1:1 Spitfire K9817 Cockpit Build

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Thanks Guys,

I experimented with Imurg but I can't get the images to show directly. I will update THIS forum as I go (too much to put up old photos for the third time sorry!) It will basically turn into a mirror for the Facebook blog and include only the NEW build. As and when I get time I will make a "historic" picture set for the old build.

I am very happy that this forum allows the direct posting of images. You guys have been byy far the most loyal, helpful, interested and enthusiastic followers of the build and have given me more encouragement than all of the others put together.

Of the 385,000 views in total, this forum has 112500 odd. Of 2500 replies, this forum has 1080. So thank you all!!


SO...........


And the main Fuel Cocks construction going well.
I've drawn the files for the laser for the plate and levers (still waiting for the metal ones to be cut by Chris, who has been more than generous with his time and materials in the on both Spitfire projects AND the F-16) These here are paper prints.

I've made the complete axle assembly for the fuel cock. I had to hand make the plastic washers.

Turning the barrels for the levers to rivet on to was a bitch! Those are just over an inch wide and exactly 1 1/2" in diametre, with a 16mm mounting hole for the axle. Working with the lathe tools to create the spool shape was tight!

The main axle is 16mm ali tube and the outer locking rings and centre piece are 19mm galvo pipe which is the PERFECT inside diametre to go over the 16mm ali.

Quite a few hours of mucking about for a simple enough looking, near finished, product!

Once the levers and bellcranks are made, I will use them as a template to drill the rivet holes in the barrels. I'll also drill the holes through the retaining caps and axle for the taper pins which secure them. I'll turn the taper pins out of ali rather than buy them, I think. I suppose I could use steel taper pins as the retaining rings are Galvo ... but that would make it harer to drill them out or knock them out for maintenance.....or... I'll use roll pins instead.



 
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Thanks Geo, Wojtek, Hugh, Terry and Andy,

As there will be some following only here, I have edited the last post to include all of the story and full wording for the pictures! Hope you enjoy!

Hopefully the levers and plate will be cut this afternoon and I can work on assembling this all over the next week.

I don't have access to casting aluminium, so I will be making the "cast" frame for the fuelcock from bent and rivetted ali, covering joints and "bits" with car bog to give it the cast look.


I am treating each small part as a "model". The attention to detail flows from that, I guess. I am being very much
more strict on detail than in the last build (as close as that was), at least where things are visible.

The only time limit I have given myself is to get the thing done by the 80th Anniversary of her first flight
which is in early October 2018.

Finally, and to get them back "up" here are the Frame 8 progress pictures

________________________________


Andy,

I have contacted Replicas about your Mosquito pedals but comms
have been patchy as they finish some major expansion. I'll
mention them again next time I am talking to them as a reminder.



 
Thanks Wojtek,

A small update but a big day for the Fuel System! Chris has now done the laser cutting and engraving. There were a few small hitches which has meant that the small holes will need to be drilled, as they couldn't be lasered. I will do those on the weekend in the milling machine. The axle is all finished and spacers done to spread the barrels and levers to the right distance to fit the faceplate. The plate itself has been engraved and black filled with powderbaked colour. All that remains is to finish the frame and mount everything. The 2 BA machine screws are countersunk, which into the stainless steel was a bit of a nightmare (particularly since my depth stop tool is too long for the headspace in the Mill. So the countersinking had to be done by hand. At least the screws will cover any roughness. All in all very pleased and should be finished by the end of next weekend....Oh and ..DOH...the washers need to be smaller diametre as they will interfere with the riveting... I should have noticed that when I made them!! Oh well.....
 
I have been following your project Darryl, and I am amazed by the level of detail and the good work in the quality of the parts that you are incorporating into the cabin.
It is a shame about the photos (we are several who have suffered this); But I am lucky to enjoy them in their time, here in your thread. I remain attentive to your process and enjoying it.

Saludos desde México

Luis Carlos
 

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