Modelers, before I button up the cockpit of this Mig-19, I’d like to add seatbelts and buckles to the seat. Are there items around the house I can use for this? I don’t have any seatbelt “kits” etc, and really would rather not do buy any. At least not this late in the game. Any suggestions? Thanks.
Dana F
you could try using painted strips of aluminum baking foil for the straps, not sure about the buckles tho, maybe wire?. Greg
I used regular masking tape doubled back on it self and cut it into strips the scale width. Also used fine wire for the buckles.
I think the buckles will be the trick in this. Thanks guys. I’ll give 'em a shot.
Dana F
Masking tape works well, has a nice texture.
I’ve got 2mm ribbon for modern 1/24 scale aircraft, but that’s way over scale for anything smaller.
For the buckles, if it is 1/72, you can just paint them, but for 1/48, wire is ok, but fiddly. If I were you I’d consider getting some PE sets, they are pretty cheap and depending on the brand, usually come with enough for a few aircraft on the one fret.
This is tricky, but before the days of PE, I used solder. Get some soldermask from Radio Shack and mask out the outline of the buckle on a cookie sheet, drop solder over the mask, then wick it away with a desoldering bulb. Takes some practice but you’ll have a neat little seatbelt. Be careful, they are fragile.