Replica Fighter Projects
Shop Projects
CAD / Design
CAM
Most Recent Photo
20-August-2025
First Photo shows that I used the “Dutch Bagging” method to add a the fiberglass to the outer surface of the fin. The outer plastic was too thick and did not pull the down onto the surface properly on the leading edge. But I lucked-out! Because I started there, I managed to wet out the glass enough that I had no issues with the glass. I like this method as it seems to also help with filing in the low spots that are hard to see.
The second photo shows what should be the last corrective layer being added. The bagging method used helps with low spots and making the surface more uniform, but it is not perfect.
So one last surface layer of epoxy should do it.
Tomorrow we will see how it sands-out.
06-August-2025
The top image shows the CAD Model and the lower image shows the rudder in the final stages of shaping. Tonight, I added a corrective surface layer to fix several flat spots left over from the hot-wire process.
Notice the very top block of foam was excluded. I will create a CAD model of just that section and cut in out of foam on the CNC router table. The reason for this is because the complex curves that flow into the very top rig are so difficult to do by hand, I would spend days just trying to get the left to perfectly match the right.
If everything sands out, I will make the top and possibly making the mold Saturday. …I hope.
22-June-2025
Progress in the wing design means that it will need to be built soon. The MS Model Scale was lagging behind as it was still in skeletal form. So it was decided that it would be finished to the same level as the FS Final Scale version as you can see in the photo.
Once the top half is finished, the leading edge will be foamed.
Looking back…
May-2023
Looking back at the original wing MS build will give you an idea of what is to come to build the FS version. This design was heavily modified to simplify and add more strength so everything holds up to the mold-building phase.