Advice needed re' the aerial wires on Nakajima Ki-84.

[Sir Desmond Glazebrook]

Hi guys.

The Hayate had a complex aerial. I am unsure how best to go about it and would appreciate your thoughts.

[Spitfire]

Here you go, I've not long finished the same kit and still have the information to hand.

[Sir Desmond Glazebrook]

9 hours ago, Spitfire said:

Here you go, I've not long finished the same kit and still have the information to hand.

Thanks very much.

I used invisible mending thread when I built 1/48. Should I use the same thread?

What is the best way to join thread to thread? For example where the thread from the horizontal stabilizer meets the wire aft of the antenna? What I need is advice on the actual modelling of these wires.

Many thanks. 

(I just woke up. Time to shower and go out to get a strong coffee)

[1to1scale]

Wow, I completely missed this feature when I built mine. I will have to go back and amend it. 

[1to1scale]

3 hours ago, Sir Desmond Glazebrook said:

Thanks very much.

I used invisible mending thread when I built 1/48. Should I use the same thread?

What is the best way to join thread to thread? For example where the thread from the horizontal stabilizer meets the wire aft of the antenna? What I need is advice on the actual modelling of these wires.

Many thanks. 

(I just woke up. Time to shower and go out to get a strong coffee)

I would think it would be best to use more tension on the main wire, then a little less on the side wire, just joining them with a tiny drop of CA. I did use this method with a bob’s buckles tube on my Corsair.

[Sir Desmond Glazebrook]

Brilliant.

I have been drilling tiny holes in the fuselage and horizontal stabilizer.  Would you recommend invisible mending thread, or something thicker for 1/32?

[Spitfire]

Aerial wires are not one of my favourite jobs on a kit, for the Hayate I drilled holes in the fin, stabiliser, fuselage and the aerial mast, I used stretchy Aeroclub thread (long OOP I think). I first ran a wire from the fin to the mast, then from the stabiliser to that wire attached with a blob of CA. Then a short stretch of wire from the fuselage also to the fin/mast wire, cutting off the excess with scissors . I think this took two attempts to get it all connected.

Cheers

Dennis

[Sir Desmond Glazebrook]

On 12/24/2019 at 10:16 PM, Spitfire said:

Aerial wires are not one of my favourite jobs on a kit, for the Hayate I drilled holes in the fin, stabiliser, fuselage and the aerial mast, I used stretchy Aeroclub thread (long OOP I think). I first ran a wire from the fin to the mast, then from the stabiliser to that wire attached with a blob of CA. Then a short stretch of wire from the fuselage also to the fin/mast wire, cutting off the excess with scissors . I think this took two attempts to get it all connected.

Cheers

Dennis

Thanks Dennis. 

[biggtim]

I've had very good luck with VERY fine wire that I purchased on ebay, I can't recall the size at the moment. The best part about is the ability to remain somewhat rigid and retain its shape without a lot of tension. It also looks extremely realistic, and you can join two threads by wrapping one around the other and twisting it a bit. As for joining to the plane, usually small hole or eyelet made from wire works well.

Tim

[Sir Desmond Glazebrook]

Thank Tim.

Back in the day with 48 scale kits I would use invisible mending thread and then tighten it by holding a lit cigarette near it and remove it quickly as the thread tightened.

I still have it and will use it here.