Hi Jase,

You`re not being surprised, it is delicate in places. The thing is that as more parts are added, it does strengthen up to a solid build.

Thanks for looking in.

Regards
delboy271155
(Derek)

Hi Steve,

Thanks for comments and glad you`re enjoying this build.

Lots of good bits yet to come.

Regards
delboy271155
(Derek)

Looks great Delboy,

Your methods & findings will certainly help when I do get around to starting mine.

Fantastic & informative diary.

Wilfy

Hi All,

Well here we go with the latest update.

Issue 11 and 12 deal with the construction of the inner, wing mounted fuel tanks.

The process is the same for both tanks.

Firstly you have to stick the two halves of each tank together.

When set the tanks are placed inside there retaining wing ribs. To protect the ribs I put the rear spar in place (Not Glued).

With the tanks in place mark where the ribs are against the tank and draw the lines between the marks with a marker pen.

The result. pic 1


With each tank, you get six metal strips.

These make up the retainer straps for the tanks.

Take each strip in turn and shape it across the tank following the lines just drawn.

The instructions tell you to paint the strips prior to shaping them.

My experience of this says, shape them first then paint, then the paint doesn`t crack and peal off.Pic 2-4



Now paint the strips and when fully dry clean off any paint that gets onto the side of the strip that will contact the tank.Pic 5


When the paint is fully dry, take each strip in turn and mark, then cut each end of the strip where it comes level to the lower part of the tank curve and glue in place.Pic 6


With all six straps in place it should look like this.Pic 7-8


There are now numerous caps etc to be fitted to each tank, but that`s for later.

Now, the rest of the ribs are fitted to the front wing former.
I used the same method as before and held the ribs in place using the rear wing spar, while
they set.
Two ribs are placed either side of the fuselage, at the end of the inner wing sections.Pic 9


When the two ribs are set at each end of the former, then you can fit the rear former and
glue in place.

This is where I changed the build order.

The next part of the build, involves fitting two front wing formers to each side of the
centre wing section.
Then in between these two parts, you fit the engine mount brackets.

All of these parts must be set at 90 degrees to the wing former. If you fit them in the order
shown, you have no way of checking that the inner parts are set correctly.

Here`s the parts to be fitted.Pic 10


So, start from the outermost part and then set the rest of the parts in turn, working inwards
towards the fuselage. You then have space to use set squares to check on the orientation of
the following parts.

The first outer former in place.Pic 11


The following former is then set in place.Pic 12


When you continue with the next two formers, this is the result.Pic 13


The same operation is performed on the other end of the centre wing section.

So, to come:

Painting and fixing of all the fuel tank caps.
Fit both the inner engine mounting plates.
Loads of stringers to fit and start on the pilots control levers.


Happy Building,

Regards
delboy271155
(Derek)

Hi Del,
Looks more complex than I first thought but I know the build is in safe hands,top work Del.

Regards
Trev.

Nice going Del, and some good work there on the metal cleanup

Steve

Hi All,

Firstly thanks Steve and Nem for time taken to comment.

Now as I said in the previous post this one would not be far off.

This is from issue 18/19 and produces the next section of the fuselage, but, before I proceed "WARNING" to those following on with this build at a later date..

The fuselage rib sections in this part of the build are very fragile. The holes are drilled in the rib sections extremely close to the edges of the parts and require very gentle handling. That said once together they become a very strong frame like the others.

So onward and upward.

The parts:

Issue 18.Pic 1


Just look how close some of the holes are to the edge of the ribs.
Shows some of the issues when you produce a kit in this scale, of something so darn big.

Issue 19.Pic 2


I`ve shown all the parts at this stage because they follow on and build into one section.

This section of the fuselage builds up the same as previous ones, so will give the details only as you will know how they come together.
(Each rib section must be set square to the base (floor) plate.

Start with the base and the end rib.Pic 3


(Please make sure you get the orientation of the base the correct way round. Mark with an arrow as shown in the instructions).

Then set the rib to the end of the base.Pic 4


When and only when this is full set, there`s some work to do on part 85a before it`s fitted.

Instructions say fit first, my advise is shape first then fit. (Less chance of breaking end rib section).

The top edge of part 85a needs a small radius filing on the top edge as shown below.Pic 5


With the shaping done on part 85a it`s fitted against the end rib (already fitted to the base)as shown here.Pic 6


Next the three remaining ribs of issue 18 are fitted. When you have gently cleaned up the surfaces to be glued, place each rib in turn over the base, glue and rotate into position. (Make sure they are set square to the base plate).

This is where you should be at this stage.Pic 7



Ok, that`s issue 18 dealt with.

Issue 19 follows on in the same vein and fits more ribs, the main side spars and the other end plate.

Fit the ribs in the order shown in the instructions, but "NOTE", there is only one rib #90 and four #91. Not 2 ribs #90 and 3 ribs #91 as stated in the instructions.

So fit the rest of the ribs #90 and #91 as per the instructions and you will then fit the main side spars.

Here I go again, these ribs are thin (2mm) and will not always be completely flat when removed from the fret.
I was fortunate that I had a spare issue 18, hence a spare base section.
I used this to line up the ribs for the next stage. If you don`t have that privilege, it`s not hard to make this template out of scrap fret parts from your kit.

Here`s mine:

It`s got a piece of balsa fitted to it to keep it flat.

The left hand rib is the last one to be fitted and is only rested in place for this example.

The side spar is marked whilst laid against the point where the ribs cross the base to match the gluing points.(Shown in previous stages)Pic 8


When you have fitted both side rails the final rib section #92 can be fitted. The rail ends trimmed and smoothed and you should end up with this.Pic 9


So to finish this session, here`s a couple of pics with the sections clamped together, of the parts so far.

The first one shows the fuselage so far, with the inner wing section. (It`s on 2 x A4 paper)Pic 10


The second,(with the help of the misses) includes the left outer wing section. (Wing tip not yet fitted, so will get bigger)Pic 11


Finally the fuselage inverted to show the bomb bay.Pic 12


That`s all for today,

Next sessions will be detailing, painting and doing bits missed out to be done later.

May be a while

Hope you enjoyed.

Regards
delboy271155
(Derek)

Hi Derek

Well impressed with how your tackling this build,keep the pics comming

Regards

Andy

My God, how do you display this thing, it's huge ?