I received the engine muffler yesterday afternoon and today I finished cutting down the cowl clearance holes. As I suspected the muffler was on the way for the choke cable so that needed some modification to the choke actuating arm. I bolted a servo arm from a Hitec servo to the choke arm in order to obtain the necessary clearance around the muffler. The only drawback is that the lever being so much longer than the stock one requires a bigger clearance hole on the cowl. Photos 2 and 3 shows the choke in the closed and open positions, and one can see how much the lever protrudes through the cowl.

By the way for those of you using an Evolution 26-GT2 be advised the [link=http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXHMF0&P=7]True Turn 10X1mm Spinner Adapter Kit Part No. TT-0100-A [/link] fits perfectly with any 18" prop or smaller. This adapter cost around $9 dollars versus the [link=http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXHMF1&P=7] short adapter kit (TT-01005-A)[/link] which goes for approximately $15 dollars.

I decided to paint the frame of the canopy for a more scale like look. I used Pactra RC251 (Sprint White) polycarbonate spray paint. I attempted to paint it on the inside, like I usually do, nerveless because the slight smoke color tint on the canopy I had to paint it on the outside. To this I first outline the frame and the canopy (on the turtledeck) with a Sharpie felt tip pen (Photo 4). I then masked the frame with vinyl electrical tape, and then masked the clear areas with regular masking tape and paper (Photo 5). Before applying paint make sure to lightly scuff the areas to be painted with "00" Fine Steel Wool to remove all the shine (Photo 6). That will give the paint better adhesion.

Finally I cut a 1/8" stripe of the covering on the inside of the areas I previously outlined on the turtledeck in order to expose the balsa and get a good bond with Super RC Z 56 canopy glue. I let it cure overnight before removing the hold down tapes.