Was able to get some work done on it this weekend. Painted all the parts ahead of time and then started assembly; similar to the way I built the cockpit. It is clear in pack #2 that again the design of the model by ModelSpace doesn't allow for you to show off your work. I'm planning on modifying the model a bit with some magnets that allow you to split open this part of the fuselage. I'll probably hold off the final steps until I see some other packs. As we progress in this stage you'll see what I mean - but its a similar situation as the cockpit roof - MS says glue it on and in this pack they want me to glue the two sides of the fuselage together, forever hiding all the work I do on the radio stack and co-pilot area. No thanks!

You are doing a really nice job on this, I like the idea of using magnets to have removable panels

Awesome work.

Did a bit more work on this over the past few nights. Again a few parts of the instructions don't make sense, the top part of the cabinets was put in first, a big no no, and I only found out about this after the fact. "Gluing it into place" per the instructions means it went back too far and didn't line up correctly with the front of the radio cabinet. I found out after the glue had cured. I'll take some of the extra ribbing and make an edge that should fill in the gap.

Additionally the instructions said to paint the cabinets after installation, this made no sense.

I did make one mistake and put one of the 4mm x 1.5mm magnets in the wrong way, the result is I had to use a punch to get it out - shattering the magnet into pieces. I'll order some extras on eBay.

Enjoy!

Hi Randy,

I use Loctite super glue gel. The one with "powerflex".

Not cheap, but it`s worked every time for me on my DC3 and Lancaster.

Hope this helps.

Regards
delboy271155
(Derek)

So my extra magnets arrived (2 different sizes), and with them I've decided instead of cementing the two halves of the crew compartment together - I'll use the magnets and some bamboo guide pins to allow the compartment to be separated at any time. I'll employ the same technique to the cockpit cover. Why hide all this glorious detailed work!!?

You can see the two halves aligned with clamps before I drilled the holes for the magnets and guide pins. In the 3rd photo you can see the 4 magnets (2 at the top and two at the bottom) and the guide pins at the top.

Today I hope to get the rest of the stringers on, putty up the rest of the gaps and apply a final coat of zinc chromate.

For my stringers I use ZAP medium CA glue - for the stubborn stringers I use Zip Kicker to adhere and cure the CA quickly. I too file the notches down a bit.

Very nice work

The skin is applied to both sides as well, the seam is exactly where the seams crated by the two halves are. So the addition of the magnets will not cause any issue.

Of course I've yet to see how the crew compartment is going to attach to the fuselage, I'm guessing i'm going to be creative there as well.

I'm contemplating skinning only one half of the aircraft, or creating areas of "cut-a-way".. up in the air at this point..

-t