Question about Hanging Models

Well, I wonder how you are going to "firmly anchor the rod in the ceiling". But I'd advise against hanging the model at all. By doing this you get some problems like the model collecting dust all the time and if it's additionally exposed to sunlight (from the window) you also have to face fading decals. Even if you say OK and you are willing to take a try with those risks, you still have to reserve an option of taking the plane down from time to time for cleaning - and I say this from experience. Hope it helps, good luck with your project

Paweł

PS. Could you write more about the chute? Thanks in advance

Thanks for your input. I'm pretty sure the objections you raise are manageable. For example, part of firmly anchoring the rod will be finding, if possible, a joist to screw the anchor into.

RE: "PS. Could you write more about the chute? Thanks in advance."

If you mean more about how the model of the chute will be constructed, stay tuned. I don't know yet!

If you mean about the actual chute used on the B-47, there are numerous sources on the Internet. For example,

Wikipedia: B-47

"The aircraft's engines would have to be throttled down on landing approach. Since it could take as long as 20 seconds to throttle them back up to full power, the big bomber could not easily do a 'touch and go' momentary landing.

"A small 'approach chute' (drogue parachute) provided drag so that the aircraft could be flown at approach speeds with the engines throttled at ready-to-spool-up medium power. Training typically included an hour of dragging this chute around the landing pattern for multiple practice landings."

Bill

I see no problems, closer to the ceiling the less dust and the harder to see what does accumulate. An occasional blow with your compressor or can of air...done.

You need some sort of way to securely fasten the rod to the ceiling. I suggest using the same set up as they use to attach ceiling hooks for plants. Butterfly anchor or a double ended screw sunk into a ceiling frame rafter.

For fixing to the ceiling you could use a dowel screw - wood screw one end & threaded the other as typically used on wooden stair rails. Screwed into a ceiling joist & threaded into an insert in the top of the rod (rivet nut or threaded insert) this would give you a super strong fitting, although there would be zero give & the dowel screw would have to be put in accurate to vertical.

That looks like a really neat idea.  But my wife would kill me if I tried something like that......

Thanks for the ideas.

Re: "But my wife would kill me if I tried something like that......"

My office is my castle. The rest of the house, now that's another story!

Bill

On further reflection, I'm thinking that:

(1) I need to come up with some quick-release device for removing the plane from the rod. Perhaps some kind of swivel nut where the rod attaches to the plane?

(2) Ideally, the plane can be pivoted where the rod attaches to it, so that the plane's angle can be adjusted.

The design will evolve when I start working on it.

Bill