Nelson Hobby Specialties

Flying Wires

Our flying wires are no longer available from my supplier in Europe. We are not certain when they will be availalble again or if they will be available in the future.

In the future I most likely will have flying wire made for my Great Lakes Biplane project. These wires will be suitable for 30% to 33% aircraft. No priceing or availability.

Low cost flying wires can be fabricated by the modeler using our NELSON flying wire material. The flying wire is made from stainless steel and is rolled (formed) to a realistic elliptical streamline cross section. This is the same shape as found in full scale flying wires.

Tom Cichon built this 1/4 scale Stearman from a Flair kit. Used our Nelson Flying Wire material for the wing flying wires. Powered with a Robart R780 Radial Engine. 89" wingspan. 28 pounds.(Tom Cichon photo)

This wire has a width of .125(1/8) inch and a thickness of .032 (1/32) inch. It is supplied in 6 foot and 24 foot lengths. The wire is easily cut to length with a Dremel abrasive cut off disc. Make certain that eye protection is used while cutting the flying wires.

The cross section or end view of the wire shows the elliptical streamline shape. This shape is typical of what is used on full scale flying wires. Dime shown for reference.

The wire can be easily polished with metal polish, fine sandpaper or steel wool.

Flying wire is available in 6 ft, and 24 ft. lengths. Shipped in a rolled condition, but will unroll as a straight piece.

Fittings are silver soldered to suitable steel or brass fittings. Recommended method of attachment is to silver solder the flying wire to a 2-56 socket head cap screw that has a slot ground in its head. A Dremel abrasive cut off disc is used to cut a slot about 3/4 of the depth of the socket head.

The flying wire is attached by silver soldering into a 2-56 or 4-40 socket head cap screw that has a slot ground into the head by the use of a Dremel tool and a cut off wheel.

A standard 2-56 steel clevis with a jam nut is inserted onto the 2-56 cap screw. Better yet, is to use a NELSON miniature 2-56 clevis for extra realism.

After silver soldering the flying wire to the socket head cap screw, a clevis is screwed onto the cap screw. Result is a extremely strong joint capable of over 150 pounds of load.

The tightening or tensioning of the wires is done by turning the clevis 1/2 a turn at a time. Once the proper setting is obtained, then a 2-56 jam nut is used to keep the clevis in position if the clevis is removed for disassembly of the aircraft or if additional additional adjustments are necessary.

NELSON Flying Wire
ITEM NO	DESCRIPTION	QTY. PKG.	PRICE
FW006	Flying Wire 1/8" wide x 1/32" thick	6 ft.	$8.95
FW024	Flying Wire 1/8" wide x 1/32" thick	24 ft.	$26.95

Revised 7/29/05

NELSON Flying Wire is available from

NELSON Hobby Direct or at hobby dealers.