Guillow's 403 Spitfire

[NiteSeer]

It has been a blast working on the Guillow's 500 series Spitfire, so, I decided to build its bigger brother, the series 403. I tacked the formers together to do whatever needed to be done to insure sameness. Afterwards, I drilled holes in the formers to make them lighter.
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj25 ... 1274875354

I used my homemade jig to insure that the fuselage was square and straight.
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj25 ... ire005.jpg
Out of the jig and ready for some stringers. I used contest weight stringers instead of those provided by Guillow.
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj25 ... 1274875764

Ah the finished product. Nice! Fun! light and straight.

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj25 ... 1274875938

[ADW 123]

how do you make that home made jig?

[NiteSeer]

Hi ADW

I made my jig from 1/4 inch Baltic Birch. This type of material is less prone to warp. There are four main pieces, front and back and the two end pieces. The front and back pieces measure 24 3/4" by 4 1/2" and the end pieces measure 4 1/2" x 4 1/2".
The small pieces fit into a slot or dado. The slot is about 1/8 deep and 7/32 wide. The slot is about 3/8" from the end of the front and back pieces. I used titebond glue to secure the pieces. Make sure everything is square and flush at the top. I also added a brace to the inside corners. This will keep the box from flexing.

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj25 ... 1274968160

Sorry about the poor picture.

I added office pins to the jig and they are about an inch from the bottom. Those were glued in with Cyno.

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj25 ... 1274969922

If you are not familiar with this type of jig and how to use it, go to rockytopmodels.com. You will find that the instructions are very clear.

Hope this helps.

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj25 ... 1274970173

[ADW 123]

yes it does, but why office pins?

[ADW 123]

also, i was wondering how you put the plane on your jig....

[NiteSeer]

Hi ADW,

Go to Rocky top Models and you will see how the jig works. The instructions are very well illustrated. With regard to the office pins, the handle will accept a rubber band without slipping off. This will all make sense if you go to Rocky Top Models. They sell a jig for about 30.00 some bucks and they tell you how to use it.

[NiteSeer]

I am making some progress on the spitfire 403. I am cutting out a lot of wood and I am sanding as much as possible. I want the wing to be as light as the fuselage. Also, I am using contest type stringers.
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj25 ... 1276608275

Love those magnets:
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj25 ... 1276608349

Completed wing panels:
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj25 ... 1276608481

Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee:

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj25 ... 1276608592

[NiteSeer]

Sand, Sand, Sand, and more sanding to come.

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj25 ... 1277558094

[BillParker]

It's truly a purty girl!

[NiteSeer]

And I am happy with the weight.

Steve