¹⁄32

Silver Wings Fairey Flycatcher Build

Main Gear

The main gear appears complex, but it is fairly easy to attach correctly. The assembly consists of a main axle and upper support axle (main axle assembly), a main strut (the fat one with the shock absorber) and a rear (longer) and forward (shorter) support strut.

■ Begin by drilling holes for the main struts into the main axle (see Photo 26). You can use the drawing on page 6 to make templates to align your holes correctly. You will need to drill two holes for the forward and rear support struts on each side of the upper support axle for the support struts.
■ Drill the corresponding strut attachment holes in the fuselage bottom for the main, forward and rear support struts, again using a template using the pre-sunk holes.
■ Dry fit the main strut to the main axle, trimming the wire core so that it is not visible outside the attachment hole. Dry fit the main axel assembly to the main, rear and forward struts (you might need 3+ hands for this step - so tape is your friend). Check your alignment and adjust as required.
■ Once satisfied, glue the main strut, rear and forward struts to the fuselage. Then attach the main axle assembly to the main, rear and forward struts. Re-check alignment. Photos 27 and 28 show the completed assembly (note the port side rear support strut has become detached from the support axle in the photos - oops!)
■ Glue the main wheels to the axles. Unlike other Silver Wings kits, I did note that the holes in the main wheels were a bit larger than the axle itself, so you'll need to hold them in the correct position until your glue sets.

Final Assembly

■ Steps 28 and 29 provide the rigging and control cable installation guides.
■ Attach the engine (and long exhausts if your model uses them).
■ Attach the guns sight to the fuselage. Cut out and test fit the acetate windscreen bending as needed to fit the molded in framing on the fuselage.
■ Attach the guns or gun brackets into position.
■ Attach the tail skid to the bottom of the rear fuselage using the hole provided (I had to enlarge mine slightly for a good fit).
■ Attach the control cable support guides into position on the ailerons of the top and bottom wings. If you are going to attach the control cables, Silver Wings has molded pre-sunk holes for the cables in the wings and ailerons.
■ Finally, attach the pitot to the forward starboard interplane strut and PE rope holders to the top of the center wing.

Congratulations on your newly finished model! Photos 29 ~ 38 are of the completed model.