Sig 1/3 Scale Spacewalker Review

Cockpit

1/7/2003 - The cockpit is basically the last part of the airframe that I will complete.  After all the other construction and sheeting was completed I cut out the cockpit section from the turtledeck.  A template is supplied with the plans and I simply cut it out and centered it on the fuselage using the witness mark (center line) on the template.  I then traced around it using a pencil.  Using a brand new (sharp) exacto blade, I then cut out the cockpit area from the turtledeck.  Take your time here, because if you get too aggressive you will splinter the balsa.  After cutting out the cockpit section I cleaned up the edges a little.  Not much need for perfection here since the edges will be covered by the combing.

Speaking of combing, I wasn't crazy about the combing material supplied by the kit.  It is basically extruded light plastic, and must be painted.  I didn't like the quality, and am not into painting this type of material since my results are usually less than desirable.  So, I went to the hardware store and bought 4 feet of round window insulating foam the same diameter as the combing supplied with the kit.  This is much more durable, and doesn't need to be painted.  It is black, and won't be "scale", but this plane is not an exact scale, so I'm not worried about it.  Now, how to cut the groove in the foam..... Well, as the old saying goes, "a jig is worth a thousand curse words...".  So, I made a jig that I could run along the insulating foam and cut the groove nice and straight and to the proper depth.  Rather than explain it here I suggest you simply see the pics below (a picture is worth a thousand words...).

I am going to use a Model-Graphics pilot figure.  He is the hard (but very light) plastic type and comes pre-painted.  I am using the 33% size figure (pics to follow).

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Picture	Comments
	1/7/2003 - A view of the cockpit after the turtledeck material has been cut away.  Notice the receiver and ignition switches in the cockpit.
	1/7/2003 - Another view of the cockpit area.  Notice that the bottom of the cockpit and bulkheads already have a coat of paint.  I did this before sheeting the turtle deck so I could get in most of the corners.  Another coat will be applied to the bottom, bulkheads, and sides.
	1/7/2003 - Here is the jig I made to cut the groove in the insulating material that I will be using for the cockpit combing.  Simply made from scrap material.  The exacto blade is CA'ed in place to keep it from slipping out.
	1/7/2003 - Another view of the jig.
	1/7/2003 - The insulating material inserted into the jig.  When cutting it I T-pinned each end of the material to my workbench, stretching it slightly.  This kept it nice and straight and ensured that the groove was straight from end to end (did not spiral around the insulating material).
	1/7/2003 - And another view.  You can see how nice and straight the groove is along the insulating material.

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