I started this build a while back for a GB in the honor of Harry Woodman, who over the years has been a great inspiration towards scratch building. His methods were employed on the FE-8 I did a few years back. There is a fare bit of prep work which needs to be done before work can start on the fuselage. First step was to open up the hand holds and thinning down the back side and back with card. The fuselage halves where joined up and the tail section parts added minus the tail feathers which I cut free. Top wing has it's dihedral removed and all flying surfaces rib detail sanded back thinning the wing for a sharp trailing edge.

Opening the card intakes I drilled a hole in the middle cleaning out the shape with a new #11 blade. To get the scale thinness a channel was cut on the inside with clean up with needle files. The louvers are a different story . This was a challenge on thinning down plastic. I used my squadron scriber to cut a channel through given enough room for a saw to open up the holes. The same steps I followed with the air and cooling vents. A bit more refining with some fine sand paper will finish this off. The cockpit structure has been started with a fare bit more to go.






















Terri

start looks promising. Nice subject too.

Cliff

Thank-you

Terri

I've just had a look back at your build of the 1/72 version of this aircraft, and it make me look forward to watching this one. Nice to see you blogging a build again.

The louvres look like they were a nightmare- but great, clean work from you there. Really interesting to see an aircraft where the fuselage can be closed and the wings on and then the cockpit inserted from the front and top.

Hi Ben !

Over the years the cut back on the amount of blogging and web sites . It was becoming overbearing and eating up much of my spare time . Does feel good though - sharing again .
Yes , a bit more detail will be added to this one . When I build in 72 scale it is out of box . That was the first time I scratch a pit in that scale , most of it . Yes the louvers were a little nerve racking . Getting the plastic thin enough for scale thickness first using sandpaper wrapped around a dowel . I tried to get it down to 1mm in thickness . I figured it would have been easier doing this first with less material to be removed form the louvers . I still managed to put a few stress cracks which have been repair . Will have to watch how I hand the front end and not apply a lot of pressure in the chin area .

Yesterdays progress I work on the rear engine mount on the back side of the firewall and work continued with the framing structure . Still a fare bit more to go before other details can be added .












Terri

Looking good Terri.

Thanks Stephen





Terri

Spent some time last night test fitting the framing to the inside of the fuselage making sure that it is a nice tight fit and no gaps between the fuselage walls and outer frame edges . So far things are looking very promising











Terri

Work continued on the frame work which still needs a few more bit's and this will finish off the structure . Then can start adding the all the other bit's and pieces .












The cooling holes I opened up on the spinner and scratched the back plate and rob a four blade prop from the spare box and hacked it up with a bit of filing to fit inside the spinner so when looking through the cooling holes it's just not an empty space .












Terri

Hello,

This is a very nice Cockpit... Really Nice...!!

And a cool tweezers Too...

BTW

Diego

That is very nice detailing on the frame Terri – and also very nice overall!

Mikael

I pick up the tweezers at Michaels craft store in their beading section for $ 14.95 little over priced but they come in handy for many applications .



Terri

Thanks Mikael

Time for another up-date on where this project stands . The fuselage framing is finally finished and is ready for paint !










Terri

Progress is slow , but making head way . I ended up cutting the floor back 4mm and made a new bulk head for the lower part of the floor ( where the rudder cables pass through ) some repainting was need and I went a little darker then the fuselage side walls . Part of the control column is in place and all control cables . The spent ammo belts boxes are made from 0.5 thou card .














Terri

Very nice interior - detail overload! Continuing to watch with interest.

Thanks Ivan for dropping by and having a peek




Terri

Looking sweet Terri!

Mark

Thanks Mark





Terri

Made some more progress over the weekend on adding detail . Rest of the control column is finished minis the hand grip which will come at a later date . Seat rails and seat are fix in place . Had a few troubles with the seat belts getting them too bend which did fair too well , but I'm pleased with the results .

















Terri

Interesting and very decent work Terri!

Thanks Stephen It has be a while since I have done this kind of building . All my builds , or most of them have been out of the box with a little detail here and there . So I'm little out of practice and it's slow going .






Terri

A bit of progress made on the back side of the fire wall with the engine mount and the start of the back side for the engine . So far the fit is better good !


















Terri

I've not said anything yet, Terri; have been watching though. I must say, your work looks wonderfully complicated in a very good way.

The rich wood tones and extra efforts your doing are so attractive. Well done!!!