SIG Antoinette 1909, Manual, Page: 21 / 30

.
GWS propellers are excellent products but they are molded in bright orange plastic! To make ours more realistic, we
painted them. First, balance the prop with a prop balancer. If needed, sand the backside of the heavier blade to bring the
prop into balance. Lightly sand the entire prop with worn out 220 grit sandpaper and wipe it down with alcohol to clean the
surface.
For our props, we used Model Master spray paints - either Light Earth or Sand Beige will create a nice wood look.
Optional Dummy Gas Tank
The gas tank on a full-scale Antoinette is a prominent detail, in full view on top of the fuselage. In fact, some of the old
photos of Antoinettes show multiple gas tanks lined up on top of the fuselage, undoubtedly for long range or endurance
record setting attempts. The single gas tank shown on the plan is easy to make, quite light, and when painted and mounted
in place, adds a lot of interest to the look of the model.
Note: No materials are provided in the kit specifically for making a dummy gas tank. To make the one shown on the plans
you will need some scrap 1/32", 1/16", and 1/8" sheet balsa.
88a.
Start by finding a piece of hard metal or plastic tubing that is about 1" in diameter (we used a length of K&S brass tubing).
The tubing will be used as a "form" to make the balsa tank Cylinder.
b.
Use a piece of light 1/32" balsa sheet, cut to 1-1/2" long. Roll the balsa sheet tightly around the tube until you have the
edges overlapped. Secure it tightly with a piece of tape. With a straightedge and sharp hobby knife, cut away the excess
balsa to create a tight seam between the edges of the sheet.
c.
Slip a 3" or so length of waxed paper between the balsa sheet and the tube, beneath the seam. Hold the seam together and
use Thin CA to glue the seam together.
d.
When dry, slip the balsa tube off of the form and remove the waxed paper from inside.
89a.
Cut two 1/16" thick balsa End Caps and glue them in place inside the ends of the
balsa Cylinder. Sand the edges of the balsa Cylinder flush with the End Caps.
b.
Add the 1/8" balsa Stands, the 1/8" balsa Neck and 1/16" balsa Cap to the gas
tank.
b.
Paint the gas tank, let dry, and then, mount it on the fuselage. Use 1/8" wide
plastic tape to simulate the Straps. Total weight of our finished, painted, and
mounted tank was 1 gram.
Optional Dummy Radiators
Like the gas tank, the radiators on the full-scale Antoinette fuselage are a very prominent detail that can add a lot of interest
to your model. A full-size drawing of the simplified scale-like radiators we built for our prototype models is shown on the
plan. You will need to make two, one for each side of the fuselage.
Note: No materials are provided in the kit specifically for making dummy radiators. To make the one shown on the plans,
you will need some scrap 1/16" sq., 3/32" sq., and 3/16" sq. balsa sticks.