HOW TO BUILD AIRCRAFT DIORAMAS - Page 88

pat1066 · 1 March 2006, 04:59 PM

Hi John
Just ran across your post where you asked about the wiring of old buildings. As an electrician I've had the joy of updating some wiring in wooden buildings that likely dated from the 30's. Whereas today we pull cables containing multiple conductors, back in the good old days they used a method called "Knob and Tube". This consisted of running individual wires side by each. Where these wires passed through a joist or other wooden member, a hole was drilled and a porcelein (spelling?) insulator ("tube")was inserted in the hole before the wires were run. Where the wires were supported underneath something, a "knob" (basically the same thing as a tube, but with a mounting hole for a screw) was used. I would think you could replicate this easily using the tubing of your choice (brass, plastistruct, etc.) cut into very short lenths and painted in an off-white color. Based on the likely era of your scene I would find it unlikely that the wiring would be run in any kind of conduit or pipe. Okay, I'm finished rambling now. Hope that was more enlightening than confusing.

Cheers,
Pat
PS: Don't forget to run some false (or real?) wires down to a light switch by the door!

JohnReid · 2 March 2006, 06:30 AM

Thanks Pat! That is very useful info.
Cheers! John.

JohnReid · 2 March 2006, 07:19 AM

JohnReid · 2 March 2006, 08:08 AM

In this closeup of the engine bay you can see the main engine bearer beams and the web casting at the nose.The double wire braces at longeron stations 1 to 3 have yet to be added.The unfinished OX5 engine is temporarily being fitted.The firewall at stat 3 between engine and fuel tank has yet to be installed.

Yesterday on the hangar I was continuing to install the wiring for the overhead fixtuxes.This is a slow painstaking job working in amoung the roof trusses and beams. I have decided after viewing some pics that the wiring will be placed in aluminium tubing in the hangar area.(thanks to those who offered their advise on this)This means a lot of tube bending and shaping which is a very slow process.All the electricals will be removable for troubleshooting in case of failure.

JohnReid · 2 March 2006, 04:16 PM

JohnReid · 2 March 2006, 04:48 PM

The next step,adding the top wing center section and its struts.Note the dual stick controls and their linkages.Also note the throttle,mixture and spark levers mounted on the upper longerons.The jig has been modified with an extra piece of wood to help line up the center section.When secure, I will then remove this piece of wood and mount the upper wings.At ths stage of the build the wings were already built as I decided to do them first.This "How to......".build does not contain any step by step info on how I built the wings as I started this thread only after they were already finished.
When I build the JN4D I will include this wing info.
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JohnReid · 3 March 2006, 11:40 AM

JohnReid · 3 March 2006, 11:59 AM

JohnReid · 3 March 2006, 12:39 PM

The top pic is of the other half of the fuselage.Note the tail skid and its shock absorbing bungee cord wrapped around the support beam.You will note that the turnbuckles are a little oversize.This was done on purpose for dioramic effect otherwise they would hardly be noticable on ce in the diorama.If this airplane was meant to be handled up close I would have made them to scale but because it is to be used as an educational tool ,I thought that the need for them to be seen overode the need to be in scale.It is not very often that I take this much licence when I build but I thought that in this case it was warranted.What do you guys think? I would be very interested in your opinions about artistic licence.

The bottom pic is of the center section looking down to the U/C legs.You will notice that the top wing rib looks a little crooked.That is actually a little warp in the trailing part of the rib behind the rear spar.This will be corrected when the metal trailing edge is installed.Also where the forward R/H wingroot fitting will be there is a slight bend in the rod going to the support beam.I noticed this only after the pic was taken.The wings have since been installed with no ill effect. Go figure!

pat1066 · 3 March 2006, 03:31 PM

Hi John
I was wondering if you could tell me a little about your use of beading wire for your rigging. At work I have hung more light fixtures than I really care to think about using aircraft cable. For this I use compression crimp connectors to seize the cable. Do you employ a similar method with the beading wire? My less than perfect eyes can't quite make this detail out in your otherwise excellent photos.
Thanks
Pat