Need Some Help with My Spitfire Build

[lawlor6494]

My kit was purchased around 1997 and I'm now building it at age 85. I last built model aircraft around 1953. My current problem is assembling the starboard side of the fuselage. I finished the port side by pinning the drawing to my table and gluing the formers to to the keel using batteries to get them square. I find adding the starboard former halves to the keel and perfecly aligning them with the port former halves to be difficult.

I've switched from Elmers White to Gorilla AV quick setting glue and hand holding the former halves until the glue becomes tacky which takes 10 or so seconds. I have a slight tremor so I've tried using D batteries as vertical props. But I'm finding it difficult to get the alignment perfect.

Any help would is appreciated.

[Auger]

I have the same problem lining up the 'free side' formers and getting them square to the keel and to the opposite side formers. All you can do is work slowly, one by one and do the best you can. I use medium viscosity super glue on every build - for the formers and stringers - and only use white glue on the canopies and main assembly (wings and tail surfaces to the fuselage) - Good luck on your project.

[lawlor6494]

Thank you. A possible solution came to me last night. I've glued formers B1 through B6 in place. I'm going to try putting the starboard side keel in place and holding it with rubber bands. Then I will attempt to dry fit the remaining formers, 7 thru 10. My hope is that with the side keel dry fitted the formers will remain in place while I carefully adjust their positions followed by gluing. I will figure this out.

[kittyfritters]

See the attached picture. This is one way to do it with a half shell fuselage.

PXL_20240518_011453699.jpg

Se5-6_small.jpg

I use spring clothespins and tongue depressors (craft sticks). All you have to do is get the first side perpendicular to the keels and this method gets the other side straight. I use it on all Guillow's models with this type of construction. Since I have a laser cutter I make all my scratch builds with interlocking parts and avoid the issue.

KF

[lawlor6494]

Thank you very much.

I just discovered that AV glue does not easily release from waxed paper after fully setting. I'm back to Elmers for on-the-pan gluing on waxed paper.

[lawlor6494]

I learn by my mistakes. First, former 10, the aft most former, was badly installed. Looking at it from the front it looks like a shallow "V" but both halves are equally badly done. It will make the fuselage a little narrower just forward of the rudder so I believe I've been able to get away with it. My next mistake was when starting the horizontal stabilizer I installed the center without leaving space for the long port to starboard stringer. I repaired this oops by cutting the center to allow space for the stringer. The stabilizer is now assembled and set aside. This was done out of sequence while waiting for glue to dry elsewhere.

Part BB is the instrument panel or dashboard. The diagram isn't clear on exactly where this fits. I'll revisit the YouTube Spitfire build by our British friend to see if that will let me know. So far, the only other puzzle is the function of the L3 pieces on each side of the fuselage. I suspect they are intended to secure the rubber motor dowel for rubber flight.

All of this is so simple for you seasoned builders but I've made too many small mistakes to mention, mostly cutting all the pieces out. My next Guillow's build will be a laser cut model. It will probably take half the time but boy are they expensive.

[jpsaxnc]

Another thing that helps to aline the formers is to lay the side keels over the plan and mark the former positions on the side keels. Then the formers can adjusted as needed.

[lawlor6494]

Excellent advice. I will do this on my next build.

[lawlor6494]

I've finally finished the port side of the fuselage stringers. I'm a little disappointed with the result but can only blame myself. I was simply not careful enough to get all the formers perfectly cut and aligned. It's not awful nor is it excellent. I'm calling it OK for someone of my lack of experience. Gluing the stringers in place has taught me a few things so I expect the starboard side to take a little less time and to look better. Photo to follow.

[lawlor6494]

I took two photos of the fuselage but can't figure out how to add them to this post. I've read the FAQ but don't know how to get there from here.

[lawlor6494]

The fuselage, stabilizer and rudder have been assembled. I start cutting out the wing parts the morning. That's going to take some time.