A question about guns on a Plane

[hinkley2860]

Hi, I'm a relitive newbie(my 2nd build)when it comes to building these planes. Right now I'm in the middle of doing the Guillows B-17G kit and am trying to figure out is what's the best way to fabracate the guns on this kit. I've tried toothpicks ,dowels, trimed down balsa and nothing looks right. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated

[Mitch]

I have not built this model and the scale is smaller then what I generally work on... but I would suggest that the mg's can be made...

I would suggest a small straw... next time you get a latte... ask for those straws... I would usually use those for the barrel and then place it inside another straw.

I think for this scale of model it will be the outside "cooling" barrel and you can place another tube inside of that...

Hope you can find something that works...Mitch

PS That seems like a challenging model for your second build...wish you the best...

[ADW 123]

I used toothpicks on mine and they looked great. Painted black and of course the point cut of they look scale.

[John G Jedinak]

AL tubing is my preference.

[Mitch]

Made mg's for my 400 series Bf109 a while ago but did not install and now lost... so...

Look though my plastic tube supply and straw supply and... volia...


I will let dry and paint black and install...

if you what to get fancy you could drill "cooling holes" in outside tube! Mitch

[Charles_c]

Shrimp skewers work good too. They're just a bit larger than a round toothpick. I used them for my Spitfire Mk Vb Floatplane.

Charles

[hinkley2860]

Thanks for all the info I think I found the right look from you help. Small aluminum tube with cooling holes and an inner wire to strengthen it. well at least the grandson said it look cool

[Mitch]

I Think it looks GREAT!... love the cooling holes!

[Mfezi]

Those guns are aftermarket items for plastic models. In the US, a good source would be Sprue Brothers:
http://store.spruebrothers.com/product_p/qbt32011.htm
$5.99 for this particular set.

[joecrouse]

Don't bring guns on planes DHS and Air Marshals get twitchy about such things...