Balse USA Fokker D.VIII/E.V

[Bookmaker]

I'm starting to get mad at you guys. I just ordered the plywood to skin the wing.

When I started this build, it was intended to be a quick and easy project. Look what you guys have turned it into?

I finished the eyelets and doped down some cord. As soon as I get off here, I am starting the lacing.

[JohnFitz]

Hey Dale, Real nice job! If it's worth doing it's worth doing well.

[Bookmaker]

Lacing of the bottom panel is complete.



This will be set aside now until I have everything ready to close up the fuselage. WHich is now drying with another coat of dope in one side of the fuse.

[Bookmaker]

Didn't get a lot done today. But got brave and punched the holes for the cables.




And installed the tail feathers for a looksee.

[Lyle]

Dale,
Nice!

I think one has to assemble the model to remind ourselves why we work like we do on these models--it's like weighing in when on a diet. Sorta reinforces our reasons to do it!

You're right about the rudder's texture being totally different than the Koverall when using what Glenn offers, it's very scale of course. In fact, that would be the color on an OAW D.VII, natural linen. I know the E.Vs were overpainted, but I'm just thinking aloud about what I'm going to use on my D.VII as it's getting rebuilt.

Lyle

[Bookmaker]

Some photos of the bottom covering and special issues.

The big picture of what the final should look like.



There are 2 areas of special concern on the bottom of the BUSA D VIII related to the covering.

First is the radio hatch. Not in a scale location. My intent is to cover over the hole initially, cut out the center of the hole and tuck in the edges. This results in the cut out portion being too small to cover the hatch. I found I have a scrap piece of covering with the correct pattern to match this area. I'll make a cover, eyelets, laceing and all and glue it to the door.



Second is the tail skid. I am using the kit skid, also not scale, that has a section that runs along the bottom.



I left the ply backing off the rear section of the lacing so here is what I am going to do. Once the edges are glued down, the lacing will be functional in this area.



I will add a fairing to the wire to make it look like a wood skid.
I may glue down the bottom covering tonight.

[Bookmaker]

The main bottom covering is glued on.



This door has to be covered to match the bottom pattern. There is another leather reinforcement that attaches on the centerling about 3" behind the "control stick". The dummy elevator cables will re-enter there.



The forward door gets covered with aluminum.



Around the tail skid wire.

[Bookmaker]

It took quite a bit of fiddling, but I got the fabric matched up pretty well on the hatch cover. I still have to do the lacing.

\

[Bookmaker]

The lacing is finished.



I weenied out and decided to just use 4 tiny screws to hold on the hatch. I also got the tail skid mounted and the lacing around it complete.

[Bookmaker]

Due to work issues, the work on the Fokker has slowed some.

I also found an issue that I think I have worked out. The covering/dope of the stab had warped the stab in an unusual direction. It ended up with a bowed trailing edge so that there was a gap of about 1/8" at the center when standing the stab vertical on the trailing edge. I decided to try painting the entire stab with thinner to soften the clear dope, then clamp the stab into a jig to pull it back. I had worked, but I will leave it jigged up a couple daye to allow the dope do stabilize and hopefully stay put.

Today I plan to finish the edge tape on the bottom of the fuselage and start cutting the aluminum for the forward fuse top and bottom.

Here's a photo of the stab in the jig. Although the photo is somewhat distorted, you can see I pulled it past straight to allow it to relax some. I have since re jigged it to much less over correction.