I’ve made some progress over the last few months on the rear section of the fuselage, and particularly the high engine.
First thing to do was to create some circular frames/bulkheads. Rather than cut out full circular pieces of aluminium and incur a high percentage of waste, I figured I’d cut out quarter sections and join them to create the circular sections. Here’s how I went about it:
These were then cut out and hammered into shape using plywood templates:
Three quarter circular sections were then assembled and mounted in place on the rear fuselage frame:
I then mounted the intake nozzle that I had started last year:
Then I added a further circular section and stringers, as well as the tail fin that I had started on some time ago:
Next, to work out the skins:
Now to start the skinning and shaping of the intake nozzle. One of those critical pieces that needs to look right – here’s hoping my technique works out:
Quite happy with the way it’s looking. Will need some filler, and plenty of elbow grease to finish but the foundations are there.
Also started on some of the engine greeblies:
Being very curious how the rear will look when joined with the front of the fuselage (but with no easy way to move them just yet), I did a quick mockup with some image editing:
Now that’s looking more like it!
Until next time…
Great to see you getting into it again mate! Watching this beauty take shape with great interest!
Baz.
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Thanks very much Baz. I’m very inspired and motivated by your superb build of the mk2. Although I’m feeling very time poor, I’m trying to dedicate as much time to the Viper build as I can, even if it’s only a few hours a week. My Mother always says ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day’ Great advice!
Cheers
Scott
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Getting exciting now mate! A bit of photo editing really does help to visualise and motivate.
Keep up the good work.
Baz.
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Thanks Baz, your feedback is much appreciated mate! You’re absolutely right, being able to visualise the end state is highly motivating. Still a long way to go, but it’s starting to take shape.
Cheers
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You have no idea how excited I am about the prospect of getting our two Vipers on display somewhere together! Man I wish you were on Facebook so we could smash the internet with a dual build story!
Baz.
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I believe that display will blow more than a few minds! Can’t wait to be a part of that. My Facebook presence is minimal at the moment, but I’m open to suggestions on smashing the internet. Despite working in IT, I’m quite the novice on social media. Maybe I can get some pointers off of you on how to go about the dual build story?
Cheers
Scott
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Look me up mate. I’ll connect with you there. https://www.facebook.com/groups/240486113096646/
Baz.
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