DOUGLAS B-23 DRAGON - 1:72 - by TEX MOD

[Positive_Rate]

Hello all,

Here’s pictures of the nose cone attached. If you look carefully at the upper edge you’ll see where I’ve coloured the gap, luckily the fuselage is a dark mottled colour so it’s hardly visible to the eye.

Alan

[Positive_Rate]

Next I fitted the fin. It would have been difficult to taper and join the empennage as it has no tabs so I made 2 identical triangular formers to hold the shape of the empennage and the base of the rudder. Next was to join up the rear gunners cockpit which went smoothly.

[Positive_Rate]

Hello everyone,

With the fin and empennage complete it’s time to look at the assembly of the wings and tail. Although I have laminated the spars I’m doubtful if they are strong enough in their own right but looking at how the fit has been gong so far, and seeing how the inner and outer wings join I’m going to leave them as they are. I did add blocks on the end of W2 rib to give the joint more strength.

For the tail, there is a solitary spar running through the empennage which will all too easily flex I think therefore I have laminated that to a considerably heavier grade, possibly too much as I think I may need to widen the slot in the empennage slightly.

Hope I can finish this before Tuesday otherwise it'll be a month break till I'm back here! Fingers crossed!!

Alan

[yankeekilo]

looks very good! i like the nose overall shape

[Positive_Rate]

Cut the sole spar for the tail / horizontal stabiliser. Was unsure how this was going to go but it fits very well in fact. Pics were taken when the glue was still wet.
There's a profile of the combined tail and elevator section printed on the empennage so that really helps.
Next came the inner wings. I shaped the leading edge and glued the tab to make a 'tube' before sliding over the spars. I used solvent glue (UHU) on the outer ribs and spars since I didn't want any effect on the wing skin. I used paper glue (Kittifix) on the fuselage end since it dries clear and is a bit more forgiving to work with than UHU plus less chance of it wettening and rippling the skin noticeably.
Next came the outer left wing. Found it tricky to shape a relatively large part. My concern is the dihedral. As confessed before, the central spar is at 85 degrees on one side, 95 on the other so the deision now is whether to continue the error, or, attempt to straighten by using the outer wings to 'correct'. I'll probably just keep the outer wings aligned with the incorrectly aligned main spar. Either way I won't be posting pics of that! Any suggestions??

[ReynoldsSlumber]

Hmm, tough conundrum with the wing center section 5° off square. If you're willing, could try cutting into the bottom of both wing roots chordwise with a razor blade through the skin and then a razor saw most of the way through the spars, leaving the upper surface mostly intact. Then subtract a sliver from one side and add a shim to the other?

Otherwise, yeah, could keep the wing aligned to itself, then maybe bend the tail feathers a bit to match?

[Draco]

It SHOULD be possible to fix the diedral of the wings using the "F" internail reinforcemens as supports. Not with the hands, but maybe using boxes or books to push?????
I give not garantees

I just read Reynoldsnumer idea of cutting the join, it much better than mine

[yankeekilo]

The wing spars are a copy and invert of the left side; I don't see why they are different related to dihedral. In any case, you really put a smile on my face every time I see your posts. Congratulations! You are doing magnificent!

[Positive_Rate]

Hello all,

Thanks for your comments, especially how to extract myself from my alignment conundrum.. And you know I think that's a great idea ReynoldsSummer.

I'd just like to point out this is builder error - although I spent wise time making sure the main spar assembly was straight and square, I neglected to ensure the whole unit was square in the fuselage! I didn't cop it that one of the notches was higher than the other.

But I'm pretty sure I can extricate myself with this idea.

Alan

[Positive_Rate]

Making steady progress so it seems!

Cut the parts for the right engine and landing gear. I’m looking for a paper clip to strengthen the landing gear struts. Not sure how that’s going to go! My plan is make a ‘U’ shape from the paperclip but with a flat bottom where the wheel will fit. Attached the outer wing spars to the ribs. Pleased to say the spars are designed with the dihedral angle cut so that side of things looks good, no messing around with supports, jigs, and judging tiny angles.

As you can see I put the Dragon into a 90 degree bank and landed it on top of the TV! Then the glued spars can cure. Glad I finally found a use for the TV!

Considered 2 different ways to make the wings

a) having shaped the leading edge glue lower surface to the spars. After that’s dried, fold the skin over the ribs and glue to the long tab at the trailing edge.
b) Shape and glue the wing trailing edge first then slide over the spars and join to the inner wing.
I’m going for the second. Hope I’ve made the right choice?! What do you think?!