RE: TOP FLITE SPITFIRE BUILD
Well, here's the start of the hatch cover. First photo is of the accessories mounted. I've since glassed the fuse and filled the weave with primer and sanded the area smooth. To make the hatch, I first tack glued the material removed with a gap filling CA (second photo).
I then cut a piece of ultracote in a 5" square and taped it over the area with masking tape. I then hit it with a heat gun to pull any wrinkles out. I cut 4, 4" x 4" squares of 5 oz cloth, and 1 square of 1/2 oz cloth. I mixed up a batch of West Systems epoxy, using the slow hardener and added about 20% denatured alcohol. I used an acid brush and coated the area with epoxy. Then I laid the first cloth down and using more epoxy, fully whetted the cloth. I added a second layer of cloth brushing on more epoxy. I then used a piece of plastic to squeegee down the two layers, and remove excess epoxy. I added the next two layers in the same manor and again squeegeed the cloth. I finally added the last layer of 1/2 oz cloth, squeegeed the area, then brushed on a final coat of epoxy. (Third Photo)
Tomorrow should show the results.
Scott