Stuart Rusby

Capstrip bending worked a treat Gordon. Used a 1/2in dowel. Many thanks, Stuart

Many thanks Gordon and Danny. I will get my old pen into action!

Danny, whats a good way to attach the capstrips to the wing ribs, re bending, glueing and securing? Thanks, Stuart

I have pinned 1/8th balsa strips between each rib position on the plan to raise the lower wing spars so that the wing lies flat and so the ribs don't touch the plan. I have also introduced 1.5mm dia carbon rod into the trailing edge to try and reduce any warping - I am not sure if this will achieve anything! I'm impressed with the quality and accuracy of the Sarik wood components.

I am ready to send off the litho plates to the following: William 2W, Richard Mallam, Martyn K, McG 6969, and David Avery. Please give me your adresses, cost is £10. Thanks, Stuart

Thanks Ernie - they really are things of beauty and like Martian I think I will hang them on the wall and retire from all this sound and fury... Stuart

Thanks for the response thus far on my litho offer. When I have sorted out how to safely package the plates I will contact each of you with the price. I had hoped to use cardboard tubes but a little experimentation showed that the plates were vulnerable to damage when putting them in and removing them. I think the better way is to use stiff-backed envelopes and three different samples are being sent for me to try. It will not be possible to send such large plates by post, the 'large parcel' cost is too great so I plan to cut them in half - so you get 6 for the price of 2! I expect the cost of packaging plus postage will work out at about a tenner (except for our Belgian friend!). The plates have been used so most of them have an advertising image on the emulsion side which can easily be removed with spirit or solvent. This leaves the grey substrate which is very securely bonded to the aluminium. There is no need to try and remove this since a range of glues, including epoxies, superphatic and zap, adhere very well to it. If any other members would like to join the lithographers do let me know, plates are available... Stuart

Thanks Ernie, I look forward to admiring all the bits... For those thinking of going down the litho route I have some 450x520mm aluminium sheets, 0.15mm thick. They should be good for forming the plating over the engine cowl and also the fuselage sides. With some annealing they should also be OK for making the blisters on the engine cowl. If anyone is interested then let me know. Cost would be just for packaging plus postage. Depending on the response I can provide 2 or 3 sheets each. Hope this helps, Stuart

My apologies, Ernie, I have sent you a message with my address. Many thanks, Stuart

Thanks Ernie for laying out the etched parts. I have sent money by PayPal plus email with address. Stuart R.

Looks great Ernie. Please put me down on your list. Stuart R.

Hi Fenton Furies! I have recently completed a 1/6th scale Mick Reeves Spitfire which I have electrified, just one wing and very few bendy bits I'm afraid! Would very much like to join the Fury gang if that is acceptable Danny? I've been trying some litho forming using annealed thin material for the cowl blisters - re your article in RCME. Works well. I have also built a half wing of the Fury to test my limited skills with silver Oratex. Main thing I learned is to monitor the iron temperature carefully, the polyester fabric has a relatively high percentage shrinkage. Also the need to think through the best wing rib support during construction due to the underside camber. With my best wishes, Stuart R.