Howdy Fellas,

I have been recently geting back into AC modeling after a very long hiatus.
Anyway, I was just beginning my usual (read, 'old') ways of attacking these projects and just normally started cutting off my control surfaces so that I can either picture them in the 'relaxed' position, or in an 'active' position. This is how I was taught by my 'Da' (Father) many moons ago, and just normally do it that way. I realize it is generally a wee bit o' work to do this, and don't usually see aircraft kits at model shows that have this treatment. So, I was wondering how many of you (if any) perform this type of surgery?
Just curious, since I tend to like to display almost all of my models in some form of the 'open' position.

TIA all.

Tread.

Well it does depend for me on scale. Most of my kit it doesn't matter and the rest it real doesn't matter because the control surfaces are seperate peices. Since getting back into A/C myself most of the stuff I have have been that way. Now if you want have fun get a kit and articulate the control surfaces. STUG

Hi Tread, I do sometimes do have the tail surfaces in a drooped position, especially on spitfires as many pics of them parked up show them like that. On Bf 109s I do the wing slats open if the kit allows as again when parked up this is apparently how they looked.
To be honest it would seem that an aircraft ready for action would probably have the control surfaces slightly displaced. However one not ready for action wouldn't as I believe many aircraft had devices fitted "lock" the control column to prevent the control surfaces moving in high winds or during maintenance. I suppose good picture reference is the real answer as to how to model them.

Howdy fellas,

And thanks for the replies. Apparently, not many people perform this little bit of realism (or at least, not many people replying to the question. But I guess it is called Armorama...right?)

Yes, I agree. Some of the newer kits are coming with seperate, or posable control surfaces. And I'm mighty glad about that, believe me. But the vast majority of AC kits on the shelf do not. And I just feel that the depiction of control surfaces in some other position than straight-flat-back is one of those 'little things' that separate your work from the others on the table. But then I'm a wee bit biased. I have always embraced the idea of posing my models in some form of the 'open' position. And real life positioning of the control surfaces just seemed to go hand-in-hand with that notion.
I mean, depicting a PTO Corsair sitting on the tarmac (or Marston Matt ) with the control surfaces in the straight-flat-back position is rather silly IMHO.
I also tend (or more accurately 'tended') to display my aircraft models in an 'in-flight' setting, thereby requiring a more accurate posing of the AC.

Anyway...my apologies for making too much of a small thing. But it's one of those 'little things' that I like to add to my tool box of 'realism' techniques, and a method I will continue to employ to add some true 'life' to my kits. And I also don't mind a bit that my model will most probably be the only one on the table with that treatment, non-stock that is.

Tread.

....now, if I could only perfect opening all of those little access panel doors as well........

If you feel like doing it, then please do it Thread, they do look so much better even if you are going to leave them in the same position. the realism increases if you do.

What I would like to do is to replace the control surfaces, and make the hinges and all, and it looks so much better. By example take the aleirons of a corsair, like they are all bent , they can look so much better.

I read a book by Mike Ashey and this guy always takes the control surfaces apart even if he is going to let them in the same position,

Tread, here I again I Somewhat disagree. Only if I were posing the aircrft in mid role would I actuat the aerilons, or the evelators in a climb or dive situation. But like the ME262 I'm working on it'll be in long slow turn where most of the control surface wuld have returned to nuetral position and the angle on the elevators is almost neutral. For most in flight work the only thin that would realy be out of position would be the trim tabs. But that's just the way I do it. Let refferences be your guide. STUG