Didn't really do much today fellas. Just a little sheeting of the fuse. Researched some information and scouted around for a really-"REALLY" nicely designed lighting system. My awesome son stopped by today to take a look at the Stang. Being an ex USAF Structural Engineer, he pointed out a thing or two regarding the strength of the Mustang. His opinion? He is anxious to fly it and was very impressed with the build thus far. And as previously mentioned, My concerns of the weight of the Kolm 150 really is not too much to worry about. I will make a couple of modifications that are really negligible. Something I had planned to do anyway. But with his experience, I feel much better with the plan going forward.
This is pretty much where we left off last night...Hovering around 5 pounds.
Today I started sheeting the radiator and bottom of the fuse. Wow! Talk about a royal P.I.T.A. I did the radiator just a tad different than the plans call for, but really with all the compound corners it is about all I could think of.
A strip at a time and slowly the bottom started looking as it should. I researched many Mustang photos to make sure I was getting the right curvatures and proper angles.
The last balsa sheets placed and glued in. I added a balsa block at the end of the Keel to fill the void where the sheeting was just too much for my patience to endure. LOL. Worked pretty darned good though.
A little course sanding to knock off the sharp edges of the sheeting where they came together at the glue joints then added just a skiff of balsa filler to touch up those areas. Of course this will all get a really good sanding before I prep the fuse for "glassing".
While my son was here, we set up the laser as "Ace" had pointed out. Ok...so I was so "NOT" expecting this. I mean, I have been trying very hard and being extremely "anal" about making sure the fuse was straight and jigged perfectly. Oh, I expected the fuse to be straight. But to have it turn out this good just...well, it really blew me away.
Heck, even the tail gear is in perfect alignment with the centerline of the fuse. How cool is this?
At this point, we're up to just a frogs hair over 6 pounds. Yes, I do believe I will make that 8 pound goal on the fuse when the basic construction is complete.
With the fuse removed from the building table, I took the opportunity to do a little straightening and cleaning up.
Time to start sheeting the other side of the fuse.
First the nose section splitting mid cockpit area.
And then to the rear half of the fuse. I am making sure I don't put any sheeting joints near any of the previously sheeted areas. Also keeping it inconsistent from the opposite side of the fuse. As it stands now, the fuse has lost any flex it previously had. It has become quite strong.
Weird thing... I am actually looking forward to doing the glassing on this airframe. Though I have never done glassing before, it really doesn't scare me now. Which brings me to a question from all of you fellas that "HAVE" experience glassing. Doug and anyone else, please chime in with your thoughts of what I need to pay attention to. My plan is to run one layer of cloth both sides of the fuse and around the top from the front of the sheeting to just about mid cockpit. Then another layer running the full length of the fuse. Top, bottom, both sides. What do you guys think? Give me some input please?
I am going to spend a couple of hours tomorrow morning finishing the sheeting of the Mustang fuse. Once the sheeting is complete, I am going to set the Mustang to the side for a few days and get more done on the Velox. With the stabs, elevators, fin and rudder completed and the incidence set on the stabs, I want to pull the main wings from the cores and check the sheeting. I'll be updating that thread tomorrow.
Have a great evening fellas.