3D Printed Heron 1 Drone Display Model
A display model of the RSAF's Heron 1 drone in flight, built from photos with AI 3D modelling and ready a week before the deadline.
- Client
- Alvyn Lim
- Service
- Scale Models
- Made for
- A gift, displayed indoors
- Started from
- Photos of the real aircraft, with no 3D file
- Kept intact
- The thin nose probe and the antenna mast
- Length of the drone
- 180 mm
- AI-generated versions shared before approval
- 4
- From the agreed scope to collection
- 6 days
What we brought
What we can do
From photos to a 3D model, with no drawings
We generated the Heron 1 in 3D from photos with AI and refined it until it matched the real aircraft.
How we look after you
We spot problems early and fix them
The nose probe and antenna were too thin for FDM, so the drone moved to SLA at no extra charge.
What you get
A gift ready a week early
Alvyn collected his model on 22/04/2026, a week before his deadline, and asked about a second one.
Gallery
The whole project at a glance. Drag or swipe to browse; tap a picture to enlarge it.
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The finished piece
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Side on, from nose probe to tail.
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Head-on, wings level.
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The twin booms and propeller from above.
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From the other side.
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The whole display, rod and base.
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Design & approval · First versionRenderThe first AI-generated model.
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RenderAlvyn circled the antennas to remove.
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Design & approval · Second and third versionsRenderThe second version, too rounded.
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RenderThe third version, closer in shape.
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Design & approval · Approved version and print checkRenderThe approved model, thin parts marked.
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The nose probe, too thin for FDM.
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Design & approval · Display renderRenderThe drone on its stand, as approved.
The build
How we built it
5 steps, from the brief to the finished piece. Pick a step to jump to it.
The brief
Step 1 of 5 · 16/04/2026
- Model
- The Heron 1 in flight, propeller fixed
- Size
- 180 mm long
- Stand
- A black base with a clear acrylic rod
- Finish
- Raw 3D print, with no paint or decals
- Deadline
- 29/04/2026
At Additive Inn, our 3D printing studio in Singapore, we made a display model of the RSAF's Heron 1 drone for Alvyn Lim, as a gift. He wanted it shown in flight on a stand, modelled from photos of the real aircraft.
Design & approval
Step 2 of 5 · 16/04/2026
We generated the drone in 3D from photos with AI and shared each version with Alvyn. Once the shape matched, we checked that it would print, then rendered it on its stand for his approval.
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First version · 16/04/2026
Alvyn asked for a slimmer, smoother body and circled the antennas he wanted removed.
Render +1 more
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Second and third versions · 16/04/2026
Neither matched his photos closely enough, so we kept generating from clearer pictures of the aircraft.
Render +1 more
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Approved version and print check · 17/04/2026
Alvyn approved the closest match. Its nose probe was too thin for FDM, so we moved the drone to SLA.
RenderPhoto +1 more
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Display render · 18/04/2026
The drone on its clear rod and black base, which Alvyn approved for printing.
Render
Fabrication
Step 3 of 5 · 20/04/2026
The drone was printed in grey resin by SLA, fine enough to hold the nose probe and the antenna mast that Alvyn wanted kept. We 3D printed the black base in PLA on our own FDM printers.
Build & assembly
Step 4 of 5
We set the drone on a clear acrylic rod fixed into the base, so it holds its flying pose for good. As agreed, the finish stayed raw, with no paint, sanding or decals.
The final build
Step 5 of 5 · 22/04/2026
The Heron 1 was ready for collection on 22/04/2026, a week before Alvyn's deadline, with its nose probe and antenna intact. The next day he asked us about making a second one.
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