North American O-47A - 23.25 in. span; Dave Diels kit

Thanks to Rich Weber for this July 1937 magazine cover

Markings and control panels drawn onto the tissue before covering

Lower observation panel openings

Yes - there is acetate. The tissue strips are attached w/ gluestick to the window frames

Canopy framing complete

Exhaust stack running along starboard side only.

This plane has always been a favorite of mine, and at just over 23" span, it fits right into my comfort zone.

Construction of the tail feathers is always first in my plan. Not sure why, but I think it has to do with the fact that by doing just the stab and rudder, I haven't committed too much time in to the project - in case I should change my mind about building it. Not that something like that would ever happen.

12.01.07 -The fuselage has been framed up, and stringers added. Next step is to start adding the sheet infill. I'll be adding sheet to the wing mount area, and the first bay of the engine cowl section.

12.07.07 - Major sanding finished except for engine cowl. Covering will start soon.

12.22.07 - Covering is mostly complete. The lower observation windows are being framed out. These are covered with flat pieces o acetate, and balsa 'fillets' front and aft to make the transition to the wing / fusselage joint.

01.05.08 - Finally, some progress. After the Holidays, I'm finding a bit more time to work on the plane. The observation windows have had acetate sheet added, and the frames are being 'trimmed' with tissue strips.

The tissue is attached with gluestick that has been applied to a larger sheet of tissue, i.e. 3"x5", let dry at least overnight, then thin strips are cut from the piece. The tissue strip is aligned in position and rubbing alcohol is 'floated' through the tissue with a brush to reactivate the dried gluestick.

The canopy mold is extremely light and somewhat fragile. It fit really well once trimmed to shape. In the past, I've tried attaching the tissue window frames before attaching the canopy to the model, but it hasn't worked very well. Especially with this lightweight canopy, attaching it to the frame will provide the rigidity needed to apply the tissue framework.

01.06.08 - Began canopy tissue frame.

01.11.08 - I've taken this model as far as I plan. The prop assembly has been added, the engine image is a xerox copy with magic marker coloring. The exhaust stack is a plastic straw with masking tape ribs, painted silver (over a coat of black).

01.18.07 - Rich Weber passed along a "Popular Aviation" magazine from July, 1937 featuring the color scheme I chose to represent on my O-47. Very cool.

Thanks, Rich.