This is a partial casting of the lower hull, only what was needed to check some problems with the baseplate castings. The baseplate is made of 4 identical castings and it is what the engines and landing gear are anchored to. There is a problem with how the engines mount and clearance of a perforated flange that goes around each engine. With the engines located on the existing centers, the flange either contacts the inside surface of the lower hull or clears it such that you might be able to get a piece of paper between the two. This needs to be adjusted by moving the engines 1/16 of an inch toward the center. There are a couple of options I'm looking at, from rebuilding the pattern to just letting the modeler sand down the ring at the point of contact. Of course, I feel the first is the right way and the second is asking someone to fix my mistake! But, the difference would not be the kind of thing you'd spot without turning the model over and deliberately looking for the compromise!
I don't want to add another delay, though rebuilding the master for the baseplate would only take 2 or 3 days-- and it would be done as one large piece instead of 4 sections. I'll be evaluating what to do while I work on other things. And I should have some photos of that stuff in another 5 days or so.
Scott
CaptCBoard@AOL.com
