What do you guys suggest for use to build both of the antenna’s on the m1a2?? I plan in tying them down to the turret alittle like they do in Iraq, but don’t have a clue on what would work??
It’s a 1/35th scale Academy kit
thanks,
Baseball
I use thin plastic rod, 0.010 diameter. You can get it at good hobby shops by either Plastruct or Evergreen Plastics. You can also use thin steel wire from guitar strings or piano wire. Stretched sprue works well too.
I’ve had great results with .08 guitar strings(electric guitar strings),you can buy a cheap set for around $5.00 and can use these on a variety of models.A word of caution,an .08 guitar string is almost as sharp as a needle and will make you bleed.I always make sure before someone hovers over to check out the model to be aware the antenna will poke you in the eye.OUCH!,if you have kids or cats be carefull.I’m a dog person and don’t have to worry about cats jumping on shelves and tables.good luck!
heavyarty has it right. i use the plastic rod. to simulate the oblong “ball” at the end i cut off the oblong ends to the pins that come with dress shirts. i think it simulates it quite well.
I’ve always had good luck with stretched sprue. That way I get the taper the origional has.
I used thread. Put some white glue on my fingers and run them down the thread. Let it harden for 10min. cut to size.
I am with meister. Stretched spue. All about the taper my friend. I haven’t thought of the pins for the eye protector. I just dip the end in CA glue, hang it upside down and let it dry. Gives a nice little tip.
I’ve been going round and round trying to figure out what to use as well. I was going to try and find plastic rod, but then had a bright idea; how about wire. I ended up using 26 AWG solid wire which measures in at about .009" in diameter. Painted it black and it worked perfect. It can be bent to any shape your heart desires.
Ryan
Color should be dark green, not black.
just remember heavy arty, that in this scale dark green is black, or nearly so.
I disagree. Dark green is dark green, black is black. No matter what the scale, they are different and noticebly so. If your statement were true, there would be no need to paint things dark green, we could just paint everything black and be o.k.
I have seen brown antannas as well as the black. Im with you Arty, black is black and green is green. I use the stretched sprue as well. I hold the end of it to a candle flame and melt the ball on the end of the antenna. It works realy good but takes some practice.
Arty-
Stretched sprue seems like a good idea, how exactly is this done. I’m assuming it’'s as easy as holding a small piece of sprue over a candle and gently pulling on it as it gets warm until it’s the desired thickness and taper. Am I on the right track? I’m going to give it a try here in a few minutes.
Ryan
Ryan,
that is exactly correct, roll a peice of sprue over a candle flame and when it gets hot and starts to sag remove the sprue from the heat. Pull the ends away from each other and you will get stretched sprue. The faster you pull the thinner the diameter, and the slower the thicker. Practice with it cause you can use it for lots of stuff. Its a pretty handy skill to have.
Good luck and have some fun!
You pretty much have it. Make sure you rotatae the piece of sprue as you heat it to get a uniform melting. Don’t get to close to the flame or it will light on fire and burns pretty nastily.
That is awesome! I made a few attempts and it works great. I took off my wire antennas and am replacing them with the stretched sprue as it just looks better.
Thanks guys,
Ryan
I found the PERFECT one…
I went to the local hobby shop, and when i walked in, the guy was brushing off some dust from the tops of the RC cars…(tehehehe) I took one look at the brush and a lightbulb went off in my head.
It’s the perfect length, and the width of it is almost exactly correct…PLUS it’s bendable without heat =)
i win