the Lindberg and Italeri PT Boat hulls or the Trumpeter and Italeri LCM hulls). For someone wishing to do something different that includes the inner details of a water jet pump system this is a great way to learn more about the real thing for a fraction of the cost. Yes, it is not cheap but facing the prospect of scrapping numerous kits for specific parts, it is the cheaper alternative. I am the happy customer with one set in hand, now to find that Lindberg PT Boat hull. Why the Lindberg hull and not the Italeri hull you ask? Well the Lindberg hull was far less expensive when I purchased it. Somewhere around $40.00 for the complete kit. Plus the Lindberg hull being 1:32nd scale means that in 1:35th scale it is ever-so slightly larger than the 1:35th scale Italeri Elco PT Boat hull and that means it is already a what-if. Plus the Lindberg hull is set up for two propellers and not three as found on the real Elco and Italeri hulls. Less holes to fill in is always a win-win.
2.
Pair of 1:18th scale Water Jet Pump Nozzles with reversing buckets. This is a pair of dummy units that include just the exposed portion of the outlet with the reversing buckets and the plate that attaches to the hull. A simple solution to creating a water jet pump powered boat hull without the need for additional details. Or you can fabricate your own inlet details if you wish. I purchased one set as an alternative to going all the way with the more expensive and more detailed set above.
3.
1:144th scale Harpoon missile launchers (two sets). The maker/vendor has added this item today so that you do not have to purchase two individual sets. It is slightly less expensive so there is some money to be saved on using selecting this item for your next 1:144th scale ship project. I just received my two individual sets and was surprised by the details plus the fragility of the parts. One support arm appears to be broken which I am going to blame on my placing the items in a container with the other items I had received to give them a quick cleaning with soap, water, and vinegar. I possibly shook the container a little too hard and that resulted in the fracture. I am confident that CA glue will sort this out soon enough. Parts are still drying at the moment.
4
1:35th scale Mk 26 weapons mount (set of 4). Again at my insistence the vendor/maker has accommodated my request. I wanted some of these tripod mounts as the only known source in 1:35th scale is the one mount that is included in the Tamiya 31.0' PBR Mk II kit and that is not a cheap source for parts. So for a fraction of the cost, the vendor uploaded a file containing four of these weapons mounts in 1:35th and 1:48th scale. I am going to be ordering at least two sets for my own use. Plenty of possibilities with the mount to use with the Mk 19 AGL, M2 Browning HBMG, M60 GPMG, M240 GPMG, M1919 GPMG and anything else in that weight class that has a pintle mount available. Perfect for your next pirate fighting boat project or to mount in the back of a truck on a metal plate (absorb recoil and give it some mass). A simple yet effective solution to the gun mount problem.
5.
2 X Twin Modern 50 Cal Browning on Tripod 1/35 and
Single Modern 50 Cal Browning on Tripod 1/35. Both of these were put together at my suggestion/insistence as the vendor had only offered the twin M2 Browning HBMG without any kind of mount prior to my corresponding with him on the product. He followed through by first creating and uploading the single M2 Browning HBMG on Mk 26 mount and then uploaded the twin M2 Browning HBMG on Mk 26 mount. Both combinations are valid for many surface ships and a what-if gun truck if you attach the mount to a large plate to add mass to provide stability and absorb recoil forces. By simple correspondence I was able to achieve in a matter of days what I have been waiting for many years to see in model form.
My next attempt will be to try and get the Mk 38 25mm Bushmaster in 1:144th scale to arm one of my what-if Defiance class gunboats. That will happen only when Shapeways or some other concession can successfully print a 1:144th scale 25mm Bushmaster gun barrel.
Until then, I will bide my time researching other potential 3D models for my own twisted projects
One other vendor/maker that I have done business with at Shapeways is
fx and his Original Train and Rail shop. I discovered to my great pleasure that fx offers a
1:35th scale computer set that includes 4 X desktop PC with keyboard, mouse, and flat screen monitors, 4 X laptops, and 4 X laser printers all with very nice details. The price is a bit steep but considering what you are getting in the package it is not so bad if you consider the number of computers and printers you are getting for the price. Four laptops, four laser printers, and four desk tops with flat screen monitor, and mouse/keyboard (printed on one piece of material). This was another case of finding the item offered in a different scale (HO) and all it took was a quick PM to the vendor/maker and he had the model scaled up within hours and uploaded to Shapeways so I was able to get my two sets ordered on the same day. It was nice to find someone willing to scale up a model for a possible sale in such a short time.