Spinning the Bomber Box

[clipper1801]

So here we are again, with a bigger challenge/reward! How to make a mobile with bombers in formation being attacked by fighters, where the bombers stay aligned as they spin. Yikes! So here's bombers . . .



Here is the plan . . .



And my plotting . . .





And my cunning plan . . . a short stint anchored to the frame that engages the suspension thread in a open trough that creates a controlled alignment nearly always perpendicular to the frame axis . . . that's the plan, now to test it. If it works the network will then be triplicated with a larger fractal frame . . . que the elves, postpone the dinner!

Layout full size . . .



Draw in the balances . . .



Thread the first 3 test bombers, staggering their altitudes by varying the thread lengths



Now for the bushings, short length of 3/32" o.d. alum tube with a section removed to create a trough. Cut and glued to the frame ends properly aligned over the drawing . . .







Letting it all cure, considering wrapping and cementing the frame joins . . . the elves want food while waiting. Guess I need to stop for them . . .

[clipper1801]

Dinner was served, glue cured, then the models were strung, balanced, and ta da! It seems to work!







BANDIT!















Seems to be running well, now to find more carbon rods and do it again two more times with invisible thread!

[flash]

Bravo David - what a great looking piece.

[milcoll73]

looking good!

[Jager]

Looks like the plan's coming together quite nicely. You might have problems with the total volume of the display, but I'm sure it will look good.

Karl

[clipper1801]

Working on the geometry for the other two units, thinking I want them all facing the same way all the time . . .

[Teaticket]

Very cool Dave. Is your ceiling painted blue with clouds?

[clipper1801]

Good idea, Mrs Clipper is gone for a month . . . but if I took some clear plastic, sponged some black paint and made some flak patches to add to the show . . .

[Naharaht]

It looks great so far, David! The whole formation sounds like it will be spectacular.

[milcoll73]

i always wanted to do an aerial diorama using different scale b17s to force perspective. maybe someday.

[Future Pilot]

Looks very nice!

[Shadowcat]

Need to run a stiff wire with cotton on it straight back from the engine of 1...gotta be someone that got hit.

[clipper1801]

Once I get them all working I will be doing some tweaking like smoke and flack . . . still debating switching the props for disks, leaving one feathered and such . . . then there is the weathering and streaking fun . . . this can go on forever . . . .