PiperAztecFloatplane_RightSide

3/8" = 1' scale Piper Aztec floatplane.
To make the struts I first inserted round toothpicks into K&S 1/8" aluminum tubing then pressed the tubing flat between two pieces of smooth metal in a bench vise. The toothpicks (or similar dowel material) were needed to keep the tubing from collapsing on itself when pressed flat. The first step in setting up the floats was to cut and attach the two horizontal struts connecting the floats. Next, the floats were attached to a simple jig which held the model suspended at the proper height over the floats; after that I used a divider to determine the length of each of the individual struts. The struts were then cut from the flattened tubing and holes were drilled in the ends of each strut to accept pins made from brass rod. The brass rod pins fit into holes drilled into the model and floats. After all struts were cut and fitted the assembly was taken apart and the model painted.