Fuselage is now complete except for rudder cable exit which will be put in after exit location is determined. The fuselage seam will require a very small amount of attention before painting so little to no additional weight gain is expected there. I’ve decided on DuPont Base Coat Clear Coat using 50% reducer with the Clear Coat. Tests have shown a much lighter final coat with an excellent gloss finish. Because this is electric I won’t have to worry about fuel problems. Once the fuselage is painted I’ll report its final weight.
The wings come ready to cover. No additional sanding or filling is needed. You will need to install the aileron servo mounts that are included with the kit. I found that the boxes when completed are much too deep and will need to be shortened. The locations for the aileron boxes in the wing are also cut. You will need to remove more foam to allow for the depth of the servo. I’m using JR 9411A servos on the wings. The servo mount proved to work well with the 9411’s. Use a hot wire to clean out the foam in the mount area, glue in the aileron servo mount and fill around the mount for a good finish. This was an evening’s work.
The stabs do not come precut for the servo mount and no servo mount is provided. You will need to determine the location in the stab, construct a servo mount in the stab and cut out the foam and balsa skin. I set the servo location perpendicular to the trailing edge of the stab. Your servo mount will be on an angle once finished. Be careful not to locate it over your stab tube. Not a good idea! I’ll not go into the weeds on this. Experienced builders will have their own ideas on how they wish to finish this area. I did find JR 3421’s fit with no issue.
All wood for the capping and beveled portion of the elevators and ailerons is included with the kit. The wood furnished in the kit I am building was not to soft but easy to work with. The elevators and ailerons are routed in the areas you will be adding the capping and beveled portions too. I found this to be a great idea. I knew exactly the length and location of cuts needed. The area routed out proved to perfect. Once the elevators and ailerons were completed they matched the back edge of the wings and stabs perfectly. This again was an evening’s work. I again will report final weight when completed.