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Difficulty fitting airplane body around cockpit

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  • Member since
    March 2019
Difficulty fitting airplane body around cockpit
Posted by WayneZ on Friday, March 8, 2019 7:28 AM

i have attempted to build several aircraft kits, most recently the Squadron Products Encore Models F-84F. Everything goes fine unt I attempt to fit the two body halves totether around the cockpit. There is always a large gap that would require cutting a significant amount off of the cockpit to get everything even close. Since this happens often, I assume that the problem is with me not with every manufacturer. Any help would be appreciated.

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: State of Mississippi. State motto: Virtute et armis (By valor and arms)
Posted by mississippivol on Friday, March 8, 2019 10:44 AM

I'm unfamiliar with that kit. It could be an issue of where you're mounting the pit, but, and this is what I'm thinking, if you're using a resin cockpit, they are notorious for not fitting, and significant trimming would have to be done.

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: State of Mississippi. State motto: Virtute et armis (By valor and arms)
Posted by mississippivol on Friday, March 8, 2019 10:57 AM

Looking at the instructions on scalemates, that may not be the case. I noticed that there are some sidewalls that attach to the side of the cockpit consoles. Are they curving in towards the seat, or are they attached standing straight up? That might be the issue.

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Saturday, March 9, 2019 6:32 AM

I have that problem with the kit cockpits occasionally, too.  When I have the cockpit ready to put in, I like to do a test fit to see if there will be a problem.  That way I can take some plastic off each side.  If it is already glued to one side of fuselage you must take it off only one side. 

I take the plastic off with needle files.  Those things are essential tools for me.  I get mine from my local Harbor Freight store.

 

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    November 2005
  • From: Formerly Bryan, now Arlington, Texas
Posted by CapnMac82 on Sunday, March 10, 2019 7:46 PM

Heed the advise of the extremely qualified posters, above.

One thing that could be leading you astray are the moulded mounting tabs, pins, etc. in the kit fuse halves.  While these are often very good, there are times when they are only aproximate.  (Older, and short-run, kits will have this is spades.)

Having as many refernce photos as you can get can be very vital.  This because you can sometimes find the "right" fit just in dry-fitting the parts together.  However, that might not be the correct location for the various parts.  References will help establish that.

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Monday, March 11, 2019 8:25 AM

Indeed I always dry fit the fuselage halves together without the cockpit, to check the pins fit into their holes.  At times I have to use a small drill to enlarge/deepen those holes.  Sometimes the pins, especially in older kits, are so far off register that I have to cut a pin off.

 

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    March 2019
Posted by WayneZ on Monday, March 11, 2019 11:44 AM

[quote user="mississippivol"]

I'm unfamiliar with that kit. It could be an issue of where you're mounting the pit, but, and this is what I'm thinking, if you're using a resin cockpit, they are notorious for not fitting, and significant trimming would have to be done.

 

I appreciate your help. I’m not using the resin cockpit.

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