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Weights? (Preventing a Tail Sitter)

Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2014 11:31 pm
by Merlin
My (very old) container of weights is about to run out and I need to replace it with something, but what?

Nobody wants a tail sitter with a tricycle undercarriage, so what do you guys use as weights in the nose of your model?

Re: Weights? (Preventing a Tail Sitter)

Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2014 11:43 pm
by robertw
Merlin wrote:My (very old) container of weights is about to run out and I need to replace it with something, but what?

Nobody wants a tail sitter with a tricycle undercarriage, so what do you guys use as weights in the nose of your model?
For me 262 I used a chunk of silly putty and and bolt that I grinded down to the nut. Was barely enough but it worked.

Re: Weights? (Preventing a Tail Sitter)

Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2014 12:13 am
by rodrant
This may help you , it is a video from ISM (Lee is presenting it ...) , may help you to check what is avaiable :

http://intscalemodeller.com/viewtopic.p ... 021#p58021

Re: Weights? (Preventing a Tail Sitter)

Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2014 7:13 am
by Johni044
Either, or a combination of:
White tack
Coins (1p/2p) CVAed together
BB pellets

When miscalculating I have been known to put weight into missiles, bombs and drop tanks to help prevent tail sitting, in fact anything that is forward of the main U/C will help. The further forward the better.

I have seen fishing weights been used and tyre balancing weights as well.

Re: Weights? (Preventing a Tail Sitter)

Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2014 10:46 am
by chief5437
I took a load of pellets out of shotgun cartridges. It's like that liquid gravity stuff.

*** don't try this at home kids! ***

Re: Weights? (Preventing a Tail Sitter)

Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2014 3:06 pm
by schweinhund227
Lead B.B. 22 calibre.
cheap and nice weight to them and can be cut to fit if needed....

my can lasted me ... Years !

Re: Weights? (Preventing a Tail Sitter)

Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2014 9:52 pm
by BigJon
I use fishing shot to act as ballast , works really well and am able to put just the right amount into the model.

Re: Weights? (Preventing a Tail Sitter)

Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2014 11:28 pm
by Merlin
Thanks for the advice guys, and for the video link Rodrant.
I like the look of the "liquid gravity" but it's a bit pricey, perhaps I'll treat myself when I'm feeling a bit flush. ;-)

I've ordered some 2mm steel BB's from Ebay, and I'll check them out and weigh them when they arrive to see how cheap they work out and how effective they are.

Re: Weights? (Preventing a Tail Sitter)

Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2014 10:02 pm
by Merlin
Well a quick turnaround from ebay, ordered yesterday, delivered today.
But looks like I've cocked up, 250 2mm ball bearings only weigh 9 grams :scratch:: I thought they were going to be heavier, still, you live and learn.
3 1p's weigh 11g, the bearings cost me a fiver, lol, shame the 1p's don't fit.
I've cut my losses bit the bullet and ordered some liquid gravity. I need to get the fuselage halves joined.

Image

Re: Weights? (Preventing a Tail Sitter)

Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2014 11:35 pm
by Daishi12
I have a stock of old lead based 25mm wargame figures that I don't use any more and have started cutting them down to size. It may be an idea to try a builders merchant to find some lead flashing offcuts that they can't sell and cut them down to size. Hope this helps.

Re: Weights? (Preventing a Tail Sitter)

Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2014 11:56 pm
by ForbesHutton
Use a fatter pilot. :lol:

Does anyone make Herman Goring figures?

Re: Weights? (Preventing a Tail Sitter)

Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2014 11:22 am
by Merlin
ForbesHutton wrote:Use a fatter pilot.
Lol.
Unfortunately, the Bronco 1/48 MQ-1 Predator doesn't come with a pilot :(

Re: Weights? (Preventing a Tail Sitter)

Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2014 1:11 pm
by Scalemodelmedic
Seeing as my other hobby is fishing I've got loads of split shot, stotz and other goodies knocking around for weighting.

If only I could get a kit to the point where I even used it :roll:

One thing I've always fancied using is tungsten putty. Carp anglers use it to anchor their rigs to the lakebed, it's basically a malleable, heavy metal putty so you could easily fit it into anything.

Re: Weights? (Preventing a Tail Sitter)

Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2014 8:43 pm
by Tarasdad
I just had to put 2 ounces (56.7 grams) of weight in my Revell A-10. Used two 1 ounce lead fishing weights (one pyramid sinker, one slip sinker used with plastic worms) that I've had for 20+ years. Don't go saltwater fishing any more and can't fish for bass like I used to so I might as well put them to use somehow.