1/700 Rigging

Modeling Subjects Ships
1

Hi all,

I’m just finishing up my 1/700 Scharnhorst and I’m contemplating on how the rigging should be done. Right now, I’m considering three options.

  1. Nylon thread
  2. 1lb fishing line
  3. Bristles from a nylon paint brush.

Right now, I leaning towards the nylon paint brush bristles (I got the idea from this forum some time ago. Sorry, I can’t remember who said it.) because they can be attached with white glue rather than tied. The masts are so fragile, any pressure that would be put on them by tying off the nylon thread or the fishing line would most certainly bend them, or worse yet, break them.

Also, what color should the rigging be at this scale. I’ve been considering a grey color as black seems a bit overpowering.

Any suggestions ? Am I on the right track ?

Thanks,

Ted

2

Hi Ted,

For 1/700 stuff I typically use stretched sprue. Outside of surgical silk, it’s about the only thing you’re going to find that will be thin enough and won’t stress the masts.

If you can find surgical suture silk, get it…it’s the best stuff I’ve ever used.

Jeff Herne
Modelwarships.com

3

I have never had personal success with stretching sprue (got the burned fingers to prove it). The only things I would contemplate using in that scale are the surgical silk recommended by Jeff, or human hair.

A word of caution; it is my opinion that a lot of small scale models have been ruined by trying to overdo the rigging in these scales. If in doubt, or if you can’t see it in photos, then I say leave it off.

Good luck,
Bruce