Small Scale Military Headquarters

Does any one put custom antennas on their 21st WWII planes for realism? I've been wanting to do it, but cannot find the proper materials anywhere.

tkjaer21 wrote:Does any one put custom antennas on their 21st WWII planes for realism? I've been wanting to do it, but cannot find the proper materials anywhere.

Give MiG29K a Buzz he is in to customizing with Styrene plastic.

In answer to you question...yes, alot of us replace or fabricate antenna masts (to replace the rubber ones) and antenna wires for more realism. Depending on the model, there are several methods. You'll have to be more specific about which model you're needing info on.

Example: The FW 190D9 has a short antenna mast on top of the fin. By using a sharp Xacto, you can split the upper part of the fin just enough to slip a thin monofiliment fishing line in and CA glue it in place. Once that's dry (an hour maybe) use a pin-drill to put a small hole in the top of the canopy (see pics of the real deal for the placement) and run the line through the hole and behind the pilot's armor. Now take the main wing off and run the line below the cockpit tub. Get a small sheet-metal screw and a spring from a ball point pen. Screw the spring into the bottom of the tub with the loose end facing aft. Tie the free end of the fishing line to the free end of the spring, but don't make it too tight. The spring will allow the line to "slack" slightly when the canopy is open, but keep the line tight when the canopy is closed. Adjust the line (where it's tied to the spring) accordingly. If you like, before the line is run through the canopy and tied off, take a paper towel and put a few drops of black paint on it. The run the line through the paper towel where the paint is and the line turn black. I don't personally do this because it also makes the line look larger and out of scale. Try it on a piece and see which you prefer.