Hey, it's December 21st and there's only 4 more shoplifting days until Christmas. I have all my presents wrapped and under the tree except one but that one is just a card with money in it. The decorations are up and everything is lit and on Christmas day I'll be as well. To the build, Batman.

Photo #1 shows the cabanes installed as well as the upper and lower wings. If I did it right, this thing may actually be able to fly. I learned how to do the solder joints (photo #2) and now I need to learn how to not completely cook them. I'm told the secret is to remove the heat when the flux is boiling and the solder is melting and running. How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice! Photo #3 shows the cabanes and the wonderful job Ed did soldering. Thanks Ed. Photo #4 is of the natural wood finish on the fuselage front and sides. I used Minwax polyurethane with stain in it. This is coat three so they're done. I learned the fine art of woodgraining many years ago and the secret is to make multiple thin coats so it doesn't run all over the place. Keep checking it within the first hour and brush out any runs you may have acquired. Just remember to brush in one direction and for the length of the wood. This will get a thin coat of clear gloss just before the covering is done. This is going to look great.

Tune in tomorrow when I attempt to screw up something else.