Mitsubishi G4M2E Model 24 Betty Bomber

I've wanted to design and build a twin engine WWII Fighter or Bomber for a couple of years now. I decided on the Betty since it is a seldom modeled aircraft and if offers the ability to drop and Oka Flying Bomb as an added attraction. I started drawing this model about a year ago and even though I still have the final wing construction and engine nacelles to complete I figured I better start cutting some wood or I may never start the build. I still have NO clue what retracts I am going to use or what Brushless Motors I will use but since they are part of the wing I will worry about them later, which should be a couple of weeks until I have the fuselage planked and tail assembly mounted.

I started the build last night. The fuselage as seen in the photo is simply stuck together like a giant jig saw puzzle with No glue at the moment. A few pieces of tape hold everything in place. Just about the entire model is cut from 1/8" lite Ply except for three formers that the tail assembly and tail gear will attach too. These formers are made out of 1/8" 3-ply Birch. For the build of the vertical tail, the pieces were all held in place with some weights, where I then simply applied some thin CA to all the joints. A leading edge was applied and then the leading and trailing edge was shaped. A large balsa fairing is placed at the bottom root edge to match up with the top fuselage contour. Once the fuselage is sheeted the fin will be glued in place and then 1/16" sheet balsa will be applied to the sides of the fin.

The small fuselage laying next to the Betty is in fact the Oka Flying Bomb. It too is simple pieced together without glue at the moment.

The specs of the model are as follows. 1/10 Scale Wingspan 97.7" Fuselage Length 78.6 inches.