[rjccjr]

Hi All;

Well, there is progress. The tripod looks to be getting there. The front leg is made of card stock and the rear legs are paper. The strength of the paper legs is questionable and needs to be stiffened to take the weight of the radar assembly. To get the legs into a rounded configuration they are rolled through a progression of brass rods descending in diameter until they are quite thin. When they get to that stage steel wireis used to get even narrower because the brass is too soft. After sharp number eleven blades and a steel ruler, the most useful tool is the bamboo teriyaki skewer. It is inexpensive light and very strong. It makes a fine glue applicator, and a very useful material as well. Once the tripod tubes were rolled, a length of bamboo is cut a bit over long, then split into narrow rods that can be slipped inside the tubes, tested for fit and glued in place with white glue. If you have ever filled the shop with questionable language over thin landing gear struts, consider this technique. Patience is a virtue of which I am sadly lacking. This sort of undertaking is like running a marathon. It doesn't require patience so much as stamina and a stubborn refusal to quit.

Regards, rjccjr