Stretchable Model Ship | Railroad & Aircraft Rigging

Kawartha Scale Modellers Marine and Tall Ship Rigging

Written by

admin

in

Rigging That Brings Models to Life

In scale modelling, it’s the smallest details that transform a good build into a great one. A ship’s rigging stretched taut across the masts, the telegraph lines running beside a railroad track, or the aerial wires strung across an aircraft’s fuselage—all of these features add realism, depth, and character. Yet, for many modellers, rigging can feel like the most intimidating step: fragile, fiddly, and all too easy to get wrong.

That’s where stretchable rigging materials change the game. Designed with both realism and durability in mind, they make it possible to capture fine-scale details without the headaches of sagging lines or snapped parts. Whether you’re building ships, railroads, or aircraft, this modern solution turns one of the hobby’s trickiest challenges into a satisfying final flourish.

One of the most delicate finishing steps in scale modelling—whether you’re working on ships, railroads, or aircraft—is the rigging. Antennas, aerials, control wires, and ship’s stays bring a model to life with authenticity, but they also present a technical challenge: how to reproduce fine-scale tensioned wires without sagging, breakage, or oversized appearance.

Fortunately, the answer lies in stretchable rigging materials, designed specifically for hobby use.

Why Stretchable Rigging?

Traditional nylon thread, fishing line, or fine wire has long been used for rigging. While serviceable, each has its limitations:

  • Thread frays, fuzzes, and often looks overscale.
  • Fishing line is strong but resists glue and is difficult to tension.
  • Metal wire holds straightness but kinks easily and can stress fragile attachment points.

Stretchable rigging materials solve these problems. Made from fine, elastic polymers, they pull taut under light tension, adhere well with CA (cyanoacrylate) glue, and resist sagging due to temperature or humidity changes. Even if accidentally touched, they flex and rebound instead of snapping or tearing delicate masts or antenna posts.

Applications Across Model Types

Ship Models
From the ratlines of a tall ship to the radio aerials of a WWII destroyer, stretch rigging provides scale fidelity with the ability to tension long spans. It allows realistic droop when desired, such as signalling halyards, while remaining safe to handle.

Railroad Models
In HO, N, O, 1:72 or 1:35 scale, telephone wires, telegraph lines, and even the complex overhead catenary of electric railroads benefit from stretch rigging. Elasticity protects the layout from accidental hand bumps or track cleaning tools that would otherwise tear out rigid wire.

Aircraft Models
Biplane interplane struts, WWI flying wires, and modern jet antenna aerials all demand taut, fine rigging. Stretch materials shine here, as they self-tighten and avoid the dreaded mid-span sag. Their fine diameters also match scale better than sewing thread.

Working With Stretchable Rigging

  1. Cut to Length – Use a sharp blade rather than scissors to avoid fraying or curling.
  2. Anchor Points – Drill tiny holes (0.2–0.3 mm) for secure gluing, or glue surface-to-surface with a minimal drop of CA.
  3. Tensioning – Fix one end, then gently pull taut before gluing the second end. The material’s elasticity will keep it tight.
  4. Painting – Most brands can be painted with acrylics or lacquers after installation if a different colour or metallic finish is required.

Material Options

  • Commercial Products: Brands such as Uschi van der Rosten, EZ Line, and Rigging Elastic offer various diameters and colours (fine, standard, black, white, etc.).
  • DIY Options: Some modellers repurpose fine elastic sewing thread or stretched sprue, but dedicated hobby elastics offer more consistency and durability.

Final Thoughts

Stretchable rigging has become an essential tool for serious modellers. Whether representing ship’s lines, telegraph poles, or aircraft control cables, it combines scale accuracy with practical resilience. By replacing rigid materials with elastic, you gain both visual realism and peace of mind—rigging that looks right, stays taut, and survives handling.

It’s a small investment that makes a big difference in bringing static models to dynamic life.

Kawartha Scale Modellers WINGNUT WINGS RIgging Tip

Stretchy Rigging

WINGNUT WINGS, a premium model brand, recommended using an elastic type of material for biplane rigging such as EZ Rigging in the past.

Now there is INFINI MODEL, offering more diameters from 1/24 to 1/700 scale in permanent, easy to work with, stretchy, no-sag, lycra only rigging.

Available in Black and White the rigging is easily painted and weathered to match your modelling theme.

Kawartha Scale Modellers YUKIKAZE JAPANESE NAVY DESTROYER KAGERO CLASS INFINI Model Rigging
INFINI MODEL Scale Sized Lycra Rigging
Kawartha Scale Modellers Marine Hobby Railroad Aviation Communication Rigging Lycra rigging 2232
INFINI MODEL Black Lycra Rigging

It is a product made of Lycra-only material and rigging material made for ships and airplanes easy and quick to use.

Scale Model Rigging

1/700 Scale

  • IR-0402W White Super Fine Rigging White: 40 Denier (diameter 0.068mm) 45m (145ft), Suitable for 1/700~1/350 scale.
  • IR-0401B Black Super Fine Rigging: suitable for 1/700, 1/350 products (45m.145ft)
  • IR-0201B Black Ultra Fine Rigging: for under 1/700 or for fine RIGGING impressions (45m.145ft)
  • IR-0202W White Ultra Fine Rigging: 20 Denier (diameter 0.048mm) 45m (145ft), Suitable for under 1/700 scale or fine Rigging Impressions

1/350 Scale

  • IR-0402W White Super Fine Rigging White: 40 Denier (diameter 0.068mm) 45m (145ft), Suitable for 1/700~1/350 scale.
  • IR-0701B Black Super Fine Rigging: suitable for 1/350 products (45m.145ft)
  • IR-0702W White Fine Rigging: 70 Denier (diameter 0.091mm) 45m (145ft), Suitable for 1/350 scale products
  • IR-1101B Black Super Fine Rigging Medium: suitable for 1/200, 1/350 products (45m.145ft)
  • IR-0401B Black Super Fine Rigging: suitable for 1/700, 1/350 products (45m.145ft)
  • IR-1102W White Medium Rigging: 110 Denier (diameter 0.121mm) 45m (145ft), Suitable for 1/200 ~1/350 scale.

1/200 Scale

  • IR-1102W White Medium Rigging: 110 Denier (diameter 0.121mm) 45m (145ft), Suitable for 1/200 ~1/350 scale.
  • IR-1101B Black Super Fine Rigging Medium: suitable for 1/200, 1/350 products (45m.145ft)

1/72 Scale

  • IR-7200B Black Aero Rigging Super Fine: (1/72) 45m, It is a product made of lycra-only material and rigging material made for 1/72 scale Aircraft model easy and quick to use. Diameter 0.055mm 45m (145ft), Suitable for 1/72 scale Aircraft model.

1/48 Scale

  • IR-4800B Black Aero Rigging Fine: (1/48) 45m, It is a product made of lycra-only material and rigging material made for 1/48 scale Aircraft model easy and quick to use. Diameter 0.082mm 45m (145ft), Suitable for 1/48 scale Aircraft model.

1/32 Scale

  • IR-3200B Black Aero Rigging Medium (1/32 to 1/24) 45m, It is a product made of lycra-only material and rigging material made for 1/32~24 scale Aircraft model easy and quick to use. Diameter 0.135mm 45m (145ft), Suitable for 1/32 to 1/24 scale Aircraft models.

1/24 Scale

  • IR-3200B Black Aero Rigging Medium (1/32 to 1/24) 45m, It is a product made of lycra-only material and rigging material made for 1/32~24 scale Aircraft model easy and quick to use. Diameter 0.135mm 45m (145ft), Suitable for 1/32 to 1/24 scale Aircraft models.

Rigging Materials and Brands

HobbySense

Infini Lycra Rigging

EZ Line Rigging

AK Interactive Rigging

Sunward Hobbies

Artesania Latina Rigging

Related Posts:

More posts