Radio Antennas for Armor Vehicles

[Jeffry Fontaine]

A good source for radio antennas besides the usual wire or stretched sprue is to visit a local hardware store and take a look at a large paint brush or broom.  Both of these are good sources for the long plastic bristles that are quite flexible and no where near as dangerous as piano wire or a fire hazard like melting plastic sprue over an open flame.  The longer the bristle the better since that will allow you cut it to length. 

[Captain Canada]

Good call, JJ ! Could also be used for ststic discharge wires, I presume......

[Jeffry Fontaine]

Could also be used for ststic discharge wires, I presume

I would recommend something with very fine bristles such as the Testor's paint brushes with the white plastic handles.  The bristles from that type of brush would make excellent static discharge thingies.  The hardware store paint brushes all have very thick bristles in comparison which would be far too large for what you want.

[John Howling Mouse]

Good idea, Jeffry.

Also, some of the more tan-colored paintbrush bristles also make pretty realistic scale grasses/straw and they are a lot cheaper than the fancy Scenics stuff too.  Some of them even seem tufted at the ends too, just like real wheat stalks.

[NARSES2]

Domestic paint/paste brush bristles can also be used to rig bi-planes, quicker then stretched sprue.

Once read in a mag how one armour modeler used cat's whiskers for radio antennas  "First catch your cat" 

[Joe C-P]

Cats shed whiskers all the time. You just have make certain you don't vacuum them up, so you have an excuse not to vacuum. "I'm sorry, dear, but I need to find some antennas for my latest tank model."

Let me know how that goes over. 

[Jeffry Fontaine]

Once read in a mag how one armour modeler used cat's whiskers for radio antennas  "First catch your cat" 

Obviously suggested by someone that has no love for cats.  My cat will shed hair but I yet to see a whisker come off.  If you try to pull them out, be prepared for a fight.  I usually torment my critter with a quick tug on the whiskers, it is the quickest way I have found to agitate him.  Stick with the paint brush bristles from the synthetic or natural brushes and leave your cat alone. 

[wagnersm]

Once read in a mag how one armour modeler used cat's whiskers for radio antennas  "First catch your cat" 

Obviously suggested by someone that has no love for cats.  My cat will shed hair but I yet to see a whisker come off.  If you try to pull them out, be prepared for a fight.  I usually torment my critter with a quick tug on the whiskers, it is the quickest way I have found to agitate him.  Stick with the paint brush bristles from the synthetic or natural brushes and leave your cat alone. 

My kitties would shed whiskers all the time. 

And tips of their claws as well.

Steve

[The Rat]

What a co-inkydink, I just picked a cat whisker off the floor a few minutes ago and thought 'that would make a good antenna'. I don't do armour though, anyone want me to mail it to them?

[Captain Canada]

That's funny...I've got a pair o' cats and can't say as I've ever recalled finding a whisker around ! Lots of claws and puke, but no whiskers !

[frank2056]

I found a couple of cat whiskers and they seem to taper too quickly to make a realistic antenna. Maybe my cats are just strange.

I used plastic fiber optics as antennas on my Armor GB tank, just because I had a long enough fiber lying about. Bad idea; the plastic fiber is pretty delicate and both antennas have broken off more than once.

[The Rat]

I found a couple of cat whiskers and they seem to taper too quickly to make a realistic antenna.

Frank, if you want to survive in the world of whiffery you've got to have your BS excuses ready. Just tell anyone who gripes that it's 'scale effect'! 

[sotoolslinger]

My mind wanders,  I find shed catclaws , a cast of this neat shape would make really neat teeth on a model , either as a mask or actual raised detail on a pirate or mercenary aircraft.

[John Howling Mouse]

Okay, Ms. Hitler here: Yes, cats do shed whiskers quite frequently.

JHM: I've since located a source for all sorts of (very straight) ss wire in many different tiny gauges at Small Parts.

I bought some 9 and 10 thou stuff: perfect for antennae, aerials and rigging!

http://www.smallparts.com/

Ms. H: You #@&*%!!!  I told you no more online shopping!!!

[Brian da Basher]

I wonder if you can buy a cat online?

Brian da Basher