All the components of the plane are now finished, and the last step is to get it balanced and cover the pod.
Covering is tricky. As some previous pictures show I first tried using heavy blue covering but I couldn't get it to conform well. I ended up using more yellow Solite. My technique was to cover a large section, for example the underside, and then go back and trim off any parts that didn't come out right. Then I'd do an adjacent patch, just barely overlapping. Working around the top areas of the pod takes extra skill. It's worth it though; the plane now looks like a translucent fish.
I put the tow hooks on after covering. They're located lengthwise as shown on the plan, but centered on the keel of the pod. I assume the side mounted hooks would be for towing up in a circle or something, which isn't what I'm going to do.
The hooks are made of wire, glued into a hole drilled in the keel. They're rooted about 3/4" up into the pod.
The pelvic fin protects the front hook and is reinforced with wire running into it from the keel.
Comments