Making a cheap, adjustable flight stand

[Pappa Midnight]

I thought I’d give a quick run-down of how to build a cheap flight stand. The picture below is a 1:48 scale plane to give some idea of scale.


The collapsible pole is from a cheap inspection mirror I bought off Ebay and the plastic stand is a large GW flight base. The Rare earth magnet was also an Ebay purchase.
The particular mirror I bought had a “pocket clip” attached with a screw fitting at the end. Keep the screw as you need this to attach it to the base!


First of all I removed the mirror which left a steel ball shape on the tip. I filed this flat so that it would give a good surface for the magnet. Although the magnet sticks really well I glued it in place. A second magnet was recessed into the plane’s fuselage (check polarity otherwise they won’t stick to each other!!!!!)


The plastic base is very light so I glued steel washers underneath to give it some weight. I also drilled a small hole dead centre for attaching the rod


I painted and flocked the base and attached the stand using the small screw.

Here’s a link for a mirror like the one I used.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-TELESCOPIC-SWIVEL-INSPECTION-MIRROR-POCKET-CLIP-/130757178326?pt=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item1e71bc33d6

Hope that’s helpful
Regards
PM

[Mister Rab]

Very useful indeed, thank you PM. 

Now, I wonder if that would support the 28mm 'scale' aeronef I've half planned 

[Thargor]

That's great.  Thanks.  May have to use them for my WWI planes.

[Golgotha]

A fantastic and nifty idea I have often wondered about using a radio antenna of some sort great to see the idea in fruition here.

[Sangennaru]

That is nice! The flying stand for the flyers from gw are ways too visible, and all the planes are just 20 cm above the field, which is quite odd. This way everything is much more... discrete =)

[panzerfaust65]

What a great idea I know now what to do for my FOW planes
great stuff
Panz

[Wirelizard]

I used this method to produce a flying stand for my 1:48 RCW/WW1/pulp aircraft earlier this year, but I'd forgotten where I read the  how-to, so I didn't actually link back here or give Pappa Midnight the credit he deserves!

My effort used two 3" wooden plywood discs (from Micheal's craft store), a couple 2" fender washers for ballast, and a mechanic's inspection mirror.

Blogpost here: http://www.warbard.ca/2013/01/26/look-up-in-the-sky/

[former user]

excellent idea
I am surprised the base is heavy enough for the torque given by the maximum extension

very useful, THX