First thought is that you're going to need a lot of links!

If you doing this at 1:1 scale then (from memory of the picture) the links each look about 12" long so whatever they are going to be made from will need a fair amount of raw material.

Paper mache comes to mind as being fairly cheap, creating a mould or former for a closed link is one thing, but producing the links would be a slow process unless you had several moulds.

Another thought, what about vacuum forming front and back halves using a hot air gun and thin 'blister' pack type material, then paint.

Ian P

Presumably life sized?

When you look at the picture, that is a lot of chain links in the background, and not an easy shape to first of all make, and then link together. For a village project you might be best to look at a painted backdrop behind a 3D figure of the man. Or a computer printed backdrop done by a signwriter or advertising display printer or one of those mobs that do "skins" to go on vehicles and displays etc. They could even scan the original photo, photoshop the extra chain in where old IK is blocking the view and then print it out on a lifesized piece of signboard etc. Cheapest option might be to get a volunteer artist to paint the backdrop.

How about plastic conduit? Comes in several diameters and probably could be formed around a radius if softened with paint stripping heat gun. Relatively cheap.

A Mid size CNC Router Could be used to make them one half at a time.
For material high density insulating foam panel.

Looking at the picture the links look about 600 overall made from 100-120mm forged bar.
I used IKB's arms a a reference.

I would make them whole then saw them in two to allow them to be joined then re-glued to make a long chain.

Once assembled the length of chain could be sanded and filled where needed then several coats of acrylic lacquer.

The chain does not have to be perfect.
As a final coat "Rust" paint finish is available.

I assume the chain will be exhibited indoors.

Here is the pic, showing the extent of chain needed to be made. Big job, however it is done. Material choice would have to take into account the accumulated weight and what framework will support it. I would still opt for a painted/printed backdrop though. Such dioramas are commonly used in museums etc. (Or were before screens and videos took over. And now virtual reality.)

Edited By Hopper on 05/03/2023 07:47:58

Edited By Hopper on 05/03/2023 07:53:55

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In the current eco-political climate …I would suggest that making a [dare I still say ‘female’ ?] mould and then using papier mâché to form thin half-shells might be the least-offending process.

All good recyclable stuff, and lots of community involvement.

MichaelG.

Its not too clear to me how large the finished item is to be? life sized, 12 ins tall ? If big, the the photoshop printed backgrounds are a non starter, also papier mache and plster would reuire a lot of material and time / effort whereas as its for a temporary village project & the budget is low you can't expect miracles – to my way of thinking the balloon suggestions seem to be promising, quick, cheap and with a bit of care should look ok.

Can you clarify final size?

My hero! Having watched several dramas with wobbly sets – remember Crossroads – I started paying much more attention to the backgrounds, positively looking for mistakes and anachronisms. The difficulty of spotting them is a tribute to whoever put the scenery together. Bit like watching a magician: I know it's a trick, but rarely see how the illusion is pulled off.

Spotting British Leyland indicator lamps on Daleks was an early success, and the occasional double yellow line, TV aerial or PVC drainpipe is a rare joy in period dramas. Jeremy Brett's Sherlock Holmes failed to notice an electric cable whilst checking out an adjacent clue; I wondered if it was left in as a joke? Been watching Roger Moore as The Saint on TalkingPictures. Quite a lot of scenes are filmed on pretty much the same street set. The Saint lives there in London, but with minor modifications, the same layout turns out to be in South America, Paris, Rome, Berlin, Amsterdam and Istanbul.

With all the resources of Hollywood behind them, the Mission Impossible TV series often messed up by insisting on driving a characteristically American box-utility van outside the US. Unfortunately they were rare in Europe, and completely out-of-place when the team were meant to be operating behind the Iron-Curtain. Such carelessness would get the team arrested about 5 minutes after starting the engine!

I've watched a lot of telly in my time though, and the backgrounds and scenery are generally remarkably effective. Are there any trade secrets Vic?

Dave

I think that the idea was so that when the chain was not in tension, the links remained in a better 'linear' sequence rahter than sagging too much. The purpose being that whe tension was applied, there was considerably less 'snap' which could otherwise result in sudden failure.

It would also tend to resist the 'figure of 8' necking of links under extreme strain

regards

Thanks for this.

According to the relevant Wiki, these are the launching chains ie, presumably, not the anchor chains.