The Ship Model Forum

Anyone use very fine single strand wire for whip antennas? I have rod styrene in 0.010", but that is much too thick.

I always use stretched sprue for whip antennas, in all scales from 1/700 to 1/35.

Model railroad supply shops have brass wire down to .006". In my experience, paint adds considerable thickness, and I have yet to be really successful with Blacken-it, also found in the RR shops.

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On the workbench:
1/700 Jouett - JAG
1/700 Lupo - Delphis
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--and dozens more

.006" might be too thick. I was thinking 40, 42 or 44 AWG magnet wire.

Another item to use is earbud or small headphone wires. If you have a bad set or buy a cheap set of earbuds used for Ipods, cell phones, etc.
If you cut open the wire, the core is stranded wire. The wire is as thin as hair. Just pull out a single strand and cut it to the length required. The strands can be used for rigging for ships and aircraft as well. The thicker the wire (like for headsets) has thicker strands inside. Some electronics stores sell small stranded wire on rolls.

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Try an individual bristle from a large synthetic paintbrush, just the job.

Cheers, Jabb.

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HMS Hood, the big one!

I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure.

thanks for the replies. I managed to find some .006" brass rod. I'll see how that works out when ready for installing the whips.

Try using Cat whiskers.

They are durable, and can be straightened with a bit of heat and hair-spray.

And, if you need to color them without adding thickness.... Hair dye.

MB

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USS San Francisco
USS Helena
USS St. Louis
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HIJMS Sub-Chasers No. 4 - 7
HIJMS Sub-Chasers No. 13 - 16