Laying down the crutch--to build top half of fuselage.

Installation of rear stab supports and pushrod exits.

Elevator split pushrod exit holes.

Horizontal alignment of elevator support structure.

Modifying F12A for rudder pushrod clearance.

Side View: Bulkhead and stringer installation.

Different View:  Bulkhead and stringer installation.

Using West Systems Epoxy Resin (which is thin)--rolling on the inside skins of fuselage.

Using West Systems Epoxy--rolling onto the stringers of fuselage that will contact with the side skins.

Side skins being epoxied to fuselage.

Light ply being pinned to table pushing the bottom edge of skin firmly against the crutch.  T-pins inserted through pre-drilled holes in light ply with wax paper going underneath the ply and up onto sides of skin.  Red pins are pushed through the skins into the crutch so when masking tape is applied, it will not pull the skin upward.

Bottom nose of fuselage--notice the black markings which will be cutout before gluing that bulkhead in place.  This cutout is to give clearance for the Robart nose gear steering arm and cables attached to them.

Modification of nose retract mounting rails so that nose gear will fully retract--clearing steering arms.

This is nose gear temporarily installed for fit and function check.

Notice the blue antenna wire tube should be installed at this stage.

Front nose planking in process.

Planking completed on bottom fuselage nose.

Stab horizontal and vertical alignment to the wing on flat surface (in my case, the kitchen table).

Completing the fillet between the stab and the fuselage.

Preparing rear cockpit placement (dark line shows outline of the tail gunner's canopy).

Tail gunner's canopy placement.

Building the side machine guns.

Shaping balsa wood backing to mate with fuselage.

Side guns ready for placement after fuselage is fiber-glassed.

Drilling dowel holes for the tail guns.

Placement of hardwood dowels for tail guns.

Checking alignment of the tail gun cover.

Antenna tube routing at this point will save many headaches later on.