Grumman F4F Wildcat - Build Photos

Engine cowl and wooden ring assembly
1. A wood framework fits inside the vacuum formed cowling.

 

  • Build photos


  • Finished photos

 

 

Tail and rudder framework pinned to plan
2. Tail group builds over the plan.
Wing rib assembly pinned on blueprint
3. Wing framework finished and ready for sheeting from the main to the leading edge.
Fuselage skeleton aligned on building plans
5. Right hand built free.
Closeup balsa wing ribs pinned to plan
6. Motor mount in place; belly hatch has been cut free.
Laser-cut balsa fuselage pinned to plans
4. Left side of fuse built on the board.
Unfinished balsa airplane frame on blue backdrop
7. Framework complete and plastic parts in place.

Howard DGA-3 "Pete" - Build Photos

Build photos

Finished photos

Balsa strips and wing template on workbench

1. Stripping tool and foam forms for building the laminated outlines of the tail group.

Shaped foam templates wrapped in plastic

2. Laminations wrapped around the forms and pinned into place while the glue dries.

Tailplane ribs pinned with glue bottle

3. Laminated outlines filled with the tail framework.

Balsa fuselage framework over airplane blueprint

4. Left and right handed side panels built over the plan.

Wing spars held by metal weights on plan

5. Side panels squared up and joined with the lower formers.

Balsa fuselage framework pinned to plan

6. Top formers going into place.

Completed balsa fuselage skeleton on plans

7. Stringers and sheeting of the nose and rear turtledeck complete.

Pinned wing rib assembly on plan

8. Wings going together.

Triangular alignment jig sitting on building plans

9. Spindly Pete landing gear--the bracing wire is a must-have on this model.

Close-up wooden model airplane nose assembly

10. Soft balsa spinner turned on a drill.

Completed wooden model airplane on workbench

11. Japanese tissue doped with water-based polyurethane.