forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com

WW1 Aircraft Modeling => WW1 Aircraft Information/Questions => Topic started by: Fathom on July 25, 2012, 10:54:49 AM

Title: JB spark plugs
Post by: Fathom on July 25, 2012, 10:54:49 AM

J B Spark plugs- Gentlemen, I have seen 1/24th sparkplugs for autos substitutued for spark plugs in 1/32nd scale WW1 model aircraft engines. Pleae raise hands of all that think that this is an reasonably accuurate representation.
Were the plugs in Mercedes and BMW engines that much larger than in my Subaru? If so Okay!
Please let me know.
 Wow..I'll be happy.
Fathom

Title: Re: JB spark plugs
Post by: uncletony on July 25, 2012, 11:37:33 AM

I have both these and the Taurus resin jobs made esp for this purpose. To me the Taurus plugs look more the part -- a liitle bit squatter than modern plugs.

Title: Re: JB spark plugs
Post by: lcarroll on July 25, 2012, 12:34:10 PM

I use RB Motion's (1/24) plugs on my 1/32 builds; really like them a lot! At this size they appear (to my eye) very representative.
  Not the best photo, but here they are on my 160 PS Mercedes (WNW) for the DV I'm slowly working on presently:
(http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n583/lcarroll1/SE%205a%20and%20Beyond/IMG_1443.jpg)
Cheers,
Lance

Title: Re: JB spark plugs
Post by: Des on July 25, 2012, 01:20:46 PM

For a more accurate to scale plug the Taurus spark plugs win hands down, but the RB plugs are also quite good. The only problem with the RB plugs is that they of a modern style and not really appropriate for the WW1 engines. I wrote to RB Motion some time ago asking if he would make 1:32 scale plugs, he never got back to me.
The first photo shows a WW1 aero spark plug, note the squat appearance, the second photo shows a 1920's auto plug, similar to the modern day plug but still not as long.

Des.

Title: Re: JB spark plugs
Post by: Jamo on July 25, 2012, 07:54:42 PM

I am very happy with the JB sparkplugs. The quality of the molding (turning) is spot on. I will probably try the Taurus spark plugs sometime as well

(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/HGW%20PE%20sets%20for%20Wingnut%20Wings%20kits/Oct1310.jpg)

Title: Re: JB spark plugs
Post by: Chris Johnson on July 26, 2012, 12:32:29 AM

I've yet to try either set of plugs. Before I try either one, can someone answer the following?

1) Which plug is the larger of the two? From the image in Des' review of the Taurus plugs, they are incredibly small and frankly, I'm not sure that my dexterity is up to the task of using them.

2) How do you attach the plug leads to these plugs with any strength? When I use 0.5mm tubing, I can feed the end of a length of lead wire into the tube and super glue it in place, which results in a clean looking, very strong joint which is useful when manipulating the wires.

Cheers,

Chris

Title: Re: JB spark plugs
Post by: lcarroll on July 26, 2012, 01:06:22 AM

Chris,
   Same experience as well; I simply use a tiny "glob" of thick CA which appears OK however I'm constantly popping them off as the rest of the work progresses. My first efforts were with tiny pieces of insulated wire with the insulation striped from the outer end, same problem. Looking at the photo from Des I think I'll be looking into the Taurus Version, very impressive!
Cheers,
Lance

Title: Re: JB spark plugs
Post by: uncletony on July 26, 2012, 01:09:16 AM

I tried to take a picture of the two plugs (RB Motion machined metal and Taurus resin) but my camera batteries were dead this morning. Will do so therefore when I get back.

To answer your first question Chris, the rbmotion plugs are about twice as long as the Taurus plugs but noticeably skinnier. Both styles are tiny!

Title: Re: JB spark plugs
Post by: Jamo on July 26, 2012, 05:34:16 AM

Here are some detail shots of the spark plugs on two restored Mercedes engines on TVAL Albatros reproductions. Some of them show a TVAL logo

(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Mercedes%20DIIIa%20engine%20restored/Sparkplugsb.jpg)

(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Mercedes%20DIIIa%20engine%20restored/Sparkplugsc.jpg)

(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Mercedes%20DIIIa%20engine%20restored/Sparkplugsd.jpg)

Title: Re: JB spark plugs
Post by: southpier on August 23, 2012, 02:40:39 AM

anyone have a link to the JB or Taurus plugs? RB Motion i found.

thanks

Title: Re: JB spark plugs
Post by: Chrupek on August 23, 2012, 03:42:01 AM

Pleas: http://www.taurusmodels.pl/

Title: Re: JB spark plugs
Post by: uncletony on August 23, 2012, 04:44:49 AM

I believe "JB" is a typo, I am pretty sure the OP meant "RB" -- or maybe I'm wrong.

I am reminded that I was going to post pics of the two products side by side -- will try to do that tonight.

Title: Re: JB spark plugs
Post by: uncletony on October 08, 2012, 09:54:36 AM

Um, better late than never -- here are the Taurus and RB Motion plugs side by side. Taurus now makes a "slim" late version plug as well.

(http://i1255.photobucket.com/albums/hh640/UncleTony1917/file-48.jpg)

Title: Re: JB spark plugs
Post by: southpier on January 19, 2016, 03:11:59 AM

speaking of "late" - thank you for the link!

Title: Re: JB spark plugs
Post by: southpier on February 12, 2016, 09:59:49 PM

i think any information is "new" if you didn't know it. thanks for the comparison pictures - very helpful.

now, about the lead connection .... short of attempting to drill a hole, is just "butt joint" gluing the best way around? seems like a mechanical joint would offer more strength in the long run.

thanks again

Title: Re: JB spark plugs
Post by: uncletony on February 13, 2016, 12:19:21 AM

I think that's up to the modeler

Quote from: southpier on February 12, 2016, 09:59:49 PM

now, about the lead connection .... short of attempting to drill a hole, is just "butt joint" gluing the best way around? seems like a mechanical joint would offer more strength in the long run.

I made lead ends from .4mm tubing, squashed and drilled:

(http://i1255.photobucket.com/albums/hh640/UncleTony1917/file_zpsd8e1dd4f.jpg)

Title: Re: JB spark plugs
Post by: Des on February 13, 2016, 02:12:24 PM

Like Bo, I make my connectors from flattened 0.4mm brass tube with a 0.3mm hole drilled to slip over the spark plug, with a drop of CA it makes for a very positive and strong connection.

Des.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9MFvsvEYycs/Vr6sMaVZW6I/AAAAAAAAUJY/WvE92Sy2qYI/s720-Ic42/spark%252520plugs%252520x%25252023%252520%2525281%252529.jpg)

Title: Re: JB spark plugs
Post by: southpier on February 20, 2016, 08:33:06 PM

yeow; that's some tiny stuff. what wire is that with the spiral wrap? sorry; the questions just keep coming.

Title: Re: JB spark plugs
Post by: petrov27 on February 21, 2016, 12:51:11 AM

awesome tips here - the flattened tube ends on the plug wire I gotta try....

Title: Re: JB spark plugs
Post by: uncletony on February 21, 2016, 05:29:53 AM

Quote from: southpier on February 20, 2016, 08:33:06 PM

yeow; that's some tiny stuff. what wire is that with the spiral wrap? sorry; the questions just keep coming.

i think the wire I used for the spiral wrap was something like .05mm... can't remember off hand (and not home to measure it) -- anyway very small ;)

Title: Re: JB spark plugs
Post by: Des on February 21, 2016, 07:39:24 AM

The spiral wrapped wire I use is 0.23mm, it fits very nicely into the end of the 0.4mm brass tube.

I get my wire from ear plugs, the small plugs that fit inside your ear for listening to music etc, there are three wires inside the small white plastic outer tube, I buy the ear plugs from $2 shops so you can strip a lot of ignition leads for very little expense.

Des.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EQH0dNBNDqQ/Vsjds3HVh1I/AAAAAAAAUKo/gvpBQIYEtbU/s912-Ic42/ignition%252520leads%252520x%2525203.jpg)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DFPimCWdt2Q/VsjdnwEv__I/AAAAAAAAUKk/lM__7VEaLlQ/s912-Ic42/ignition%252520leads%252520x%2525202.jpg)

Title: Re: JB spark plugs
Post by: s.e.charles on December 23, 2021, 04:46:13 PM

thanks for the lead (pun intended).

i really need to visit more often!