Rigging Wire Color?

While this might seem a stupid question does anyone know what color I should apply to the rigging wire on WWI aircraft? Any suggestions would really be appreciated.

Thanks

Steve

Use a steel or grey color. The bracing wires are stranded steel cable, and were usually not finished in any way except maybe rubbed with oil. The turnbuckles and fittings would be a dull copper color, especially after a little exposure to the elements. Many modelers use monofilament line for the rigging, and this is easy to color with a permanent marker pen, and happily, Sharpies come in the colors you will need!

Depends a lot on the manufacturer and/or country of origin. Very early aircraft used multi-strand cable for rigging, but this tended to stretch, which lead to a lot of work for the fitters. Later aircraft tended to use single strand wire of various configuration.

Many British aircraft used RAF flying wires, which were heavy gauge single strand wire, flattened for better streamlining, and coated with a glossy black bitumen lacquer (japan black). They were cut to precise length with formed thread ends. Turnbuckles were either steel or brass, and could have been wrapped in black “friction” tape. Controls were actuated by cable, which was well oiled (and therefor nearly black).

German aircraft often used round single-strand wire with swaged or threaded fittings for rigging. The wire was a natural dark steel color with brass or bronze turnbuckles.

For external bracing, Fokker generally used cable with its ends woven around a collar (not nearly as much rigging on a Fokker, so he could get away with it). Internal bracing was accomplished with single strand wire held with oval steel keepers.

So, in answer to your main question:

British - gloss black (Sharpie works well)

Others - dark steel

Phil

Thank you both for your very helpful information. I will be working on a couple of WWI German and British a/c but I also have a WWII Swordfish to complete so your details help on all counts!

Thanks again

Steve