Techno Rigging

[StephenLawson]

In recent weeks I have been scouting new filaments for rigging model aircraft and other hobby uses. I wanted to find something that would actually support longer, multibay and larger scale wings.

Well I was in a local fishing and outfitter shop and was rumaging around in thir hughe stocks of tackle and leader lines. I came upon a group of filaments and threads labeled Kevlar. I began using it on a Roden Bristol Fighter that I am building and before I get too far into the how its done, here is a bit of fun from the parent company "Dupont".

". . .Applications
Threads made of Dupont KEVLAR® and DuPont NOMEX® are two of the most technologically advanced fibers available in the textile industry. Their unusual characteristics have enabled the development of many new products that were not feasible before.

Kevlar is, by weight, stronger than steel. Nomex has superior heat resist characteristics.

Synthetic Thread has years of experience making Kevlar and Nomex threads for many applications including ballistic clothing, fire suits, wire and cable applications and many more. We even supply NASA with a combination stainless steel and Kevlar thread for use in the Space Shuttle. Our technology even allows us to dye these high tech threads.

While both fibers are chemically similar, they are different in some ways. Threads made of Nomex are extremely heat resistant. They will not char at temperatures higher than 675 degrees Farenheit. This makes Nomex extremely desireable in safety garments used in potentially high heat applications.

Although a wide variety of sizes, colors and package put-ups are always in stock, Synthetic's state-of-the-art facilities can meet your most demanding special size, color or package specifications too. Ready wound bobbins are available in a style, color and size to for you needs. Your Synthetic Thread representative will be glad to discuss your specific requirements with you.

Although threads made of Kevlar have slightly less heat resistance than Nomex, Kevlar's strength is superior to almost all other fibers. In fact, Kevlar is five times stronger than steel by weight. It has become the thread choice in those special high stress, volitile applications that require extreme strength and heat protection.

Federal Specifications
Both Kevlar and Nomex are available in filament or spun threads. Synthetic Thread can recommend the proper thread type and size for any end use.

The Synthetic Thread Company is approved by the Federal Government to supply Kevlar under Federal Specifications Mil-T-87128 (Filament) and Mil-T-44100 (Spun). The government has approved Synthetic Thread to provide Nomex under Mil-T-43636 (Filament) and Mil-T-83193 (Spun)."


When The Kevlar strands are exposed to a minor heat source it tightens up. By minor I mean lighting a small diameter section of bass wood and using it as a punk. These thread diameters are very compatable to 1/48 & 1/32.

[StephenLawson]

Here are the applications I mean. Note the thicker black doubled RAF wires.

[davecww1]

Hi Stephen,
sounds interesting, what color does it come in, and can you paint it with a black sharpie marker? can it be easily knotted and cut? What glue sticks to it?
We all know that kevlar is used for modern US combat helmets and vests, so I'm not suprised the thread is 5 times stronger than steel!
Dave

[StephenLawson]

It comes in 5 colours, one is black. Ties well, glues well. More experimentation in progress.

[MerlinV]

Hey Stephen,
Thanks for the heads up. Thus far, I have only used angling shops as a source of lead and brass wire. I will have to explore a little more.

What interests me more here is the photos of the fittings and fixtures. My mind is working overtime now trying to work out if I am brave enough to try to make some in 1/48 scale... maybe have a go at the brass etching I have been intending to try for a while now... before the chemicals I bought for the process go off!

Cheers,

Hugh

[Sreiko]

Stephen- very nice to hear that world is so small. My good friend from Belgrade use fishing Kevlar for a years for riging. Here we can find even very thick and with structure like real steel wiring. Best at all that it is very easy to work with. No matter that he push me to change my method of rigging I did not do that. But I think that I should change my mind now.

Great thread Stephen

[Kitboy]

Thats funny,

I own an antique Dutch car from 1964; called Daf. It's got a variomatic transmission which is belt driven. Nowadays these belts are still in production, but are made from...KEVLAR.


Greetings, Nico

[Wind In The Wires]

When were streamlined flying wires introduced?

Your photos show them on a Bristol F2B but those aircraft were used long after 1918 so the flying wires could have been replaced while still in service.

Did Sopwith Triplanes and Camels have streamlined flying wires?

[MerlinV]

Yes, they did.
I'm not sure exactly when streamlined "RAF" wires were introduced, but I think it was sometime during 1916. Stephen (or someone else) will know for sure.

Cheers,

Hugh

[StephenLawson]

Dan San could probably be more accurate than I, but I am fairly certain that the Sopwith types did have them beginning in 1916.