These turnbuckles are designed specifically for control line rigging on WWI aircraft models and are produced using high-resolution resin 3D printing.

Their compact size and fine detail make them suitable for control cables, where a more subtle and accurate appearance is required compared to standard rigging turnbuckles.

These turnbuckles feature eyelet attachment, allowing direct connection to control horns.

Turnbuckles are arranged in blocks of three pieces for easier handling and installation. The set includes 48 pieces.

Personal review of Proper Plane resin turnbuckles

Mike Norris

Aircraft modeller • WWI specialist

I build 1:32nd scale WW1 aircraft and whenever possible I replace the kit supplied propellers with the appropriate and excellent wood laminated propeller from Alexey Belov at ‘Proper Plane’.

Representing turnbuckles and their associated rigging wires for these types of aircraft has always presented the modeller with various challenges. Many methods to represent the rigging have been tried in the past, including cotton thread, piano wire, guitar strings, stretched sprue, ‘EZ’ or ‘PRYM’ stretch line and mono-filament (fishing line).

Accurately representing turnbuckles has been the focus for various aftermarket companies. Photo-etched options can appear flat, while metal versions may be difficult to work with or have blocked ends.

Resin, especially with modern 3D printing, offers the best balance. Proper Plane turnbuckles are well-proportioned, finely detailed, and feature clean, open eyelets.

They have been tested to withstand up to 65–80 grams when properly aligned, which is more than sufficient for modelling use.

I will be using them on my 1:32 Wingnut Wings Fokker E.IV build.

Mike Norris
www.mikesww1aircraftmodels.com