I managed so steal a bit of time here and there, then pulled an all-nighter last night. Had a beer and went to bed around 2:30am. Tired, but got a lot done.
Assembled, painted and mounted the last engine exhaust module, then started cutting the second of the three turbine exhaust fans.
Take two. I'm approaching the engine maintenance panels a different way. The plastic barrel idea didn't work. Trying wooden arcs of different diameters, shaped and carved then sandwiched together.
Using pieces of timber of the demolished pergola to make engine forms.
Here's a shot of the production prop, the part I'm trying to replicate from my scraps.
One completed inspection panel on the port side of the Viper's engine nacelles, made out of scrap ply and some timbers from my demolished pergola. The thing that strikes me humorous is the air filter/water trap that is not only installed upside down, but probably wouldn't work in zero G anyway. Still, it looks cool. I think I've got it pretty close, considering the limited materials and detailed photos I have at my disposal.
Today's work. Take three on the engine inspection panel. I don't like the angle it is sitting on at the specified height so I've smashed it off. If it was a complete barrel, the top would be outside the nacelle housing. Keeping the details, but changing the sides and base to adjust the angle once installed.
That's looking better. I put a lean-back on it, so now the representation of the whole, by seeing only a part, is more effective and convincing.
Avionics access panel. For lack of detailed dimensions, I'm doing this by eye from photo references. Plotting it all out first, then I'll fabricate in wood and plastic.