Hi, not much time today but thought I'd give a quick progress report:
The cast of characters..these are the port side ribs and frames (ex the top part of the actual cockpit area. Visible are the instrument panel, instrument panel spacer, instrument panel main support frame, front wall, rear "seat" wall and the U shaped ribs.
My home made jigs for truing up the framework.
The starboard side substantially put together and trued up. The only thing left to do is the front firewall needs fitting to the longerons once they are cut to final length..that is tonight's job.
Pay no attention to me messy gluing...the ribs slide on and so needed a glue "base" to mould around them for strength. The detail sander will cleen it all up before it is finished.
More to come. Over Easter I should be able to get the cockpit framework just about complete..that is the plan anyway.
Hopefully some time then to catch up on some of the other excellent projects you guys are working on!
Nate, the gunsight came from a guy in Victoria..they come up all the time on Ebay as well. The holding frame came from SpitfireSpares …a cast replica and hideously expensive. I have a plan if you would like a copy but one look at the complex curves made me go for the wallet.
Ausflyboy, Nate seems to have you covered…one thing, you might like to run a Geiger counter over those instruments. They can give you a nasty surprise, particularly if are damaged. I have a P8 compass and a Triple Brake gauge that are in good condition but still set off warnings up close. Opinion is divided on their safety.
Do some research. You are welcome to have the two cheap if you are happy with the safety…I won't be using them as I will have laser cut copies as "dead" gauges.
Thanks all for your continued interest and encouragement.
Darryl