Still moving ahead, but the M-i-L takes over my modeling room on Sunday, so progress will definately slow. Nonetheless, I am very excited about my work over the last couple of days, since I managed to complete and install the tailskid, an effort I approached with great trepidation, as it is quite fiddly and delcate in design. Here it is:
I am very pleased with this outcome. The metal tripod armature is two pieces of brass rod bent to shape and the soldered on another simple wooden jig to form the tripod. The skid itself was cut and sanded/filed from strip styrene and then painted in wood with metal fittings. It was CA'ed to the pivot point of the tripod, then the joint was wrapped with 32 guage beading wire CA'ed in place then painted. To secure the bungee shock absorber to the fuselage, I made a small eyelet from 34 guage beading wire and drilled a hole for it between the tripod attachment points on the fuselage. The bungee is rigging monofilament wrapped, CA'ed in place and painted. The brackets at the tripod attachment points on the fuselage are from the PART Albatros PE set.
It's a relief to have this part completed. Next up: maybe the radiator and piping. I have assembled the JH biplane jig, so I can proceed with the wings and struts soon.
The next month will be busy here, so I am still shooting for the end of May. I'm getting excited to see this bird all put together.
Regards,
Bob
