Bi-Plane Rigging?
Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2026 10:28 am
For scale model building , in 1/72 scale, Anyone know a good reference on rigging biplanes? I have never done it before so I have no clue about best materials and techniques. It always curbs my enthusiasm when I see a cool biplane I would like to build....
Hold that thought.. Just before clicking 'Submit' on this post, I thought, hey let me plug this question into ChatGPT and see what it comes up with? Here is what it came up with below... Looks legit?
Opinions?
For a first attempt, I would probably avoid complicated turnbuckles, brass tubing, eyelets, etc. In 1/72 those details can easily become more trouble than they’re worth.
Material
The easiest option seems to be very fine elastic rigging thread.
Something like Uschi van der Rosten Superfine 0.01 mm would be a good choice for 1/72. Since it stretches, you don’t have to cut every line to an absolutely perfect length.
Basically:
1. Attach one end with a tiny amount of CA.
2. Let it set.
3. Gently stretch the line to the opposite attachment point.
4. Glue the second end.
5. Trim the excess with a sharp blade.
Because the material is elastic, getting the rigging tight is much easier than using fishing line or stretched sprue.
Basic technique
Before attaching the upper wing, drill very small holes at the rigging attachment points using a pin vise and very fine drill bit.
Then:
Other materials
Fine monofilament/fishing line is another traditional option and can look excellent, but it has to be tensioned correctly. For a first biplane, elastic thread seems much more forgiving.
Stretched sprue is another old-school method, but again, it takes a little more practice to get consistent diameter and tension.
One thing that seems especially important
Make sure you have a good rigging diagram for the particular aircraft.
Not every wire does the same thing. There are flying wires, landing wires, bracing wires and control cables, so I wouldn’t just copy what looks right from a photo.
For a first attempt I’d probably choose a relatively simple single-bay biplane rather than something with a huge spiderweb of rigging.
My basic starter setup would probably be:
A couple of useful references:
https://www.scalemodellingnow.com/tbcon ... ane-review
https://austinsms.org/article_seaman.php
https://www.uschivdr.com/products-in-detail/rigging/
I think the biggest thing is just getting over that first build. Rigging always makes biplanes look much more difficult than they probably really are.
Hold that thought.. Just before clicking 'Submit' on this post, I thought, hey let me plug this question into ChatGPT and see what it comes up with? Here is what it came up with below... Looks legit?
Opinions? For a first attempt, I would probably avoid complicated turnbuckles, brass tubing, eyelets, etc. In 1/72 those details can easily become more trouble than they’re worth.
Material
The easiest option seems to be very fine elastic rigging thread.
Something like Uschi van der Rosten Superfine 0.01 mm would be a good choice for 1/72. Since it stretches, you don’t have to cut every line to an absolutely perfect length.
Basically:
1. Attach one end with a tiny amount of CA.
2. Let it set.
3. Gently stretch the line to the opposite attachment point.
4. Glue the second end.
5. Trim the excess with a sharp blade.
Because the material is elastic, getting the rigging tight is much easier than using fishing line or stretched sprue.
Basic technique
Before attaching the upper wing, drill very small holes at the rigging attachment points using a pin vise and very fine drill bit.
Then:
- Build and paint the aircraft normally.
- Get the upper wing completely aligned and firmly attached first.
- Do not rely on the rigging to pull the wings into alignment.
- Work on one section of the aircraft at a time.
- Use a sewing needle or fine wire to apply a very small dot of CA.
- Attach one end of the elastic line.
- Stretch it just enough to remove the slack.
- Glue the opposite end.
- Trim it with a fresh #11 blade.
Other materials
Fine monofilament/fishing line is another traditional option and can look excellent, but it has to be tensioned correctly. For a first biplane, elastic thread seems much more forgiving.
Stretched sprue is another old-school method, but again, it takes a little more practice to get consistent diameter and tension.
One thing that seems especially important
Make sure you have a good rigging diagram for the particular aircraft.
Not every wire does the same thing. There are flying wires, landing wires, bracing wires and control cables, so I wouldn’t just copy what looks right from a photo.
For a first attempt I’d probably choose a relatively simple single-bay biplane rather than something with a huge spiderweb of rigging.
My basic starter setup would probably be:
- Uschi Superfine 0.01 mm elastic rigging thread
- Pin vise
- Very small drill bits, around #78-#80
- Fine pointed tweezers
- Medium CA
- Sewing needle for applying CA
- Fresh #11 hobby blade
A couple of useful references:
https://www.scalemodellingnow.com/tbcon ... ane-review
https://austinsms.org/article_seaman.php
https://www.uschivdr.com/products-in-detail/rigging/
I think the biggest thing is just getting over that first build. Rigging always makes biplanes look much more difficult than they probably really are.
You’re gonna need it.
