Last week we installed the second set of undercarriage into the wing mid-section.
This week we worked on building the door to go in the rear fuselage, finishing off the starboard wing, and adding some skin panels to the port wing.
We started (as ever) by laying out the parts for this week.
The first thing to work on was the wing-tip, so the parts were extracted from the fret, and smoothed off.
Before using some of them to extend the frame on the wingtip to hold the two plate-like pieces.
Then the two wing-tip sheets were attached to the frame and to each other with a set of clamps to hold them at the right curvature until the glue had dried.
Whilst the glue was drying we started on the door. Taking the outer skin panel and the fret with the door frame.
Cutting the pieces out of the fret.
And using the door’s skin as a template for assembling them.
Once both the door-frame and the wing had dried we then added stringers to provide a surface to work with, and added filler around the edges of the wing-tip to seal any gaps.
As the filler was setting we added the engine mount to the wing.
Once the filler had completely set the wingtip was sanded into a smooth curve.
Before being set aside to be painted.
Next, we took the other wing and used masking tape to position the new skin panels in the right places, applying marks where rivets needed to be imitated.
And then did exactly that before setting all of the pieces aside to be painted (on the inside at least).
It was at this point that we painted everything in either green or black.
Before we began to assemble the door. First, the frame was glued to the outer panel.
Before adding the casing around the door handle (having first filed it down so that it actually fit).
And finally adding the other plate, the door-handle and latch-bar (which had to be glued to each other but not the door), and the two hinges.
This assembly was fitted into place along with a latch-hold into the aft fuselage. Unfortunately, the door-frame in the fuselage angles inwards, precluding the door from actually opening, but this could be solved with some modification.
Next, the outer and intermediate fuel tanks assembled a few weeks ago were glued into the starboard wing. Completing this assembly for now.
Finally, the five pieces of “skin” were attached to the port wing, and filler applied along the edges.
Leading us to this week’s conclusion.
Next week I will be on holiday, so the week after I will post two weeks work, including the last engine, starting on the engine mountings, the second elevator, vertical stabiliser and rudder, and a few other smaller pieces of the build.