I have a little Revell P-26 Peashooter...uncomplicated quick build and a charming plane.

It is now sitting on my desk in all its bright yellow plastic glory, imploring me to rig it. I knew there was a reason I avoided WWI planes. But anyway, if I have to start rigging, this is a good one...it's a fairly basic set of wires.

So.....this is my first ever attempt at rigging something. I'm going to use stretched sprue and have prepared plenty.

My question to the forum is:

When to do the rigging....before or after painting?

If I do the rigging now (pre-painting), which is what I would prefer to do, is it people's experience that the airbrushing afterward will break the rigging?

But if I leave the rigging until after painting, am I not going to mar the paint when I glue down the ends of the rigging sprue onto the wings and spats?

What is the forums' opinion and usual practice?

Regards
Ivan

Hi Ivan,
No help from me, I'm afraid I'm in your boat on this with my Neuport. Seems to me rigging would be last and require tedious touch in execution.
'Bump' is all the help I've got now.
Rick

Generally for biplanes I'll predrill all holes for the rigging prior to painting. Build and paint the inner surfaces. Then rig with low breaking straining fishing line or stretched sprue. then paint the outer surfaces.

essentially i'm using this method using this method

http://www.wwi-models.org/misc/rigging.html

another tutorial

http://www.clubhyper.com/reference/aligningandriggingabiplanegp_1.htm

So for the peashooter paint (and decal) the top side of the wing drill through from top to bottom. Rig then fill any gaps on the underside and paint the underside.

It sounds worse than it is. This is a good kit to start on I started with the i-153 which is also good to start with as there is no cabane struts to contend with.

Good luck and tight lines

Interesting comments.

Here is a thread that may help. at least the first 4 posts.

Click here.