Well it looks like I've solved the minor problem of setting the previously horizontal tailplanes at a 12 degree dihedral. The simplest solutions are often the best, so I simply enlarged the slots for the tailplane locating tabs, added a small plastic rod to each 'plane, and drilled an angled hole at the rear of the tailplane fuselage root for the rod to fit into. The underside of each tailplane was then packed out with plastic card, which was then trimmed and sanded flush with the 'planes surface.
PIC 1 Shows the enlarged slot and angled hole on the starboard side.
PIC 2 The plastic card packing on the underside of one of the tailplanes.
PIC 3 The packing trimmed and roughly sanded.
PIC 4. Test-fitting the port tailplane. The small gap on the underside will be filled and blended in once the units are cemented in place and set.
With that job taken care off, and the tailplanes put aside until required, work on the interior fittings has commenced. The previously made cardboard template for the floor was used to mark-out and cut a basic floot panel from 1mm plastic card.
This was manouevred into the taped-together fuselage and checked for fit, with any trimming being carried out as required.
Once satisfied, the floor was carefully aligned in the correct position on the outside of the fuselage, and the positions of the entrance hatches checked. These had already been marked in pencil, being half the length of the external apertures. The latter will have their forward sections plated-over internally, to form recesses where the hatch covers would sit when closed. The apertures for the floor hatches were then carefully cut out. (The hatches on the Beau pivot at their centre point, opening upwards and inwards, and form a baffle against the slipstream for parachute exits.)
PIC 5 shows the blank floor panel test fitted to the bottom centre section. The floor will be fitted into one fuselage half, and the entrance hatches will have the wells boxed to align with the external apertures. The forward hatch will be a bit tricky, as the centre section can't be fitted until later, so the floor will be mated to the rear of the cockpit tub, and the well box built around it.
PIC 6 Both fuselage halves, and the lower centre section, have been marked out to show the position of the floor, bulkheads, main frames and the front spar. Plastic strip will be glued along the fuselage walls, to support the floor. Once the floor is in position, and checked for fit on the opposite side, the fuselage former frames, longerons and stringers will be made and added, before the interior is fitted out with the bulkheads and equipment.
PIC 7. The floor panel has been marked out to indicate where the open sections need to be cut out, and where the bulkheads, frames, main spar and observers seat frame will fit. The main floor panel will have the support framework added, and the main supports underneath glued once the whole lot is in position and set.
Most recent photos of restored Beaufighters, in paricular the Duxford-based aircraft, have shown a plywood floor over the metal framework, the floor panels, in a sort of diamond shape, being left in bare wood. However, some of the pictures I've seen of operational Beaus suggest that the floor was either metal covered in parts, or the wood was painted. As a compromise, I intend to paint all the 'metal' areas, and give the 'wooden' part a scuffed look, as if it had been painted, but the wood is showing through. But, that's a long way off yet!
So, the next stage is to fit the floor, and construct the entrance hatch wells, before moving on to the fuselage framework and bulkheads.
More soon folks!