I want to light up my 21st 1:18 Sabre, and need help.

[AlloySkull]

I'm quite handy with wiring and electrical, and LEDs are especially easy. I thought about it when I first got it, but dismissed it when I decided to put it on static display. Now I have my MiG-15 and Sabre in a dogfight on my ceiling. I think it would be stunning and something neat if I could have all the lights on the F-86, and maybe the MiG lit up at night.

So I'm wondering, those two lights on the very tip of the tail, what color are they when lit up? Just clear? But if they're clear and red or yellow or something I can easily do that with a trip to rat shack.

The wing tip lights are a no brainer, but I do wonder if they're solid, or blinking? I've never looked at lights on planes much except commercial ones, and they blink a lot, but I wouldn't think military aircraft would. But any help would be nice.

The light behind the seat in the cockpit, what is it for? Does it have a pattern or is it solid?

The lights under the intake look like runway lights, and I'm guessing I won't need those then? Unless they're some other lights, which I'm hoping I don't need them because they look to be the hardest of all.

I'm going to rig all of it to an internal 12v or 9v battery, since most LEDs are either 9, 12 or 120v, and rig a tiny 12v flipswitch with minimal amperage inside the front landing gear compartment, behind the wheel itself, not underneath. (This is if the plane is upside down)

Hopefully having a flipswitch will keep me from having to replace the battery all the time, and I still don't know about that yet. It looks as if I might be able to squeeze a 9v battery inside the front landing gear bay as well, to the side of the wheel. Since it will be flying, this isn't a problem.

So the BIGGEST obstacle is actually removing the screw hole covers and taking the body apart. I'm honestly scared to do this. Does anyone have any advice on how to not screw it up? Or do I just take an exacto and pop off the covers, unscrew and that's it?

I need to know ASAP as I'm planning to go to Rat Shack tomorrow to pick up some custom lights for my stereo components as well, and hell, while I'm at it, I thought I'd do this.

[Killerf6]

Alright let me see if I can remember this stuff correctly.

The position, or navigation lights, (the lights on the wing tips and tail don't flash they are; red for the port side (left), green for the starboard side, and white for the tail. This is the same as ships.

Landing lights are normally in the leading edge of the wing usually close to the root, or attached to the landing gear, or landing gear doors, and as the name implies are only used for landing.

Most modern aircraft also have a red rotating beacon on the top of the aircraft and a white strobe underneath. These are the lights that you see blinking.

I'm not sure about the light behind the seat, or if it is even a light, It may be the rotating beacon. Someone that knows more about sabres will have to answer that one.

Hope that helps you out.

[Folkwulfe]

Sorry dude...I hit the wrong button (BAD fingers....BAD!!!) so if you would please refer to the topic "Additional" please, there might be some information you could find usefull.

[Rogue]

Alloy, Nav lights would not be used in combat . FYI

I've done this before on prop stuff using colored wheat bulbs (preLED) and a tape recorder motor/engine.

On a jet, I would use tiny wire to hang the jet, and power the LED's.
It would take some thought but would be awesome in a kids room as a night light.

I found that the red cockpit lamp created an awesome effect, as I'm sure would the same in the afterburner.

I've thought of doing one of these myself. Unfortunately, I'm the only kid in this house.

Keep us informed of your progress.

[AlloySkull]

So the lamp behind the seat is the lamp that makes the cockpit glow red at night? Oh sweet! Nav lights, you mean the wingtip lights and tail lights?

So the only light I'd need is the cockpit lamp?

I've kind of put this on hold as I broke an exacto blade and almost sliced my hand open whil trying to pop the covers off of the wing, didn't work. The ones I put on, even. =/ My hand's fine, I didn't even get cut, I'm lucky. But I don't think I'll be able to access the cockpit lamp unless I take the fuselage apart... Which is a scary thought.

[Rogue]

So the lamp behind the seat is the lamp that makes the cockpit glow red at night? Oh sweet! Nav lights, you mean the wingtip lights and tail lights?

So the only light I'd need is the cockpit lamp?

I've kind of put this on hold as I broke an exacto blade and almost sliced my hand open whil trying to pop the covers off of the wing, didn't work. The ones I put on, even. =/ My hand's fine, I didn't even get cut, I'm lucky. But I don't think I'll be able to access the cockpit lamp unless I take the fuselage apart... Which is a scary thought.

Glad that was only a close shave!

I used alum tube to make directional lamps to shine on the instraments, like 1:1.
Not sure what lamp is behind the seat.

OTOH I was not trying to poo-poo your use of Nav lights, I think it would look awesome.
Just not 100% accurate for combat.
So what, do what you think looks good.