Does anybody know of a good tutorial on dropping flaps on a plane? Also, do the better kits (tamiya, hasegawa) come with droppable flaps standard or do you still have to do some cutting? Thanks.

The Osprey Modelling Compendum of either the basic or advance aviation modelling shows how to do this. I'll take a look when I get home and see which manual it was in. Also naming a brand is difficult since separate flaps are an item coming around again and are usually pointed out in reviews. An older XYZ kit may not have them, but a newer kit by the same manufacturer may have them. Old Airfix, Monogram and Revell kits came with moving control surfaces way back then.

Thanks Rob.

Its a lot like opening a hatch on a tank (except the hatch wouldn't give you more lift )

You basically work with the parts together and cut them off the model. Then you add what ever you need. As long as you have reference material, there isn't any problem. Really nothing more to it...

I have a P-38 and a P-51 that I intend to doctor up a little, but that doesn't help you now. (In reality I don't know when I'll get around to it...)

I did some looking around and David W. Aungst has little part of dropping the flaps in his article F14A Tomcat - PART THREE. Go to features and to the article.

Most aircraft don't still have very much detail in these areas. Then again I build mostly 1/72. The larger scales offer much more opportunities.

Hi TC, - in FSM March issue, there is an article on the old classic model
"THE SEA VENOM", by Paul Romans. - He gives instruction w/photo's
of how to drop the flaps. - I'm sure it would be a good basic reference
for your needs of " how to " in general.
- ralph

Brian, Rob, Bryan,
It takes more to lower the flaps than to just cut them out and swivel them a bit downwards. I suggest you have extra attention next time you fly (and take a window seat behind the wing !). You'll notice that these flaps do not only lower; they also extend. They are held by a complicated construction of struts and pilons that allows them to extend backwards and downwards, thus increasing the total surface of the wing to allow lift at reduced speed. Each aircraft type is different, though the basics are the same. I suggest you look for a picture of a landing aircraft of the correct type to see the correct construction of the flap extension bits (all those parts have technical names I do not even know in Dutch, so you'll have to do with "bits" ° :-)

I suggest you try this whole extension thing on an older model first, before you mess around with an expensive new kit !

Modeling a landing aircraft with extended/lowered flaps / slats is not easily done, but when you succeed it's mighty impressive ! No wonder it's rarely seen done correctly ! It would allow you to show a diorama of touchdown wiht the main gear on ground while the nosewheel is still up... or the intricate cable systems for carrier landing with detailed deck.... mmmmm good !




Jan

Yes Jan it is more complecated than I stated, but having done it before, it still isn't a big deal...with the right reference material that is...

Guys, thx for the replies and Jan I concur that there is a lot to dropping the flaps. I didn't mean to ensenuate that there wasn't. It's just something that I've seen that makes a plane 'standout' when you see that kind of detail.

No, Bryan I put my foot in my mouth...

Never dropped flaps, and probably never will (unless I happen to build an airplane and it happens to have that option and I happen to use the option). Just pointing out where I may have seen an article regarding this and not to rely on a specific brand of model when looking for the flap option. I actually know very little about aircraft, but like to slap one together on occasion.

I certainly want to break your enthusiasm here ! The system of flaps and slats is quite spectacular... a miracle of technology. I really recommend you take notice next time you're landing. Certainly on wide body aircraft (B747, MD11, A340...) this is impressive !
It's a shame most manufacturers neglect the possibility to show this feature, and it leaves a strong impact. I think it takes two or three evenings of modeling to do this properly. That is : if you don't spend half the evening on this website ! Lol !
Have fun with it !

Jan

If at first you don't succeed.... call an airstrike !

The last hasegawa kit I built (Bf-109G-6 "Barkhorn") had the option to drop the flaps. Very nice kit for the money, will be posting pics of it soon.

Actually I do take note of this on aircraft while flying. I look at a lot of things with both a modeler's eye (weathering, rivets, oils/fluids on wings) and as a maintenance officer (access panels, all fasteners present, location, etc.). I do think the flap operation is interesting as well as how little movement is required out of an aerilon to turn the big jets. Neat stuff. I just don't think I go all out when building an aircraft. I think I'd just do it plain & clean.

Rob, now you know how intimidating I think armor is!! Yeah, I know...I'm a nut

Well, Rob...
What that spectacular vehicle pool is for you... the airport is for me. I just love to end the day with a little walk on the apron and sniff the jetfuel. Climb on a 747 freighter of just FEEL the aircraft noise through my chest when I stand in front of one when they switch those engines on for pushback !!! mmmm. I'm far from a mechanic, but I know every nook and cranny of those machines after 13 years at the airport ! Another nice thing about it is they often let me fly in the cockpit. That is : if my wife lets me ! She's not to keen to see me leave for the flight deck and be gone for a few hours while she tries to sleep alone in the back

Bryan, it's the Osprey Modelling Manuals #12, POSTWAR AIRCRAFT, by Rodrigo Cabos that has a nice Tornado F Mk 3 with everything including the kitchen sink hanging out. The Advanced Aviation Modelling probably has more, but I can't find that issue. It's not in the Basic Aviation Modelling manual.

Thanks Rob. I'll have to keep my eye out for those two books.