I pulled the molded top and bottom sheeting from the molds today.
The top front and bottom front were made from 1/16 7.8# balsa because I wanted some strength up front and also the hatch was going to be made from this molding.
The bottom aft was made from 1/16 5.8# balsa.
The top half was made from 2 pieces of 1/32 5.7# balsa. This was because of the tight radius at the tailpost and I found out that using 2 pieces of 1/32 glued then molded into a very strong piece. Before the 1/32 pieces are put on the mold they are soaked in water, then "dried" off using a paper towel, and the first piece gets some watered down Pica Gluit brushed on the entire surface, then the second piece of 1/32 gets put on top of that. Then they are put on the mold and then wrapped with 4 inch wide bed sheets. BTW, the mold MUST be covered with waxed paper first. The glue will seep down to the mold and without the waxed paper, you will glue the balsa to the mold. Trust me it will happen.
After drying, the bottom edges are trimmed using a #11 blade attached to the same material as the base and then just run along the side to trim.
I locate the formers by marking their locations on the outside of the fuselage first, then taping the shell in place and transferring the marks to the shell. Then the marks are extended to the inside. Then the formers are glued in using thin CA. Once done, I then "drag" the completed assembly across some sandpaper that is glued to a flat surface to give me a 'true" edge to glue up against the fuselage side.
The angled portion of the exit scoop is made from 1/32 5.7# balsa.
I'm working on the top front pieces this evening. This will yield the top front portion and the hatch. More pictures to follow tomorrow.
The weights so far is:
Front bottom - 4 grams
Aft Bottom - 5 grams
Aft Top - 11 grams
Total so far 20 grams. I'm thinking about 30 grams total which will include the hatch.