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Sagging Nacelles

3K views 22 replies 13 participants last post by  uscav_scout 
#1 ·
Anyone got a problem yet with the issue of the Big Refit's nacelles sagging?
Mine's has been built and decaled up so far and I have no problems. I'll try to post pics of my refit so you guys can see my job.
 
#2 ·
I know of several folks who've mentioned the fact that they did not build their PL Refit w/an interior armature and have zero sagging on their pylon/nacelle assembly. Several of those had lit their models, as well. In fact, I don't know of anyone who's complained of sagging on their PL Refit thus far.
 
#4 ·
It's plastic, while they don't seem heavy they do pose a load and will sage. About the only way around it is to build up a structure beneath it. Cult sells a structural integrety device, basically a metal frame designed to be used with the PL kit. Doing this or designing your own is about your only hope.... That or filling the nacelles with helium....
 
#10 ·
I don't mean to burst anyone's bubble, but given enough time those engine supports will begin to sag. How much time? Beats me; how long did it take the the Unobtanium miniature's supports to start sagging?

It's a question of gravity. Anyone who builds this gravity-challenged model without taking an extra measure of care to ensure against the inevitable onslaught of nacelle droop is asking for trouble.
 
#11 · (Edited)
rossjr said:
It's plastic, while they don't seem heavy they do pose a load and will sage. About the only way around it is to build up a structure beneath it. Cult sells a structural integrety device, basically a metal frame designed to be used with the PL kit. Doing this or designing your own is about your only hope.... That or filling the nacelles with helium....
I agree....It's wise to simply put in a supporting structure to guarantee over time it won't sag.....In my Ertl enterprises, all I had to do was to glue in a L shaped piece of bent coathanger wire using white glue. No sag here. :thumbsup:
 
#12 ·
And I'll maintain, once again, that out of all the ERTL Refits I built I never once reinforced the pylons and never had one sag. I've got one that's been built up for nearly a decade now and it's still at the correct angle from the day I put it there. The only thing I did differently than most folks is that I used CA instead of standard "welding" glues that tend to melt the styrene to form a new bond. CA doesn't melt the plastic.
 
#13 ·
Regarding PL refit sag, where would the weak points be?

The struts?
The nacelle struts themselves aren't likely to deform, as their cross-section is hollow, with a higher moment of inertia (IMHO) than the Ertl solid struts. Also, they won't shear along the seams if glued properly. So they're solid.

Where the strut meets the nacelle?
The joint at the top of the strut doesn't experience much (axial?) torque, since it's located close to the centerline of the nacelle. So it's not likely to contribute to sag.

Will the secondary hull deform under the torque?
Maybe the secondary hull will deform inward slightly along the, er, "waterline", but then again it may not, as the shuttlebay assembly should provide support there. If not, I'll place some support between the hull and the shuttlebay. I don't think the sec hull would deform at the dorsal spine either, since the torque would pull on either side of the spine, and the top piece of the sec hull is one piece, not two like the Ertl. (If it were two pieces, we'd have a load on the center seam there.) So I don't think the secondary hull will deform. I also don't think the dorsal piece would deflect upward but I might add something inside the hull to connect the dorsal spine to the shuttlebay ceiling and/or walls for reinforcement.

How about the bottom end of the strut?
So we're left with the joint where the strut meets the secondary hull to cause deflection and sag. No surprise. Yep, there's torque here, but I think that because of the push/pull two-joint design of the internal connection, the load is actually transferred to the secondary hull pieces, sort of like a monocoque. If the sec hull pieces are glued properly, I can't see them shearing along the joint, and as I wrote, I can't see the hull deforming either.

Now an armature certainly couldn't hurt, but I wouldn't assume that these things will sag. The design is different from the Ertl design, transferring the load in some clever ways.

Now all this is just idle speculation until an engineer gets a chance to publish an analysis of this thing. That would be interesting. :thumbsup:
 
#14 ·
SteveR said:
Regarding PL refit sag, where would the weak points be?

Now an armature certainly couldn't hurt, but I wouldn't assume that these things will sag. The design is different from the Ertl design, transferring the load in some clever ways.

Now all this is just idle speculation until an engineer gets a chance to publish an analysis of this thing. That would be interesting. :thumbsup:
I didn't get the PL Refit. (no rocks please) as it's just too big for me. But I did notice that some of the styrene used over the years for the Ertl kits seem to change from issue to issue. Some styrenes were "softer" than others and these seemed to sag. Since the, I used the support without gambling on the quality of the styrene.
 
#16 ·
For some reason I'm reminded of the Titanic.

You gents suit yourselves as to whether or not installing some sort of structural safeguard would be a prudent move. As for me, given the time, effort, and money required to put this beast together, I'd rather be safe than sorry. Call it "peace of mind' insurance.
 
#17 ·
In my opinion, the question is not "is it prudent to install an armature?" Of course it's prudent, and "peace of mind" is a very reasonable motive.

However, if the question is, "will the nacelles sag visibly?", then that's a different matter, and the one I am attempting to address. It could be settled by some structural analysis, but engineers probably have better things to do with their time :)

But as long as the second question remains unresolved to a modeller's satisfaction, then it's perfectly reasonable for that modeller to add an armature for reinforcement.

Do you see my point?
 
#19 ·
I'm still not sure that the "structural integrity device" as shown would prevent the REAR of the nacelles from drooping--the supports seem to end where the pylons meet the nacelles which leaves a good amount of length hanging in thin air--the most noticable drooping I usually see on both the TOS and Refit models is the cant of engines to the rear, not the sides. But it does seem the PL Refit has been constructed with this in mind...I'm not going to construct mine until someone comes out with a decent and affordable lighting kit so I may not find out for some time!
 
#21 · (Edited)
Griffworks said:
And I'll maintain, once again, that out of all the ERTL Refits I built I never once reinforced the pylons and never had one sag. I've got one that's been built up for nearly a decade now and it's still at the correct angle from the day I put it there. The only thing I did differently than most folks is that I used CA instead of standard "welding" glues that tend to melt the styrene to form a new bond. CA doesn't melt the plastic.
Yep Griff, I had the same experience with my 3 AMT refits. 15 years on and nothing that strikes me as a problem (just looking at them now with a straight edge in hand). Is there 10 thou here and there of creep? Well, I certainly cannot notice it, honestly. The PL refit has substantial pylons, the drives aren't all that heavy in relation. I don't see much reason to worry if assembled correctly, with correct materials, following the instructions.

An armature has one useful role in my view - to help get the damned things lined up and square in the first place, but even then I have my doubts given the tolerances of welded metal parts interfacing with plastic components. Still room for error. I'll use my eye thanks very much.

If fitting an armature makes one sleep easier at night though, I can understand that viewpoint. It certainly takes away any shadow of doubt the thing should be in one piece in years to come. Enjoy..
 
#22 ·
Griffworks said:
Interesting that you say it's destined to "sage", John. I've built up more than half a dozen of the old ERTL Refit kits and not a one of them ever showed a sign of sag.
10 pounds of $#!\ in a 5 pound bag... It's really evident on TOS Ertl kit, but the Refits will do it. I think Thomas' design offers the most potential for resisting it but then again maybe they wouldn't sag if I didn't try and fly mine around the room all the time...
 
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