Douglas TBD Devastator - Build Photos

Paper plan pinned to wooden airframe form
Tail group begins by laminating the outlines around foam forms
Small clamps securing rib to fuselage frame
This design includes scale inset pinned hinges--but a conventional hinge can be used if preferred
Tail fin and wing ribs under construction
Completed tail group ready for covering
Wing assembly pinned to plan on bench
Upper fuse is built on top of the board
Balsa nose bulkhead and fuselage formers
Because of the short nose, the powerplant and LiPo are fastened to a slide-out tray
Wooden model fuselage on workshop bench
Completed fuse and built up cowling
Balsa wing ribs pinned to building plan
Basic wing framework with upper sheeting in plac
Model wing interior with retractable landing gear
Wings joined and landing gear installed
Hand placing balsa strips on plastic sheet
Corrugations were built up with low-tack tape and hign-build auto primer
Top view of model airplane balsa framework
Pretty bones