The container tank must now be fitted to see that all is still in order. The steel straps are held on with 4 turnbuckles which can be adjusted to pull the tank tight into its cradle. The front cradle is fixed to the belly pan. This is kept in place with a spring loaded plungers at each end of the belly pan. All must be very tight and secure.
The business end of the straps. The turnbuckles screw into brass drums that can rotate in their housings.
The tank in place all snugged up.
The camera will not show detail with all the black paint around! Yet, with the naked eye it is well seen.
It looks very dirty and dusty ... but it isn't!
Here is a problem. The belly pan is hanging down a bit at the front. The front hole for the slide plug is worn. All will have to come off so as I can neaten up the flogged out hole. No biggie.
The spies' ladder lies between one of the massive steel (wood and glass covered) wing struts. This brass ladder was a b#^**%* to make, but brass and soft solder did the trick. It will be the last thing to be affixed once painted balck with white painted step treads.
Andy Sephton warned me to watch out for an increase in spiral instability when the steps and belly tank are fitted. The maiden was carried out without the two attachments. She flew like a solid trainer in the air with a nice nose down sit. When fitted later I could detect no such instability, but a tendency to want to swing in a slightly pendular fashion banking around corners. No probs. A bit of rudder input sorted that.
Now for a mug of Joe.
Cheers
Ken
__________________
To repair.
102" Meister P-47 Moki 150
1/4 Scale P-47 Moki 400
To maiden
Fatface Skyraider DLE 130
Ziroli Hellcat Moki 150
Flying ...
Westland Lysander 168" Moki 250
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