More than two years in my work shop I have Ziroli P 38 Lightning kit. In meantime I made few others projects, but not to start work on P 38.
I have short kit cut from Lizard Laser firm...
...and full box of plastic parts, cowls, canopy...
First I want to made center wing section with pilot cabin. From so many parts I need to find which are for that...
Last September I finally start with building...
On plan spars are 12x6 mm, but here I can't find spars in that dimension. So, I made spars from 15x5 and 15x4 which glued together...
So I got much stronger spars, but need to made bigger space in every rib...
Following plan I start with work...
Very important is to both end if this center panel must be on same level, so I glued small strips...
Than I add ribs and other necessary parts...
Every part fit very nice, and all construction is very very strong...
Front part of the pilot cabin is removable...
Than I add rest of parts on bottom side...
...and with plastic nose, P 38 start look to themselves...
For better fit i add carbon rod on removable front end...
Next step was to sand fuselage and start planking it...
At the outer ribs I glued plates in which will, later, come screw for fixing outer wing panels...
Balsa was add on removable front part too...
Upper surface was almost finished...
For better support for front plastic part, I add few balsa blocks...
...than glued plastic nose with 12 minute epoxy glue...
...and finally on compound was added acrylic filler...
To made smooth fuselage I must first add few missing balsa plates...
...and after that removable part can be fit with center panel...
Ziroli made good construction for easier position of front guns.
For guns guide I used plastic tubes...
After this I start adding balsa plates on fuselage...
Next time, outer wing panels...
Regards
Mirce