There has been much debate about the launch anchor or to use a grapple and if so best one to get and from where. well this is my answer and i think it is a really easy option.
The basis of my scratch build is wire. I have a tin full of the stuff if you don't have it then you will be able to buy some from a garden center or florist.
stage 1
I selected some wire that looked right gage wise and cut four lengths. Then i formed each piece into a 'U' shape using the supplied anchor as a guide to size. one done i cut the two ends straight and filed a point onto one end. once done i arranged all four pieces in blu-tack ready to be cemented together.
Stage 2
A small blob of super glue was used to fix the 'u' hooks together. next I added the shaft. I used some scrap white metal but you could use anything that does the job plastic rod, thicker wire, anything that you can glue! I then placed a small beed of green stuff ( any epoxy filler will do) and pushed the shaft in to make a hole. once the green stuff set i put a drop of glue into the hole and fixed the shaft in place. once set i gently shaped the green stuff with a needle file
Stage 3
to make the rope eye I took another piece of wire (this time cut from a resister harvested from a DVD player before chucking out)I formed this into a hoop using round nosed pliers pressing into shape against my cutting matt. once done this was glued upon the top of the shaft
stage 4
once dry the complete grapple was given an undercoat of humbrol pale gray. the top coat is admiral metal black
job done and very easy even if you are not accustomed to scratch building
“Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.”
-Mark Twain
US
