Some additional progress has been made on the vertical tail section but first I thought it might be useful to post a diagram of the dimensions I verified on our actual sample in Nanton and overlaid on the figure from the Osprey publication mentioned earlier:
With the exception of the height issue, all the dimensions matched the Tamiya tail exactly so repairs will be confined to fixing the height issue and placement of the top rudder hinge.
As mentioned earlier, the modified shape of the fin was traced by measuring down 2.2mm from the top of the rudder using a vernier gauge and then tracing the shape to be cut using the other fuselage half placed in the slightly lowered position. Using this method, the port side was then roughly cut and filed to shape along that line. Shown below is the newly cut port side with the new cut for the lower horn balance started. To the right is the starboard side with the newly traced cut line from the port half.
In the photo below, the port rudder has been cut away and the starboard fin has been reshaped. Using the port side as a template, the horn balance cut for the other side was made and then the starboard rudder was removed.
The two rudder halves were glued together and a copious amount of surface primer was applied to both sides so that the "starving cow" look of the ribs could be toned down. Below can be seen the first sanding.
With a coat of primer applied, the rib effect has been greatly reduced with just a hint of the ribbing now showing. This test coat also reveals that some further work is needed in the corner of the horn balance to sharpen the joint.
Leaving the fin for a minute, I want to catch you up on something I did a few weeks ago. If you go back to post 101 you can see a picture of the part that represents the back of the 20mm gun butts and the moulded support structure. Unfortunately, that part does not reflect reality as the support structure was, in fact, an open truss structure and the hangers for the middle guns were not present here, these being located on a similar truss further forward. In hopes of making this look a little better, I removed the material between the lattice work, leaving the part as shown below.
This piece will be visible through the open bomb bay and I will continue to clean it up and modify it with added details. The two center cannon butts will be cut away and resupported in a manner yet to be decided.
On a separate note, Terry has been very kind to purchase and send me a vac-firmed canopy and brass gun barrels but these have not yet shown up in the mail. I think the dog sled broke down near Winnipeg. Hopefully these parts show up this week!
Thanks for looking and also for your comments.