Removing Rockets

[predhead]

Soooo, I have this Ares Nieuport 16 on which I want to remove the rockets and paint up as William Thaw's N.16 in the Escadrille Americaine (another linen colored plane with American style roundels on the top wings). I think I can get in there with an X-acto knife and kinda saw them off, but worried about breaking the struts. I am also thinking that perhaps a high detail pair of scissors might do the trick. I do not want to attempt to remove the upper wing in order to get at the rockets as I am worried I would muck that up and ruin the plane.

Has anyone been able to remove the rockets from an Ares plane and if so, how did you do it and what tools did you use?

Thanks!

[camelbeagle]

Do you have a really small pair of angle cutters? If so, you may be able to clip them off and clean up with the sharp hobby knife. Spru cutting pliers maybe?

https://www.micromark.com/6-piece-Mi...SABEgKMq_D_BwE

https://www.micromark.com/Modelers-M...SABEgKmXPD_BwE

[Larry R.]

A tool used by plastic kit builders, a sprue clipper, would do it. I use this tool in kit building. It will cleanly remove the rockets from the Ares N.16.

Here's one source:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077RTNXVP...T1zcF9kZXRhaWw

[malachi]

I agree with Dan that sprue cutters may be the best bet, but I think it may still be tough to get them cleanly cut off and the struts/wings sanded down. May be easier to get one of Daryl's shapeways for $7.

[Teaticket]

I'd go the Shapeways route and just get an N16 without rockets. But thats me.

[flash]

...Has anyone been able to remove the rockets from an Ares plane and if so, how did you do it and what tools did you use?

Yep, did that with my WoW N.16's, Darryl, I removed the V struts from the aircraft, they more or less fell out with a little persuasion & pared away the le Prieur Rockets with a modelling knife. I replaced the V struts - swapping sides so the cut away part was to inboard - then repainted them.
Might be harder to do it in situ, but with a sharp narrow blade it could be doable, it's only the mount to the strut to get through.

https://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/sh...rt-16-Repaints

[predhead]

Do you have a really small pair of angle cutters? If so, you may be able to clip them off and clean up with the sharp hobby knife. Spru cutting pliers maybe?

https://www.micromark.com/6-piece-Mi...SABEgKMq_D_BwE

https://www.micromark.com/Modelers-M...SABEgKmXPD_BwE

Sprue cutters might work. I know it will take something with the ability to get "in" to do the snips. Thanks!

[predhead]

A tool used by plastic kit builders, a sprue clipper, would do it. I use this tool in kit building. It will cleanly remove the rockets from the Ares N.16.

Here's one source:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077RTNXVP...T1zcF9kZXRhaWw

Ahhhh, a grand price there...thanks, Larry!

[predhead]

I agree with Dan that sprue cutters may be the best bet, but I think it may still be tough to get them cleanly cut off and the struts/wings sanded down. May be easier to get one of Daryl's shapeways for $7.

I would go that route, but having the Ares already is literally a bird in the hand. Plus repainting an Ares is easier than the Shapeways option. While the gray material with Shapeways is easier to work with, there is still a bit of grainy texture going on.

[predhead]

Yep, did that with my WoW N.16's, Darryl, I removed the V struts from the aircraft, they more or less fell out with a little persuasion & pared away the le Prieur Rockets with a modelling knife. I replaced the V struts - swapping sides so the cut away part was to inboard - then repainted them.
Might be harder to do it in situ, but with a sharp narrow blade it could be doable, it's only the mount to the strut to get through.

https://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/sh...rt-16-Repaints

Thanks, Flash! Beyond my patience levels most likely...I can see me breaking a V strut and chucking the plane across the room! But your birds look grand!

[flash]

Thanks, Flash! Beyond my patience levels most likely...I can see me breaking a V strut and chucking the plane across the room! But your birds look grand!

Wasn't too bad, Darryl, on the three N.16's I worked on the struts were not that well glued in and parted company with the wings very easily, leaving the top plane in place. Made it so much easier. It should work the same on a N.11 rocket kite too.