forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com

WW1 Aircraft Modeling => Hints and Tips/Questions about modeling => Topic started by: Allan31 on March 16, 2025, 10:21:10 AM

Title: Rib-tapes, any color any scale......
Post by: Allan31 on March 16, 2025, 10:21:10 AM

I've been doing this for years making canopy frames, works great. The below examples are 1/72 scale.

(https://hosting.photobucket.com/23369dca-5e69-4fb6-a612-7f1549985561/a0fae609-d4cb-4f1a-89d9-5a9c35f982d4.jpg) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/23369dca-5e69-4fb6-a612-7f1549985561/a0fae609-d4cb-4f1a-89d9-5a9c35f982d4.jpg)

(https://hosting.photobucket.com/23369dca-5e69-4fb6-a612-7f1549985561/bda83381-d09a-4503-b396-5149905a9cdc.jpg) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/23369dca-5e69-4fb6-a612-7f1549985561/bda83381-d09a-4503-b396-5149905a9cdc.jpg)

I've adapted the same method and tools for rib tapes on WW1 aircraft, especially the german aircraft.
For years I was a draftsmen and in my day, we didn't have computers we had rapidographes and ruling pens. Ruling pens are still available on your favorite evilbay as awell as the ruling triangle if you don't already have one.
The ruling pen I have is hinged and opens up for cleaning yet maintains the set dimension.

(https://hosting.photobucket.com/23369dca-5e69-4fb6-a612-7f1549985561/7eda1e95-9828-4ab2-98f9-725ec54fe561.jpg) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/23369dca-5e69-4fb6-a612-7f1549985561/7eda1e95-9828-4ab2-98f9-725ec54fe561.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/23369dca-5e69-4fb6-a612-7f1549985561/8e33fcfe-3cf0-4608-800c-855fa6928446.jpg) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/23369dca-5e69-4fb6-a612-7f1549985561/8e33fcfe-3cf0-4608-800c-855fa6928446.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/23369dca-5e69-4fb6-a612-7f1549985561/64df1a6d-6b61-4830-800e-e69cad56698e.jpg) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/23369dca-5e69-4fb6-a612-7f1549985561/64df1a6d-6b61-4830-800e-e69cad56698e.jpg)

You will also need a straight edge of some sort, make sure it is a clean, smooth edge with no nicks and the ruling edge itself is raised slightly off the surface. The little triangle I use has a raised top and just use it up side down.

(https://hosting.photobucket.com/23369dca-5e69-4fb6-a612-7f1549985561/4f8cb7f6-846d-4405-af60-a6540fc5cfe3.jpg) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/23369dca-5e69-4fb6-a612-7f1549985561/4f8cb7f6-846d-4405-af60-a6540fc5cfe3.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/23369dca-5e69-4fb6-a612-7f1549985561/f7de62a3-f782-45c1-adb4-6c921d2d9d37.jpg) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/23369dca-5e69-4fb6-a612-7f1549985561/f7de62a3-f782-45c1-adb4-6c921d2d9d37.jpg)

I use good decal paper made for inkjet printers as it takes waterbased paints well.

(https://hosting.photobucket.com/23369dca-5e69-4fb6-a612-7f1549985561/f421d9e9-0067-4dae-aa7f-23db1698492a.jpg) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/23369dca-5e69-4fb6-a612-7f1549985561/f421d9e9-0067-4dae-aa7f-23db1698492a.jpg)

I'm using AK Lilac for these rib tabes. I know Lilac would not normally be used on the top but that is the only color I can think of that would look like this on the real deal.

(https://hosting.photobucket.com/23369dca-5e69-4fb6-a612-7f1549985561/854e7028-5c64-4bb4-9651-1a6edda7310a.png) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/23369dca-5e69-4fb6-a612-7f1549985561/854e7028-5c64-4bb4-9651-1a6edda7310a.png)

Not too thin. I determined the length so I could do top and bottom in one piece.
I loaded the pen with a drop from the brush and started laying down lines. When I did this, I was in "canopy mode". Leave your self a little more room between lines and they will not be so wiggly.
The clear decal film will disappear no matter how wide it is.

Ignore the little "z" break in the ruled lines, it's not there, just the way my camera worked.

(https://hosting.photobucket.com/23369dca-5e69-4fb6-a612-7f1549985561/848712fa-cb18-4325-aa15-4dcc161ecc6c.jpg) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/23369dca-5e69-4fb6-a612-7f1549985561/848712fa-cb18-4325-aa15-4dcc161ecc6c.jpg)

I trimmed it down to the top/bottom length I needed.

(https://hosting.photobucket.com/23369dca-5e69-4fb6-a612-7f1549985561/8a017b1a-15b6-4319-a138-e8444e39998a.jpg) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/23369dca-5e69-4fb6-a612-7f1549985561/8a017b1a-15b6-4319-a138-e8444e39998a.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/23369dca-5e69-4fb6-a612-7f1549985561/f3d525cc-bf2e-44bb-aebc-de9b3cb86888.jpg) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/23369dca-5e69-4fb6-a612-7f1549985561/f3d525cc-bf2e-44bb-aebc-de9b3cb86888.jpg)

Then cut them apart. Use a new blade.

(https://hosting.photobucket.com/23369dca-5e69-4fb6-a612-7f1549985561/7fdce699-1e1a-496c-a46c-6b12ce6cb573.jpg) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/23369dca-5e69-4fb6-a612-7f1549985561/7fdce699-1e1a-496c-a46c-6b12ce6cb573.jpg)

After the first couple are down you get the hang of it and a nice rhythm gets going. I use a long round tip wet brush sideways to gently straighten the ribs out.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/23369dca-5e69-4fb6-a612-7f1549985561/34ca1623-9dcb-43fd-9c68-bfba8cdc59a5.jpg) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/23369dca-5e69-4fb6-a612-7f1549985561/34ca1623-9dcb-43fd-9c68-bfba8cdc59a5.jpg)

(https://hosting.photobucket.com/23369dca-5e69-4fb6-a612-7f1549985561/480df480-c5c8-431d-bb77-123377474450.jpg) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/23369dca-5e69-4fb6-a612-7f1549985561/480df480-c5c8-431d-bb77-123377474450.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/23369dca-5e69-4fb6-a612-7f1549985561/68af87d3-7011-499e-ad34-8881b30c16ea.jpg) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/23369dca-5e69-4fb6-a612-7f1549985561/68af87d3-7011-499e-ad34-8881b30c16ea.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/23369dca-5e69-4fb6-a612-7f1549985561/dbd00bb7-32ee-479c-8e93-bcbb8e335625.jpg) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/23369dca-5e69-4fb6-a612-7f1549985561/dbd00bb7-32ee-479c-8e93-bcbb8e335625.jpg)

The wider tapes are 1.0mm, the thinner are 0.5mm.

(https://hosting.photobucket.com/23369dca-5e69-4fb6-a612-7f1549985561/1aee36d3-b630-485a-a76d-da8adde61ea3.jpg) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/23369dca-5e69-4fb6-a612-7f1549985561/1aee36d3-b630-485a-a76d-da8adde61ea3.jpg)

Once dry, coat with any clear gloss to lock them down solid.

This method can be adapted to any width, any color, any scale needed.

As always, practice, practice, practice...

Title: Re: Rib-tapes, any color any scale......
Post by: DaddyO on March 16, 2025, 07:01:47 PM

Cheers Alan looks like something worth trying (I did try using a mapping pen directly on a test wing, but it was tricky to get them consistent; using decal paper appears a better idea)  :)

Paul

Title: Re: Rib-tapes, any color any scale......
Post by: WD on March 27, 2025, 02:44:59 AM

Thank you very much, I must try this one day.

Warren