1/48 F-80

John ..

For that very kit ... no, I don't know the exact amount of weight you will need to place in the nose to cause the a/c to sit properly. It is always trial and error ... better to error on the slightly heavy side than just under ... when you button one up with just enough weight in the nose ... everytime someone bumps the display case that the a/c is sitting in ... the little bugger plops back on its tail.

What I do is tape the major parts together and try weight taped to the nose .. until the a/c tips forward on the main gear so that the nose is resting on the bench. That is the approximate amount of weight needed to keep the nose down after the a/c is built.

Keep after it ... you will get sort of a feel for it. Good luck and always have fun!

With the engine installed in my F-80 it took 3/4 oz weight to balance it. Without the engine installed it took 2/3 oz of weight. But like FreedomEagle1953 said, double check your own prior to gluing everything together. As my Father always said, " measure twice, cut once".

Thanks guys !
Because the fuselage is in so many parts, compared to most models, I was having a hard time figuring out a way to test fit, but the tape idea sounds great & the weight guidelines should give me a starting point. Also, as I am a wood-worker also, I am very familiar with the measure twice, cut once rule, & whenever I try to evade it, it usually bites me.

I just wanted to thank the guys that helped me on this. Both ideas for the nose weight problem worked really well. However, I have to say this is one of the most frustrating kits I've ever worked with. It has the most brittle plastic I've ever seen. Everytime I try to cut or reshape, something breaks. Also, the joints just won't stay joined. I've used all kinds of glues, & everytime I apply any pressure, such as applying masking, the seams all open up again. I don't know if it's the age of the kit, or if this early realease was made of really brittle plastic.
Anyway, I think I'v finally got it to stay together, I've primed it & am ready to metalize now. Wish me Luck.