Tactical Command
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Flier "rods" recommendations
http://www.tacticalwargames.net/taccmd/viewtopic.php?f=126&t=29775		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  primarch [ Wed Jun 17, 2015 1:37 am ]
Post subject:  Flier "rods" recommendations
Hi!

As my projects progress one thing I would ask of those on Taccoms is what to use as a "rod" or similar device to use as a mount for a flier model (to simulate it flying).

The rod would be permanently fixed to a base but the other side would be attached to the flier model.

I only have one restriction, the "rod" needs to be able to be Magnetized (likely meaning it needs to be metal), since the point of contact between model and rod will be joined by magnets.

Is there any kind of rod or hobby type material that would serve?

Any recommendations are welcome. :)

Primarch
Author:  Morsla [ Wed Jun 17, 2015 3:23 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Flier "rods" recommendations
If you don't need it to be transparent, CorSec make a range of "omni-stands" designed to fit flat or spherical magnets: http://corseceng.com/omni-stand/
Author:  lordlucan [ Wed Jun 17, 2015 6:07 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Flier "rods" recommendations
Do you need to remove the fliers from their stands during a game, or do you want to be able to remove the stand to make the fliers easier to transport & store?

If it's just for transport & storage a length of plain acrylic rod & the hawk wargames widgets work really nicely. The widgets might not work during a game, though as they do stick out about 6-7mm from the bottom of the model.
Author:  Tiny-Tim [ Wed Jun 17, 2015 7:23 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Flier "rods" recommendations
A trick that I picked up from Reedar - use cocktail sticks cut down to size. As they are wood they have a bit of give to them when knocked and therefore suffer from less breakages. to magnetise the tops I suppose you could always cap them.
Author:  Reedar [ Wed Jun 17, 2015 11:06 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Flier "rods" recommendations
Can't take the credit for the cocktail sticks - think that is Kev101 and his Eldar.

I've mounted my fliers on piano wire. It was what the local model store recommended IIRC...

It's a bugger to cut, but very durable.

Cheers
Reedar
Author:  kyussinchains [ Wed Jun 17, 2015 11:11 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Flier "rods" recommendations
I use steel welding rod for my fliers and skimmers, I think BrokenBayonet used nails on his eldar flyers, they're thick enough that a magnet will stick to the end, although perhaps a little chunky for my tastes...
Author:  hobbes [ Wed Jun 17, 2015 5:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Flier "rods" recommendations
I am very aware you said metal, but I am finding the dropzone commander flight widgets are really good. They are easy to fit and make storing flyers a doddle.n
Author:  Ginger [ Wed Jun 17, 2015 6:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Flier "rods" recommendations
Nearly 20 years ago I wrote a set of rules for WWI air combat (hence my avatar), which used height counters rather than mounting the aircraft on "rods" for a number of reasons:-
  • Counters can cover many more height levels
  • Aircraft on rods are unstable, more so the larger the aircraft (I use 1:72 scale)
  • The bases still get in each others way when aircraft 'fly over' each other in the same hex.
  • I have run participation games with up to 20 people, and the number of 'collisions' increases dramatically at this point. Leaving the models on the ground with markers reduces the potential damage.
  • No matter what mechanism, you inevitably need to fix something into the aircraft. I have 85 built and another 50+ to go so this would be time-consuming and potentially fairly expensive.


That said, have you seen this link
http://thewargamingmegalomaniac.blogspo ... 2-ww1.html

A further thought, I was at a games show recently where there was a WWI air game using the "Wings of War" rules. They had telescopic aerials, but also had cotton wool 'clouds' perched on top of a wire structure that looked stunning, especially with aircraft flying around them.
Author:  RexHavoc [ Wed Jun 17, 2015 8:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Flier "rods" recommendations
Huh-huh-huh-huh "rod"!

I have used brass rod for my other half's fantasy eagles, and they are pretty heavy (being large 10mm scale)
How ever, when it is knocked it topples, as there is no give too it, but at the same time I don't think anything is going to break it (its 2mm brass rod) Its so thick it was too heavy for the original mdf bass, so I had too go and add a scenic base to give it more to hold it in place. But it looks even better like that and I would have done something like that to the base even if it didn't 'need' it.

If I was too make them again, I would use a much bigger base, and heavier.

Its not been made to transport though, as it never leaves the shelf, but I dont think it would have been to hard to magnetise. And a fivers worth will be enough to last me a life time, so its cheap as well. (which might be a plus for you because I dread to think how many fliers you need to mount!)
Author:  kyussinchains [ Wed Jun 17, 2015 8:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Flier "rods" recommendations
Round bases are so much better at not toppling over....
Author:  RexHavoc [ Wed Jun 17, 2015 8:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Flier "rods" recommendations
kyussinchains wrote:
Round bases are so much better at not toppling over....

It is on a 40 mm round!! Those eagles are heavy!!! :)
Author:  Battlespace [ Wed Jun 17, 2015 8:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Flier "rods" recommendations
Not a rod, but I bought some of these magnetic adapters, but still haven't tried them yet:

http://ninjamagic.com/cgi-bin/gt/tpl.h,content=19&
Author:  primarch [ Wed Jun 17, 2015 11:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Flier "rods" recommendations
Hi!

Wow! Such great recommendations!

I didn't know how many interesting magnet type products existed for fliers and such. :)

For me its mainly a question of storage. I would like to remove the model via a magnet connection to easily store and place the bases elsewhere.

Morsla's link offers very interesting alternatives, including telescoping stands. Nice.

Keep the info coming gents, I had not seen or thought of any of these points brought.

I'm very pleased by the wealth of breath of the options offered.

My humble thanks!

Primarch
Author:  hobbes [ Thu Jun 18, 2015 11:31 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Flier "rods" recommendations
I was thinking about this again this morning and of course their is the model boat way of doing this by using propeller rod which has a thread on the end and then you can just use a bolt glued to the plane and are able to screw it on or off. They are made of brass and are fairly cheap.
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