Its a perfect evening to be working at the workbench, we had a snow storm earlier in the day and the movie The Right Stuff is on the television…so that’s my excuse and I’d sticking to it. ;0)

To get this project rolling I am going to start with a section of the fuselage to create a skin for it that will later be battle damaged. I start with a piece of thin aluminum, that from my valued stash of printers plating and anneal it using a candle, holding it with a pair of needle nose pliers. A good sooty smokey flame is best. It helps soften the metal to make it more pliable.

Once that is done, I start by taping it and the model in place. The metal to the fuselage and the fuselage to the workbench. Then I start to work the metal, stretching and shaping it to the fuselage half. Gentle rubbing, gradually working the metal to prevent it from tearing.

You can add a drop or two of soapy water to ease the friction. As you can see by this illustration, I am using a variety of tools. Crochet hook, knitting needle, clay sculpting tool and whatever else works. If you find the metal not conforming as easy as you like, carefully peel off the tape and metal and anneal it again. Tape it back in place and start working it some more.

Eventually with patience and persistence you’ll have a piece of metal that looks much like the side of the fuselage.

Any deep scratches in the metal can be eased with the use of a polishing stick. I recommend you do this while the piece is still taped in place on the fuselage. If you want to add rivet detail, this too is the best time to do it.

Once you’re satisfied, remember you are going to destroy this piece later on so cosmetics isn’t really important. Trip away the excess not necessary. The flash in this case around the window opening. If you look closely you can see the panel lines embossed in the metal.

With the part removed you can start to fabricate the other details necessary. Such as the interior structures…ribs, bulkheads and gussets.

You can make these by using strips of the same aluminum bent and shaped using the appropriate tools. I use my Xuron 9180ET Pro PE Scissors and my The Small Shop’s  Hold n Fold. Find what works best for you, but I highly recommend these tools!

Again remember don’t worry too much about how neat and fancy it is, its most likely going to be mangled and torn as part of the battle damage inflicted on the aircraft.

Well I have a lot of little fiddly bits to make and install so until next time listen to The Plastic Scale Modeling Hour on Warbird Radio and spend some quality time at your work bench. Stay tuned for more of this project!