WNW AMC DH2 24 Sqn. Major Lanoe Hawker VC

[eindecker]

   Prez, I forgot to address your comments on the glue from the strut attachments interfering with the eyelets and the rigging potential for tangles. The CA did foul a couple of eyelets causing some very awkward drilling to clean several out and I had to re-drill and replace one already. I still prefer that to working the entire task between the wings though. As for the tangles, yes, a definite challenge. I use little tabs of Tamiya Tape to group pairs etc. together but things still get all tangled together anyway. The secret is to untangle and move any that are in the way before working on a particular line and so on.
   As with any part of a build, there is no one foolproof method of doing anything!
Cheers,
Lance

When I built my FE.2b I attached all of the wing rigging lines before putting the top wing on. I used Blu-TAC to group the lines. I don't recommend Blu-Tac with EZ Line as it is too sticky. It was a little tricky, but if you work slowly, moving the lines out of the way as needed, it is a good method.

Next time I will cut the rigging lines much longer than I did so I have plenty of maneuvering room during the rigging process. With the tube-and-eye (or Bob's Buckles) method, since they will be adjustable, I like to attach all of them to the rigging line before I CA one end to the wing. Then I CA the other wire eye into its hole in the bottom wing, after the top wing is on and secure, and pull out the slack, but not tight. After all are secured, you can secure and tweak the wing alignment with the turnbuckles and lines.

[lcarroll]

Found this on the Wingnut Wings site. It appears to me that the wing bracing cable, discussed above, attaches to the tail boom at the vertical strut with a turnbuckle (which makes sense — a shorter, adjustable run would provide more support). That same strut has, I think, yet another turnbuckle and wire run to the end of the tail boom next to the horizontal stabilizer.



Found another which seems to support my theory:

Yep, you're right! I somehow missed these photos however they clearly solve the riddle for me. In fact, in the first photo you can see the mirror versions on the bottom lines from the lower wing as well. Thanks for this!
Cheers,
Lance

[lcarroll]

    Your method has merit, Eindecker. I like the idea of not completing the tightening of the lines when all are ready to go, gives more flexibility to the process and reduces potential to slacken a line as you tighten the ones following. I'm going to try to incorporate some of this in my next project.
    Thanks for taking the time to share this and the rigging info.
Cheers,
Lance

[eindecker]

You are quite welcome. That's one of the joys of this forum, the chance to share some things we have learned and to learn from others.

Looks like I need a DH.2

[lcarroll]

You are quite welcome. That's one of the joys of this forum, the chance to share some things we have learned and to learn from others.

Looks like I need a DH.2

   She does grow on you! Like most of my Builds I'm always tempted to do a second one avoiding the mistakes and warts of the first....................but then that could lead to a third!
Cheers,
Lance

[Ernie]

Lance I feel better about the rigging job now.  I have gotten over
the feeling of panic...well mostly anyway.   I'm looking forward
to the pictures of the rigging when done.  Good work, my friend!

Cheers,
Ernie

[lcarroll]

   The main component rigging is complete and went quite smoothly, only had to replace one eyelet due to it being fouled by a bit of CA and breaking when I tried to clean it up. I used .013mm Mono fishing line and `Bob`s Buckles`throughout on the wings and nacelle and easy line on the lattice tail booms on the portions that can be pre-rigged. The mono was painted with Mr. Metal Color "Stainless" lacquer.













    Next comes the tail booms and landing gear with their rigging and then the Flight Controls Rigging, still a lot of string to go!
Cheers,
Lance

[eindecker]

Looking good!

[Ernie]

Super progress, Lance!  Your attention to detail is amazing. Funny thing, since
following your build I have gone from a panic to actually looking forward to
building the beastie...even having dirty thoughts of a FE2.   Thanks, my
friend, for the inspiration, and your gorgeous project.

Cheers,
Ernie

[radio]

Looks great Lance.
Martin

[bobs_buckles]

It makes it all worthwhile when I see rigging such as this 
Doing great things with this, Lance 

VB

[Des]

You are doing a marvelous job with the rigging Lance, the tail and control rigging still involves quite a lot but you are over the major part of it now.

Des.

[lcarroll]

   Ernie, I must admit my "Fee" has been frightening me however after this experience, like you, I'm far less intimidated by it's rigging challenge.
   Martin, Des, and Eindecker, many Thanks for the encouraging and complimentary comments,  most generous and appreciated.
   von Buckle, Thank You! The good news for von Buckle Enterprises is an order on the way very soon, after this little gem my Buckle locker is barren, and I've still a ways to go!
Cheers,
Lance
   

[lcarroll]

I got the lattice work on the main frame this afternoon, one step forward



While doing so it occurred to me to review the progress to this point and ensure nothing had been missed, glad I did! In the following photo you'll see the aileron control cable pulley as installed on each upper wing tip. Unfortunately this system was installed on later versions of the DH.2 and results in the aileron return cable being installed across the top exterior of the upper wing, one step backward!



     Since my subject, 6011, was in the initial production batch it had a different system, a bungee return set up with the return line inside the upper wing. All of the foregoing is clearly covered in the Wingnut Instruction Booklet for those clever enough to read it; I failed the exercise so said pulleys are coming off and the proper system will be installed.
    Not a huge error but annoying, and no one's fault but my own. I've popped off the pulleys and it looks like a quick and simple fix with no cosmetic penalty to pay. Photos will follow once the fix is done.
Cheers,
Lance
   

[Nigel Jackson]

This is looking so good, Lance and I'm learning such a lot from your masterly techniques and the surrounding discussions. Thank you.

Good luck with the fix.

Best wishes
Nigel