More good work done tonight- these are still the easy stages and really, I'm avoiding putting together the wiring harness for all the lights I want. I also have the parts (PVC pipe bits mostly) to put together the stand or cradle to hold the beast horizontally and I really have to get that done- I'm really getting past the point where I can work vertically.
First of all, no streak test. I decided to use a different color- more grey than white- for the base color of the hull. So I've started respraying that and we'll see what looks good when that is uniformly coated and dry.
Next, I cut the bit in the way on the light receptacle and epoxied (JB Weld Kwik) the final vane in place. Which means now I can see clearly that its opposite is off kilter. So I'll try bending/warping it slightly, or will have to cut it free and reattach:
As a product review- the new (to me) Dremel cut off/grinding disks are sweet- they're like inch and a half angle cutter cut off wheels and work very well. I like the very thin carbide wheels also-they're much better for fine work. But the
Kitty Hawk isn't exactly fine work, at least not yet.
Next up was starting to shape and assemble the engine pods and struts. I figure to use these expended refrigerator filter canisters for the engine pods, and these cheap mop hangers from the dollar store for the struts:
I also bought these cheap computer case fans from the local Crazy Eddie's Used Computer Emporium to act as the 'pusher' propellers:
Altogether they will shape up pretty good engines and props, I reckon:
I'll need to take the mop hangers to the farm to drill some holes for screws using my midget drill press- I may try here tomorrow and see if the noise isn't too great and if I can hold a hand drill steady enough, we'll see- the metal isn't exactly battleship steel so I might can manage.
I've also ordered in some cheap three-bladed props to mount as verticle props for helping the control surfaces aim the bow up or down more quickly, but they haven't arrived yet.
I've set a budget of US$75 for parts for this thing and am still well under (not counting stuff I already had- that doesn't count). I think I'll be able to bring it in under contract ceiling and so far the most expensive individual part has been the spray paint!
And shortly I'll be breaking out my hot glue gun, which I now refer to as my
Syro Adductor, for his great work with hot glue, to start sticking things to things.
More follows soonest. Thank you for looking in.