- Thread starter
- #441
Night Fighter Nut
Master Sergeant
Thanks for waiting guys, and thanks for all the great support and kind comments. As of last night, I am at a point of 3 down and locked. Now just a little information to show how I got there.
To help hold up the plane and free my hands, I fitted but didn't clue the right wing. Those locking lugs make it nice and easy. I tried to see how the fit would be for the clear part, not perfect but doable. I used the clear half to help me glue the center windows in and there were a few of them, at least four for the moment. I used the clear as a rest on one side so that I could glue the other side. Once the glue dried, I could remove the clear side and the window would remain in place. This actually worked out pretty well... except with the dome window. That pup popped out again as I was doing final attachment of the two halves. Not to worry though, I can still just pop it in due to its unusual shape. Just a little trickier.
when I sprayed the aluminum over the clear area, I wanted a little overlap of center so that I could fix any fit issues if needed.
Here you can see the dome window on the clear side as it was easier at the time to do it this way. I also attached a gun on the port side. Because of the tight quarters in the nose, I figured it was easier to attach the belt now then work it into the tight spot after the halves were cemented.
I didn't have a regular sight for the port waist gun so I made one. That window glue comes in handy. First I made a circle of approximate size and glued it in shape. Attached it to the gun and trimmed. Then using smaller wire and AC glue, I was able to get the cross parts attached. Finally fitted the completed assembly into the port waist gun position.
Had to use gravity to hold the window over the pilot but it also shows the stuff under the pilot area better.
Getting the sides to fit over the entire length was a pain. I had to trim behind the locking lugs on the clear side wing to get it to fit due to the goodies inside. Manufacturer clearly intended for the wings to be attached before the halves were joined. Still doing some test fitting in other areas but I did finally get the halves together without the total destruction of the plane in the process. Final note, after the wheels were fitted on, the ball turret sat exactly were it was suppose to.
More pictures later. Thanks for following.
To help hold up the plane and free my hands, I fitted but didn't clue the right wing. Those locking lugs make it nice and easy. I tried to see how the fit would be for the clear part, not perfect but doable. I used the clear half to help me glue the center windows in and there were a few of them, at least four for the moment. I used the clear as a rest on one side so that I could glue the other side. Once the glue dried, I could remove the clear side and the window would remain in place. This actually worked out pretty well... except with the dome window. That pup popped out again as I was doing final attachment of the two halves. Not to worry though, I can still just pop it in due to its unusual shape. Just a little trickier.
when I sprayed the aluminum over the clear area, I wanted a little overlap of center so that I could fix any fit issues if needed.
Here you can see the dome window on the clear side as it was easier at the time to do it this way. I also attached a gun on the port side. Because of the tight quarters in the nose, I figured it was easier to attach the belt now then work it into the tight spot after the halves were cemented.
I didn't have a regular sight for the port waist gun so I made one. That window glue comes in handy. First I made a circle of approximate size and glued it in shape. Attached it to the gun and trimmed. Then using smaller wire and AC glue, I was able to get the cross parts attached. Finally fitted the completed assembly into the port waist gun position.
Had to use gravity to hold the window over the pilot but it also shows the stuff under the pilot area better.
Getting the sides to fit over the entire length was a pain. I had to trim behind the locking lugs on the clear side wing to get it to fit due to the goodies inside. Manufacturer clearly intended for the wings to be attached before the halves were joined. Still doing some test fitting in other areas but I did finally get the halves together without the total destruction of the plane in the process. Final note, after the wheels were fitted on, the ball turret sat exactly were it was suppose to.
More pictures later. Thanks for following.
