Night Prowler, building the B-29

[Bill Gaylord]

You know when you start something like this that it will take lots of time so "copping the right attitude", as they say, is the first step.

Sometimes you just have to lie to yourself. I've told myself, "Now were just going to sit down and do 5 minutes of planking now, no big deal". You know you will end up doing it for at least an hour or so, which solves the problem. Now if you had told yourself, I'm going to do 2 hours of planking, then you would have talked yourself out of it.'

The inset method that you showed in the A26 photo works well. I just used that method for the first time, filling in a rounded corner, where the stringers were only 1/16" apart. In the past, I probably would have made individual blocks for the wider areas on your A26, but I now think the method shown there is easier.

[oldflyer2]

Great work DD. Are you having to work standing? Hope all is well with your sugery. Pat

[Bill Gaylord]

Looks like it would be tempting to leave this one unfinished in bare wood. Looks nice in the current state.

[SteveM]

That must be because they are both Boeing built.

[zcoley]

I dident know people in filled like this. It looks really cool. Do u have to cover it to?
Looks really time consuming but I'm loving it!!

[cliffm]

I find the plastic on the guillows is probably the the most time consuming and patience testing part of the whole assembly. They do fit, but like I say with a lot of patience. Have fun!

[Pauli72]

Looking great David!

I love the pig wrestling analogy in reference to trying to make those damn plastic pieces "fit" properly. They can be a royal pain sometimes. I found your solution to the problem very informative. Those engine nacelles look awsome!

I was just curious as to your thoughts and experience as to different brands of filler compounds. I've seen in your pictures that you're using Hobbyco filler for the balsa structures. I was wondering if you use that same filler for closing the little gaps between the plastic to plastic, and plastic to balsa as well.

I've just tried using Elmers brand wood filler paste for the main balsa structures and it seems to be working OK, but I've never used it for filling gaps between plastic to balsa gaps. I've tested it on some scrap plastic and it didn't react negatively. I've traditionally used used Squadron green platic modeling putty for plastic/plastic gaps, but I've found it doesn't seem to adhere to silkspan covered balsa to well for the plastic/balsa gaps.

All thoughts on the subject are appreciated. Thanks again for the help.

P.S. Are you ready for the annular eclipse tonight? I see it's supposed to pass right over your area of the country.

[Bill Gaylord]

We'll take your single-digit humidity. It's been in the 90% range here.
The nacelle cover fits look good. A lot of effort trimming/fitting those parts.

I'll have to try that filler. I think I've seen it used before here, but somehow keep forgetting about it. We use it regularly, but I never thought about using it for planes. I can't say I've ever sanded it however, after applying successive coats. The Hobbico stuff flashes between layers, creating a rock hard boundary layer where the filler cannot be sanded evenly across the surface. Another issue is that I've spent ages creating fillets, only to melt nicks them with the iron. Maybe the Sherwin Williams spackling does not have that issue with flash hardening between layers? Seems like the plaster content may give it some better qualities than the Hobbico stuff.

[Pauli72]

Looking GREAT David!
Just wondering if you've ever tried the pre-colored nitrate dope?

[SteveM]

Quality Control

I hope your job of filling the food dish passed inspection. I'll keep an eye out for Micro-FIll.

[cliffm]

Curiousity makes me ask if your going to hand brush it or use the airbrush.

[cliffm]

I would'nt have need ask if I read the next post,oh well, you do such beautiful work you don't need an airbrush. Besides it's a lot easier cleaning regular brushes than an airbrush.

[Arlo DiPasquale]

Stunning!!

[Arlo DiPasquale]

Uh-Oh, it looks like the quality control manager fell asleep on the job!!

[oldflyer2]

Beautiful work David, as usual.