How to make the perfect bang-seat handles

[rickshaw]

I've been searching for sometime for a reliable and easy method to create the various black and yellow striped safety handles one sees on aircraft bang seats.   Usually either as part of a face blind on top of the seat or a ring which is pulled between the legs, these cables are pretty prominent on most seats.

For years I used to use wire, from various sources and of different types of metal but it required fiddly painting.  Recently I'd read somewhere about using multi-strand wire.  I had a roll of electrical wire which had multiple strands floating around the place from when I used to make my own computer cables so I decided to try using it.   First I cut a short length (about 4 inches) and then I stripped most of the insulation off.   I then seperated the strands.   There were 10.  I divided them equally and twisted the two bunches to form each into a single cable.  I then painted one half black, the other yellow.  Once dried, I twisted them together.  Yep, that worked perfectly but it was too thick for 1/72 (perfect for 1/48 though).   So, I tried again.  This time I limited it to two strands in each bundle and ended up with five bundles.   I painted one black the other yellow again.   Once dried I twisted two of them together and bingo!  Exactly right for 1/72.

In order to get the right shaped rings, I then used a thick paperclip, bent double, closely together.  Then it was simply a matter of twisting the painted wire around it to make the rings required.   They look much better than my previous efforts.

[Army of One]

Sounds like an awesome idea.....here's me fiddling with one thin wire n a very thin brush......when I did do the odd jet....

[The Wooksta!]

Try yellow and black thread.  Twist together then paint with PVC.  Wait for it to cure and then cut to length.