Will Aldridge's XP-72 Beta Build (also) - Page 6

**Willja67** · #51 03-07-2012, 07:26 PM

Have I sent you the pages with the wheels? The inner details of the landing gear doors are on that page but I can't remember if I already sent it. It also has the frame to make a vaccuform mold for the canopy. The gear door parts will have to be double laminated to get the right thickness and then edge colored.

Also please review my last post since I edited it to ask another question but you posted before i got done.

**YankeeBoy** · #52 03-07-2012, 08:31 PM

No, I have no wheel page(s). I think the disappearing panel lines are a function of my camera and using a flash. I can see them fine on the model and think they are excellently done. I personally believe that most panel lines and rivets are grossly overstated on most models (paper and plastic) and I appreciate the delicate touch you have used on your models.

**Willja67** · #53 03-07-2012, 10:37 PM

Okay Ron I have been reviewing pictures in posts 44 and 48 looking specifically at the wing root fairing. In post 44 you show a view of the fairing looking at it from the top and it looks okay, but looking at it from the bottom in post 48 it looks like the fairing portion of D8 doesn't quite line up like it should. I know there were issues with the as yet un-numbered top piece in Roberts build, and would like to know if you think there are still issues to be fixed?

btw I sent you the wheel page. And for Robert, I don't think that has changed so I didn't send that one to you again.

**YankeeBoy** · #54 03-08-2012, 02:51 AM

I don't think there are any issues there. The alignment problems showing in the photo are a product of my construction, not of your design.

**YankeeBoy** · #55 03-15-2012, 11:53 AM

A little more progress - here is the prop and spinner. I'll leave this assembly off until the end of the build.

Will Aldridge's XP-72 Beta Build (also)-72-038.jpg

The port wing outer panel and port horizontal stab are on. The fin/rudder is being dry-fitted here. The wing root fit has been improved on both sides. Some careful adjustments, some Aileen's glue filler and a bit of pale grey paint helped a lot. I'll show the starboard side in a later post...

Will Aldridge's XP-72 Beta Build (also)-72-039.jpg

Fit continues to be excellent. More progress soon (I hope.)

**Willja67** · #56 03-15-2012, 04:47 PM

Looks good (as usual). I can see the shading around the ailerons, elevators, and rudder. One of my fears was that it would be overdone or possibly underdone. What do you think?

btw if you do start another build let me know when you get to the inboard wingskins. I gave the flaps the same shading treatment I gave the ailerons.

**YankeeBoy** · #57 03-15-2012, 05:17 PM

The shading seems just about right to me - visible but not overstated.

**Don Boose** · #58 03-15-2012, 06:46 PM

It looks beautiful, YB. Clean, precise assembly of this big airplane.

Don

**mldixon** · #59 03-15-2012, 09:34 PM

Nice work. Hanging around to see the finish. Love Wills designs.

**YankeeBoy** · #60 03-19-2012, 08:28 AM

A few more smallish tasks completed or underway...first photo shows some progress on the main landing gear.

Will Aldridge's XP-72 Beta Build (also)-72-040.jpg

Tail feathers completed.

Will Aldridge's XP-72 Beta Build (also)-72-041.jpg

Port wing root looks a bit better after some careful tweaking and gluing.

Will Aldridge's XP-72 Beta Build (also)-72-042.jpg

Starboard root (which was the ugliest) looks much better with tweaking, gap filling with thick PVA and a touch of paint.

Will Aldridge's XP-72 Beta Build (also)-72-043.jpg

The tail assembly fairings fit well; they did require some careful shaping and post-glue smoothing but the end result is fine.

Will Aldridge's XP-72 Beta Build (also)-72-044.jpg

Cooler exhaust doors in place (port side shown.)

Will Aldridge's XP-72 Beta Build (also)-72-045.jpg

Tail wheel mount and doors in place. I made the doors double thickness and used chromate yellow scrap for the inside layer. Next time around I think I will mount the tail wheel support and wire to the forward bulkhead of the tail wheel bay before skinning the tail. That will give much better visibility for positioning the wire and support structure.

Will Aldridge's XP-72 Beta Build (also)-72-046.jpg

Remaining work to be done:
1. Completion of main LG struts.
2. Mounting of main LG to the wing structure.
3. Mounting of main LG doors to the wing and main LG struts.
4. Hold my breath when I set it down on the LG - will it all fall down???
5. Install propeller.
6. Install canopy. The canopy may end up being not clear but it will at least verify the shape and the fit of the frame pieces to the canopy. I have a clear 1:33 P-47D canopy somewhere - if I can find it I may see how it looks.

We're getting close now...