brahman104

Right lads (and ladettes), 
 
Last update was July; pretty disgraceful but I have a good excuse...... 
 
After 4 years we are finally back in a place to call our own again (was definitely over apartment living!!!!!!). With that comes the joy of having all our stuff (well mainly my tools and machinery) under one roof instead of being stuck in storage. It looks like for the most part everything has survived pretty well, but there's a huge amount of setting up and organising still to go.
 
The great news is that the new house is absolutely epic (a gorgeous Queenslander built pre-war) with so much space underneath it has allowed me to have two separate work areas - one for metal working and general shop stuff and the other specifically for modelling  and so after 2 international and one local move the B-17 finally has a permanent home! I actually kind of feel like this model has travelled almost as much as the real Swoose!
 
Anyway here's the "heavy duty" area:
 
And here's a general picture of the WIP new bench setup. Still long way to go, but it's definitely the best workspace I've ever had!
Look what's on the bench!!!!
 
Hopefully the 3D printers still work. I've only just found the power leads for them again.......
 
If any of you are following the NMUSAF's restoration of the Swoose, you might find this picture familiar.....   
 
Work is still extremely hectic at the moment but I'm chipping away at the setup and hopefully won't be too long before I can recommence work on the big girl again!
 
Thanks for continuing to follow along after all these years!

Thanks Ron! Yep, cyclones and all it's not a bad part of the world to live  
 
 
Yes Sir!!!! 
 
 
Thanks Zac! Just a tad warmer than the Manawatu  
 
 
Thanks Tom! If you can still turn out the masterpieces you do on a kitchen table, then I have absolutely no excuse!!!!
 
 
Thanks Jim! Yep definitely enjoying the new space!
 
Well the Fort has officially gone through her second Category 3 Cyclone and survived  (first one was in a shipping container on a boat bobbing around just off NZ). A couple of weeks ago, Townsville was subjected to a fairly rare one (not sure that's true any more these days!), but it was glad to see the house (which is the best part of 90-100 years old) weathered the storm easily. The only casualties being a few broken palm fronds! 
 
The bench setup has advanced enough for my to finally resume work on the B-17. After such a long break I'd almost forgotten the process of making the panels (and I had to find and organise all my tools in the first place!) but I was able to make some very slow progress.
 
Firstly though, I thought I'd show you some of my custom tool holders I made using my table saw and laser cutter. A fun exercise, but in the heat of a North Queensland summer, the laser was struggling a little bit  
 
 
 
 
 
The hardest part is trying to work out what tools you want where...... sometimes you only figure it out by doing, but I'm pretty happy with the overall result. I'll add to them in time with some drawers, but the B-17 was calling......
 
As I said, the hardest thing was trying to work out where I as at and how to do the panels again. Annoyingly, a lot of my reference photos for the underside of the wing had disappeared off my iPad (apple does weird things sometimes!) but I started with the flap first as it was at the rear most part of the wing. At this point, this was the single biggest piece of skinning on the whole project, and I was worried that I'd stuff up the alignment when applying it, but it all worked out quite well. 
 
 
Once I got back in the groove it was the next panel, rear of the spar. A lot of access panels which took a long time to cut out. I have no idea how Peter (Airscale) does it so quickly!!!!!!!!!!! 
 
 
The flap set a record as the biggest panel on the plane, and then this one knocked it out of the park!!!! I think it took me about 5 hours to do. So many rivets, so many more to come!!!! Just remember each rivet is done 3 times too.......
 
At last my friends, she is back where she belongs..... on the bench!
 
Cheers,
 
Craig
 
 
 

Thanks Ron! Yep, cyclones and all it's not a bad part of the world to live  
 
 
Yes Sir!!!! 
 
 
Thanks Zac! Just a tad warmer than the Manawatu  
 
 
Thanks Tom! If you can still turn out the masterpieces you do on a kitchen table, then I have absolutely no excuse!!!!
 
 
Thanks Jim! Yep definitely enjoying the new space!
 
Well the Fort has officially gone through her second Category 3 Cyclone and survived  (first one was in a shipping container on a boat bobbing around just off NZ). A couple of weeks ago, Townsville was subjected to a fairly rare one (not sure that's true any more these days!), but it was glad to see the house (which is the best part of 90-100 years old) weathered the storm easily. The only casualties being a few broken palm fronds! 
 
The bench setup has advanced enough for my to finally resume work on the B-17. After such a long break I'd almost forgotten the process of making the panels (and I had to find and organise all my tools in the first place!) but I was able to make some very slow progress.
 
Firstly though, I thought I'd show you some of my custom tool holders I made using my table saw and laser cutter. A fun exercise, but in the heat of a North Queensland summer, the laser was struggling a little bit  
 
 
 
 
 
The hardest part is trying to work out what tools you want where...... sometimes you only figure it out by doing, but I'm pretty happy with the overall result. I'll add to them in time with some drawers, but the B-17 was calling......
 
As I said, the hardest thing was trying to work out where I as at and how to do the panels again. Annoyingly, a lot of my reference photos for the underside of the wing had disappeared off my iPad (apple does weird things sometimes!) but I started with the flap first as it was at the rear most part of the wing. At this point, this was the single biggest piece of skinning on the whole project, and I was worried that I'd stuff up the alignment when applying it, but it all worked out quite well. 
 
 
Once I got back in the groove it was the next panel, rear of the spar. A lot of access panels which took a long time to cut out. I have no idea how Peter (Airscale) does it so quickly!!!!!!!!!!! 
 
 
The flap set a record as the biggest panel on the plane, and then this one knocked it out of the park!!!! I think it took me about 5 hours to do. So many rivets, so many more to come!!!! Just remember each rivet is done 3 times too.......
 
At last my friends, she is back where she belongs..... on the bench!
 
Cheers,
 
Craig
 
 
 

Thanks Ron! Yep, cyclones and all it's not a bad part of the world to live  
 
 
Yes Sir!!!! 
 
 
Thanks Zac! Just a tad warmer than the Manawatu  
 
 
Thanks Tom! If you can still turn out the masterpieces you do on a kitchen table, then I have absolutely no excuse!!!!
 
 
Thanks Jim! Yep definitely enjoying the new space!
 
Well the Fort has officially gone through her second Category 3 Cyclone and survived  (first one was in a shipping container on a boat bobbing around just off NZ). A couple of weeks ago, Townsville was subjected to a fairly rare one (not sure that's true any more these days!), but it was glad to see the house (which is the best part of 90-100 years old) weathered the storm easily. The only casualties being a few broken palm fronds! 
 
The bench setup has advanced enough for my to finally resume work on the B-17. After such a long break I'd almost forgotten the process of making the panels (and I had to find and organise all my tools in the first place!) but I was able to make some very slow progress.
 
Firstly though, I thought I'd show you some of my custom tool holders I made using my table saw and laser cutter. A fun exercise, but in the heat of a North Queensland summer, the laser was struggling a little bit  
 
 
 
 
 
The hardest part is trying to work out what tools you want where...... sometimes you only figure it out by doing, but I'm pretty happy with the overall result. I'll add to them in time with some drawers, but the B-17 was calling......
 
As I said, the hardest thing was trying to work out where I as at and how to do the panels again. Annoyingly, a lot of my reference photos for the underside of the wing had disappeared off my iPad (apple does weird things sometimes!) but I started with the flap first as it was at the rear most part of the wing. At this point, this was the single biggest piece of skinning on the whole project, and I was worried that I'd stuff up the alignment when applying it, but it all worked out quite well. 
 
 
Once I got back in the groove it was the next panel, rear of the spar. A lot of access panels which took a long time to cut out. I have no idea how Peter (Airscale) does it so quickly!!!!!!!!!!! 
 
 
The flap set a record as the biggest panel on the plane, and then this one knocked it out of the park!!!! I think it took me about 5 hours to do. So many rivets, so many more to come!!!! Just remember each rivet is done 3 times too.......
 
At last my friends, she is back where she belongs..... on the bench!
 
Cheers,
 
Craig
 
 
 

Thanks Ron! Yep, cyclones and all it's not a bad part of the world to live  
 
 
Yes Sir!!!! 
 
 
Thanks Zac! Just a tad warmer than the Manawatu  
 
 
Thanks Tom! If you can still turn out the masterpieces you do on a kitchen table, then I have absolutely no excuse!!!!
 
 
Thanks Jim! Yep definitely enjoying the new space!
 
Well the Fort has officially gone through her second Category 3 Cyclone and survived  (first one was in a shipping container on a boat bobbing around just off NZ). A couple of weeks ago, Townsville was subjected to a fairly rare one (not sure that's true any more these days!), but it was glad to see the house (which is the best part of 90-100 years old) weathered the storm easily. The only casualties being a few broken palm fronds! 
 
The bench setup has advanced enough for my to finally resume work on the B-17. After such a long break I'd almost forgotten the process of making the panels (and I had to find and organise all my tools in the first place!) but I was able to make some very slow progress.
 
Firstly though, I thought I'd show you some of my custom tool holders I made using my table saw and laser cutter. A fun exercise, but in the heat of a North Queensland summer, the laser was struggling a little bit  
 
 
 
 
 
The hardest part is trying to work out what tools you want where...... sometimes you only figure it out by doing, but I'm pretty happy with the overall result. I'll add to them in time with some drawers, but the B-17 was calling......
 
As I said, the hardest thing was trying to work out where I as at and how to do the panels again. Annoyingly, a lot of my reference photos for the underside of the wing had disappeared off my iPad (apple does weird things sometimes!) but I started with the flap first as it was at the rear most part of the wing. At this point, this was the single biggest piece of skinning on the whole project, and I was worried that I'd stuff up the alignment when applying it, but it all worked out quite well. 
 
 
Once I got back in the groove it was the next panel, rear of the spar. A lot of access panels which took a long time to cut out. I have no idea how Peter (Airscale) does it so quickly!!!!!!!!!!! 
 
 
The flap set a record as the biggest panel on the plane, and then this one knocked it out of the park!!!! I think it took me about 5 hours to do. So many rivets, so many more to come!!!! Just remember each rivet is done 3 times too.......
 
At last my friends, she is back where she belongs..... on the bench!
 
Cheers,
 
Craig
 
 
 

Thanks Ron! Yep, cyclones and all it's not a bad part of the world to live  
 
 
Yes Sir!!!! 
 
 
Thanks Zac! Just a tad warmer than the Manawatu  
 
 
Thanks Tom! If you can still turn out the masterpieces you do on a kitchen table, then I have absolutely no excuse!!!!
 
 
Thanks Jim! Yep definitely enjoying the new space!
 
Well the Fort has officially gone through her second Category 3 Cyclone and survived  (first one was in a shipping container on a boat bobbing around just off NZ). A couple of weeks ago, Townsville was subjected to a fairly rare one (not sure that's true any more these days!), but it was glad to see the house (which is the best part of 90-100 years old) weathered the storm easily. The only casualties being a few broken palm fronds! 
 
The bench setup has advanced enough for my to finally resume work on the B-17. After such a long break I'd almost forgotten the process of making the panels (and I had to find and organise all my tools in the first place!) but I was able to make some very slow progress.
 
Firstly though, I thought I'd show you some of my custom tool holders I made using my table saw and laser cutter. A fun exercise, but in the heat of a North Queensland summer, the laser was struggling a little bit  
 
 
 
 
 
The hardest part is trying to work out what tools you want where...... sometimes you only figure it out by doing, but I'm pretty happy with the overall result. I'll add to them in time with some drawers, but the B-17 was calling......
 
As I said, the hardest thing was trying to work out where I as at and how to do the panels again. Annoyingly, a lot of my reference photos for the underside of the wing had disappeared off my iPad (apple does weird things sometimes!) but I started with the flap first as it was at the rear most part of the wing. At this point, this was the single biggest piece of skinning on the whole project, and I was worried that I'd stuff up the alignment when applying it, but it all worked out quite well. 
 
 
Once I got back in the groove it was the next panel, rear of the spar. A lot of access panels which took a long time to cut out. I have no idea how Peter (Airscale) does it so quickly!!!!!!!!!!! 
 
 
The flap set a record as the biggest panel on the plane, and then this one knocked it out of the park!!!! I think it took me about 5 hours to do. So many rivets, so many more to come!!!! Just remember each rivet is done 3 times too.......
 
At last my friends, she is back where she belongs..... on the bench!
 
Cheers,
 
Craig
 
 
 

Thanks Ron! Yep, cyclones and all it's not a bad part of the world to live  
 
 
Yes Sir!!!! 
 
 
Thanks Zac! Just a tad warmer than the Manawatu  
 
 
Thanks Tom! If you can still turn out the masterpieces you do on a kitchen table, then I have absolutely no excuse!!!!
 
 
Thanks Jim! Yep definitely enjoying the new space!
 
Well the Fort has officially gone through her second Category 3 Cyclone and survived  (first one was in a shipping container on a boat bobbing around just off NZ). A couple of weeks ago, Townsville was subjected to a fairly rare one (not sure that's true any more these days!), but it was glad to see the house (which is the best part of 90-100 years old) weathered the storm easily. The only casualties being a few broken palm fronds! 
 
The bench setup has advanced enough for my to finally resume work on the B-17. After such a long break I'd almost forgotten the process of making the panels (and I had to find and organise all my tools in the first place!) but I was able to make some very slow progress.
 
Firstly though, I thought I'd show you some of my custom tool holders I made using my table saw and laser cutter. A fun exercise, but in the heat of a North Queensland summer, the laser was struggling a little bit  
 
 
 
 
 
The hardest part is trying to work out what tools you want where...... sometimes you only figure it out by doing, but I'm pretty happy with the overall result. I'll add to them in time with some drawers, but the B-17 was calling......
 
As I said, the hardest thing was trying to work out where I as at and how to do the panels again. Annoyingly, a lot of my reference photos for the underside of the wing had disappeared off my iPad (apple does weird things sometimes!) but I started with the flap first as it was at the rear most part of the wing. At this point, this was the single biggest piece of skinning on the whole project, and I was worried that I'd stuff up the alignment when applying it, but it all worked out quite well. 
 
 
Once I got back in the groove it was the next panel, rear of the spar. A lot of access panels which took a long time to cut out. I have no idea how Peter (Airscale) does it so quickly!!!!!!!!!!! 
 
 
The flap set a record as the biggest panel on the plane, and then this one knocked it out of the park!!!! I think it took me about 5 hours to do. So many rivets, so many more to come!!!! Just remember each rivet is done 3 times too.......
 
At last my friends, she is back where she belongs..... on the bench!
 
Cheers,
 
Craig
 
 
 

Thanks Ron! Yep, cyclones and all it's not a bad part of the world to live  
 
 
Yes Sir!!!! 
 
 
Thanks Zac! Just a tad warmer than the Manawatu  
 
 
Thanks Tom! If you can still turn out the masterpieces you do on a kitchen table, then I have absolutely no excuse!!!!
 
 
Thanks Jim! Yep definitely enjoying the new space!
 
Well the Fort has officially gone through her second Category 3 Cyclone and survived  (first one was in a shipping container on a boat bobbing around just off NZ). A couple of weeks ago, Townsville was subjected to a fairly rare one (not sure that's true any more these days!), but it was glad to see the house (which is the best part of 90-100 years old) weathered the storm easily. The only casualties being a few broken palm fronds! 
 
The bench setup has advanced enough for my to finally resume work on the B-17. After such a long break I'd almost forgotten the process of making the panels (and I had to find and organise all my tools in the first place!) but I was able to make some very slow progress.
 
Firstly though, I thought I'd show you some of my custom tool holders I made using my table saw and laser cutter. A fun exercise, but in the heat of a North Queensland summer, the laser was struggling a little bit  
 
 
 
 
 
The hardest part is trying to work out what tools you want where...... sometimes you only figure it out by doing, but I'm pretty happy with the overall result. I'll add to them in time with some drawers, but the B-17 was calling......
 
As I said, the hardest thing was trying to work out where I as at and how to do the panels again. Annoyingly, a lot of my reference photos for the underside of the wing had disappeared off my iPad (apple does weird things sometimes!) but I started with the flap first as it was at the rear most part of the wing. At this point, this was the single biggest piece of skinning on the whole project, and I was worried that I'd stuff up the alignment when applying it, but it all worked out quite well. 
 
 
Once I got back in the groove it was the next panel, rear of the spar. A lot of access panels which took a long time to cut out. I have no idea how Peter (Airscale) does it so quickly!!!!!!!!!!! 
 
 
The flap set a record as the biggest panel on the plane, and then this one knocked it out of the park!!!! I think it took me about 5 hours to do. So many rivets, so many more to come!!!! Just remember each rivet is done 3 times too.......
 
At last my friends, she is back where she belongs..... on the bench!
 
Cheers,
 
Craig
 
 
 

Oh my Peter! I think your skinning work has entered yet another dimension....... those "joggled" overlaps, especially on the floats are just pure perfection!
 
What an incredible feat of craftsmanship.  
 
Craig

Thanks Ron! Yep, cyclones and all it's not a bad part of the world to live  
 
 
Yes Sir!!!! 
 
 
Thanks Zac! Just a tad warmer than the Manawatu  
 
 
Thanks Tom! If you can still turn out the masterpieces you do on a kitchen table, then I have absolutely no excuse!!!!
 
 
Thanks Jim! Yep definitely enjoying the new space!
 
Well the Fort has officially gone through her second Category 3 Cyclone and survived  (first one was in a shipping container on a boat bobbing around just off NZ). A couple of weeks ago, Townsville was subjected to a fairly rare one (not sure that's true any more these days!), but it was glad to see the house (which is the best part of 90-100 years old) weathered the storm easily. The only casualties being a few broken palm fronds! 
 
The bench setup has advanced enough for my to finally resume work on the B-17. After such a long break I'd almost forgotten the process of making the panels (and I had to find and organise all my tools in the first place!) but I was able to make some very slow progress.
 
Firstly though, I thought I'd show you some of my custom tool holders I made using my table saw and laser cutter. A fun exercise, but in the heat of a North Queensland summer, the laser was struggling a little bit  
 
 
 
 
 
The hardest part is trying to work out what tools you want where...... sometimes you only figure it out by doing, but I'm pretty happy with the overall result. I'll add to them in time with some drawers, but the B-17 was calling......
 
As I said, the hardest thing was trying to work out where I as at and how to do the panels again. Annoyingly, a lot of my reference photos for the underside of the wing had disappeared off my iPad (apple does weird things sometimes!) but I started with the flap first as it was at the rear most part of the wing. At this point, this was the single biggest piece of skinning on the whole project, and I was worried that I'd stuff up the alignment when applying it, but it all worked out quite well. 
 
 
Once I got back in the groove it was the next panel, rear of the spar. A lot of access panels which took a long time to cut out. I have no idea how Peter (Airscale) does it so quickly!!!!!!!!!!! 
 
 
The flap set a record as the biggest panel on the plane, and then this one knocked it out of the park!!!! I think it took me about 5 hours to do. So many rivets, so many more to come!!!! Just remember each rivet is done 3 times too.......
 
At last my friends, she is back where she belongs..... on the bench!
 
Cheers,
 
Craig
 
 
 

Thanks Ron! Yep, cyclones and all it's not a bad part of the world to live  
 
 
Yes Sir!!!! 
 
 
Thanks Zac! Just a tad warmer than the Manawatu  
 
 
Thanks Tom! If you can still turn out the masterpieces you do on a kitchen table, then I have absolutely no excuse!!!!
 
 
Thanks Jim! Yep definitely enjoying the new space!
 
Well the Fort has officially gone through her second Category 3 Cyclone and survived  (first one was in a shipping container on a boat bobbing around just off NZ). A couple of weeks ago, Townsville was subjected to a fairly rare one (not sure that's true any more these days!), but it was glad to see the house (which is the best part of 90-100 years old) weathered the storm easily. The only casualties being a few broken palm fronds! 
 
The bench setup has advanced enough for my to finally resume work on the B-17. After such a long break I'd almost forgotten the process of making the panels (and I had to find and organise all my tools in the first place!) but I was able to make some very slow progress.
 
Firstly though, I thought I'd show you some of my custom tool holders I made using my table saw and laser cutter. A fun exercise, but in the heat of a North Queensland summer, the laser was struggling a little bit  
 
 
 
 
 
The hardest part is trying to work out what tools you want where...... sometimes you only figure it out by doing, but I'm pretty happy with the overall result. I'll add to them in time with some drawers, but the B-17 was calling......
 
As I said, the hardest thing was trying to work out where I as at and how to do the panels again. Annoyingly, a lot of my reference photos for the underside of the wing had disappeared off my iPad (apple does weird things sometimes!) but I started with the flap first as it was at the rear most part of the wing. At this point, this was the single biggest piece of skinning on the whole project, and I was worried that I'd stuff up the alignment when applying it, but it all worked out quite well. 
 
 
Once I got back in the groove it was the next panel, rear of the spar. A lot of access panels which took a long time to cut out. I have no idea how Peter (Airscale) does it so quickly!!!!!!!!!!! 
 
 
The flap set a record as the biggest panel on the plane, and then this one knocked it out of the park!!!! I think it took me about 5 hours to do. So many rivets, so many more to come!!!! Just remember each rivet is done 3 times too.......
 
At last my friends, she is back where she belongs..... on the bench!
 
Cheers,
 
Craig
 
 
 

Thanks Ron! Yep, cyclones and all it's not a bad part of the world to live  
 
 
Yes Sir!!!! 
 
 
Thanks Zac! Just a tad warmer than the Manawatu  
 
 
Thanks Tom! If you can still turn out the masterpieces you do on a kitchen table, then I have absolutely no excuse!!!!
 
 
Thanks Jim! Yep definitely enjoying the new space!
 
Well the Fort has officially gone through her second Category 3 Cyclone and survived  (first one was in a shipping container on a boat bobbing around just off NZ). A couple of weeks ago, Townsville was subjected to a fairly rare one (not sure that's true any more these days!), but it was glad to see the house (which is the best part of 90-100 years old) weathered the storm easily. The only casualties being a few broken palm fronds! 
 
The bench setup has advanced enough for my to finally resume work on the B-17. After such a long break I'd almost forgotten the process of making the panels (and I had to find and organise all my tools in the first place!) but I was able to make some very slow progress.
 
Firstly though, I thought I'd show you some of my custom tool holders I made using my table saw and laser cutter. A fun exercise, but in the heat of a North Queensland summer, the laser was struggling a little bit  
 
 
 
 
 
The hardest part is trying to work out what tools you want where...... sometimes you only figure it out by doing, but I'm pretty happy with the overall result. I'll add to them in time with some drawers, but the B-17 was calling......
 
As I said, the hardest thing was trying to work out where I as at and how to do the panels again. Annoyingly, a lot of my reference photos for the underside of the wing had disappeared off my iPad (apple does weird things sometimes!) but I started with the flap first as it was at the rear most part of the wing. At this point, this was the single biggest piece of skinning on the whole project, and I was worried that I'd stuff up the alignment when applying it, but it all worked out quite well. 
 
 
Once I got back in the groove it was the next panel, rear of the spar. A lot of access panels which took a long time to cut out. I have no idea how Peter (Airscale) does it so quickly!!!!!!!!!!! 
 
 
The flap set a record as the biggest panel on the plane, and then this one knocked it out of the park!!!! I think it took me about 5 hours to do. So many rivets, so many more to come!!!! Just remember each rivet is done 3 times too.......
 
At last my friends, she is back where she belongs..... on the bench!
 
Cheers,
 
Craig
 
 
 

Thanks Ron! Yep, cyclones and all it's not a bad part of the world to live  
 
 
Yes Sir!!!! 
 
 
Thanks Zac! Just a tad warmer than the Manawatu  
 
 
Thanks Tom! If you can still turn out the masterpieces you do on a kitchen table, then I have absolutely no excuse!!!!
 
 
Thanks Jim! Yep definitely enjoying the new space!
 
Well the Fort has officially gone through her second Category 3 Cyclone and survived  (first one was in a shipping container on a boat bobbing around just off NZ). A couple of weeks ago, Townsville was subjected to a fairly rare one (not sure that's true any more these days!), but it was glad to see the house (which is the best part of 90-100 years old) weathered the storm easily. The only casualties being a few broken palm fronds! 
 
The bench setup has advanced enough for my to finally resume work on the B-17. After such a long break I'd almost forgotten the process of making the panels (and I had to find and organise all my tools in the first place!) but I was able to make some very slow progress.
 
Firstly though, I thought I'd show you some of my custom tool holders I made using my table saw and laser cutter. A fun exercise, but in the heat of a North Queensland summer, the laser was struggling a little bit  
 
 
 
 
 
The hardest part is trying to work out what tools you want where...... sometimes you only figure it out by doing, but I'm pretty happy with the overall result. I'll add to them in time with some drawers, but the B-17 was calling......
 
As I said, the hardest thing was trying to work out where I as at and how to do the panels again. Annoyingly, a lot of my reference photos for the underside of the wing had disappeared off my iPad (apple does weird things sometimes!) but I started with the flap first as it was at the rear most part of the wing. At this point, this was the single biggest piece of skinning on the whole project, and I was worried that I'd stuff up the alignment when applying it, but it all worked out quite well. 
 
 
Once I got back in the groove it was the next panel, rear of the spar. A lot of access panels which took a long time to cut out. I have no idea how Peter (Airscale) does it so quickly!!!!!!!!!!! 
 
 
The flap set a record as the biggest panel on the plane, and then this one knocked it out of the park!!!! I think it took me about 5 hours to do. So many rivets, so many more to come!!!! Just remember each rivet is done 3 times too.......
 
At last my friends, she is back where she belongs..... on the bench!
 
Cheers,
 
Craig
 
 
 

Thanks Ron! Yep, cyclones and all it's not a bad part of the world to live  
 
 
Yes Sir!!!! 
 
 
Thanks Zac! Just a tad warmer than the Manawatu  
 
 
Thanks Tom! If you can still turn out the masterpieces you do on a kitchen table, then I have absolutely no excuse!!!!
 
 
Thanks Jim! Yep definitely enjoying the new space!
 
Well the Fort has officially gone through her second Category 3 Cyclone and survived  (first one was in a shipping container on a boat bobbing around just off NZ). A couple of weeks ago, Townsville was subjected to a fairly rare one (not sure that's true any more these days!), but it was glad to see the house (which is the best part of 90-100 years old) weathered the storm easily. The only casualties being a few broken palm fronds! 
 
The bench setup has advanced enough for my to finally resume work on the B-17. After such a long break I'd almost forgotten the process of making the panels (and I had to find and organise all my tools in the first place!) but I was able to make some very slow progress.
 
Firstly though, I thought I'd show you some of my custom tool holders I made using my table saw and laser cutter. A fun exercise, but in the heat of a North Queensland summer, the laser was struggling a little bit  
 
 
 
 
 
The hardest part is trying to work out what tools you want where...... sometimes you only figure it out by doing, but I'm pretty happy with the overall result. I'll add to them in time with some drawers, but the B-17 was calling......
 
As I said, the hardest thing was trying to work out where I as at and how to do the panels again. Annoyingly, a lot of my reference photos for the underside of the wing had disappeared off my iPad (apple does weird things sometimes!) but I started with the flap first as it was at the rear most part of the wing. At this point, this was the single biggest piece of skinning on the whole project, and I was worried that I'd stuff up the alignment when applying it, but it all worked out quite well. 
 
 
Once I got back in the groove it was the next panel, rear of the spar. A lot of access panels which took a long time to cut out. I have no idea how Peter (Airscale) does it so quickly!!!!!!!!!!! 
 
 
The flap set a record as the biggest panel on the plane, and then this one knocked it out of the park!!!! I think it took me about 5 hours to do. So many rivets, so many more to come!!!! Just remember each rivet is done 3 times too.......
 
At last my friends, she is back where she belongs..... on the bench!
 
Cheers,
 
Craig
 
 
 

Thanks Ron! Yep, cyclones and all it's not a bad part of the world to live  
 
 
Yes Sir!!!! 
 
 
Thanks Zac! Just a tad warmer than the Manawatu  
 
 
Thanks Tom! If you can still turn out the masterpieces you do on a kitchen table, then I have absolutely no excuse!!!!
 
 
Thanks Jim! Yep definitely enjoying the new space!
 
Well the Fort has officially gone through her second Category 3 Cyclone and survived  (first one was in a shipping container on a boat bobbing around just off NZ). A couple of weeks ago, Townsville was subjected to a fairly rare one (not sure that's true any more these days!), but it was glad to see the house (which is the best part of 90-100 years old) weathered the storm easily. The only casualties being a few broken palm fronds! 
 
The bench setup has advanced enough for my to finally resume work on the B-17. After such a long break I'd almost forgotten the process of making the panels (and I had to find and organise all my tools in the first place!) but I was able to make some very slow progress.
 
Firstly though, I thought I'd show you some of my custom tool holders I made using my table saw and laser cutter. A fun exercise, but in the heat of a North Queensland summer, the laser was struggling a little bit  
 
 
 
 
 
The hardest part is trying to work out what tools you want where...... sometimes you only figure it out by doing, but I'm pretty happy with the overall result. I'll add to them in time with some drawers, but the B-17 was calling......
 
As I said, the hardest thing was trying to work out where I as at and how to do the panels again. Annoyingly, a lot of my reference photos for the underside of the wing had disappeared off my iPad (apple does weird things sometimes!) but I started with the flap first as it was at the rear most part of the wing. At this point, this was the single biggest piece of skinning on the whole project, and I was worried that I'd stuff up the alignment when applying it, but it all worked out quite well. 
 
 
Once I got back in the groove it was the next panel, rear of the spar. A lot of access panels which took a long time to cut out. I have no idea how Peter (Airscale) does it so quickly!!!!!!!!!!! 
 
 
The flap set a record as the biggest panel on the plane, and then this one knocked it out of the park!!!! I think it took me about 5 hours to do. So many rivets, so many more to come!!!! Just remember each rivet is done 3 times too.......
 
At last my friends, she is back where she belongs..... on the bench!
 
Cheers,
 
Craig
 
 
 

Thanks Ron! Yep, cyclones and all it's not a bad part of the world to live  
 
 
Yes Sir!!!! 
 
 
Thanks Zac! Just a tad warmer than the Manawatu  
 
 
Thanks Tom! If you can still turn out the masterpieces you do on a kitchen table, then I have absolutely no excuse!!!!
 
 
Thanks Jim! Yep definitely enjoying the new space!
 
Well the Fort has officially gone through her second Category 3 Cyclone and survived  (first one was in a shipping container on a boat bobbing around just off NZ). A couple of weeks ago, Townsville was subjected to a fairly rare one (not sure that's true any more these days!), but it was glad to see the house (which is the best part of 90-100 years old) weathered the storm easily. The only casualties being a few broken palm fronds! 
 
The bench setup has advanced enough for my to finally resume work on the B-17. After such a long break I'd almost forgotten the process of making the panels (and I had to find and organise all my tools in the first place!) but I was able to make some very slow progress.
 
Firstly though, I thought I'd show you some of my custom tool holders I made using my table saw and laser cutter. A fun exercise, but in the heat of a North Queensland summer, the laser was struggling a little bit  
 
 
 
 
 
The hardest part is trying to work out what tools you want where...... sometimes you only figure it out by doing, but I'm pretty happy with the overall result. I'll add to them in time with some drawers, but the B-17 was calling......
 
As I said, the hardest thing was trying to work out where I as at and how to do the panels again. Annoyingly, a lot of my reference photos for the underside of the wing had disappeared off my iPad (apple does weird things sometimes!) but I started with the flap first as it was at the rear most part of the wing. At this point, this was the single biggest piece of skinning on the whole project, and I was worried that I'd stuff up the alignment when applying it, but it all worked out quite well. 
 
 
Once I got back in the groove it was the next panel, rear of the spar. A lot of access panels which took a long time to cut out. I have no idea how Peter (Airscale) does it so quickly!!!!!!!!!!! 
 
 
The flap set a record as the biggest panel on the plane, and then this one knocked it out of the park!!!! I think it took me about 5 hours to do. So many rivets, so many more to come!!!! Just remember each rivet is done 3 times too.......
 
At last my friends, she is back where she belongs..... on the bench!
 
Cheers,
 
Craig
 
 
 

Thanks Ron! Yep, cyclones and all it's not a bad part of the world to live  
 
 
Yes Sir!!!! 
 
 
Thanks Zac! Just a tad warmer than the Manawatu  
 
 
Thanks Tom! If you can still turn out the masterpieces you do on a kitchen table, then I have absolutely no excuse!!!!
 
 
Thanks Jim! Yep definitely enjoying the new space!
 
Well the Fort has officially gone through her second Category 3 Cyclone and survived  (first one was in a shipping container on a boat bobbing around just off NZ). A couple of weeks ago, Townsville was subjected to a fairly rare one (not sure that's true any more these days!), but it was glad to see the house (which is the best part of 90-100 years old) weathered the storm easily. The only casualties being a few broken palm fronds! 
 
The bench setup has advanced enough for my to finally resume work on the B-17. After such a long break I'd almost forgotten the process of making the panels (and I had to find and organise all my tools in the first place!) but I was able to make some very slow progress.
 
Firstly though, I thought I'd show you some of my custom tool holders I made using my table saw and laser cutter. A fun exercise, but in the heat of a North Queensland summer, the laser was struggling a little bit  
 
 
 
 
 
The hardest part is trying to work out what tools you want where...... sometimes you only figure it out by doing, but I'm pretty happy with the overall result. I'll add to them in time with some drawers, but the B-17 was calling......
 
As I said, the hardest thing was trying to work out where I as at and how to do the panels again. Annoyingly, a lot of my reference photos for the underside of the wing had disappeared off my iPad (apple does weird things sometimes!) but I started with the flap first as it was at the rear most part of the wing. At this point, this was the single biggest piece of skinning on the whole project, and I was worried that I'd stuff up the alignment when applying it, but it all worked out quite well. 
 
 
Once I got back in the groove it was the next panel, rear of the spar. A lot of access panels which took a long time to cut out. I have no idea how Peter (Airscale) does it so quickly!!!!!!!!!!! 
 
 
The flap set a record as the biggest panel on the plane, and then this one knocked it out of the park!!!! I think it took me about 5 hours to do. So many rivets, so many more to come!!!! Just remember each rivet is done 3 times too.......
 
At last my friends, she is back where she belongs..... on the bench!
 
Cheers,
 
Craig
 
 
 

Thanks Ron! Yep, cyclones and all it's not a bad part of the world to live  
 
 
Yes Sir!!!! 
 
 
Thanks Zac! Just a tad warmer than the Manawatu  
 
 
Thanks Tom! If you can still turn out the masterpieces you do on a kitchen table, then I have absolutely no excuse!!!!
 
 
Thanks Jim! Yep definitely enjoying the new space!
 
Well the Fort has officially gone through her second Category 3 Cyclone and survived  (first one was in a shipping container on a boat bobbing around just off NZ). A couple of weeks ago, Townsville was subjected to a fairly rare one (not sure that's true any more these days!), but it was glad to see the house (which is the best part of 90-100 years old) weathered the storm easily. The only casualties being a few broken palm fronds! 
 
The bench setup has advanced enough for my to finally resume work on the B-17. After such a long break I'd almost forgotten the process of making the panels (and I had to find and organise all my tools in the first place!) but I was able to make some very slow progress.
 
Firstly though, I thought I'd show you some of my custom tool holders I made using my table saw and laser cutter. A fun exercise, but in the heat of a North Queensland summer, the laser was struggling a little bit  
 
 
 
 
 
The hardest part is trying to work out what tools you want where...... sometimes you only figure it out by doing, but I'm pretty happy with the overall result. I'll add to them in time with some drawers, but the B-17 was calling......
 
As I said, the hardest thing was trying to work out where I as at and how to do the panels again. Annoyingly, a lot of my reference photos for the underside of the wing had disappeared off my iPad (apple does weird things sometimes!) but I started with the flap first as it was at the rear most part of the wing. At this point, this was the single biggest piece of skinning on the whole project, and I was worried that I'd stuff up the alignment when applying it, but it all worked out quite well. 
 
 
Once I got back in the groove it was the next panel, rear of the spar. A lot of access panels which took a long time to cut out. I have no idea how Peter (Airscale) does it so quickly!!!!!!!!!!! 
 
 
The flap set a record as the biggest panel on the plane, and then this one knocked it out of the park!!!! I think it took me about 5 hours to do. So many rivets, so many more to come!!!! Just remember each rivet is done 3 times too.......
 
At last my friends, she is back where she belongs..... on the bench!
 
Cheers,
 
Craig
 
 
 

Thanks Ron! Yep, cyclones and all it's not a bad part of the world to live  
 
 
Yes Sir!!!! 
 
 
Thanks Zac! Just a tad warmer than the Manawatu  
 
 
Thanks Tom! If you can still turn out the masterpieces you do on a kitchen table, then I have absolutely no excuse!!!!
 
 
Thanks Jim! Yep definitely enjoying the new space!
 
Well the Fort has officially gone through her second Category 3 Cyclone and survived  (first one was in a shipping container on a boat bobbing around just off NZ). A couple of weeks ago, Townsville was subjected to a fairly rare one (not sure that's true any more these days!), but it was glad to see the house (which is the best part of 90-100 years old) weathered the storm easily. The only casualties being a few broken palm fronds! 
 
The bench setup has advanced enough for my to finally resume work on the B-17. After such a long break I'd almost forgotten the process of making the panels (and I had to find and organise all my tools in the first place!) but I was able to make some very slow progress.
 
Firstly though, I thought I'd show you some of my custom tool holders I made using my table saw and laser cutter. A fun exercise, but in the heat of a North Queensland summer, the laser was struggling a little bit  
 
 
 
 
 
The hardest part is trying to work out what tools you want where...... sometimes you only figure it out by doing, but I'm pretty happy with the overall result. I'll add to them in time with some drawers, but the B-17 was calling......
 
As I said, the hardest thing was trying to work out where I as at and how to do the panels again. Annoyingly, a lot of my reference photos for the underside of the wing had disappeared off my iPad (apple does weird things sometimes!) but I started with the flap first as it was at the rear most part of the wing. At this point, this was the single biggest piece of skinning on the whole project, and I was worried that I'd stuff up the alignment when applying it, but it all worked out quite well. 
 
 
Once I got back in the groove it was the next panel, rear of the spar. A lot of access panels which took a long time to cut out. I have no idea how Peter (Airscale) does it so quickly!!!!!!!!!!! 
 
 
The flap set a record as the biggest panel on the plane, and then this one knocked it out of the park!!!! I think it took me about 5 hours to do. So many rivets, so many more to come!!!! Just remember each rivet is done 3 times too.......
 
At last my friends, she is back where she belongs..... on the bench!
 
Cheers,
 
Craig
 
 
 

So good to see the new bench! Enjoy your time there! 

Fantastic, Craig - a workspace I can only dream of! I'm still residing on the kitchen table - when her indoors allows me to!
 
Good to see you settling in and the Fort looks as good as ever - we'll be waiting patently for an update when you get back to it. No pressure..!
 
All the best,
Tom

What a place, bravo!!

Wow Craig!!!!  Now get to work on that Fort!

Such a great job on the B-17! I have an F model to build myself.
I have been to Townsville several times when I was stationed at 
Kadena AB, Okinawa in the MC-130. You are right...lots of sharks
and they had bins with vinegar for jelly fish stings. The scenery
was pretty good to look at and even better over on Magnetic Island.
I miss my Castlemains XXXX.....
 
Cheers...Ron

Thank you gents, very kind
 
 
 
Hi OBG - the foam is pretty soft really and can be easily deformed with a fingernail for example, but it is stiff and retains it's form. As far as PPE goes, no I don't wear a mask - only when painting really - I know I should though..
 
 
 
Haha Geedubelyer, thats a challenge to get it done by then, though I do feel I am steaming along - I recon there is a month in the trolley & wire wheels it sits on alone, let alone the airframe
 
 
 
Hey Matt, I have a saw toothed riveting template and just taped it to an edge and cut each 'tooth' one by one... yes I am mad..
 
The saga continues with skinning the floats - these are covered in symetric rivet patterns and rather than do panel by panel, I did pairs of panels for each float. I would say over the course of a few days I did ~5k rivets..
 
..here are two pairs with about 1200..
 

 
..again these were only lightly burnished to retain the oil canning seen on the real one - also any panel overlaps on the real one were copied..
 

 

 

 

 
..once complete, I started the struts - I used a 3D extrusion to sheath the brass rods I set at the beginning, and then used ali foil on the floats and fuselage so I can fill to them and it will all unstick cleanly with a matching mating face..
 
..it can all be seen in a jig I had to make so I can get everything aligned properly & the yellow sponges apply enough upward pressure to hold them in place without distorting the position..
 

 

 

 
..the forward upper strut mounts have these odd tails, maybe to deflect water..
 

 
..these were made by embedding stiff wire into the strut and filling around it..
 
some of the mounting stubs are a bit short for my liking, but they can't intrude into the cockpit or they are as long as they can be before they cross each other
 
hopefully when mounted with JB weld they will be ok..
 

 
..skinning these is going to be problematic as it won't be easy for one thing, and they would need to be a perfect fit when assembled so I haven't quite figured out how I will do it all yet..
 

 

 

 

 

 
TTFN
 
Peter