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Turnbuckles. What are my options?


jacksdad64

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I am looking to build a WWI aircraft in the near future. When doing the rigging I would like to do it properly using turnbuckles.

So for the WWI experts among you what are my options?

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Steve

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There are several good sites with detail about rigging WWI planes. One of the best is Bob's Buckles, and he sells his own hand made turnbuckles or shows you how to do it.

 

http://www.bobsbuckles.co.uk/

 

Another good site is:

 

http://www.ww1aircraftmodels.com/

 

Lots of information there, as well as a forum.

 

Here's a great WWI model forum with multiple sources of information:

 

http://www.greatwaraviation.com/forum/index.php

 

Eduard made some PE parts, but they at most are two layer etched material, looking flat.


RB production makes much better parts with fold up PE to give more 3D detail.

 

http://www.radubstore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_68&products_id=403

 

Gaspatch turnbuckles are amazing and built in 3D, probably with a 3D printer. I like them a lot, but I did break a drill bit opening up an eye that was not as large as I needed. They look much more to scale than the PE versions, but cost more.

 

http://www.gaspatchmodels.com/metal-turnbuckles/

 

You still need to use some small tubing to attach the rigging at the turnbuckle and some a wire eye and tubing at the other end. Bob's sells the tubing precut or you can get small dia tubing and do it yourself.

 

Good luck,

 

Tnarg

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I use Radus PE turnbuckles. They are easy, fold up well for a 3D look, and are a brass color. I have some Albion Alloys brass tube in .4mm and .6mm dia.

Thread the EZ line thru the sleeve, pass thru the turnbuckle, and back thru the sleeve. Adjust the assembly to suit, and add a drop of CA glue. Snip the loose end, and move to the next. The gaspatch turnbuckles look pretty good as well, but I have not used them....yet.

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Thanks very much for the replies.

I think I will go with either Bob's or Radu's.

 

Tnarg, many thanks for those links, especially the second one. Just a gold mine of modelling information.

 

Now I just need to decide which WNW to do first. A trial one or the one I really want to do.

 

Steve

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I use the RB turnbuckles as well and they represent excellent VFM. You get 80 buckles for about £6.00 and they are easy to bend into shape and look the part.

 

I still use brass tube with them, albeit about 1mm in length. I thread the wire through the tube, loop it through the turnbuckle and then back through the tube. I think it holds better that way plus its how they did it on the internal picture of the Eindecker they have on the WNW site if you have a look at that.

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Hey Steve,

 

You can also try making turnbuckles from scratch. They won't look as realistic as GasPatch or Radu's product obviously, but it may do the trick :coolio:

 

You could combine a method Wojtek Fajga used to produce tubes out of stretched Q-tip with eyelets as in Des Delatorre tutorial. The latter site is an excellent source of various tips - highly recommended lecture.

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Steve, I think most would say to start with a bird that requires less rigging, so as to be less intimidating. I started with the Junkers J-1.

My thoughts exactly. Although for my first I am looking at one of the Encore kits or a WNW Albatros. All being well it will then be onto the Gotha.

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