Wing panels are framed and ready to join. I’ll rough shape leading edge first, then add ailerons, trailing edges in the center, and wingtips. This short kit thing is really kinda cool, get to use some wood that has been setting in a box for years…………🤓
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...514f2a7de.jpeg

Wing is joined and straight and strong. I’ll do tips and trailing edges later.

Time to get the stab out of the way, this is sheeted in 1/16 all top and bottom……..
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...67063e6a1.jpeg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...96b76fe05.jpeg

Nice little lifting stab here, I will skin it next, make a piano wire joiner and add tips and elevators…………🤓

Overall this is going pretty well, hats off to the folks at Eureka, the precision cut parts are very nice. I will most likely be doing more of these short kits as they have a sweet selection of old vintage pattern planes.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...224b2b626.jpeg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...a6c3a3d38.jpeg

Not bad for a days prep and a couple days work.....
I am curious to see how or what you do for the "CANAPY" area.
What I was able to see on the plans is all blocks sanded to a canopy shape and do the rest with covering?

Yeah it amounts to 2 balsa blocks, I'm not sure what I'll do yet. Seems like I'm digging for wood alot.
I have 3 large boxes and a stand up rack with wood to choose from. The rack is easy and organized, the boxes are messy
I have 3 large bags of blocks also, so it seems like digging for the next few pieces is what I've been doing mostly.
Wing after joining weighs 19 oz.....................

Here’s the stab started, should be light and strong..💪

Those silly valves have really paid off over the years………..
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...c486fa03e.jpeg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...0b2c35d27.jpeg

Going well, stab is falling together with tips installed but not yet shaped. I gotta step away and take my daughter out for a nice birthday lunch………Sawdust will not make things better right now………😝
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...8147cfadb.jpeg

Stab is rough shaped, hinged, and can be se off to the side. Weight is 3.1 oz.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...141cbc343.jpeg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...dc6f24797.jpeg

Those tapered elevators are interesting.
I wonder if that was an aesthetics thing or if there was a perceived performance advantage.

I'm not sure Rick,
What I do know is my wing and tail combined weight is 1 lb. and 6 oz.
I like that and hope for decent weights as I move along..........................
Still need to add tips and ailerons, but all is well at this point

Here’s the rudder all hinged and ready. It came in at 1.9 oz.

Everything setting on the table has a total combined weight of 1.5 pounds.

On to the fuse………….
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...ede37f6fc.jpeg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...52174b1dd.jpeg

Here is the Eureka short kit fuse parts laid out over the plans, these guys really use excellent wood and the cutting is probably the best I have seen.

I think I’m going to change the engine I was planning on using to a Super Tigre S-61 ABC. I have a better selection of headers and this may be a better way to go for this plane. I may mount the engine strait up or at a nice 45 degree angle and have the pipe lay right down the side around mid-fuse……..Excellent power, just not the higher rpm’s like the VF would give.

I'll decide shortly, once I get started on the fuse.........
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...ac1cd88cb.jpeg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...fd261081d.jpeg

Here’s the fuse sides settings on the tail and wing, so far so good,
time for some formers…………….

12.7 oz. For sides, formers, and firewall but no formers glued yet.
This is interesting as my all up weight at this point is 37.7 oz. or 2 pounds 6 oz.

Still lots to add but the weight is at a great place……so far
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...4f7d22355.jpeg

Most interesting fuselage I’ve ever built, at its widest point it is only 3” wide……….

All formers glued except firewall, weight is 12.5 oz.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...dbeea25b5.jpeg

Starting to take shape, waiting on an engine mount to show up so I’m doing small stuff to keep moving.
This short kit concept is much easier than I expected……
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...96f13aa14.jpeg

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...22ab7328b.jpeg
Well the engine mount arrived today, so the firewall is installed, engine mounted, all rods and gear attached.
It is almost time to sheet the top and bottom of the fuse and get ready to make a front end and spinner ring.
so far so good.............................................. ....:cool:

Fuselage top and bottom sheeting is added. All pushrods are made and ready to go. Fuse weight with mount, front gear, and 16 oz tank comes in at 1.5 pounds. So total weight of balsa components comes up to 3 pounds. I like where the weight is at. Finished plane recommended weight is 6.5 to 7.5 pounds……….
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...c4a1346bc.jpeg

Now begins the long process of shaping, carving, and sanding the fuselage into a rounded structure instead of boxy and square. Good thing is that weight comes off, hard to say how much…………hopefully a couple ounces 😄
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...ece8b350a.jpeg

Front of fuse taking shape, sawdust and wood shavings everywhere 😄
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...f07257481.jpeg

Lots of sanding...
from what i can see in the pictures, some nice sized triangle stock for the corner longerons and the 1/4 sheet really gives you the chance to round it over.
It will turn into a really nice airplane with all the round corners.
Of coarse, then, a little extra care needed when covering on the compound curves..

Looking good!

Not sure how deep I’ll go, looks like I’m about half way to where the plans show…….. achoo!
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...89847ef93.jpeg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...8bfe65cf0.jpeg
🤧

3 pounds 5 oz with tank, mount, rods, and gear attached………. Achoo! 🤧 I think I can hit 6.5 ready to fly…….
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...e05a3409c.jpeg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...fc6c6b59f.jpeg

Starting to get the “look”
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...57a8da8da.jpeg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...462fcfe68.jpeg

Time for a 🐽 snout……….
Day 9 so far and all is going pretty well.................


https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...7e40264e1.jpeg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...14eff2b42.jpeg

Snoot roughed in………..very rough but it will clean up fine……….

All up weight so far with engine and pipe added is 5 pounds 2 oz.
Looks like 6.5 is going to be my finish weight target, anything less is icing on top.....
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...3c8ac0f04.jpeg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...c408ee02d.jpeg