I’m just about finished with my Bf-109 and my last step is to attach the radio antenna wire that runs along the back of the airplane. I know that on the real life example there are attachments to this such as springs and what not.
My question is: Whats the best way to duplicate these tiny details or what do you all use to replicate them? I do a good job but so far they’ve just been plain stretched sprue and I wanted to add in something extra to make the subject stand out that much more.
Here’s an example of what I"m talking about. See how the cable has 'bead’s and a spring along with the aerial wire.
On some of my builds, I have used some stereo speaker wire stripped down to its individual strands to recreate the tension spring on the rudder. Taking a single strand, I will wrap it around the smallest pin vise bit I have to form the spring. You can even leave a little bit of a tail on it to insert through a hole drilled in the mast. As for the insulators, a small amount of CA can represent those very nicely. For the aerial itself, I have used either invisible thread available at any craft store or a strand of my wife’s hair.
I’ve heard of someone else using his wife’s hair when he was doing the rigging of a bi plane. Thanks for the help. That seems simple enough with speaker wire.
I have used a drop of white glue to make insulators, but they are also available PE. They were made in a number of colors, including transparent (glass). Most common were white, however, at least on US planes. As others have said, springs can be wound from fine wire.
If I asked my wife for her hair I think I would get something along the lines of “Okay honey now this hobby of yours has just gone too far… you need to back it down a little bit” lol
Nonsense, when shes watching TV just walk in the living room with scissors in your hand and ask her for a little off the top so you can finish your project. [:D]
Scissors? Heck no, a quick pluck and run does fine!!
All you need is one good snip with the scissors then you don’t have to do as many pluck & runs lol.
Pull it out of her hair brush.
EZ-Line… Once you use it you will never go back.