Introduction: F-14 Car Ornament With Folding Wings & Navigation Lights
This is an instructable on how to hack a F-14 pencil sharpener into a car ornament, complete with functional folding wings and navigation lights. It's similar to my V-22 osprey hack with simpler wiring. There's a separate how-to on tapping into 12v dome lights soon.
Supplies
F-14 die cast model.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01IY84IUM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Cheap clear nail polish.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EO2G5O4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Red & green 0602 Micro SMD LEDs
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07P5N1DTM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1
Automatic center punch.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0895XYNWP/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
22 AWG wires.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09C2NCHDT/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Other Tools (too many to list links)
- Vice Grips
- 1/8 drill bit
- Electric drill (drill stand prefer for better precisions)
- Small file
- Masking tape
- Small hobby clips
- 9v batter with test leads
- 75Ω resistors
- Heat shrink
- Heat gun
- soldering iron, flux & solder
- utility knife
And lots & lots of patients
Step 1: Open the Plane
Fairly simple step: Get it under a drill press, use a 1/8 drill bit & drill thru the 2 rivets. Remove the small metal "stub" above the gear wing box to make more room
Step 2: Do Initial Electrical Wiring & Test
Take the micro LEDs, solder them in series with a 75Ω resistors. Use sand paper & rub off the wire enamel, test with a 9v battery. When all works, use nail polish & bush on a layer of insulation.
Step 3: Tape Lights on the Wing
Slightly bend the LED leads so it's flush against wing tip, secure with masking tape. Remember to match FAA guidance :D
Step 4: Drill a Wiring Access Hole and Attach Lights. Dry Fit and Test
I want to keep the folding wings functional, yet hide the wiring as much as I can. There will only be 2 wires coming out, so the closest hole I can make is slight ahead of wing box, oh well.
Use a center punch, drill thru fuselage, file down burs and thread thru the wiring. Trim down all slacks and re-solder if needed. Make sure wing still swings without pinching anything. Use heat shrink to prevent any shorts, bend/tuck everything under wing box & canopy channel. Attach a battery, put back the bottom, tape shut and check for smooth wing movement with LEDs still working.
This took me a long time to get everything right with not electrical shorts, and minimum wires exposed. Gotta have patient for this.
Step 5: Glue It Down
Once dry fit and operational, mix in some epoxy, use wood stick & put a small dab under the wing and canopy access hole. Also put some on nose & exhaust. Put back bottom. Wipe down excess. Clamp the plane down with small clips. Leave dry overnight. If you want, check every 2 hrs with battery, move the wing around to ensure gears & LEDs OK :D
Also, (using pics from other hack) Insert the 2 wires into a drill chuck, tighten & wind 'em up nicely.
Step 6: Balance Before Hanging
Knowing the access hole is way too fwd, I took it down, bend back the wire enough to C/G, tape and glue to wing box. Leave to dry overnight again.
Step 7: All Done
If done correctly, plane model should hang perfectly at level flight. LEDs should work whenever interior dome lights are on.
Now congratulate yourself !!