Tech Tips

Part One

by Peter Allen

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I have recently given some thought about new modelers in general and young newcomers in particular. With this in mind I have put together a few simple tech tips guides.

Tech tips have certainly helped me achieve a higher standard than I would have without them. I hope that you will find these tips useful:

Tip 1: Gun Barrels

If you don't have a supply of hypodermic needles to make gun barrels from, simply save the application tubes from Humbrol or Revell precision cement applicator bottles and cut them as required.

As they are tubes that might crush if they are cut with pincers, so it is best to saw them as on the Unicraft Fw P1 shown in the title image.

Tip 2: Securing Ballast Weights

I have dispensed with super-glue for securing nose/ballast weights as it tends to be brittle once dry and, of course, it can be very messy. (We all know super-glue seems to like human fingers more than any other substance known to man).

I found by accident that blu-tac or similar is perfect. It holds the weights in place without any problems.

Every model in which I have used blu-tac has never lost a weight even after 2 years, unlike those using super-glue.

No more rogue weights rattling around the fuselage interior!

Tip 3: Where to Place Ballast Weights

If there is not enough room in the extreme tip of the nose to accommodate weight, any space ahead of the main undercarriage is fair game, bearing in mind that the further forward the weight is the less is needed.

Amongst possible areas for adding weight are:

• Immediately behind the cockpit in forward cockpit aircraft.

• On twin or multiple engine aircraft, in the engine nacelles.

• In the leading edges of main wings.

• In any belly mounted bombs or wing mounted fuel tanks that are big and/or hollow enough to take weight and are far enough forward.

For some resin models the rear fuselage may need to be drilled out to make it as light as possible and therefore easier to counterbalance forward placed weight.

HAVE FUN
Peter

Images and Description Copyright © 2004 by Peter Allen
Page Created 04 February, 2004
Last Updated 19 April, 2004
 

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