Fairey Firefly MK5 from Vance Mosher plan

that is some good work there sir.
you have a talent for it.


Tony B

Very nice work, boz.

Managed to get in some build time on the Firefly this weekend. Before I can sheet the rear of the fuselage I need to get the linkages in for the arrestor hook and the tail gear steering and door actuation.

The arrestor hook is hinged and the control rod fitted. Minimal force is required to hold the hook in the stowed position so very pleased with that. A 9g servo worked quite well in testing but will probably fit a mini servo just to be sure. If there is a problem I will add a small magnet to secure it when it is stowed.





Then worked on the tail gear doors





So all in all a good bit of work done and i'm happy with progress. I can sheet in the rear lower section of the fuselage and then start on the top side. At this rate it could get finished this year!!!

"WOW" your metal working skills are very good Sir.
i can't wait to see how this build comes along.


Tony B

Postie has been!!!! Nothing like getting to know a subject.



Started to build the wings. Fist item is to assemble the main wing spars



This is the wing joiner part of the spar

Assembled the wing this afternoon, fitted the spar cap strips and set the alignments. Laser cut parts really are a bonus and time saving as the wing can be assembled without glue, aligned then apply glue when you are ready.





This evening I will glue to top wing sheet on ready to remove this wing from the board and start on the other wing tomorrow.

Managed to spend a hour or two in the evenings moving the build along. Both wings are now assembled with the top sheet on and various mounts installed for retracts, flap servos and wing fixing. Quite pleased with the way it has turned out.


Couldn't resist joining the wings together and make sure the wing joiner worked. Its big and still got the wing tips to fit.

Beautifully built Ralph

What a quality build young sir.

nice a neat and tidy.

just like yourself

Tony B

Thanks guys.

Tonight I cut and assembled both the elevator cores from 1/8th balsa ready for building tomorrow.

Carried on with the assembly of the elevators. Added the ribs and spars.



Then with a bit of sanding got the trailing edge thinned down and added the 1/16 sheet cover. When thats dry i'll apply the sheet cover to the other side.



Assembled the tailplane and sheeted that. Same construction as the wing, simple light and strong. The cut outs in the tailplane sheet are for the hardwood mounts for the servo's (rudder & elevator).

Exellent build thread ralph, lovely work, boz.

Carried on today and manged to get the rudder and fin framed up. Started using Super Phatic from Deluxe. Not sure I like it. It doesn't seem to wick into joints like thin CA, could do with a bit more surfactant to break the meniscus and let it wick. But i'll persevere and see how it turns out. Takes about 20 minutes to grab which is nice for setting up but not for my patience!

Rudder and fin are the same construction as the elevator, a 1/16th core with ribs added.









You can see the shape developing. But still got lots of sanding and shaping to do. Also need to add the leading edge blocks. A good weekend's building.

What a lovely build young sir.

keep it up.

Tony B

Spent a little time of the Firefly this weekend.

Put a groove in a 1/2" rudder block using the Dremel router table. This table makes life so easy for these simple jobs that require accuracy.



Then fitted it to the rudder with the other blocks to build up the rudder leading edge.





The postie also delivered this the other day. Should make life a whole lot easier getting the shape and details right.