Short 184, Aeroclub, 1:72

[TobyCoulson]

I use Hardys or Froghair copolymer for rigging and attempting to catch trout.
That is some seriously good rigging you've done there Ian

[IanB]

OK, I just checked the brand. It's Gamakatsu Super G-Line with a 0.7kg/1.5lb test. Measures at 0.06mm.
 I don't think it's available in the US, I ordered it and had it sent to my Dad in England who forwarded it to me!

Ian

[malaula]

hi Ian! I've used a similar fishing line before,Kormoran or something like that.Although 0.06mm sure is to scale I prefer rigging with thicker stuff,the reason is I always display my models as part of a diorama and not as stand- alone models.Much detail gets lost when viewed against a vivid background,that's why I stick to invisible thread(0.1mm ) for structural rigging .To prevent the lines from slipping through I secure them with`dowels'made from heatstretched sprue or even toothpicks.Lately I've become a bit lazy,to avoid drilling I use Uschi's standard elastic... Rigging my latest Gotha I laid a line loose over the anchor points in the lower wing,glued in the struts and stretched the line to the top of the strut ,fixed with a tiny drop of CA.It works!

[xmald]

A brilliant model of a beautiful plane! I`m in a deep admiration of your skills especially given the scale. Both shading and the rigging looks top notch.

[radio]

Exellent rigging Ian.
Cheers
Martin

[WarrenD]

Ian,
       what a super job of rigging you've done there. If you don't mind, I've got a couple of questions for you:

- I take it you're pulling the thread through a hole drilled in the wing? I assume the wings are already painted on their upper surface. How do you clip or cut off the thread without harming the finish that is already there, AND how do you finish off the resulting hole?  (I know Prze uses filler and paints the upper wing, as illustrated on his excellent SE5 build some time back, is that how you do it?)

- The rigging where you have to lines coming together, join, and then go on as one line (forgive me as I can't recall the technical term for that), how do you accomplish that? How do you keep it even, straight, and consistent?

Thanks!  This is a gorgeous build in my favorite scale.

Warren

[IanB]

Hi Warren,
 Yes, I do drill and thread, normally drilling through both wings so I can ensure a good grip in the lower wing. If the finish is a tricky one, such as this, or lozenge, I drill part way into the wing which will be the most difficult to touch up afterwards - with lozenge this will usually be the upper wing as the underside of the lower will be less visible. With this build I part drilled the lower wing so I wouldn't have to touch up the underside with the shadow effect. I then trim the excess line with the tip of a new blade on my scalpel - I barely have to touch the line to cut through it so there is no extra damage done. The hole should be almost invisible and a tiny touch of filler and dab of paint should be enough to hide it. In this case, with so many holes so close together I may have to give the wing upper surface a quick blow over with the airbrush to ensure an even finish.

 The joined lines are simply tied with a single knot. The line I'm using is very thin (0.06mm or 2thou) so the knot is almost invisible. I fixed the lower end of the upright wire and when that was dry, I tied the long wire to it at a measured distance up from the bottom (fixed) end. After the knot was tied I added a tiny spot of CA to hold it. The lines were then tensioned with small clothes pegs (for a dolls house!) to hold them tight (at the top of the vertical end wire, and the top of the diagonal wire), and adjusted to ensure the knot was in the middle of the vertical wire.  When they were in the right place I fixed them with a dab of ca glue and left it all to harden properly.

I hope that helps....it's a little difficult to describe clearly!

Ian

[WarrenD]

Yes Ian, it helps a lot. This is the method I used for the aileron control cables on my Triplane builds years ago. I really must get a scalpel.

Thank you very much for taking the time, you're a braver man than I sir.

Warren

[IanB]

Hi all,
 I've finally managed to finish tidying up the wings after the rigging without pulling out any more lines (well, ok, I pulled out 3 more and fixed them, but no more since.....) The upper surfaces have been cleaned up and given a light spray over to hide any trace of the holes, and the decals are on.





Tomorrow should see a bit of dulling down on the upper surface of the top wings, then a dull coat. Then it's "just" the aileron rigging to do.....

Ian

[Des]

You have done a superb job with the rigging Ian.

Des.

[Alexis]

Very nice job on the rigging Ian 



Terri

[RAGIII]

Extraordinary rigging! This is continuing to be an inspiring build!
RAGIII

[WarrenD]

Ian, your work continues to inspire me to get to the workbench and produce a wonder. Beautiful work sir.

Warren

[radio]

No other words like Rick, Ian.
Cheers
Martin

[lone modeller]

I have not been keeping a close enough eye on this one….. Wonderful work as usual - this will without doubt be a stunner when complete. I am on the edge of my seat in anticipation - just hope I do not fall off before it is finished.

Stephen.