This is the progress after this last weekend. Decalling is complete, ive painted and attached both the tail rudder and the tail wheel.
I had some issues mounting the RDF mast and the connecting wires. The kit supplied dorsal mast had a mounting post at its base, but brok as I attempted to attach the mast to the dorsal area of the model. I overcame this by fitting a 0.8mm dia needle to the base and using that as the foundation for my now damaged post. Looks okay, so i continued. I also used some spare PE stuff to try and simulate that mounting bracket thingy for the secondary wire. I drilled a small hole in the dorsal area above the fuselage crosses, poked some of the invisible thread into that hole with a coating of CA glue. Getting the thread into the hole, first time, without smearing CA glue onto the paintwork was tricky.
Primary wire went on fairly well, but the secondary wire is not so good. Ive not yet trimmed either of the wires, so I can still go back and adjust things if need be.
Next I mounted the flaps, Starboard side is fine, but port side will need some adjustment . Its not too bad, but the gap to the main part of the wing is not parallel and noticeable. Did I sasy ive finished the decaling.....not quite true as ive got to mount those big red stripes at the wing root yet.
Having (mostly) gotten through the rather nerve wracking exercise of the rdf mounts, I mounted the canopy, in the open position. Then I finally attached the LG .
These are the progress shots to date:
Just received word via text message that a bushfire (two actually) are within 10 km of my residence. bit of a surprise really. no great risk but we have initiated our emergency plan. my wife and son will spend the night at my sisters house, some 40km away. We have battened down all the windows and doors, made sure the gutters are clean. I have drums of water and all hoses are connected and ready. the firefighting tank is full and the emergency pump primed. main risk is ember attack, and smoke inhalation.
I am staying with the house.
See you guys on the other side I suppose...