SPA Modeler

So twelve days of procrastination and I have finally started work on the fuel filler ports. The tape template was removed from the wing and placed onto a piece of 0.50mm styrene sheet. I then pinpointed the panel corners, centre of the open fuel cell doors and other detail using a needle point scribe. The template was removed and the dots joined to make the panel outline, with details relief brought out using a 0.5mm mechanical pencil. This way, I still had the intact template if I made an error:






I test drilled the other spare wing piece to get the right speed and drill size to chain drill the panel I needed removed with my faux Dremel. Happy with my choice, I drilled out the actual piece, removing the waste with sprue cutters:









I then carefully taped the borders of the panel and using a flat file, sand stick and a lot of patience, I remove material to the tape edge:








Until I was left with this result:






The replacement 0.50mm panel was edged with 1.5 x 1.5 strip to provide a good anchor the the plastic around the opening. Some test fits show the work has paid off and I am close.I will impart a slight curvature in the new styrene to match the wing shape and fix the smaller rear end first, allowing it to set up before moving forward to complete installation.

Regards

Bravo, Kent!!!!

Most impressive.

Going to have a go at riveting the Heinkel. Well, the half Heinkel with a quarter wing. Practicing on the surplus parts with the RB 0.75mm rivet-r. Just following the natural panel lines as practice. Then a Flory Wash and Dullcote the bring them out. First off was bare plastic on the wing, then primer on the stab before running the rivet-r along the lines. I lack a bit of consistency in pressure so that is a learning point. Not that you need much, just consistent:









The Eduard PE sits slightly proud of the plastic if just glued on top. I got a small set of drills to remove some material (about 1mm) in a circular pattern and the PE just drops into place and sits flush:





Rivet plans for the P are very scarce so it will be a rudimentary rivet job. I have a set that Ralph used in his build a couple of years ago to assist me, so stay tuned!

Regards,

That is some great work on the practice run.

I really dig how cleanly and thoroughly you work, even whilst conducting experiments. This inspires me to up my game too.

Excellent rivets and PE work!

I continue to watch in wonder........

Welcome back and thanks for looking in,



After a comment at last week’s club meet (you cut me deep Shrek), I thought I should document my minimalistic approach to progress. The fuselage upper gun position piece has been bisected and added to the fuselage:





The flap section has also been assembled and test fitted to the wing:











The engine assembly had its various cooler flaps and covers test assembled and dry fitted:














Work on the fuel cell insert continues with some card shim added to get the fit even:











It was then that I realised the wheel bay assembly would need to be installed before the fuel cells. I have followed the HPH instructions but probably should have deviated and installed the MLG bay before cementing the wing halves together. Anyway, after some considered dry fitting and a couple of hours,I came up with a sequence to install which will hopefully prove the least testing:






I also removed all the alignment peg positions on the fuselage as they are superfluous and will need tidying up as well:





So forward to the end of the year!

Just realised I forgot to include the progress (sort of) for the upper wing fuel area. The new piece was inserted into the wing and glued section at a time to conform to the wing contour. Unfortunately in drilling out the forward opening, I overlooked it so a piece of card was shaped and inserted into the hole. It will be smoothed out in the putty and sanding works:









The interior has had some more of the styrene ribs removed to accomodate the two fuel filler port boxes. These will be thinned in a box shape some more to get the fit level:




The inspection ports have been drilled out to accept the PE covers and they will sit flush:






Thanks for looking in.