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Old 04-18-2008 | 09:29 AM
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Default RE: Building a DUELIST MK 2 From Plans!

Ulf,
Nice! I just reread my fuselage sheeting description and it's not real clear the way I wrote it. I beveled the top and bottom pieces of the fuse before attaching them to the fuselage but thats probably not critical. I would suggest marking light guidelines with a straightedge so your sanding ends up nice and straight. After making the sideskins from sheet stock I marked two points on each that I could locate on the plans and on each side of the fuselage. I chose the center of the crutch at F3 and F6 bulkheads. I also marked a reference line the full length of the sideskin to mark the center of the crutch so I would know where to place holding pins and to help establish a reference line later when I set the wing and stab incidence. Next, I traced a paper template of the wing saddle off the plans that included those two points, lined up the points of the template with the same on each sideskin and cut the saddle out before attaching it to the fuselage. I didn't do any other trimming to the sideskins prior to attachment because I felt I would need something to grab onto while coaxing the skins around the bulkheads. If you are using 3/16 sheet it'll be much easier than mine was and you might find it convenient to trim some off the lower part of the tail. Still, have thin CA and rubber bands on-hand and soak those skins good! I trimmed off excess sheeting as I went. When you align the sideskins to the fuse press a long straight pin through each reference point on the skin, then with the skin an inch from the fuselage, get the point of the pin into the fuselage at the same reference point. This makes the wing saddle line up nicely with the fuselage on both sides. Mine came out perfect (much to my surprise). I wish the wing ribs....um, nevermind.

There was a two page article with my plan but it had nothing in it regarding construction. It was all about what inspired him and some of the things he did when developing the thing. If you PM me a fax I can try and send you a copy.

Good luck with the build,
Mike