Better looking stock antenna’s

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Jay-Em
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Joined: Sun Jul 17, 2011 9:11 pm
Location: The Chilly and Flat part of the Netherlands' North.

Better looking stock antenna’s

Post by Jay-Em »

The stock aerials Heng Long puts in their boxes look, frankly, way too “toy” for me.

To make them more like real radio anntenna’s, there’s a simple solution that keeps their flex, ànd gets it the right colour: Shrink. Tube.

Get Yourself some 0.8mm and 5mm Shrink-tube at HobbyKing, for the giant sum of about 1 quid for 2 x 1m. ( While You’re at it, order many more sizes. Shrink-tube is a godsend with all manner of electric ‘toys’ ) Snip-off the eyelet at the top. Shove a correct length of 0.8mm on the aerial, about 2mm more than needed (to cover the sharp tip) and shrink it simply with a lighter. Put a drop of superglue in the tip, also to cover the sharp end, just to be sure.

Now, cut about 2 cm, or enough to cover the spring-bit, of the 5mm shrink, shove over the spring-bit. Voilà. ‘Rubber covered aerials’ the material can be painted with any acrylics to cover the brand-name that’s usually printed allover the tubing. My advise would be ‘Tamiya Rubber Black XF-85’

If You feel like it, You can go “deluxe” and also buy some 1mm or 1.2mm, cut 1cm and shrink that somewhere half-way on the antenna, simulating a connecting sleeve.

(Pictures are coming)
Last edited by Jay-Em on Sun Nov 25, 2018 9:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Max-U52
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Joined: Sat Sep 12, 2015 8:56 pm
Location: Detroit

Re: Better looking stock antenna’s

Post by Max-U52 »

I definitely agree that you can never have too much shrink tube. I used it on the Abrams, along with .020 styrene rod painted black with a Sharpie.

Image

I just ordered a resin printer and antenna bases are on the list so keep your eye out for files. Small items like that I can send to the UK for just the cost of a Christmas card. I'll also be printing one in 1/6 scale for my hetzer.
When FDR coined the phrase "The Arsenal of Democracy", he was talking about Detroit. Proud to live in the 2nd most violent city in America!!
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