Inspired by A2A Piper Cherokee

exactly - one of the side effects of being a model maker is that constant running assessment of everyday items and packaging that goes on - the 'what else can this be used for' mode that is always 'on' in my head
 
the black cockpit coaming padding is from an old electronic accessory cord from the collection that accumulates every time we buy something that plugs in anymore.
an old trick whereby you slice the cord to create a slot - pull the wires out of it - then slip that slot over the edges of the paper coamings and run a bead of adhesive either along the paper edge or along the underside
of the padding once it's applied. some might call it a shortcut but I think it looks right in this scale.
 
more progress..
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the upper wing infill process involves working the underside first and from the center out. I want to support the stringers initially and maintain equal tension so I cut a section of the 4" x 36" x 3/32" sheet about 8" long (I basically want to fill about 6 openings per strip) then using the wings stringers as a guide I line the section up to the center stringer and mark the distance to the next stringer on both ends. Using a straightedge I then cut the strip. That strip is marked along one edge (the leading edge of the wing) so I can keep it oriented to the openings I want to fill. Then, working from the center out and in a line, I fill in that row of openings until I have the entire center row filled in. Then I do the next row on the underside..leaving the LE and TE rows until the center rows of the top of the wing are done. In this way I can get the stringers on both sides of the upper wing supported with infill.
After that I finish the underside the same way, from the center out and working the trailing edge first. Then the top of the upper wing is done. Then finally the wing tips can be done.

Once this is completed I can rough sand the wing surfaces, LE and TE as well as the wing tip until I have a uniform shape and profile. Then the filler goes on in multiple coats with medium sanding in between each application. Hopefully at the end of that I'll have a nice smooth wing to begin to detail and seal.

The decal proofs have been confirmed so I should have them by mid August - about the time I will be ready for them.
 
working away on the top wing..the fuel tank is in, I still have to attach the trapeze brace and a few vent lines.

Then I can start on the underside with the fuel indicator tube, fuel valves and lines and the mirror etc...

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meanwhile the next project has arrived - Guillow's P-40 in 1/16 scale...

I was thinking about Chennault's Aleutian scheme for it but might yet just do the later Tiger paint - love that shark mouth on a P-40

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What do you think?
 
whatever you chose will be great im sure..a buddy of mines grandfathers brother (how ever that relation is..great uncle?) flew them in North Africa and the pacific later..i had all of his info,but cant find it now,will have to ask Travis again...but i may try my hand at it ,where did you get the P40 from?
 
test fitting the wing struts to make sure they fit into the holes in the wings - alignment isn't bad either which is good. Anytime you can just set the upper wing onto the struts and be close to all of the variables of alignment you can call yourself a lucky bast..err modeler

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I might be able to put the decals onto the main assembly tomorrow - then finish up on the upper wing and install it in a day or two as the paint is allowed to dry first.
We're getting closer to completion but the rigging will take some time to do.
 
I should be able to install a fully painted and completed upper wing tomorrow or the day after, then I can go onto the rigging and final assembly bits n parts
 
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so the rigging placement holes are drilled out and now I want to pre-install the rigging lines into the top wing - this way I wont have to keep flipping the plane upside-down
endlessly..less handling means (hopefully) less chance of a ding or scrape etc..

the upper wing has its yellow coat on but I still need to paint the red 'find me if I crash' stripes on it.
 
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