This may seem like a silly question but can someone give me a check off list concerning when to do what? For an example, at which point does the fuel tank go into the fuselage? Cockpit? So forth and so on.
TIA, Jim

Generally I will finish covering the model and seal the edges of the film.

RC gear goes in next then engine and and fuel tank.

If I have doubts about CG I might hold off on installing the battery until last as it might need to be moved to suit.

Canopy goes on last as it is easy to damage.

It all really depends on the plane. You'll make life easier on yourself by trying to stay out of your own way. While you are at it, think about maintenance- the fuel tank will need to come out at least annually for new lines and a new stopper, and the battery will need to be replaced periodically, etc. Like J.Duncker, I usually install the battery last as it's an easy way to move the CG around. If I think I might need to put it under the fuel tank, I wait until I've checked the CG before installing it.

I will usually try to put all the things that need to be controlled and major components like fuel tank and engine in or on the plane before laying out the radio equipment. it's good to have all the "endpoints" of the control system in place before deciding where servos and electronics can or will fit. locations of these items can and will greatly affect balance and I always try to "build to balance" rather than just adding weight regardless of where the plans show things should be. you usually can avoid allot of unnecessary weight by putting stuff where they do two jobs. I also try not to get too anal about exact balance point during building. I don't I've ever seen a plane make a maiden without something being moved around afterwards. even if just a little trimming is done to get the plane to fly right, things can usually be moved a bit to eliminate (or at least reduce) the need of trimmed control surfaces. you simply cannot nail a c/g down to "1/32 of an inch" because the balance point changes constantly as the plane flies and everyone builds slightly different so no two same planes built by different people will have exactly the same balance point.

So after I frame up all the major assemblies then the decision of where to place all the gear is made, and that with an eye to getting as close to the final balance as possible. I take from what's being said is that my immediate concern for the time being is to frame up the structure, despite my worry that I might not be able to get into a space later to install one component or another. I appreciate the replies.
Jim

You do your build with being able to mount all of your components in mind. As was said above, you're going to have to get to certain components as part of regular maintenance anyway. So if you build in something like your battery pack or your fuel tank that would require taking wood off to get back out, you're just making extra headaches for yourself later on.

agreed,...... anything that has to do with power or control should be well mounted but mounted to be easily removed in the future. it's usually easily accomplished with a little fore-thought concerning future changes and/or small adjustments in location for balance, since it's very rare that nothing needs to be moved a little/re-arranged after a maiden flight. I always try to buid in provisions for a small range of movement available to the major components. I just feel better knowing they can be move a little if needed and feel that I did a better job building with that adjustability available as long as it doesn't change the outward appearance of the plane.

Let's make this a little easier to nail down here. What are you building and what are you putting in it?
For example, I'm building a pair of Sig Kadet Jr's with an OS 25FX in one and 35AX in the other, both controlled with 5 servos using a Futaba 9C. The instructions tell me what to put in and when but, unfortunately, don't say anything about allowing access to the fuel tank area after the servo tray is installed. When I built the kit(I'm plans building two more using the hardware that came originally with the kit on one of them), I found that the fuel tank was trapped because of my servo tray being too high and too far forward.

it is important as to what specifically is being built,....agreed,....but as a general rule I think the replies did a good job in respect to the OP's Question. it sounded like he was looking for a more or less overall rule about when to consider the placement of components during a build applied to just about any build as if he had plans of building more frequently.
at least,...that's what I got out of his post.

Yes, it was a general question as to what order of building is best. In other words, to avoid having a moment when you need to cut assembled wood to do something that should've been done before hand. For any subject model.
Like if you changed an intake manifold and realized afterwards that you left the gasket out. A bad move no matter the make of car.
I'm building a Fokke kit, ME 109 E, not really a kit in the purest terms because the manual is on the internet and is basically pictures of other builds. The forward part of the fuse is made up of a box structure, and in my newbish mind, the placement of the fuel tank, engine (DLS twin 40), and the engine components might be easier to accomplish if I don't go any further in building the fuselage. In short, while the fuselage is a short subassembly it might be less of a struggle to do these things than waiting for the whole fuselage to be framed up before install all these parts. The thought of the tail section swinging in the air as I drill and screw enters my mind.
I know that I might be wrong in this line of thinking and that I should just frame up the whole fuselage first and then affix the flight components. This goes to the non-operating eye candy parts as well, like the cockpit. As I'm sure you are aware, in a plastic kit the cockpit is installed before the fuselage halves are glue together. Applying this logic may not work in this endeavor, I don't know.
Your thoughts are appreciated on this matter.

I wouldn't lump drilling holes in with installing components. You can certainly drill mounting holes at whatever point it's convenient to do so. But there's no way I'd mount the fuel tank and engine before finishing the fuselage. For one, you need to be able to get to them anyway as previous mentioned. And two, you'll have to turn, flip, and rotate your fuselage 1000 times before it's all done. Having an engine on one ends makes that a real pain!

Wow, jester, your still on! I just came on to answer some pms and took a look around.
not much has change. Im no longer building or flying after i moved back to the vountry but ill take a stab at this one.
i fully assembled my planes while in the bones, even made up all the controls like rods and the pull/pull. Fuel tank and battery, even the engine. I pre CGed then removed what was in the way, finish sanded then covered.
it was simply what i did but all builders develope their own ways of doing things.
my next build is of the old Dumas Miss Thriftway Hydro Plane as a two channel and electric.
ive no place to fly so quit building. Before i left Vegas i cut two short kits of the Dirty Birdi that im hanging onto.
we may get a new local field again? If so ive got my favorite 60 size pattern plane again!
Gene

Hey Gene this is certainly a pleasant surprise seeing you posting here....welcome back to RCU my friend and I sure hope that you plan on sticking around for awhile. Really hope that your 'new local field' becomes a reality.

Karol

Yup, It's nice to see that you are still hanging around, Gene !

I didn't know you have moved, only that I hadn't seen you post for a while. I'm still flying pattern a lot, pretty much all I do. I'm an engineering teacher now at a middle school, so that keeps me busy for most of the year.

Im back in the old house outside of yosemite, yes, fire alley. No place to fly close enough so im into other things again. Before i moved i did cut two short kits for the dirty birdi and once i have a place to fly those will be first up.
i only came on to reply to a pm and decided to look around. same questions still. Ive fallen behind on the equipment end of things too. No longer have my contacts.

Oh it hasn't changed that much. Airtronics is no more. Graupner is rising to fill the space. That's about it.

life in the country. You should see all the critters we get in the morning! I just bought another 100 pounds of corn today turkey and deer for the most part.
im into deep sea fishing and crab snaring.