I have always been afraid of new things. Lately I have seen several models with wire placed in cockpits or on landing gear. How is this done? What is used to measure and cut then glue in place? How do you determine wear and when it is needed?
You can replicate most any and all wire using regular ol’ solder.
It comes in different diameters, so it can be used to replicate different plumbing needs. I have some .032 and .022 spools sitting on my desk, but I’ve seen it all the way down to .010.
You can use it to replicate everything from brake and hydraulic lines to cockpit wiring. Since it’s flexible, yet holds it’s shape, it’s really easy to work with. You can cut it with regular scissors or any sprue/PE cutter you may have in your collection.
It just adds one more level of accuracy. I’ve used it as brake lines and engine ignition wires in my planes, but I’ve seen it used as electrical wiring in cockpits and hydraulic lines in wheel wells.
-Fred
As has been noted, solder works as well as wire to replicate wiring and/or tubing and is usually easier to work with. And it does indeed go down to .010 in size (biggest problem is the expense - last roll I bought cost me between 15 and 20 bucks and will probably last me 20 years) At one time there were a couple of on-line hobby shops that offered an assortment of various sizes of solder (in 4 or 5 foot lengths) (probably the route to go is you want to use solder).
If you want or need smaller than .010, then copper is the only way to go. As has been noted, transformer and bell wire work great as to the stranded wire found in most lamp cords. A word on wire from transformers, they are usually coated with laquer. To remove the laquer simply run them thru the flame from a lighter or candle and then wipe them down with a rag - this will also anneal or soften the wire making it easier to shape.
And as far as where to put the assorted pieces of solder and wire, you are going to need some reference pics of the areas that you want to detail.
I usually use florist wire (I discovered it while working at a plant nursery that was also a florist shop for many years). I think florist wire is a bit stiffer than solder, but it does the job for me.
Especially handy is #30 florist wire (a quite thin size), but not all florists carry it. Also, it’s too thick for some applications. Thinner wire from battery-operated clock motors, cell phone vibrators, lamp cords and so forth works well.