I am building a GP Spitfire kit, and have practically completed the wing. I will be fitting it with retracts, which have already been fitted, sheeting cut to accomodate the, etc.

The kit doesn't make any provisions for lining the wheel wells, you're supposed to either leave those ugly holes in the wing sheeting or line them any way you see fit. I've never installed retracts before, so I have no experience, and can't figure out an effective way of lining those wells.

I want to do it anyway, because I think the plane will look ugly and unfinished the way it is, and because I *imagine* that the open wheel wells will be a major, and unnecessary, source of drag, plus I don't relish the idea of all that wind hitting the covering from inside the wing.

Any suggestions will be much appreciated!

Juan M. Villaveces

Hi Juan,

I'm currently building a Great Planes P-51D with retracts, and just installed my first wheel well. I used 1/16" balsa. I edge-glued several pieces together, then hunted around the house and shop for a can or bottle of the diameter I needed for the well.

I found a hard plastic bottle of just the right diameter. I wet one side the balsa, wrapped it around the bottle and trimmed it to the right length. Then I glued the ends together with CA and slid it back on the bottle to dry. When it dried, I smeared a light layer of glue over the outside of it to help it hold its shape. That was not necessary. I should have coated the inside with finishing resin. That would help it hold its shape AND fuel-proof it.

I am building the mustang but the concept will be the same. I use foam coffee cups cut in half to the size of the tire and glue it in the well and paint it, its super light and once the sheeting is down its pretty durable. Might want to give that a shot.

Warren

I've done two airplanes with retracts and wheel wells and I used 1/32 balsa to line the wheel wells. The 1/32 balsa bends easily to the diameter of the wheel well without soaking to make it pliable. Attached is a picture of one of them.

Thanks for the great suggestions! I've already got some 1/8" balsa drying around a couple of bottles of a suitable diameter. Katmandew, thanks for the pics, they really help clarify your tip; is that iron-on covering or paint inside the wheel wells? It looks as though getting them to look good with covering would be a major PITA!

Thanks again,

Juan M. Villaveces

That's iron on covering with paint inside the wheel well. I just covered over the wheel well and then cut a small ciccle in the covering and then cut many radial slits and wrapped the strips of covering down into the wheel well using the rounded tip on a trim iron. Then I painted the entire inside of the wheel well, wrapped covering strips and all. You have to get real close and get just the right light to be able to see the wrapped covering strips.