SPA Modeler

speedgraflex wrote:I did a quick internet peek to see if this was a known issue (dihedral) with the kit and it is. Usually what happens to modelers is one wing is higher than the other which Is not the case here. My instinct based on watching your prior builds is to advise you not to monkey around with this on the airframe but do a test with a good CA debonder on scraps of balsa to see if it is possible to release the areas affecting dihedral. If the debonder releases the CA hold easily you may have a solution. Still I advise caution here. Show the parts you have to carve for the float tips. I am curious to see those. Did you try Tower Hobbies for spare parts? Thanks in advance.

LyleW wrote:Okay, it isn't plastic, but it has plastic pieces/parts. Over the decades, and the last one was while I was in grad school....I've tried many times to build these things. Always struggled. Could not get the formers straight, stringers did not line up, could not get the plastic pieces cut out and cleaned up to install....you name it. Oh, I would also manage to break a number of the formers and spend an inordinate amount of time regluing things.

Good to know nothing has changed. I am glad I got this to "practice" with before taking on the DC-3. There is a love / hate relationship with these kits. Can't explain it. Anyway, here is where we are.









In that last picture, over half of the formers have had to be repaired or reattached. Ham-handedness and balsa do not mix well. On the starboard side, I may use the side keel as a "holder" to place the formers.

On a side note, if you have read this far, I bought a bottle of BSI CA glue from Guillows. I ordered the float pieces and had to add something to meet their minimum. Seems to be somewhat better than the Hobby Lobby stuff. My imagination?