HOW TO BUILD AIRCRAFT DIORAMAS

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

This should be fun!Lots of cutting and fitting.
I decided to start with the largest single piece first.I made a paper template by holding a piece of paper to the fuselage and then up to a strong light and traced out the approximate size of the piece of plywood required.The plywood was cut oversize to be refined later.Using small clothes pegs I temporarily fixed the plywood to the fuselage as shown in the pic.I then traced from the inside along the outer edge of the longerons and bulkheads,the outline of the panel.
The panel was then removed and sanded down to the pencil line.(ignore the pencil line seen on the outside of the panel in the pic)
Do not glue anything at this point, as it must be removed to give you easy access to the same panel on the other side.

[JohnReid]

[Trackpad]

Hello, John,

I have to agree with WF2: this is indeed looking great! Being only four hours away from you, I must visit (if you allow such incursions). Perhaps I can absorb some of your obvious talent by osmosis!

Now, back to my little plastic thingies...

[JohnReid]

Does anyone know if the plywood joints finish on the mid-line of the longerons(stringers)? And are they attached with wood screws? My references are unclear on this.Thanks!

[JohnReid]

Originally Posted by JohnReid

Does anyone know if the plywood joints finish on the mid-line of the longerons(stringers)? And are they attached with wood screws? My references are unclear on this.Thanks!

Thanks to Stephen Lawson I have the answer.It seems that the plywood edges were beveled and did not fall upon the stringers or bulkheads at all but were glued together and then the skin was attached to the frame using nails and screws.Now my references make more sense.Thanks Stephen!

[JohnReid]

Originally Posted by trackpad

Hello, John,

I have to agree with WF2: this is indeed looking great! Being only four hours away from you, I must visit (if you allow such incursions). Perhaps I can absorb some of your obvious talent by osmosis!

Now, back to my little plastic thingies...

Next time your passing my way give me a shout!

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

The metal end castings were blackened using a patina used by stained glass craftsmen.The brass tubing was blackened using "Blackin It".
They are not permanently glued in because I will be attaching the turnbuckles first.

[JohnReid]