I am going to build a Ziroli P51 here shortly. Just getting things together before I start. I am wondering...is there a jig system available commercially? I would also consider building one if I had some ideas on how to do it, or some plans maybe. Anyone got some info for me? Any help is appreciated.

Just start a build thread, and when you have a problem, post a question. You should be able to get a few responses, and a few ideas of how to proceed. Just don't get in a hurry. And post a whole lot of pictures.

Also, when you come up to a problem, see if you can post pictures and explain what you are trying to accomplish. It is a great way to learn, and also to get others on here involved.

Check out building with magnets at Paul Johnson's (cafeenman) at:

www.airfieldmodels.com

Be careful, you can spend as much time going through his website as you do on the build itself!

The method Dave Platt uses is to build on top of glass, gluing the assembly directly to the glass and then popping it off at the end with a razor. If you are going to tackle a project this big, I really suggest his videos. They're pricey, but worth it. For your build I would recommend his building and fiberglassing series and his advanced building techniques.

Scott

I build my smaller planes with a magnet system on a 48" metal plate but for my larger wings (10'-12') I use my Jig-o-matic. I really like that one. I have had it for a very long time and sometime back It got damaged but doing repairs on it and will have it ready for my B17 (120" ws) build which I hope to start this winter during the snow.

Hi Fellows: I have the plans for the RCM fuse jig, and another one from an old RCM magazine. Just recieved an reply from Bob Hunt who has a Lost Foam method of building wings.

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look for an old ajusto jig for the wings as for the fuselage,on the ziroli planes I have built he uses an internal crutch to glue the formers to.the crutch usually leeds to be about 6 inches off the building surface.I use a solid core with a liong straight line that I use as a ceter line and then O use some 1 by 8 pine squres also with ceterlines in about 6 places to support the critch which is also centered on the standoff centerline and tacked in place with titebond while the formers are glued in place a nice triangle helps keep everthing vertical

I ordered some latch magnets, and am going to make some fixtures out of 1/2 in ply. I will use your idea to make blocks from the ply to support the crutch, putting center lines on the blocks to keep it straight. Think this will do it?

Pauls website was helpful. I am going to make a steel building table, and make some fixtures with magnets. I think this is the way to go.