Small Scale Military Headquarters

Being a diehard vehicle guy, I have never hung a plane from the cieling. My wife is actually requesting a selection of my toys to be on a rotating basis in our dining room (I actually starting sneaking in some 1:6 figures in one corner) and a few wants are my Stuka, the Tiger and Sherman. My 1:6 vehicles will stay in my bunker but I'm working on her. After all it took her 10 years to get used to and actually like my green 1:1 toys in the driveway and yard.

Now guys, I need help.

Is 12lb fishing line strong enough for the Stuka?

TTT

I'd stick with 20lb test line if I were you. I have had no problems with it whatsoever with having planes hung for 3 years now and no breakages....

-Ski

While i have used 10lb test line for the most part, i would agree with Ski and use 20lb. In fact from now on i plan to. I had my Apache crash several months ago using 10lb. The stuka is lighter but better safe than sorry, especially when the thickness difference between 12 and 20lb is so minor. Being that you are going to hang it in your living room i would hunch there is a good chance it could get bumped from time to time by either duster or human head; all the more reason to go with 20lb test.

Better to use a slightly thicker fishing line than have a smashed airplane on the floor.

I used 50lb test for my sons 1/6th Little Bird, and that held up fine. So, after being satisfied with that, all of my 1/18 stuff was hung with the same spool. Yeah, its a little bigger diameter line, and does not conceal too well, but I have not had one failure. No matter what you do, I recommend changing your line once a year. Even the most subtle movement can cause wear in the line and eventually lead to breakage. My bird has come to roost several times on the wing of my Corsair, or one of the booms on my P-38, and other than an occasional need for a wipe down from one of his "accidents" the line has held the additional weight and movement just fine.

I have eight planes up using 20lb line, a couple of these have been up for 2 years. No problems yet.
I also recommend putting a drop of super glue on the knots.

Many thanks guys, 20lb line with super glue on the knots is the way I will go.

Dust??? We ain't got no stinken dust. Forgetaboutit.

TTT

I used 20lb test line to begin with and when the spool ran out, used 10lb. Neither has given me any problems, though I always make sure to tie a double knot. I usually hang a plane from one medium-sized eyehook, with two loops of fishingline. For larger aircraft, I use either a large eyehook or two of the medium sized ones.

I know I'm probrably gambling but I used 8lb test line and the push-pin type tacks to hold up my stuka. Its been about three years now and still holding.

victory wrote:I know I'm probrably gambling but I used 8lb test line and the push-pin type tacks to hold up my stuka. Its been about three years now and still holding.

Sir, you are a man who likes to live dangerously........ May the force be with you........

-Ski