I had to make a start on the running gear as I need it to be done before I start assemblingthe hull pieces.

This was a fairly simple. 3 parts. The first was the shaft that gies through the hull wall. This was 6mm silver steel. Lenths of 26 mm were cut and filed square. A 2 mm slot was cut in one end to a depth of 8mm. I cleaned this slot up with a file. This wuill hold the one end of the torsion spring. I will get back to this bit.

The next was the swing arm itself. These were cut from 4mm mild steel and two holes of 6mm were drilled in each one.



Then I rounded off the ends using the mini belt sander I have. I was not so concerned about this as they wont be visible.



Then I need a round bit that sits up against the hull. This was simply some slices of a 1 cm thick silver steel bar center drilled to 6mm.

These were then all silver soldered together...I may have been a bit heavy handed with the silver but it wont be visible.



The little hole in the forks performs two functions.

The hole is tapped both ends to M2. This will stop the forks splaying when under rotation against the spring.

In addition ... when the torsion bar hooked end is inserted, teh M2 bolts holds the torsion within the fork (not clamped by the forks, just held in).

Th eother end of the torsion bar will be held in a clamp. This allows for adjustment of the torsion bar.

Plus...and this is the bit I was focussed on ..... when the other end is clamped, the hook will pull against the bolt in the fork serving to keep the whole assemble firmly pulled against the hull and negating the need for shaft rings or whatever.

If it doesnt work ...I'll just use some circlips to hold the swing arm in place.

P