Thanks Doc. I don't consider it a scale plane.
It's a model of a model, but you're right. I won't
be stunting this..
Andre, I remember the Cox Helldiver and it was
a great looking plane. I would use the techniques
I used on the Spitfire for something that big.
The plane that is just begging to be built using
the molding techniques is a Focke Wulf 190. That
plane would almost jump off the building board.
Jim, The landing gear doors are easy to understand
and the pictures show everything. TopFlite interpreted
the P-47 doors as a long stick glued to a funny shape
like an upside down lollypop. I had to look at pictures
of actual P-47's to decide on the real shape of the doors.
I cut the shape, including the leg out of 1/32 ply.
If you look carefully ,you can see where the 1/16" wire
is bent to form the axle, goes through a hole in the
plywood door. That positions it on the wire leg.
I then cut a piece of 3/32" balsa the same shape
as the leg, made a groove in it and sandwiched the wire
between the balsa leg and the plywood one. Lots of
little clamps and 5 minute epoxy. I cleaned the wire
with acetone and 200 grit paper before I assembled
everything.
There is all kinds of information here in Stunthanger
about drawing panel lines and the real experts know
much more than me.
Anyway, I used an old fashioned Rapidograph drafting
pen that are hard to get. There are better pens available
but I think all of them require a coat of crystal clear dope
to make them fuel proof.
I have doped over the ink lines that you can see.
I didn't use a template. I outlined where I wanted the
lines with masking tape and just drew inside that line
using a ruler. I marked on the tape where the hinges
needed to go.
I have to brag a little. My Spitfire build thread just
went over 17,000 views. Maybe the 1/2A forum isn't
so sleepy.
Just for fun.. a couple more pictures!