Construction Manual
www.oldschoolmodels.com
Page 5
British
Sunday Fighter
Bristol Spadport
Step 9 - Top Wing Assembly (R5 & SW2)
Locate one R5 from BP3 and
two SW2’s from BP9.
Again the two sheer webs
are glued to R5, then glued
to the rib as shown here.
Make sure the sheer web’s
tabs are completely inserted
into the slots.
Note that this R5 and SW2 will NOT contact the building surface
around the spar area. It is purposely cut 1/16” shy to allow for
center sheeting that will be installed later on.
When properly positioned, the rib’s bottom
cutout will be fully inserted on to the lower
spar and the sheer webs will rest on the SPC
piece that is positioned to bump up the lower
spar in this area.
Step 10 - Top Wing Assembly (R3 & SW1)
Locate one R3 from BP3 and two
SW1’s from BP9.
Note that the SW1’s have a small
circle engraved in a corner. This
designates the edge that will be
glued to the root rib, and the
circle should be on the top when
installed.
Glue both SW1’s to R3, and then to the rib as shown here.
Again, make sure the sheer web’s tabs are completely inserted into
the slots.
Step 11 - Top Wing Assembly (R1)
Locate one R1 from LP2. Also
locate the DH-JIGs from LP3.
The DH-JIG pieces are used as a
guide to ensure that R1 is glued
in at the correct angle. You’ll use
these on for each of the Sunday
Fighter’s wing halves so save
them for future use.
Test fit R1 in place as shown. When properly fitted, the angles of
the SW1’s will allow R1 to slant in at a 2.5° angle. Verify this with the
DH-JIG. When satisfied, glue R1 in place.
Step 12 - Top Wing Assembly (trailing edge)
Locate one of the 3/16” square balsa
strips. This is used as the wing’s trailing
edge.
Measure and cut to length, leaving
about 1/4” extra on each end.
Glue this in place, making sure it is
securely glued to the rear of each rib,
and that each rib is properly aligned.
Using a long straight-edge can help
holding everything in place, firmly against the building surface.
Step 13 - Top Wing Assembly (leading edge)
Locate one of the 1/4” square balsa strips. Measure and cut to
length, leaving about 1/4” extra on each end.
Glue this in place, making sure it is securely glued to the front of
each rib, and that each rib is properly aligned.
Using a long straight-edge can help holding
everything in place, firmly against the
building surface.
Step 14 - Top Wing Assembly (upper sub-spar)
Locate one of the 1/8” square balsa strips.
Measure and cut to length, leaving about
1/4” extra on each end.
Glue this in place, making sure it is securely
glued to into the pre-cut notch of each rib,
and that each rib is properly aligned.
Note that this piece will “dip” when gluing to
the pre-cut slots in R5, R3 and R1. This is to
allow for the wing’s center sheeting. So make
sure this strip is fully inserted into the slots of each and every rib.
Step 15 - Top Wing Assembly (create dihedral box)
Now it’s time to cut-away the center
of two ribs - R3 and R5. Here are the
before and after photos to help show
what needs to be done.
Make sure that the area is completely
clean and smooth, as later on this
will be a channel where the dihedral
brace will slide through. The cleaner it
is now, the easier it will be to slide in the brace when it’s time.
Take your time and use a gentle touch in this step as you don’t
want to cut more than you should, nor do you want to damage the
sheer webs in these spots as it could weaken the wing or cause a
misalignment.
Step 16 - Top Wing Assembly (upper spar)
Locate another 3/16” square basswood
strip to use as the upper spar. It will
need to be trimmed to length, but leave
it slightly oversized so it extends roughly
1/8” past R1 and ends at the outer edge
of R9. Glue this in place, making sure
it is securely attached to each rib and
completely pushed into the pre-cut slots
of each rib.
As with the 1/8” sub-spar attached a couple steps back, this
basswood strip will need to “dip” when gluing to the pre-cut slots
in R5, R3 and R1. This is to allow for the wing’s center sheeting.
So make sure this strip is fully inserted into the slots of each and
every rib.
Step 17 - Top Wing Assembly (top, rear sheeting)
Locate one of the BP10 sheets. In it are pre-cut strips of wing
sheeting. One of these strips is
glued in place as shown, along
the rear of the ribs and butting up
against the trailing edge strip.
Again, using a long straight-edge
can help hold down this strip while
gluing.
Before
cutting
After
cutting
