Without really noticing it, I’ve gained a fleet of 700 scale warships (couple of 350s too). I’ve been a long time away from the hobby and would like to up the game a little. A good place to start might be to do some rigging, even if simplified. I fish so I know knots. For the life of me, however, I can’t see how one can rig a 700 scale BB. I’ve got Rodney and Kirishima done and both have masts that are very fragile. I suppose one could super glue very light mono used by fly fishermen for leaders or sewing thread but I’d think that would leave little glue blobs. I sure don’t see anyway to drill the masts. Anyway, I thought I checked with my betters before risking destruction of completed kits on a scheme of my own. So, any tips on rigging a 700 scale BB would be appreciated.
I’ve not really done any ship builds that you would call “great”, but one thing I have seen is if you add any riging, fishing line is way too thick for 1/700 scale.
The rigging you will want to add would be best made out of strtched sprue, almost to the thickness of a human hair. In this case, knots of any kind are out of the question, your biggest concern will be getting the line of rigging from point A to point B. This may be best done by CA.
Here’s a good site where you can see the work of others:
I use the transparent nylon monofilament most of the time, because it appears even thinner than it is. Do NOT use black or white thread- the high contrast makes them look thicker than they are. A medium grey is better.
Every time I use monofilament I swear it will be the last time. The stuff has the flexibility of stainless steel wire Tying knots with it is brutal. But, it looks so great when I finish that I tend to use it next time too.
Model Expo carries some very fine thread (like .007). Most local craft stores do not carry a very good selection anymore. They tell me sewing is in decline.
A well-rigged 1:700 ship is a mark of an experienced modeler and craftsman.
Since they’ve been played and stretched to pitch, they stay straight.
In 1/700th scale don’t think of tieing, etc. I just measure the length carefully and then glue the section of wire in place. It doesn’t take very much glue, since there’s no tension. In this small a scale, you are trying for the “appearance” of rigging.
Other fine wire can be used if you don’t know any musicians.
Human hair is not good because it is organic - it sags in high humidity and tightens up in very dry air.
I use stretched sprue myself on my 1/700 ships because of the cost - free - and because I can get it to the thinnest diameter I need. You Just have to keep measuring until you get it the exact length you need, then a teeny bit of CA glue on each and and bingo, it’s there and it’s not going anywhere. I color it with permanent markers.
Tying knots with it is brutal. But, it looks so great when I finish that I tend to use it next time too.