It's been two years and Crew chief Erwin has been hard at work in the recovery and re building department.
He has been sending Division HQ updated progress reports including photographs of what has been done and where the money has been spent!
This is his story, told by me. His mate!
Removed the whole front of the fuselage as it was essentially already broken in two. Striped off all of the old Koverall, broken bits, set it up on my stand, sat back and thought.
The cockpit floor back to the front of the seat was removed and as much of the 1/64 ply wing seat was retained. The wing fairings were originally built from expanding foam on top of polystyrene then fibre glassed. This was dug out.
I decided to re build the front in two sections as can be seen from above. From the cock pit to the mid cowl is basically straight lines so was easy to get straight.
This is the first original section being spliced back into place along the wing seat line.
Keeping things level and plumb.
Light ply doublers were epoxied to the original ply fuselage sides at the wing seat level to strengthen the broken joint.
Then taller light ply cockpit sides were epoxied to the inside if the formers from behind the seat to the front of that first section, on both sides.
Balsa stringers were replaced with Bass wood stringers ensuring plenty of over lap with original ones for stronger glue joints.
New former in front of the first section. This resulted in a tank bay box structure. Stringers being set up for the next section to be re built.
The stringers lower than the cockpit canopy level got double stringers too.
This piece was a temporary brace for the broken wing seat crutch repair and was removed.
Moving forward with stringers.
Sorting out the position of F2 and where the stringers land.
Needs to go a liiiiitle to the right.
Side view. Looking good.
That's it for now.
__________________ Kuhn
If in doubt. Don't!
Flying: HIGH!
Building: Getting my Mo Jo back slowly to finish a few projects.
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