How do you rig a biplane? I’m starting my first biplane and don’t have a clue?[?]
Kwags:
There are many methods to do this. The easiest I find and have seen others use is to. Mark where the rigging goes with pencil marks. Then drill small holes and thread either fine gauge wire or thread through the top wing to the bottom wing and so on. Once you are done, place a drop of superglue at each hole to fasten the rigging to the wing. Cut off the excess material and sand the drop of glue to feather it in to the wing.
Hope this helps.
Cheers;
Gregory
P.S. Fine Scale Modeler recently ran an article on how to rig biplanes, check the back issue article index
Hi kwags,
Am in the process of building Eduard’s 1:48 Bristol F2.b. More rigging than a yacht. [:-^]
Here are a couple of links I’ve got tucked away for when I start on the rigging, hope they are of use.
http://www.ww1.org.uk/rigging.htm
http://ipmsstockholm.org/magazine/2001/11/stuff_eng_tech_rigging.htm
Best Wishes
Mick C.
My best results have come from using .007 music wire for rigging. I used it on my Eduard Pfalz. I drilled .010 pilot holes during construction where the wires would be placed. I used dividers to estimate the length of the rigging. The wires literally popped into place and were held firm with the tinyest drop of superglue. Steel wire is good because it adds some strength to the finished model. The color is nice too, I didn’t need to paint it. This method worked much better than fishing line for me. It took about 3 hours to rig the entire plane including control cables.
[#ditto]
I bought mine from SmallParts, Inc., and use both .007" and .005". It can be purchased in tubes containing 10 strands, each measuring 18", for a very reasonable price.
Hi There.
I generally use streched sprue cut slightly overlong attached with either cyano or PVA. When the glue has set use a heat source to set the tautness of the rigging. I use a ciggerette end and have used a match struck, blown out and moved near the sprue. the match is great for really fine sprue lengths. As the rigging is fine plastic threads use PVA to attach turnbucles acorns etc.
Back in the 70`s people like Frog Hasegawa etc used to mould their kits in a pearly silver grey plastic that was ideal for rigging wires, aerial wires etc and can I ask for biplanes etc to be moulded in this plastic again[8-]
I use 0.005" (for 1/72 scale) titanium or tungsten wire from www.smallparts.com. Check out /forums/15/675985/ShowPost.aspx#675985 to get an idea of the results. I like this technique because you don’t have to think in advance where to drill holes. And if something goes wrong, you can repeat it as often as needed.
SD
Thanks so much for the input! It’s been a great help!