How to scratch build detailed seatbelts for scale model plane cockpits

[@rochederekmartin085]

Excellent tutorial Dave. I'm making belts for a cheap-ass 1/48 Bf 109. Once again your skills have proved invaluable to me. It's little touches like this that puts the fun into building models. I'm glad that I've returned to this hobby. Thanks

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Hi Derek, thanks for the kind words. Glad it worked out for you! Cheers, Dave

[@bigbruhmo5650]

I'm trying to use this on a 1/72 hawker typhoon, very fiddly, but so far so good. Such a great tutorial.

[@catlady8324]

Well done mate! Bloody good show!

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Thank you!

[@richardclowes6123]

excellent video and tutorial on diy seat belts. Will be doing this from now on.

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Thanks Richard. It's fiddly but easy.

[@unclesmifkinsmodelmayhemma35]

Good to see an aussie on the scale modelling platform. Particularly, such a highly skilled and intuitive one. I am going to attempt your harnesses on the me 163 komet I am currently building. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and keep the tutorials coming. They're awesome!

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Thanks very much, Uncle Smifkins! What scale is your Me163?

[@unclesmifkinsmodelmayhemma35]

It's a 1/48 scale, but you wouldn't think it by looking at it, given the aircraft's actual life size. Scale size wingspan is 19.3 cm. Overall length is 12.1 cm! Tiny plane, big cockpit. Perfect forum for extra detail. (like harnesses)!! A fascinating and very dangerous aircraft, particularly when refuelling.

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

I remember seeing a real one at the Australian War Memorial, it's a menacing little beast.

[@scottloar]

Patience, attention to minute detail and craftsmanship produce reality in miniature.

[@cy2087]

So simple but so ingenious. I have to try these. I might even strengthen them with some aluminum foil as a base for the masking tape. Really outstanding detail application. Thanks for the info and especially for the inspiration.

[@archiemcewen1723]

Used this technique on a 1/48 Bf109G-6 and it worked amazingly! I didn't to as much detail as you did because my kits only 1/48, but just the idea and inspiration helped so much. Thank you for continually providing great, helpful videos, and all the best for 2019!

[@SAS672]

Great tutorial, looks great on the finished model..............going to try this out soon. Many thanks for sharing.

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Thanks Ady!

[@robislookin]

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. I will be stealing this idea for sure. why would anyone use photo-etched when this looks sooo much more realistic

[@garylaing5193]

Thanks, that a great tip for cheap and simple but realistic seat belts. Great work!

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

My pleasure Gary, glad you liked it mate. Let me know how it works out for you. Cheers, Dave

[@hubertvancalenbergh9022]

Nice work. I'm presently building the 1/32 Flying Sub from Moebius and will definitely try your recipe for realistic-looking seatbelts.

[@chilarai1]

Nice. The "cheap" masking tape is much closer to the colour of the actual belt and also has a canvassy texture to it. The wire eliminates the need for microscopic painting in silver. I'm sure I'll flub it but I must try.

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

It's definitely fiddly, I won't lie, but soon you get the hang of it.

[@dsrthrse7917]

Fantastic idea. Thank you for your time and effort. I'm New to modeling and working on a model that has a sparse cockpit so I'm using this method to spruce it up. Thank you again for the tip. Quite a talent.

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Thanks very much Mark. Do please let me know how you get on with the belts! Cheers, Dave

[@dsrthrse7917]

I'm watching one of your videos now!. 😁

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Excellent!

[@paulmoore5401]

Very nice. Thank you for making this video. Looking forward to trying it. I think you need to get some better tweezers. Try some Excelta tweezers.

[@billmottinger7246]

Thanks, Dave, for sharing your skills. I'm trying to build an F-100D, 1/48 scale, and want it really nice, like with pilots' harness, etc. Great ideas on crafting both the straps and hardware in your video. Hope my 84 year-old hands can manage it!

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Making those straps is fiddly Bill, I won't lie. But I promise once you've done the first one, the following ones become more of a production line and get easier. Do please let me know how you get on. Cheers, Dave

[@billmottinger7246]

Thanks for your video lesson. Last evening I managed to install home-made straps/belts in my F-100D. Used tan masking tape, cut into about 2mm strips for straps and florists' wire, 26guage, for hardware items. For patterning, I dotted the straps with a black pen, smeared it around a bit, and ca glued everything in place. It was truly a tedious task, but the results really look pretty good! All my future plane models will have harnesses!

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Excellent Bill! I'm so glad it worked out to your satisfaction! Like I said, fiddly, but worth it :)

[@emilflognoid1532]

I’m actually looking to make 1:12 scale backpack straps, but I think this will work!

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

I think it will work just fine :)

[@woody3590]

WOW 13:22 I need help on the painting and weathering art of model aircraft building! I have absolutely no problem taking the time to put it togeather and all the fine-ite work but the painting is where I fall short and have had some disapointments...lol I guess to learn all the secrets is experimentation and repitition and lots of practice...I dont know?

[@davidhourigan9769]

Thanks Woody. My biggest tip? Use washes of thinned Vandyke Brown oil paint, that's how I got those dirty effects on the seatbelts at 13:22. Just make sure you don't destroy any underlying enamel paint, it's safe to use thinned oils on top of acrylic paints. Cheers, Dave

[@tommeehan5879]

Dave, I wish I could post pictures of the seat belts I made for my 1/48 TBM-3D this week using what I learned in this video. This technique was, well, not easy, but doable. And I think they came out very nice, to toot my own horn. Thanks much!

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Hey Tom, that's brilliant! So glad to hear it :) . Nice work my friend, Dave

[@thomasshema4972]

Wow, this is great. Just what I needed. Well executed and understandable video. Thank you Dave.

[@WAVP371]

These look great good buddy!!! I can hardly wait to scratch-build my own!!! Thanks for sharing bro'...

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Thanks William - let me know how you get on. Cheers, Dave

[@mekko1413]

Awesome job yeh i am 3 years late but just getting into scale modeling.

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

All good - the technique hasn't changed since 2017! ;)

[@RestorationsFOD]

Very nice, I feel it gives more depth than photo etched

[@robertcates4066]

These are awesome, Dave, I dont build planes but cars cant wait to do this.

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Hi Robert, perfect! That would be great for a racing harness or normal seatbelt buckle. Let me know how you get on! Cheers, Dave

[@markrayton6385]

What a bloody fantastic tip. I shall give this a go. Thanks for sharing Dave.

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Hi Mark, good luck with it, let me know how you get on. Cheers, Dave

[@PlasticModelBuilder]

Thats a nice tutorial for older aircraft.

[@mikem970]

Getting back into building, and just amazed at that technique. Will try it out sometime. Been learning a lot from your videos!!

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Hi Mike, I'm glad you're finding my stuff useful. Enjoy being back in the hobby mate, Dave

[@simonwallace-tarry355]

Genius, what a great tutorial, thank you!

[@silkysilk1578]

thankyou... new to modelling, and bought a kit without pe parts etc.. so needed to detail up the cockpit a bit. this has worked well so far .. but not painted them yet. fiddly business though :) cheers good work.

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Hi Silky Silk, glad it's working for you. Yeah, it's way fiddly, I totally agree, but worth it. Good luck with the build - what are you making? Cheers, Dave

[@dreamviewer]

got to give a thumbs up for this! Great tutorial.

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Thanks Dreamviewer. Love a thumbs up mate ;) Cheers, Dave

[@larrybrown1824]

Ugh. Why didn't I see this before I ordered photo etched buckles earlier this week! :-) Thanks Dave. I'll give this a try.

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Good luck Larry. PE buckles are great, they will probably look better in the end, it's just the expensive cost that I fight against! Cheers mate, Dave

[@michaelrobinson6477]

Thank you very much! Great idea!

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Glad it was helpful!

[@robislookin]

Got a stupid question...when you make these gorgeous seat belts what do you do with the ones on the model. Do you shave them off and sand the area smooth??

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Yes, that's exactly what I do. It can be tough to get in the complex curves though.

[@michaelc9310]

why not fold a larger piece of tape back on itself and then cut the strips? seems less tedious than trying stick them together as 1mm strips.

[@supercededman]

D'oh. I hadn't read your post before I commented. Makes sense!

[@davidfusco6600]

Thanks! Very informative!

[@Huwberts_Emporium]

Fantastic tutorial! Thank you, I'll 100% use this on both the 1/24 Airfix Hawker Hurricane and BF109 I'm building.

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Cool - I'm glad you can use it. Plus it will be slightly less fiddly in 1/24 scale too. Good luck mate, Dave

[@WiFuzzy]

Silly question. Why dont you use pre-made cheap chain for bracelets. Its made of aluminium usually and the links are oval. comes in different sizes and colors. easy to cut. has a lot of uses. hooks. buckles. yada yada.

[@johnhammond6423]

Two days trying to make seat belts for my P51 and then I come across this! 😀

[@Incrediblebowlesmodels]

I'm about to make some for my 1/35 matv is there a specific size to go with or just round about

[@HalukCETIN]

Looks like great

[@Philip747]

Nice work! I'll definitely test your method on my next build! Might I come with a small suggestion? How about making the ends of the tape somewhat conical (like this: \_/ )? I think that might help both threading the links and hiding the edges when the tape is bent :)

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Good suggestion Philip. That shape would look a bit more authentic. Just a bit more fiddly, reshaping it after it's cut off the styrene strip, but would look great. Thanks! D

[@CarDreamsinStyrene]

Not if the Profil that you use is in that shape...

[@Philip747]

What I actually ment was to cut the TAPE in more of a V-shape so that it would be easier to thread into the buckles and less critical to have the angle spot on without having a visible folded edge :)

[@CarDreamsinStyrene]

Oh got that wrong.....sorry brother

[@luizaugustodasilvajunior6159]

Wonderful. Some tips of the hour !!! Congratulations!!!

[@cristianl503]

Fantastic idea! Thanks for sharing!

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Thanks Cristian :)

[@rickmoreno6858]

AMAZING! Great job!

[@chrishewitt4220]

Infiniti cutting boards would help with the cutting of the straps mate.

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

That's a good idea. Are they a lot more expensive that normal cutting boards?

[@supercededman]

I've got one of these boards. Dave's use of a steel ruler looks just as easy, IMO.

[@joesimon5642]

Amazing detail work!

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Thanks Joe. It's tough on the eyes, but worth it!

[@JoseGarcia-yk3dl]

Hello! The a Diameter is 0'3mm? Thanks!

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Hi Jose, yes, that is correct.

[@JoseGarcia-yk3dl]

@@DavesModelWorkshop very thanks!

[@Kabul81]

Buggar tedious work mate!😳 Jman👀

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

It's fiddly more than tedious, I find. Once you do the first one, you get the hang of it and the rest come together much more easily. D

[@questerng6900]

Thank you for making this video, This is one of those things that i skip every build, now with this "SO EASY" way, I'll definitely want to add this.. Thank you so much

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Hi Quester, glad you like it. It makes a big difference, do please let me know how you go making you own. Cheers, Dave

[@questerng6900]

Just had a go at it today.. looks great.. I use copper wire.. look more like brass..

[@questerng6900]

Wish I could post the picture..

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Excellent!

[@negotiableaffections]

why not make front and back of strap [with sticky ends allowed for] with tape BEFORE you cut it into strips? Therefore you get straight straps w/out the fiddle of lining them up.

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Keith, that is a GREAT idea! That would make it quite a lot easier than trying to line up the two strips, as long as you leave overhang at the ends. Nice one. Thanks, Dave

[@negotiableaffections]

Does mean an instructional video update, lol

[@supercededman]

Keith, do you mean doubling/folding over a piece of tape so that it merely needs cutting into strips afterward? Sounds logical!

[@negotiableaffections]

@@supercededman kind of; but you'll need sticky ends to secure the metal hoops. So [if i can describe this] you cut one piece of tape long enough to allow for the sticky ends and place it glue side up on the table. Next you cut a length of tape for the other side of the belt [minus the allowance for sticky ends] and then put this onto the longer strip [glue to glue]. Now 2mm strips can be cut from this and its ready to use with the sticky ends all ready to fold over the rings. Hope that made sense.

[@arkencraft8095]

my left ear enjoyed this video

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Heh heh, good to hear!

[@t.s.127]

Wau, it is f....ing great 👌 👌 👌

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Thanks Tom. Glad you liked it mate :) Cheers, Dave

[@gadd1919]

This is the coolest fackin trick

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Heh heh, thanks!

[@heinrichshanghai]

thats great! thx.

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Glad you like it :) Cheers, Dave

[@HAMJR54]

Bravo !!! Thanx 4 Sharing :)

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Thanks Hector. Glad you liked it. Cheers, Dave

[@CarDreamsinStyrene]

You rock man....

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Car Dreams, you're making me blush... Cheers, Dave

[@johnatkinson738]

Great tips just camera work is a bit dodgy

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Thanks John. I'm not a natural-born camera operator! I've been working on my camera work, editing and sound since I filmed this, it's a continuing learning experience for me :)

[@abc100785]

Amazing :) smart guy

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Heh heh, nah, I'm just too cheap to shell out for photoetched seatbelts that cost more than the kit I'm building! ;) Cheers, Dave

[@martinhubsch8287]

very nice :-)

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Thanks Martin. The final result is pretty good, isn't it? Cheers, Dave

[@martinhubsch8287]

Very nice, congratulate you

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Thanks very much Martin. Glad you liked it. Cheers, Dave

[@robertjonessr.4187]

Please use magnifying glass next time !

[@willywhitten4918]

Very fiddly bastards - this work is indeed... \\][//

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

They are fiddly little bastards, agreed, but it's also kind of zen-like when you get in the zone :)