writes:Materials required: (refer to the previous pictures for tube numbering)
Finished flight stand
Ruler
Marker
TALs are determined by marks on the rod and tubes, with the tops of the brass tubes indicating the TAL. The number of marks that are showing at or above the tops of the brass tubes indicates the current TAL. If there are four marks showing, the current TAL is 4.
Start with the finished rod fully collapsed. Using a marker, mark the steel rod where it meets brass tube 1. This is TAL 1. When the rod is fully collapsed, this is the only TAL mark that will be showing - indicating that the model is at TAL 1.
Extend the steel rod, and place another mark 2" below the first. This is TAL 2.
Extend the steel rod again, and place another mark 4" below the first. This is TAL 3
Collapse the steel rod, so that the TAL 3 mark is even with the top of the brass tube 1.
Extend brass tube 1, and make a mark 2" below the TAL 3 mark. This is TAL 4.
Extend brass tube 1 again, and make another mark 4" below the TAL 3 mark. This is TAL 5.
Collapse brass tube 1, so that the TAL 5 mark is even with the top of brass tube 2.
Extend brass tube 2, and make a mark 2" below the TAL 5 mark. This is TAL 6.
To adjust the flight stands during play, you should not have to remove them from the playing surface. Simply anchor a flight stand to the table with one hand. Then, using the thumb and forefinger of your other hand, pull on the appropriate section until the next TAL mark appears. The order of adjustment is as follows:
- Steel rod
- TALs 1, 2, and 3
- Tube 1
- TALs 4 and 5
- Tube 2
- TAL 6
If you find that it is difficult to adjust the flight stand with the above method, then the fit between sections might be too tight. If the sections do not stay extended with an aircraft attached, then the sections are too loose.
Some people have expressed doubt as to the stability of these stands. As I have built them here, they are sufficiently stable to carry a 1/300 scale B-17 bomber model when the rod is extended to TAL 6, and still remain upright after the playing table has sustained mild to moderate jarring in the horizontal axes.