Section 1 Sub-assemblies

Section 1 continues… slowly. I am still prepping the monocoque and doors, but have begun to assemble some small sub-assemblies. My progress chart now tells me I have completed 4% of the model (probably optimistically as the number of parts will increase a bit as I add decals).

Fuel Filler Necks

As previously mentioned, I have filed off the molded hose clamps from the two fuel filler necks replaced them with photo-etched hose clamps and tiny screws. I have left the red- and yellow-tinted hose as just painted, with clear yellow and clear red. Photo-etched weld beads were added as well. Both necks are molded with a hole for a pressure fitting, but there is only a fitting on the left hand side, so I have removed the molding on the right hand part. The centre caps have the brand name highlighted in flat white enamel, which came out well, although I won’t install the caps until the necks are mounted on the body, so the orientation is correct.

• 

• 

Water Fill Tank

For the fil tank for coolant (I think that”s what it is), the instructions are a little unclear about fittings on the left and bottom of the tank. From reference material we can see that:

• The bottom AN fitting doesnt ‘fit into the molded hole – that appears to be a cap or an electric plug, which I painted black and left alone. The AN fitting goes into the base of the tank immediately behind the molded hole – I say immediately as the fitting and hose needs to clear the framework around the tank.

• The fitting on the left side is (I think) a temperature sensor line, which I painted black and drilled for 0.4mm wire to be fit later. The clear yellow hose in the instructions goes into the tank just under the cap, I added a wire pin (nickel silver 0.4mm) to hold it.

• Tank cap sits at a jaunty angle just a little clock-wise of left-right across the body.

Carbon Fibre

I have added the first carbon fibre decal in anger to the front footwell of the cockpit (part RE6, picture above). It looks good. If anyone noticed, I forgot that the top of the fuel cell also has some carbon fibre; the decal for that has been designed and cut out now.