What's the scoop on Rotor Droop??

Howdy,

Here's the method I experimented with for making the rotor blades droop and reducing the chance of accidental breakage by almost 100%.


I eventually made the Brace adjustable on the pedistal, so after adding weights to the rotor tips, with the weights resting on the desk top, I lift the Brace until the proper droop is achieved and tighten the wingnut... then apply the hot air. This way, I don't have to worry about bending them TOO much, and multible blades can be drooped exactly the same.

Painting isn't affected, but you must control the concentration of heat; waving the blow dryer back & forth along the length of the blade, instead of keeping it on a single point.

Tally Ho
Frank

If it is only a slight droop, I simply run the rotor blade across a sharp edge (Table edge, etc.)while bending it, a few runs normally will do for a slight droop.
I used this technique for 1/72 Helicopters.

Never tried a droop like the one that exists on a Hind, the Hasegawa 1/72 Kits I build were already pre-drooped.

I just use a round hobby knife handle and while pushing down on the handle, pull the rotor through and you will get a droop.
the amount of pressure exerted controls the amount of droop.
If you over do it, flip the rotor over and do the same again and it will remove the droop.

I did a fully detailed UH-60L in 1/100th scale quite a few years ago.
I had to completely scratch build the individual crew seats and the pilots cockpit in that scale using very small wires and rods .The exterior antennae and electronics work was also rebuilt,as the kit peices were too garish and out of scale.
To get the rotor droop on blades that smal, that I had already painted decaled and sealed(woops..poor planning) I needed to be able to exercise precise control, with both hands,so I got a kettle of water boiling. Then holding the blades high enough to not hurt myself, I let the steam soften the plastic juuust enough to effect a controlled droop using some pressure from my fingers.
Then I used that same water to make myself some coffee to calm my nerves when I dropped a blade on the hot element.

I ran into papa-echo(Troy) here at a local hobby shop a week ago, and he highly recommended that I go these Helo forums for my questions.
Just for the record, he had nothing but really high praise for all the fine people here and the wealth of knowledge each one brings to the table.
My questions were concerning where I may be able to find some aftermarket detail sets for both the Blue Thunder and the Airwolf kits, whether interior or exterior or both.
Even if none are available does anyone know what " close enough to accurate" accessories i could use, just to effect more realistic detail.
Especially for the Airwolf kit..those of you who have the kit can maybe tell me a good product to use to fill and rescribe those panel lines that would put the full scale at panels about 3-4 inches apart and rivets as big as ..well..can I say it here....no?... how about walnuts?..
By the way Papa- echo,as far as the shameless plug..just give the kick back and any checks made payable to me, by way of Bob's shop there in lynnwood.