Kurt Konrath
Kurt Konrath
A cutaway version with full tubing, wiring and cables would be fantastic to see!
Dean or Doc K would be the folks who could pull this off.
Dean or Doc K would be the folks who could pull this off.
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That's what I call "issuing a challenge"!
Good morning Dean. Firstly my condolences for the passing of your Mom. I’m so sorry Dean. Your P - 38 “Kathy” will keep her close. I apologize for the ton of likes and loves however I don’t often venture into the airplane forum, so had to play catch up. A classic Dean build so far- beautiful craftsman with wonderful detail. After the spitfire my favorite WW2 plane. I will have to check myself and remember to have a look at this forum from now on as I have 3 buddies building here. Cheers Grant
Thanks Grant, glad you found my build.
Progress is slow, but making my way around the fuselage a panel at a time…
As I add the wood to the fuselage, I realize the stringers and bulkheads will have to be cut out for the landing gear opening. Odd they didn’t have you do that at initial assembly of the frame? Anyway, that will be next after skinning the entire fuselage. For now I stopped the wood at the edge of the opening. I will continue this until it’s all done, then the edges will be sanded flush after removing the required stringers and bulkhead areas. Fun stuff!
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So that's why I couldn't make sense of it; skin edges as expected but stringers being continous.
I assume they are giving you the option to build it with the landing gear up and doors closed. I have considered that option, as it’s too big to put on a shelf! But I think I still want the landing gear down. Could be talked out of it, as I am going to hang it from the ceiling.
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Won't do such a thing, my only suggestion would be to make the landing gear functionalCould be talked out of it, as I am going to hang it from the ceiling.
dittoWon't do such a thing, my only suggestion would be to make the landing gear functional
A slow progress is still a progress, Dean. And this is a time consuming proces to add this thin sheet with such a tight result as you show.
And Johan’s option: a functional landing gear ………. A challenge?
Regards, Peter.
Almost finished with the panels on the fuselage, then I can join it to the main wing and finish the side panels where it meets the wing.
I cut out the bulkheads and stringers where the landing gear bay is going to be. That will be framed out with wood later. Then I filed and sanded the opening. It’s going well so far…
I cut out the bulkheads and stringers where the landing gear bay is going to be. That will be framed out with wood later. Then I filed and sanded the opening. It’s going well so far…
Looks great, Dean!
Fuselage…ships hull…both a pain in the… …but I like wood working…and thin wood soaked in water is very pliable. I think making the patterns is time consuming but a necessity. And my friend @Peter Voogt showed me a long time ago how well those work. 
A few of my patterns thus far…I say a few because thus far I have 13 panels on it.
The method I am using thus far is to tape a oversized panel on the frame and hold it up to the light, then it becomes a lamp shade and the stringers and bulkheads show through the paper and I sketch in pencil where they are. Then I cut them out and test fit and make any adjustments prior to tracing onto the wood. So far this method is working great. I still have to use putty on some of the seams. But that is acceptable because it will be painted and then covered in aluminum panels. Why paint? Because that will fill in the wood grain and I can sand smooth. That way I have a good foundation for the aluminum panels that will be thin.
…but I like wood working…and thin wood soaked in water is very pliable. I think making the patterns is time consuming but a necessity. And my friend @Peter Voogt showed me a long time ago how well those work. A few of my patterns thus far…I say a few because thus far I have 13 panels on it.
The method I am using thus far is to tape a oversized panel on the frame and hold it up to the light, then it becomes a lamp shade and the stringers and bulkheads show through the paper and I sketch in pencil where they are. Then I cut them out and test fit and make any adjustments prior to tracing onto the wood. So far this method is working great. I still have to use putty on some of the seams. But that is acceptable because it will be painted and then covered in aluminum panels. Why paint? Because that will fill in the wood grain and I can sand smooth. That way I have a good foundation for the aluminum panels that will be thin.
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Thanks Paul!
Looks very, very good, Dean.Update…a few more panels on.
I will wait until I attach it to the main wing before I add the panels that attach to the wing…it will be more clear when the time comes. This way I can assure they will line up exactly without any gaps.
Also I have to review the plans to make the opening for the nose landing gear in the bottom prior to adding panels.
Onward and upward!
View attachment 473183
View attachment 473184
Thanks Adi!
Kurt Konrath
Kurt Konrath
To do properly you will need to add new stringer at all door edges, and then make doors with edges as well to hang, as they weren't just curved panels, they had structural support stringers at edges as well.I assume they are giving you the option to build it with the landing gear up and doors closed. I have considered that option, as it’s too big to put on a shelf! But I think I still want the landing gear down. Could be talked out of it, as I am going to hang it from the ceiling.
Best you determined it at this point when easier to work then when whole piece had been fully skinned with wood.
I'm lovin this Dean!
Thanks Kurt, the stringers are already in the appropriate locations to outline the gear door opening. I just had to cut the stringers and bulkheads, and then trim the wood to the edges.