The redrawing of the plans is coming along slowly, the majority of the outlines are drawn and a lot of the construction detail for the lower wings completed. Before I commit anything to paper, let alone balsa, I build a “virtual” model in my head, at least for the more difficult parts. It doesn’t always work but usually several ideas are scrapped before the final plan is drawn.
I’ve decided, as I’m going to use scale aileron controls, that the most practical solution is to make the top and bottom wings “plug in” as an assembled unit. Still trying to get some suitable carbon fibre tubes to use as both spars and tubes for the piano wire wing pins.
To keep the interest going I’ve started some of the “engineering” jobs that can be done before the final construction details are worked out. I’d previously made the aileron control pulleys so I’ve started on the shackles.
Here are the components:
I’ve used 0.5mm steel for the shackle body and a small split pin for the “eye”. The pin is 1mm brass rod with a 14BA nut soldered to the end to simulate a bolt, when finally assembled I’ll crimp the other end of the pin to secure it as it won’t be visible.
The assembled shackle
With the body bent to shape and the split pin soldered into place I thick the finished shackle looks quite convincing. Remember that the picture above is about 5 times true size (depending upon your monitor), the pulley itself is only 9mm diameter.