Dear all
Have done a bit more work on the 1/24 thrust structure. I want to point out that I think one of that parts is misprinted (so this applies to the 1/48 model too). It is one of the umbilical connections that the tail service mast connects to (part 6 on page 3 of thrust structure pages of parts). Essentially the red line and red arrow are in the wrong place. It should be (I think) as shown below
I found that I could not just "scale up" the gluing from the 1/48 model of these parts. Just too big to be able to place the umbilical connects correctly, So I cut the parts into two bits (like in photo below)
Here they are in place
I then had to make a decision about how "thick" to make the walls of the rocket. I have found that it is a real fine balance between weight to strength. Clearly the walls need to be a certain strength to avoid collapsing under the rockets own weight. However too thick and they cannot be curved and manipulated easily. I have settled on the following. They will be initially two layers thick (250 gsm). Then I will add the tabs that will hold the formers and then a third layer will be added to the remaining two layer surface once the shape is correct. Below (if you can see it) is the "second layer" of the thrust structure, which is made of quite a number of parts (since I am limited to the size I can successfully glue in a single go).
Next I used my circle cutter to cut out discs to make up the bottom on the rocket onto which will be attached the thrust structure bottom plate (parts 8 in the 1/48 model on pages 1 and 2, but I have had to split into quarters on the 1/24 model). It worked a dream and ate through 3mm greyboard. I also used the tip of putting a little Beeswax on the blade, which is a tip I read from Don Boose (if my memory is correct, apologies if I have miscredited). I am now waiting for a break in the weather so I can attach the parts using 3M super 77.
I am currently experimenting with the best way to make the engine fairings since they are too big to print on a single piece of paper.
Will try to update later