Welcome to my “Future Projects Planning Page.” This is a new page that I added to my website in 2025, where I will provide you some insight to any future projects (Balsa RC model, Stained Glass, or 3D Modeling) that I might have in the planning stage. If anyone has some suggestions, recommendations, or questions about a project, please feel free to contact me @: Future Project Input.

 NOTE - You can view all images using a “Spotlight Box” by simply clicking on any image.

Big Double Trouble Hand Drawn Plans Conversion

 Many years ago I drew up some plans using paper, pencil, and ruler for my Big Double Trouble (shown below). You can read more about this RC model on my “Balsa RC Model Builders Page,” and the plans development and scratch build are covered in My Double Trouble Build Description.

 As I had stated in the build description “With my hand drawn plans, I don't have a pdf file that you can download. Sorry. Maybe someday I'll get the plans scanned into a pdf file, or maybe even try and work the plans up in a CAD program.” Well, that time has come. The plan is to convert my hand drawn plans into a set of digital files using my 2D CAD program Back To The Drawing Board. I will incorporate the various changes I made to my hand drwn plans during my scratch build of the model, and even add whatever modifications are needed for an electric powered version. Once these are finished I will add them to my website so folks can download them, and also share them with AeroFred and Outerzone so they can post them to their websites.

 Heck, I might even get motivated enough to build a new Big Double Trouble in the electric powered version.

  Stay tuned for more to come!!!

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Castle Builder Puzzle

 How about another puzzle to add to the 3D collection for Everly and August. I found the “Castle Builder Puzzle,” created by a modeler named “winzmuc,” which you can purchase from the cgtrader website.

 As described in the “Castle Builders Rules,” the bottom image below, the objective of this puzzle is to rearrange the castle's 35 elements and find a path from the lowest staircase to the highest tower. Using the STL file as provided by the modeler, the overall size of this puzzle would be 164x164x135mm. I think I might scale the STL file parts by 150% (largest puzzle frame element I can fit on my printers build plate), which would then produce a puzzle with an overall size of 246x246x203mm.

 Attention: for building the board you will need a square sheet (152x152mm) of 2-3mm plywood or strong cardboard. Leaving one frame element loose is recommended to be able to rearrange all pieces quickly when stacked completely, as shown in the renderings. I contacted the designer and he provided me a list of the number of parts needed to make up the 35 elements in the puzzle. They are: Slider Base - 35x; Simple Block height 1 - 6x; Simple Block height 2 - 4x; Tower height 3 - 3x; all other pieces - 1x.

 Source of Images: Castle Builder Puzzle webpage.

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Imperial Force Utility Aircraft

 The second 3D model in planning for our Grandson Gus is the “Imperial Force Utility Aircraft,” created by a modeler named “redmakers,” which you can purchase from the cgtrader website.

 This model is a Utility Aircraft scaled for 28 mm tabletop wargaming miniatures. The STL files include a couple cockpit, gunner, and weapons configurations, and a table stand if desired. The large lift fans can be tilted and rotated, and the hull has sliding side doorways and a large aft door that can be lowered. All the components are divided in such a way that they can be printed on a 3D printer with a build platform size of 115x65mm. More to follow!

 Source of Images: cgtrader website.

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1/144 Scale LGM-25C Titan II ICBM 3D Model

 When I first entered the Air Force back in August 1969, after nine months of technical training I was assigned to Little Rock AFB, Arkansas as a Guidance and Control Specialist on the Strategic Air Command LGM-25C Titan II ICBM system. I worked not only on the missile inertial guidance system inside the underground silo, but also performed topside missile alignment surveys at night to ensure the inertial guidance system was properly aligned so the warhead could hit it's intended target over six-thousand miles away. It was very rewarding service.

 The Titan II was in service from 1963 to 1987. There were originally 54 Titan II Strategic Air Command missiles. The 54 Titan II missiles were on 24-hour continuous alert with 18 missiles each surrounding three bases: Davis–Monthan Air Force Base near Tucson, Arizona, Little Rock Air Force Base in Arkansas, and McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kansas.

 Source of Images: Wikipedia.

 Here are the Titan II Specs:
  Type: Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM)
  Place of origin: United States
  Service history: In service 1962 to 1987
  Used by: United States
  Production history: Manufacturer - Glenn L. Martin Company
  Specifications:
  Total Launch Mass: 342,000 lb. (155,000 kg)
  Stage I length: 67 feet (20 m)
  Stage II length: 29 feet (8.8 m)
  RV length (including spacer): 14 feet (4.3 m)
  Stage I diameter: 10 feet (3.0 m)
  Stage II diameter: 10 feet (3.0 m)
  RV diameter (at missile interface): 8.3 feet (2.5 m)
  Warhead: W-53 9 Mega Ton thermonuclear warhead
  Detonation mechanism: Air-burst or surface contact
  Engine: Two-stage liquid-fueled rocket engines; first stage: LR-87s; second stage: LR-91
  Propellant: N2O4 / Aerozine 50
  Guidance system: Inertial IBM ASC-15
  Launch platform: Missile silo

 I have always wanted a model of the LGM-25C Titan II to have on my shelf along with all the other models of the USAF systems (AGM-69 SRAM, C-17, Global Hawk, Litening Targeting Pod, and others) I worked on during my 41 years with the Air Force. So now that I have a nice 3D printer, I am finally going to be able to fill that wish.

 Cruising around on the web I was able to locate a very nice 1/144 scale 3D model by ESzczesniak on Cults3d.com. The package includes 10 STL files representing stages, nozzles, engine truss, warhead, and stand. This is a fairly simple model. The tolerances are rather tight and may need some light sanding. This was intentional to help insure the model would align itself well in assembly and without risk of introducing bends in the body. The STL's are scaled to 1/144. It should easily upscale, but the panel lines may start to look overdone and the detail may be bland for a larger scale.While the model is intended for resin printing, I will have to see how the STL files will work on my FDM printer. The assembled model in the images below was painted and then spare decals from aircraft model kits used for the markings.

 Source of Images: Cults3d.com.

 Once I find a break in the projects currently lined up for work, I plan to print this little wonder using my 3D printer and Hyper-PLA filaments. So stay tuned for updates to this section. More is yet to come!

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