Hi guys, i have a polyurethane resin moulded Jet Figure from "Pete's Pilot". How do you keep yours attached in the cockpit. I'm using a bubble canopy so it will be enclosed after. 30 minute epoxy? CA? Other methods?

Thanks

Jim

If it's a solid casting - I use a couple of screws into it and mount it all onto some epoxy (Including in the screw holes).
If it is hollow and large enough, I drill a large hole in the middle of the base (If there isn't one there already) and put a couple of pieces of hardwood inside where the screws mentioned above will go - then do the same thing.

Works for me when I use a figure.

Nowadyas, I prefer to go to tinted canopies and leave the pilot figure out altogether but I am also not a "scale" builder.

I've used the double sided permanent mount foam tape. It workd pretty good until you crash and the poor guy goes out through the windshield

I have another mounted in RC56 canopy glue. He's been there for years. It's open cockpit so it has a little fuel mist on it. You would think his rear wood be asleep by now?

If you're going to cement it in, make sure there are some holes on the bottom. They allow the cement to ooze up the hole before curing. That makes virtual glue rivets. Light and easy.

Most pilot figures are lightweight. Anything that secures them with mechanical advantage will work decently. And you shouldn't need much of whatever it is. For example, one screw ought to be plenty. Depends on the weight of the pilot.

Aside from glue, I like to also have at least one mechanical connection, like a screw or a dowel.

Thanks guys. The harden resin has a large hollow at the bottom of the casting, so it might be difficult to secure with a screw. Maybe it sould have a stud moulded into the base. I'll post a picture on this tonight.

Jim

when possible I have tied a couple strong chords to the underside of the base of the pilot, put a little glue on also then drilled two holes through the cockpit floor and tied it down as the glue dries...I have had the glue come loose and beside wobbling some, the pilot stays right where he is supposed to.

I've seen pilots do the wawatusi when the engine was running. It sorta wears out the cockpit?

Here's the pictures I promised. Minnflyer might be right. The hollow section isn't too deep. It might be possible to put a screw into it.

Jim

i've used screws from the bottom side, at least until the gorilla glue was dried. rock solid results.

I just use a patch of velcro, that way when I land the plane and the pilot is out of place, I know he's been looking for the "barf-bag!

What he said. Never trust cement alone (for most applications, not just pilots). I've been having good luck with Aileen's Tacky Glue ( a Vinyl based glue that holds most plastic pilot figures). I also slice the base off the bust (added weight) and use an X-Acto blade in a soldering pencil to put slits about 1/4" up in the molded straps on the pilot figure. I then thread black cable ties through holes in the cocpkit floor throuth the slits. These have never failed me and you have to look close to see they're not just the "dummy" harness straps. A bonus is that if you leave them uncut insise you can loop the ends and use another tie to make central hangers for the servo wires to tail-mounted servos, antenna lead holders, etc.

I used two white cable ties & Aileen'sglue to anchor a Lambchop finger puppet in my Contender. Still in place.

I use "liquid nails"... it's a thick glue that builders use to glue pretty much anything onto anything else. It's held my stone benchtops and splashbacks in my kitchen successfully for over two years - and has no problem with lightweight pilots.

The only issue I've found with it is removing the pilot in one piece if the plane's wrecked.

Liquid Nails is available at the Home Depot or Rona.

Thanks

Jim

I use the 560 canopy glue, works great and dries clear if any squeeses out the edges.