[mwavesdave]

It's a really nice break from small stuff, to get back to bigger construction. Bigger is easier, to be sure. I've got the cap strip on the leading edge of the Vertical Stab now, and laminated up the rear spar for the Horizontal Stab. It's also been marked for the double taper, which I'll cut tomorrow. I also managed to cut all the 3/4 X 3/4 pine strip, which will be glued to the top and bottom, both sides of the aft spar, bracing, and cut all the rough blanks for the ribs! Shouldn't take more than a few days to have all the ribs drawn out, cut, and lightening holes done. Process can be touchy though. What I'll do is craw and cut the root and tip ribs, and install those. I'll then cut a middle rib blank, out of 1/8th ply, fit, and ensure it's fair. Each rib will have a single blank cut, shaped, check for fair, before cutting the pairs of 1/4 inch actual ribs. Long slow painful process, but ensures there's no issues.

[mwavesdave]

As I'm adding bits to the Vertical Stab, and waiting for glue to dry, (I need more clamps!!), I'm also working on the Horizontal Stab. I finished the rear spar tonight, and had just enough time to cut the first set of ribs. The innermost ribs are canted outwards, to match the taper of the fuselage. Pics show one in place. Matching the angle is easy, I simply used the model stab!

I've also cut out the blanks for the main outer wing spars, and will start assembly of those soon. They'll be 15 feet long each though, so have to watch my space limitations. Once the tail feathers are done, and over to the museum, then I can go nuts on the outer panels. When they are done, then all the basic framing is done, and it will be time to do the small bits, flaps, ailerons, start hinging control surfaces, sealing all insides of the wooden structures, and start running control cables, etc.

[mwavesdave]

This evening's progress. Vertical Stab is ready to sheet. One of the leading edge sheets is cut, and fit, it will be used as a template for the second sheet, and they'll get glued into place shortly. Horizontal Stab is slowly coming along, 2 more sets of ribs cut and fit tonight, two more sets to go. Once everything is in place, I'll do the final fitting, check square and fairness, then glue into place. Should have the rudder fit to the vertical stab, and ready to ship over to the museum next week. Once the Horizontal Stab is done, I'll have to keep it around until the elevators are done.

[mwavesdave]

Vertical Stab and Rudder together! Couple more evenings of work, then they'll both go to the museum, and await the completion of the Horizontal Stab, and elevators.

[-Rick-]

Wow!!! Nice work! Can't wait to see it all come together.

[mwavesdave]

Me too! lol I'll have the rudder and stab done in a few days, then about a week or so for the horizontal stab and elevators. Have to see if we have room where the fuse is to attach, or if we have to wait. Then it's the outer wing panels, ailerons, and flaps. Probably around Christmas time to assemble the whole thing before covering begins.

[-Rick-]

I bet you like to see it done!! Still, it is a project that you should be very proud of! I could only dream of doing what you doing!!

Keep the pictures coming

[mwavesdave]

Honestly, it's just a big RC scratchbuild, without having to figure out where all the RC stuff will go, or cutting a cowl for exhaust. Not to mention, if I'm out 1/8th" on something, no one will ever know. Do that on a small RC, and everyone at the field will know, one way or another! lol

[bbbair]

You Know Dave after watching this build thread from the beginning I am only left with Two real questions...

1) You started off with a budget of $10K - how are you doing with that?
2) What have the curators of the Museum got to say about the project?

Personally - I'm Impressed!

[mwavesdave]

Way way under the 10K budget. The 1/8th Baltic Birch Ply for example, is $22 a sheet. I'm in for about $1000 in plywood, probably about 1/2 that in clear pine, and a hundred or so in screws, glue, etc. Big costs will be the glassing of the wings and fwd fuse, and the fabric, sealer, primer and paint. We'll be well within budget though. Remember, my labour, shop tools, electricity, etc, are all free. I post on the Shearwater Aviation Museum's website as well, so far, pretty enthusiastic response from them. We'll have to wait though, for the public unveiling next year! They're talking about a Sea Fury, lol later on, I'd rather do a Spitfire though! Mosquito would be really cool, but my shop's too small for that!