Mr. Tom Sanders to the Rescue

Saturday, December 22, 2017
Overcast with snow
-4 C  24.8 F

Mr. Tom Sanders to the Rescue

Please click here to visit this superb craftsman's website

    I was surprised this past Wednesday to receive an e-mail from Mr. Tom Sanders. For those who don't know who this great craftsperson is, please do a search on this blog for Mr. Tom Sanders, and you should be able to find several posts on this man.

In Tom's Own Words:

" I can give a little more info on the Beech 18 conversion. The challenge actually began when a past client asked me to convert one into a DC-3 which was not intense as all I did was change the single fin to one similar to The Douglas DC-3 (Canuck or "DAK") and replace the props. In doing so I started a parallel speculative project taking the same toy airplane and creating a Lockheed 12 (similar to the one in the movie Casablanca). If actually finished that one and accepted an offer for it."

"The toy should up in some blogs and websites with a number of inquiries trickling in about modifying the toy into other famous types. One in particular was this request to re-configure the toy into the Beech 18 "Twin Beech"

First stage was to recreate the tail assembly and put it into the correct location higher on the fuselage. I added a fairing so that the fuselage and stabilizer had a smooth transition. In addition, I also tapered the wings to fit the scale outline. Generally the toy would have been an easy modification for Wyandotte to convert into the B-18."

Next came filling in the underside of the wings where the nacelle would have been. 

This was accomplished by epoxying two large tapered wood dowels in place 

and using a combination of JB Weld and plastic filler to make the appropriate contours.

" also cut and soldered belly pans on the bottom of the fuselage to add to the 3D appearance.

The toy took on a completely different appearance compared to the stock Wyandotte Toy."

"Once the new landing gear was created and installed, I moved to creating a better set of engine 

cowlings which were copper end plugs for plumbing. These get center bored first. 

With the wood dowel now inside the engine cowling, I had many options for configuring the prop assemblies. 

In the end, it was decided to hand make the props from sheet aluminum stamped into a camber to connect the model to its roots as a toy. II also added those decals I printed of a Pratt and Whitney wasp "Junior"."

"The client did request cargo doors on the port side. Wisely he understood that the added surgery 

would be quite costly and if the airplane was to be hung "airborne" the doors would not be open. 

Instead we opted to at least add the outlines as that was still a unique feature on the airplane he flew."

And as they say, "a picture is worth a 1000 words. You can see how much 

detail Tom puts into designing and creating his fantastic creations.

Need I say more?

Well, Christmas is approaching. 

So may everyone who reads my blog have

a very Merry Christmas,

And a Healthy and Happy New Year.

Sincerely,

Stacey Bindman

toysearcher@gmail.com

The Master Toy Restorer Excels in My Photo Course

Sunday, December 14, 2014
Partly sunny and colder

The Master Toy Restorer

Excels in My Photography Course

  Yesterday,I  got an email from Mr.Tom Sanders who restores  old toys to impressive  renovations and custom  work. This was "out-of-the-blue" (an expression meaning I was not expecting this and I was very surprised). He sent me a nice set of his current work on some toy trucks. However,the images were small,and I mentioned that to Tom. No sooner had I finished adding the post yesterday, when I went to my e-mail, and there was another e-mail from Tom. This time with larger photos. I could see that Tom was working with photo lights because there was a nice background light that added depth and drama to the photos.  A background  light is a photo light that lights the back area behind a subject or person. It's purpose is to separate the subject from the background, add a sense of depth (3D), and also add mood and drama.  I mentioned to Tom that I liked this,bout would go with my whitening effect, and would add a post for him tomorrow.

   I went for my afternoon coffee and break from the computer (can't sit all day around without some movement and change), had my coffee and chatted with some people that I know at the coffee shop. When I came home, I checked my e-mailand once again, I had a fine collection of even more photos from Tom.This time the photos were against a white background.

  I had to write Tom immediately. I wrote to say thanks,and that I wish that I had him as one of my photography students.Anyone who can read my compliments and then improved on them as if they were "suggestions" deserves an "A" in my photography class.  For those who don;t know, I taught professional photography for almost 33 years, and still am a photographer. 

  So for this post, I decided to present the photography of Tom Sanders in the 3 sets of images that he sent me.  Tomorrow, I'll present the improvement on the truck and cab, with his explanations.  If Tom lived near me, I would become his "Santa's helper" and learn how to revitalize old toys.

Please click here to visit Tom Sander's excellent website

Photo Set #1

Here is the first set go photos that Tom sent me. They're excellent, but I wanted larger photos to show everyone. The reason that I say "excellent" is that the photos have strong camera angle, are in-focus, and have nice lighting and exposure.

Set # 2

Now we're talking!

I did some minor clean-up on the grey foundation (what the toy is resting on). I

didn't do a 100%  job,and I'll have to work on that in the future.

Now the truck really shows all of its beauty and Tom's excellent craftsmanship!

The nice orange highlight  in the back ground( a photographic term for a bright area) 

adds an extra quality to the photo.

A low camera angle adds strength to a subject or person in a photo.

It's "psychological" in the sense that the viewer is "looking up" to the item or person. 

The opposite effect happens when photographing from a high came angle.

Set # 3

I did minor "cleaning up" to the foundation, but 99%  is all Tom's work.

I like a white background and foundation because it presents the item by itself, and the viewer only has the item to look at.

I've written other posts about Tom,so if you're interested,simply

 do a search and you'll find examples of his other fine work.

 Tom's second set of photographs would be excellent for advertising and adding that big of drama to attract buyers  or collector of toys. The set above (#3) is great for a catalogue or even as  cleaner and simpler advertisements. 

Either way Tom gets an "A" or even an"A+" in my photography class.

Thanks for dropping by to visit,and as always

have a great part of the day or night,

wherever you may be,

Stacey

toysearcher@gmail.com