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Thread: How high can you fly?

  1. #1

    Default How high can you fly?

    Several Zeppelin owners out there have asked about making taller stands for the interceptors. Once the sixth peg is added to the standard bases they become hard to handle. After a battle of my own I began to play with some ideas. Best so far is here detailed:



    The process starts with accumulating a few items shown here, total cost here in Arizona for the lot is less than $15 and will make a bunch of stands: rubber fuel tubing ($2 hobby shop), telescoping magnet or mirror thingy (Auto parts stores $3), plastic tube sleeve ($1 at hobby shop), 3mm x 1/2" flat head machine screw (.25 at a hardware store).



    At the core is the Aerodrome's fine custom base which includes the gun arc and altitude dials ($5). Before you peel off the masking paper give the top side of the base and dial ring a light spray of dark spray paint to make the numbers and lines pop out. When completely dry, carefully peel off the masking paper.





    Flip the base over and countersink the peg hole ever so slightly to fit the 3mm screw. It wants to seat flush with the bottom of the base. Use a large drill bit if you do not have a counter sink bit.



    A thick piece of plastic or metal tube that the screw will fit in and will also slip fit into the hole in the base. Cut a section 3/8" long, make sure the ends are square!



    Which ever telescoping tool you find, the pocket clip on one end can be unscrewed and discarded. The small screw is hopefully 3mm thread. Clean off the label if it has one, I had to use acetone to get the glue goo off. On the other end of the tool is either a magnet or a mirror. Both are threaded onto the last bit of the pole. By clamping the end in a vice, use a pair of pliars to twist off the tip, revealing the threads.



    Cut a 3/8" length of fuel tubing and slip it half way onto the end of the post, it should be a snug fit. The other end of the tube is a nice slip fit on our models





    Now back to the base assembly. Slip the screw in from the bottom and slide the plastic tube over the screw and down into the hole of the base



    Then the altitude dial is slipped on



    And the tiny ring goes on last. If the parts are getting along well, the plastic tube should just barely rise above the last ring, if not trim it or make a longer one.



    The big end of the telescoping post is then screwed onto the base screw



    Thread it down to snuggly mate against the tube, then tighten with a screw driver. Check to see if the post is vertical and adjust if neccessary.



    And there you have it!



    Now you can soar with the Height Climbers and engage at will!







    Final cost is around $10 and the sky is the limit! Enjoy and climb on! Clipper gaining altitude . . . wow the air is thin up here!

  2. #2

    Default

    great tutorial and great idea, well done.

  3. #3

    Thumbs up

    Thats a great tutorial Clipper & deserves a medal. At least some Rep points which have been given!

  4. #4

    Default

    Great tutorial and great idea too!

  5. #5

    Default

    A very elegant answer to the problem David. I did a similar thing with my heavy bombers, but with perspex rod, and drilled the top so that the four pegs from the aircraft could be inserted for climb and dive manouvers.
    Thanks for the very explicit "How to". I'm sure you will get a lot of take up on your idea.
    Rob.

  6. #6

    Default

    How are they for stability Clipper? They look like a nudge to the table or an open window could cause problems.

  7. #7

  8. #8

    Default

    I have seen this method used at many cons I have been to. However have never seen how it is done. Great info Clipper. Years ago I saw a WWII naval game where the Uboats were mounted like that so they could change depth.

  9. #9

    Default

    Tipsy? Not very, depends on the surface and the balance of the mini. I have used them on metal, mixed metal, plastic and paper to good effect. My first iteration had 1/2" plex base - too bottom heavy. Second design had 4mm plex, that was ok but needed arc angles etc. The Aerodrome units are 1/8" plex with added mass from the altitude rings which is "just right." One could slip a few steel washers between the altitude rings and the base plate or carefully wrapped solder on the post if you want more stability. They definitely add a nice "dimension" to the game! Clipper enjoying the altitude . . .

  10. #10

    Default

    Final products! This should hold the squadron for a few sorties! The gun arcs look much better in red! Clipper gearing up for the winter Zeppelin campaigns!


  11. #11

    mikepfanenstiel
    Guest


    Default

    David,
    They add a lot to the visual attack on a zeppelin. Mike P



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