ModelCalcs.uk
Rigging Calculator — Biplane & Ship Rigging Lines
Calculate rigging line lengths for biplanes, ships and other rigged models.
How We Calculate This
Calculates total rigging material needed based on line count and average length, with a waste allowance that is nudged by the chosen material (stretched sprue snaps most, EZ-Line elastic is the most forgiving).
Formula
- Total length = Number of lines × (Average length + 2 × Attachment extra per end)
- Effective waste = Waste % + material adjustment (monofilament 0, EZ-Line −5, metal wire +5, stretched sprue +15 percentage points)
- With waste = Total length × (1 + Effective waste %)
- Scale wire diameter = Real wire diameter (default 4mm, editable 1–10mm) ÷ Scale ratio
- Real-world equivalent = Total length × Scale ratio (the full-size length the rigging represents)
Frequently Asked Questions
Stretched sprue is traditional and free. EZ-Line elastic thread is popular for its forgiveness. Monofilament (fishing line) gives the finest result. Metal wire (nickel silver) is best for control cables that need to be straight. At 1:48, use 0.08-0.12mm material.
Allow 20-30% waste for experienced modellers and 40-50% for beginners. Rigging breaks easily and you often need to redo lines, and each line needs extra length at both ends for attachment. This calculator adjusts your base allowance by material: stretched sprue snaps and over-stretches most (+15%), metal wire kinks (+5%), monofilament is neutral, and EZ-Line elastic is the most forgiving (-5%).
Real aircraft rigging wire is typically 3-5mm diameter. At 1:48 this scales to 0.06-0.10mm. At 1:72 it is 0.04-0.07mm. Use the thinnest material you can handle — slightly overscale looks better than too thick.
Drill tiny holes at attachment points using a pin vise with 0.3mm bit. Thread the line through, secure with a tiny drop of thin CA glue. For turnbuckles, use small loops of fine wire. Apply tension before the glue sets.
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Last updated: February 2026
All calculations are estimates. Always verify quantities before purchasing materials.