Hello, I’m ready to go to the next step in the detail of my models. I would like to try removing the wing flaps and part of the rear wings. So I can reposition them and add a little more realism. Can someone direct me to a site where they show how that is done. thanks.
Hey Plumline, not sure of any sites, but I’m sure they are out there. I’ve seen build articles in FSM over the years that include offsetting the control surfaces and it does add more interest to the model.
I usually work in 1/72 scale, so I can get away with some very basic methods. I usually just scribe the outline of the flap with a sharp Xacto blade (after wings are assembled), fill any gaps that may be obvious with some putty or plastic strips, clean up the edges with a little sand paper, and re-place with a touch of glue.
Make sure you think about which way the various surfaces will be oriented before you start gluing though! Checking some reference pics is always a good idea, as some parked aircraft will have hydraulic systems that “relax” past the angles that it would use while actually running.
I’m sure you can get more detailed info from some of the masters that frequent the forums, some of the stuff they can do is simply amazing!
Flaps are mostly forgotten control surface. Some models do have positionable flaps but flaps are on some subjects very complicated.
A split flap is simple, it hinges at the front and the back just drops down to create drag for landing. A Fowler Flap actually relocates aft as it drops. On many complex aircraft they are also segmented. These are more complex to replicate on a scale model because they required mechanisms to do so. The benefit to these over simple split flaps is they can be used for both inducing drag as well as lift.
Do a google search on wing flaps, you’ll find working drawings and illustrations on how they work. They will also give you some idea as to how you’ll have to make and mount them for your model.
WANTED: Flap set for AMT/Italeri 1:72 KC-135
There is one thing about modern aircraft. Wing flaps are held in the retract position by internal finger locks. The flaps will not drop after loss of hydraulic pressure. Ailerons will droop after loss of pressure and not always will be at the same angle. If you show wing flaps down on a modern aircraft the drop will always be the same. If the aircaft has leading edge flaps or hydraulic slats they will also be down with the trailing edge flaps.
Thanks for the info maybe I was a not so clear as what my question was. I do not want to make the flaps move just look like it . You take the elevators and remove them and put them back with some pins to give that look as if it would move. thanks.
Eduard has various PE sets of flaps for a variety of aircraft you can use to display dropped flaps.