discussion Nose weights - options?

[Guest]

Building the 1/72 Revell Me262 and it suggests 20g of nose weight to avoid tail sitting... I've been using BluTak up to now for my other models but not sure if it'll be 20g worth (a quick go on the digital scales tells me so anyway!) given the lack of space in the nose area. I'm sure if it's not quite 20g it won't be critical but all the same I'm not sure I'll be able to pack "enough" BluTak in there.

I've been reading about lead shot being used but I don't have any (and am being impatient) of that - are there any clever suggestions for what I could use instead??

Cheers!

 

[Guest]

plasticene,

heavy guage soldering wire (you can lay it along the front edge of the wing (in front of the wheels) when building),

Cut up 4 or 6 inch round nails into short lengths and tape them together in the nose or lay them in the wing (after a bit of a bend to fit) if there's room.

fishing shot (as mentioned)

Air rifle pellets (or ball) will work at a pinch. (if you know someone who shoots "guage" then ask if he has any lead shot spare (if he loads his own (which is a bit rare now but worth asking))

 

[Dave W]

I use steel nuts ,bolts or washers as i have plenty in my shed.I fix them in place with superglue gel or a bit of blue tack.I've tried lead shot and its ideal if you only have very small spaces to put the weight in.If you are not sure you've got enough weight in the nose you could put some in the forward end of the ME262's engine nacelle's as well.

 

[Guest]

Aha, good suggestions, cheers, will see what I can cobble together!

Of course, I *did* consider putting the weight inside the nacelles but then forgot until.... after I'd glued them to the wings!!! "Buggeh..."

 

[Gern]

Hi Rob. It's also worth looking at bombs, fuel tanks etc. as space for weights. As long as you only put weight in front of the main undercarriage, they will help keep the nose down. Depends on which 'plane you're doing of course.

Gern