Today was flame damper day and I went all out. Having researched as many sources as I've had access to, I set about scratch building some straight, tubular units. Most photos show this style but there appear to be a couple of variations. Nonetheless, since no photos exist of my subject aircraft, anything is speculation anyway so I chose the simplest to make.
I started by cutting two lengths of 4.8mm tube and thinning the ends. The side with the open engine will not have tubes so I'm just making the two for the starboard side.
Next, I fretted over whether I should try to make the grilles in the front of the tube and decided to go for it. For these, I started with a pair of punched discs of plastic card and 30 gauge wire cut into circles of varying diameters,
After gluing the circular wires to the discs, a cross hair pattern of stretched sprue was added.
Then the completed discs were glued into the tubes.
Next, I set about making a slot to fit the tube over the exhaust stubs. Simply drilling some holes and opening the slot with a sharp knife did the trick.
The tubes dry-fitted over the exhaust stubs:
Next, fastening straps were made with strips of Tamiya tape
Finally, not leaving well enough alone, I though I'd try my luck at the clamps on the straps. A narrow piece of plastic card was cut and tiny holes drilled to receive a length of sprue.
Et voila!
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