Quote:
Originally Posted by gomidefilho
I start the build in last week, so now have time to show the first sequences of building
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Undercarriage doors.
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Undercarriage internal boxes.
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Finish undercarriage wheels and legs, I reinforce with wire the interior because this bird is BIG!  |
Gomidefilho & Aaron, late start on the Mercator Beta build, but I was able to knock out some assemblies last night. Only issue I had was with the main wheel wells - the 'strip' that wraps around the circular part came up short on both pieces. Not sure why since G'man didn't have that problem. The provided tab covered the gap, for the most part, and of course, adding a little patch would be no big-deal.
The other thing was, as a matter of preference, I used 'glue strips' that I made using the part tabs as a pattern and the generous margins for material. Since I used the provided tabs to create the strips, I still was able to validate the tab designs.
So far, the fit has been generally very good. I am not skilled enough to get the best of some parts (my wingtip for example is a bit 'crumpled' from my efforts at contouring it...) but in spite of my technique, the critical fits are working out even for me.
One minor critique is that the 'panel line' detail has essentially disappeared on the dark blue when I printed the parts. Often, I will use the control surface demarcation lines to do a 'burnished' relief detail however that's not possible here. Also, the "well outlines" for the main landing gear wells may be present, but I cannot see them and will have to create a pattern for making the cut outs.
Speaking of the mains, I was a little stumped on how to get the interior in place, but then I realized I have a couple of options (and I may try both): work it from the open end of the wing, or make the cut-outs and then just slide in from the outside through the hole. Either should work - the 'cut & then insert' method might allow for better alignment.
Having fun doing this, wish I had a bigger block of time to just sit down and finish it up in one session. (Don't we all!)
Thanks again for the opportunity to do the BETA.