aero and ship modelling
Aero, ship modelling gaining popularity
MUMBAI, May 24/2001:
When his dream of becoming a commercial pilot never took off due to the sheer cost involved, 24-year-old Rakesh took to crafting models of the flying beauties.
He got hooked to aero-modelling and now designs airplanes. Rakesh and many others of his ilk have taken up this hobby in all earnest.
"It is an interesting hobby and many people are taking up aero and ship-modelling as their pastime" points out C R J Pinto, Secretary of the National Society of Model Aeronautical Maritime and Automobile Engineers.
Mr Pinto, who has been running courses on aero and ship-modelling for the last two decades told UNI here that "one can design a model for as less as Rs 200 or as high as a few lakhs."
He says that designing an aero model and flying it gives pleasure and satisfaction. "I started at a very young age and my students are now pilots. This is the real engineering marvel that the country needs today," he remarks.
Manuel Gomes took to ship-modelling as a hobby and has since advanced to designing models of Indian warships.
"I am really thrilled to see my models sailing," says gomes, who had made ship models ranging from sail boats to the most advanced ships.
Girija Singh, who works at the front desk of India’s Hobby Centre (P) Ltd says that of late, more and more students are coming to the shop, the only one of its kind in this island city, to purchase model kits. The cost of these kits vary from Rs 200 to Rs two lakh.
"It depends on your budget - the bigger and more complex the ship or aeroplane is, the price goes up," he adds.
A visit to the Mahalaxmi race course on Sunday mornings, Singh says, will reveal the growing interest in aero-modelling. "Sales of the models and kits go up during summer vacations," he notes. Singh says ship modelling evokes the same kind of interest. While experienced modellers purchase kits for cruisers and warships, amateurs too are turning up in large numbers, he says.
Mr Pinto says young kids are also taking up aero and ship modelling as hobbies, with those in the age group of seven to ten years showing keen interest, he adds.
Beautiful working and static models of ships can be seen at the prince of wales museum, adjacent to the municipal zoo at the Jijamata Udyan, western naval command, Mumbai Port, Jawaharlal Nehru Port and the Mazagaon Dock Ltd.
"These are unique models and the precision involved in designing and constructing these models is immense," he says.
Aero-modelling is considered as a "new hobby", while ship modelling has been going on for ages.
On ship modelling, he says, "it is a scientific hobby which does not cost much. Unlike aero-modelling, where the risk of damage is more, models of ships seem to last forever, especially when care has been taken to make them watertight."
"In fact, a model built by a father can be sailed much later by his son - such is the durability of the ship models," Mr Pinto points out.
What is needed is the inclination to use one’s hands, he says. A ship modeller is a bit of a cabinet maker, marine engineer, electrician and a mechanic - all rolled into one. This are the skills needed to pursue this hobby, he adds.
While aero-modelling needs similar skills, the risks involved are more. "One had to take risks," Pinto says, adding, "you have to start with scratch and if the remote-controlled aeroplane crashes, you are back to square one."
"But the models can be repaired. Once you succeed, you feel on top of the world," he says.
To popularise these hobbies, regular competitions are held nowadays. The National Cadet Corps (NCC) trains its cadets in making models of ships and aircraft. Students are engaged in erecting working models of fighter aircraft.
Even at the international level, there are competitions, both for working and static models. (UNI)
MUMBAI, May 24/2001:
When his dream of becoming a commercial pilot never took off due to the sheer cost involved, 24-year-old Rakesh took to crafting models of the flying beauties.
He got hooked to aero-modelling and now designs airplanes. Rakesh and many others of his ilk have taken up this hobby in all earnest.
"It is an interesting hobby and many people are taking up aero and ship-modelling as their pastime" points out C R J Pinto, Secretary of the National Society of Model Aeronautical Maritime and Automobile Engineers.
Mr Pinto, who has been running courses on aero and ship-modelling for the last two decades told UNI here that "one can design a model for as less as Rs 200 or as high as a few lakhs."
He says that designing an aero model and flying it gives pleasure and satisfaction. "I started at a very young age and my students are now pilots. This is the real engineering marvel that the country needs today," he remarks.
Manuel Gomes took to ship-modelling as a hobby and has since advanced to designing models of Indian warships.
"I am really thrilled to see my models sailing," says gomes, who had made ship models ranging from sail boats to the most advanced ships.
Girija Singh, who works at the front desk of India’s Hobby Centre (P) Ltd says that of late, more and more students are coming to the shop, the only one of its kind in this island city, to purchase model kits. The cost of these kits vary from Rs 200 to Rs two lakh.
"It depends on your budget - the bigger and more complex the ship or aeroplane is, the price goes up," he adds.
A visit to the Mahalaxmi race course on Sunday mornings, Singh says, will reveal the growing interest in aero-modelling. "Sales of the models and kits go up during summer vacations," he notes. Singh says ship modelling evokes the same kind of interest. While experienced modellers purchase kits for cruisers and warships, amateurs too are turning up in large numbers, he says.
Mr Pinto says young kids are also taking up aero and ship modelling as hobbies, with those in the age group of seven to ten years showing keen interest, he adds.
Beautiful working and static models of ships can be seen at the prince of wales museum, adjacent to the municipal zoo at the Jijamata Udyan, western naval command, Mumbai Port, Jawaharlal Nehru Port and the Mazagaon Dock Ltd.
"These are unique models and the precision involved in designing and constructing these models is immense," he says.
Aero-modelling is considered as a "new hobby", while ship modelling has been going on for ages.
On ship modelling, he says, "it is a scientific hobby which does not cost much. Unlike aero-modelling, where the risk of damage is more, models of ships seem to last forever, especially when care has been taken to make them watertight."
"In fact, a model built by a father can be sailed much later by his son - such is the durability of the ship models," Mr Pinto points out.
What is needed is the inclination to use one’s hands, he says. A ship modeller is a bit of a cabinet maker, marine engineer, electrician and a mechanic - all rolled into one. This are the skills needed to pursue this hobby, he adds.
While aero-modelling needs similar skills, the risks involved are more. "One had to take risks," Pinto says, adding, "you have to start with scratch and if the remote-controlled aeroplane crashes, you are back to square one."
"But the models can be repaired. Once you succeed, you feel on top of the world," he says.
To popularise these hobbies, regular competitions are held nowadays. The National Cadet Corps (NCC) trains its cadets in making models of ships and aircraft. Students are engaged in erecting working models of fighter aircraft.
Even at the international level, there are competitions, both for working and static models. (UNI)
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