With the interior completed, time to install it and assemble the fuselage. Leaving the tail wheel and exhausts off for now.
Once the interior is finished the rest of the build is quick. Next the wings
First to open up the holes for the centerline drop tank
-
1. Dril out the holes for the centerline drop tank
Next he upper wing panels are trimmed and placed loosely over the lower wing panel.
The wing assy is then installed to the fuselage, what is nice is the upper wings join to the fuselage inserts under the fuselage sides, eliminating any seam, just paying more attention to the lower wing to fuselage contact point where a bit of a step may occur. In this case a great fit and a seam easy to clean up.
-
1. Real good fit here no step
Next to assemble the horizontal tail/
Here will just assemble and install the horizontal tail. Made up of 4 parts, with the elevators moulded in place, you would have to cut them off if you wish to display the deflected in the down position.
They slip into the slots on the rear fuselage, not a very tight fit so careful to not let them droop down as the cement sets. Good fit, and now we have a Hellcat taking shape.
Next is to install the engine, exhausts and cowl,
more to follow.