As it happens, this is the bit I'm working on at the moment - although it's an
XS
fuselage, and the aft bulkhead and the cockpit module are bonded in - you won't
really be able to see how the top fits until you do.
I started by clecoing in the tailpost vertically to pretty well match the bottom
canoe - and a small amount needed to be trimmed for a clean fit. I also have a
splash moulding clecoed in place for the top containment bulkhead.
The fuselage is then pulled aft with a pair of cords (parachute cord, as it's
somewhat springy) - one from through the door openings, and one from the clecos
on
the fuselage top - both going to 1" dowel that is used to twist the cords to
pull
them aft. This pulled the fuselage back at least a further 1/4"- and it's
apparent
that the top half of the fin moulding will have to be trimmed a little.
Of more concern is the foam core on the LH side of the fin - it comes aft enough
to
interfere with the sternpost closeout (RHS is OK) - I have yet to decise whether
to
just clamp it "shut" when bonding, or route away about 1" of the core and lay in
a
couple of bid so that it fits closer... I note that Tony K moans about having to
add a lot of filler to his rudder to get things to line up...
Also - the top wouldn't fit at all well until I removed the "front" wooden
spacer
(fwd/above the stabs on the bottom shell half)
and so it goes.....
M
Fergus Kyle wrote:
> Cheers:
> General question this time.
> ` I hav brought the Mk 1 fuselage into the fray, and feeling tenuous,
> offered up the top to see what possible trouble may lie ahead afetr I've
> worked on, and installed, the cockpit module.
> Lo amd behold, brethren, do I find the top molding to be 1/4in short
of
> the canoe at the rear top of the fin. That is, with the top front bolted
> tightly6 to the firewall and occasionally along their mutual "joggle",
> with the top molding cut so as to meet the bottom molding joggle just a
> foot or so ahead of the rear bulkhead position, the rear end of the
> canoe is 1/4" longer than the rear edge of the top. Now the aft edges of
> both canoe and top foam inserts in that region line up, so am heartened
> to think I can recut the aft edge of the canoe to accomodate the shorter
> top.
> Anyone else find this anomaly7
> All suggestions gratefully received here at Offhand Manor.
> Happy landings
> Ferg #A064
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