Now the spacer strips are glue to the SRB tubes. Alignment is critical so I use a piece of aluminum angle to register it to the lines. TBC

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__________________
Never trust an atom. They make up everything.

4 out of 3 people struggle with math.

Chemically, alcohol IS a solution.

NAR# 94042
SAM# 0078

Now the (2) SRB tube and nozzle assemblies are glued to the central BT and the supplied alignment braces have been slid on. I'll keep this on the Corian slab until the glue sets to assure straightness. TBC

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__________________
Never trust an atom. They make up everything.

4 out of 3 people struggle with math.

Chemically, alcohol IS a solution.

NAR# 94042
SAM# 0078

Now to fillet the SRB tube to main BT joint.

I've used 15 minute epoxy instead of 5 minute for this for (2) reasons:
1) I don't want to be rush on this long and critical joint
2) the longer set time will allow the adhesive to seep down into joint for maximum strength--the wings are mounted onto the SRB tubes

One fillet down--four to go! TBC

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__________________
Never trust an atom. They make up everything.

4 out of 3 people struggle with math.

Chemically, alcohol IS a solution.

NAR# 94042
SAM# 0078

The SRB fillets are now rock-hard and I can continue.

I've mounted and aligned the top stabilizer, the SRB cones, and the bottom launch lug stanoff and launch lug. The LL is incredibly long. I'll stop here and let the Titebond set and then fillet the LL before building the ventral fin assembly onto it.

Also, the Squadron Green filling the spin nozzle cavities of the PNC is now hard and I'll allow "The Vixen" to take a break from housework to sand it for me.

No, she doesn't read these posts. How did you guess?

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__________________
Never trust an atom. They make up everything.

4 out of 3 people struggle with math.

Chemically, alcohol IS a solution.

NAR# 94042
SAM# 0078

And now the upper stabilizer and the LL and it's standoff are filletted. I took the liberty of covering the LL standoff completely with a skin of epoxy so I won't have to Aerogloss it. TBC

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__________________
Never trust an atom. They make up everything.

4 out of 3 people struggle with math.

Chemically, alcohol IS a solution.

NAR# 94042
SAM# 0078

And now for the PITA ventral fin assembly. I've pre-shaped the (3) pieces and mounted them to the LL and the SRB tubes. After the Titebond sets, I'll do the final alignments with the crosspiece before laying down the fillets.

I gave "the Vixen" permission to take a break from housework so she could sand the Squadron Green filled PNC. What a trooper! TBC

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__________________
Never trust an atom. They make up everything.

4 out of 3 people struggle with math.

Chemically, alcohol IS a solution.

NAR# 94042
SAM# 0078

Now that the ventral fins are filletted and solid, I use my mahogany sanding block to make the tops flat and even to prepare them for mounting the crosspiece.

As for the crosspiece, I half-round the leading edge and then mount the crosspiece across the tops of the ventral fins. There's approx. .030" overlap on each outer ventral fin--this is fine because after the ventral fins are internally filletted to the crosspiece I'll sand off the overlaps.

Hmm. It kinda-sorta looks like the rear spoiler of a '69 Daytona Charger. TBC

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__________________
Never trust an atom. They make up everything.

4 out of 3 people struggle with math.

Chemically, alcohol IS a solution.

NAR# 94042
SAM# 0078

Great build thread JJ! PITA.... LOL!

__________________
SAM #0354

Thanks! Well, the ventrals ARE a PITA.

__________________
Never trust an atom. They make up everything.

4 out of 3 people struggle with math.

Chemically, alcohol IS a solution.

NAR# 94042
SAM# 0078

Now that the crosspiece is solid, I use the mahogany block to sand off the overlap. I then use the block to make a slight radius on the edge corners--JUST enough to make it look like it was done on purpose. TBC

Attached Thumbnails

     

__________________
Never trust an atom. They make up everything.

4 out of 3 people struggle with math.

Chemically, alcohol IS a solution.

NAR# 94042
SAM# 0078