I am building the bf109 1/24.The navigation lights on the model are not so accurate so I decided to modify them. I tried to search for 1mm leds red and green but unfortunately I can’t find in my country. Can anyone help me what I can use?
Andrew
One trick I have used in larger scale models is to get a red and a green handle tooth brush. Cut off a piece of the plastic that will fit into the opening for the lens, sand and polish it to shape, and “Presto!” a very realistic looking lens!
1 mm LEDs are difficult to find, but you can sand/file/grind down the plastic on 3 mm LEDs - just make sure you don’t go through to the anode and cathode. once you’ve got the correct size and shape, you can polish the plastic, then overcoat with Future (or whatever your local equivalent is).
The other alternative is to use fibreoptic cable, and have the LEDs in the fuselage somewhere.
Good luck!
John
I assume you mention LED because you want to actually light the plane? If space too tight to grind down the more common 3mm LED as suggested above, fiber optic strands come in 0.5mm increments (1.0, 1.5, 2.0mm, etc.). But that might be hard to find too so transparent acrylic rod will work. And if that’s hard to find clear sprue from a parts frame will also work to transmit light.
You might get some ideas on lighting 109s here - note they show a white tail Navigation light too. http://www.dynamicscalemodeling.com/bf-109.htm
Good luck!
Thanks guys! It worked! I stretched clear sprue to 1mm and will coat with clear red and green.
Andrew