Morris Dancer build

Take note of the slight error I made. The battery tray is notched to go just one way into the fuselage sides. Therefore make sure you glue the bracing tabs on the correct side.  As I found out!

I started with the tail surfaces first. Dry fit, then glue n pin.  Used lipos to keep flat whilst gluing the ply to the balsa (the balsa is on the outsides Kevin ) 

With the fuselage sides sorted I then inserted the battery tray after a few dry fits. I found 
I had to apply a little chamfers on the tray tags to get the tray to slide into the fuselage sides.  Once happy with the fit I fitted the F1 using epoxy and the lower bracing ply and the initial forward landing bear plate with Aliphatic.   I will leave this area open for now so I can easily access the firewall if I decide to fit 3mm spike nuts to secure the motor.  After a night of setting I then glued the tail skid plate. The fuselage is starting take shape.

After considering various covering solutions, have ordered solarfilm direct. (they still have considerable stock) 

Works out cheaper due to less waste because one width of 67cm covers a single wing span 

My progress so far in rather small workspace - a utility room (No chance of doing it in the house)

Ailerons were assembled on the glass (originally a cooker splash back) and then spent some hours flying at Cashmoor whilst glue sets.

Next morning, a modification regarding the elevator control wires.  Made up a 2mm ply former with two holes for the guide tubes 30 mm apart.  Image shows dry fit.

Having lots of motors but none suitable for this project I opted for the Ripmax Quantum II 25C 1000 kv.  A light motor capable of 3 or 4 cells.  The X plate mounting is a perfect fit to the kits laser cut holes in the firewall.

Until it is flown we won't know if the motor makes it "exciting enough" so may step up to the next size Quantum II 36 or 40.  Although their X mounting plate requires 44mm distance between holes which may be right up against the tri-stock on the inside of the firewall. Worry about later if need be...

I suppose I should get on with assembling the wing. After a trial dry fit it and verifying the rib alignment it was time to glue the trailing edge. Followed by CA medium on all the joints except the leading edge at the moment.  The leading edge was glued with Aliphatic.  I used my spirit level as a straight edge weighted down with a buggy battery to stop it moving. There are some small elastic bands also holding the LE back tight to the ribs via some pins in the top spar.

blimey  - thats a great building board 

Yeh! You would say that....

The day before I filled in the spar webs and I glued the sheeting to the bottom spar. The sheeting overlaps by 10mm.  The sheeting front edge was weighed down overnight using a spirit level. This would give it a starting bend (hopefully).  Today I glued the leading edge and used large hard balsa ailerons to keep an even pressure under the clamps.  A few coffees later I then glued the more sheeting over the centre and servo bays.  That's that for now till tomorrow for the wing.

Back to the fuselage, the landing gear ply is now glued in place.  An extra former was also made and glued to guide the servo control wires through the fuselage. Will trim as necessary once the tail is fitted.

Also glued an ESC mounting to the landing gear ply. This will raise the ESC capacitors clear of the landing gear wire and enables to easily fit cable ties to secure the ESC.