Hi Chris,

Thanks for looking in.

The cover is Non-stick, but if you have a part built model you can cover/wrap it with this stuff as it is so light its unlikely to cause any damage due to weight. A single layer weighs just 3gms for a sq mtr.

Hope that helps.


Regards
delboy271155
(Derek)

Thanks for looking in Trev, much appreciated.

I`ve made a little more progress today.

I set the small nose former (F1) in place and square. Waited till set and followed on with former F2 and the combined F3a/F3b. When these were proven to be square I placed (unglued) part K3 to retain the setting of the formers and all is testing nice and square.

I`ve changed adhesives from balsa cement to an aliphatic resin for the latest joints as the parts are now a mix of balsa and ply.

One pic to show how things are going so far.


Regards
delboy271155
(Derek)

Hi Trev

The adhesive you use sounds almost identical to the aliphatic I use, so good to know there is another product about should I run out.


Last bit for today,

Fixed the rest of the formers 4,5 and 6 and added a couple of 3mm sq stringers, all of which have been glued up and set. Removed the frame from the plan and it sits very flat on the table. (Pic1)

Last job for the day was to trim up the pre-formed nose cone for that side. Will still need a smoothing along the edges after its glued in place, but its as close as I dare for now. (Pic 2)

Next job is to build the opposite side of the front fuselage. This will be a one pic update as its just a mirror of the side already done.


Regards
delboy271155
(Derek)

Hi All,

Firstly thanks for the comments and all who have taken the time to look in.



Now as Trev very correctly said in his comment above this is the first crucial stage where I start building the second half of the front fuselage.

I think I can say that there are several options open here to achieve the same end result, so I`m going to show my method with some explanations as to why I do what I do.

As stated previously I wanted the plans to be as flat as possible before starting the build and the reason is that if a plan is creased and you build on the creases you could end up with two supposed identical sections being very different.

Here`s my method:

I use the first built half section as a template for the second half to start with.

I pinned the longest keel section ( that`s what the instructions call it - I know its not a boat, sorry ship ) to its opposite side. I then put some very thin sheet plastic between the nose sections. Applied balsa glue to the joint face of the short section and laid it in place. With both sections lined up with the original half I pinned the short sections together and let the glue set.

See pic 1 of this post.

Having made sure that the glue is fully set, I remove the pins and plastic sheet. I then lay the new parts of the second half on top of the first and without applying any pressure make sure they lay correctly on top of each other.

See pic 2 of this post.


Now as I have stated this will not be a flying model, so you may ask "why the need for such accuracy?". My thoughts are that especially with a model of this scale/size, you can be less than 0.5mm out at one end and by the time you get to the far end it could be 5mm out. In the end, even if the sides line up you could end up with a twisted fuselage and then its a bin job.


The next stage is to complete the second half of the forward fuselage. So until then stay safe and enjoy whatever you`re working on.


Regards
delboy271155
(Derek)

Hi Derek,
Very nice clean work there.
Off to a great start. Look forward to following this build.
Chris

Glad to see the build is running ok for you Derek, I cannot open the last two picture's you have posted it maybe me, tried a refresh no luck. What I have seen are very clean and tidy, looking forward to seeing when the build takes shape, it is good to see a build like yours and follow it along not many like this on the forum.

Regards

Trev

Ps. yep got them had to wait a bit.

Hi Mark, have you got an apple mac? I have found that sometimes, when "refresh" doesn't work, I can right click the icon and select download option. You can then open the pic. Apologies if it sounds like I'm teaching you to suck eggs

Looks like you're making excellent progress Derek, all carefully done and looking spot on..... Following with a great deal of interest.....

Regards

Alan

Hi All,

Really appreciate all those who have taken the time to look in and the very nice comments.

I have completed the second side of the forward fuselage (mirror of the first) and joined the said sides together. Also fitted the base section that would be the battery platform. Even though this is a display piece, this part will strengthen and align the coming construction.

The two nose cone sections did have a few ripples between then, so have used a small layer of "Plasto" to smooth things out and there is still a bit more smoothing required. (Good enough for now)

Next job is to start plating this section.

Until then, stay safe.


Regards
delboy271155
(Derek)