Ron's B-17G Beta build by Isaac

[Ron40]

Isaac,
If you refer to page 32 of the original side by side build thread it gives
recommendations on how I skinned the wings. Also note that I have
used stips also on the wing ribs. Former rib "U" should be glued in place
using scrap laminated material between it and the fuselage. Make sure
the alignment marks at the leading edge of rib U and the ones on the
fuselage match. This is to ensure the proper angle of attack of the
wings to the fuselage. Also putting a strip of card stock on the upper
and lower surface of Former rib U gives more gluing surface for the
wing attachment.....Ron

[Isaac]

Ron


It is done per your reccomendations.


News and pics at 11 ( will post soon ).


Isaac

[Isaac]

I glued the strips on top of the ribs and spar to form an I beam. In the addition the inner rib will be done the same way to allow for smoother attachment of the wing skins to the structure.








Also, added the main landing gear strut base which is a rolled card stock to match ( with some clearance ) the OD of the gear strut. That is then glued to the half rib at the location marked on the lower wing skin. Please note that the B-17 main gear struts are canted forward a bit. I used small diameter wood dowl ( I got from the doctor's office a few long swabs with wood sticks ). and rolled the LG strut card around it. I then drilled a hole where the wheel axle is to be attached ( bent paper clip cut to length ).





Shown here are the sub assemblies of the wing being dry fit only at this time



One wing is done and the next is coming up in identical way.

Final assembly of the wing skins a bit later.


Isaac

[Ron40]

Isaac,
You are going about this all wrong. You do not form the wing skins
and slide the wing spar and structure into the closed wing skins. If
you will refer to the build thread you will see the outer wing was
assembled complete then the inner wing skin section was was
assembled to mate with it. Also you are using too wide of strips on
the spar and ribs. When adding these strips to the wing ribs you
do not extend these all the way around the leading edge it will
affect the leading edge profile. See the original build thread and
look closely at the photo's. I also note you have not decided to
correct the extra thickness of the box beam due to the upper and
lower strips being laminated when they were not supposed to be.
This will cause a hump in the wing skin seam. You cannot correct
this problem with overlaying of strips on the spar. This will cause
problems when closing the trailing edges of the wing.The thing I'm
trying to impart is that unless the steps are taken I have explained
you will not have a satisfactory result. Any small error and it will
lead you into other errors to correct which will snowball into a mess.
I don't mean to be harsh but you cannot do this your way or what
your experience to date has taught you. I suspect you have never
run across this type of leading edge separation forming and gluing
before so a little direction and tips are needed. If you feel the need
to start over on the wing assy use the extras I have provided...Ron

I am imparting these notes on assembly primarily to the future builders
of this model the correct processes to obtain the desired result. The
wing leading edge has to be formed to the correct profile for the
engine nacelles to fit. This is not a model for novices. You need a
certain amount of modeling experience to take on this model..Ron

[Ron40]

Isaac,
Boats has agreed to interrupt his build sequence and show how the
wings are constructed. He will show photo's so there is no mistaking
the wing constructing process.....Ron

[Isaac]

The box beam upper piece was removed and replaced with standard thickness strip. The rib strips were also narrowed and the leading edge exposed as per your previous posting.

As far as the wing skins, they fit great over the spar and to the fuselage as built. So far it is not glued. I will finish the engine nacelles before all gets glued together.

By the way, I layed out the outer wing skins after they were glued along the leading edge, and they fit fine within a letter size page ( 8.5 X 11 inches ). However, they will not fit on an A4 size sheet if that was your intention to print it on either US letter or A4.


Isaac

[Ron40]

Isaac,
You are not following the recommendations and are continuing to do
it your way. I will not help you any more and consider this no longer
a beta build. Boats build will be the definitive beta build. I'm sorry it
has to come to this but if you will not do it the way it is supposed
to be constructed I don't want others to get the impression that your
way is the correct way. You were told on numerous occasions to
follow the recommended construction steps and you failed to comply.
I will no longer offer advice. You are on your own......Ron

[Isaac]

Ron

Thanks for letting me start your Beta build. Too bad I can't seem to build it your way. I guess I have a style of building that does not conform with yours.

You have a very good design here that I am sure will be popular build for others.

I will continue to follow Boat's build.

This will be my last post of this Beta build.

Very best of luck


Isaac

[SJPONeill]

Well, I for one would like to see your build continue, Isaac, it seems like quite a waste of time, resources and skill just to call it off here...I'm not a big believer in the 'my highway or the highway' school of modelling and I think that the work that YOU have done will inform any build of this model...personally I don't give a fat rats how it gets build so long as it gets built...instructions are only and have always only been a guide...

[Ron40]

Isaac,
You are welcome to continue your build your way. However I can
not use any data from your build because you are going outside
the parameters. On a Beta build you need to follow the recommendations
so I can determine if there is a problem and what the remedy is.

Ron