With the fuselage shaping mostly complete, we now move on to the construction of the main wing. In photographs of the real aircraft, the main spar ribs and other internal structures are visible through the landing gear bays on the wing’s underside, so I reproduce this detail as faithfully as possible. The landing gear bays are made by heat-pressing plastic sheets. First, form only the wing’s leading edge and use that as the wooden mold. At this stage, the wing has no dihedral angle.

Fig. 3-3-1 Shaping the Wing Leading Edge

After shaping the leading edge, clamp the rear edge firmly in a vise. There is still no dihedral angle at this stage. Heat-press 1 mm-thick plastic sheet over the side not held in the vise. Once one side is finished, switch sides and repeat the same process.

Fig. 3-3-2 Preparing for Heat-Pressing the Leading Edge

This shows the heat-pressed plastic leading-edge part with openings cut out for the landing gear bays.

Fig. 3-3-3 Heat-Pressed Leading Edge

Next, shape the trailing edge, but leave a small allowance for adjustment instead of finishing completely. Then make a careful saw cut at the center of the wing and, using a design knife, carve a wedge-shaped groove along the cut.

Fig. 3-3-4 Shaping the Trailing Edge

This is a dihedral gauge used to check the wing angle. Place it against the underside of the wing to confirm the correct upward angle.

Fig. 3-3-5 Dihedral Gauge

Gently bend the wing upward to form the dihedral angle, and check it using the simple gauge shown next. Apply epoxy adhesive into the wedge groove; once the desired angle is achieved, glue a small wooden block across the groove at right angles with instant adhesive to hold the position until the epoxy sets. This wooden piece serves as a temporary brace and will later be filed off.

Fig. 3-3-6 Fixing the Wing Dihedral

After the dihedral is set, begin shaping the fillet section. Here is the cutout in the wing’s trailing edge center for the fillet attachment and the fillet block itself.

Fig. 3-3-7 Fillet Components

Fit the fillet block into the cutout and glue it in place. Carefully shape the subtle curvature of the fillet with a knife and finish with sandpaper, leaving a small margin for final adjustment later.

Fig. 3-3-8 Shaping the Wing Fillet

Once the rough shaping of the fillet is done, start working on the landing gear bays in the wing’s leading edge. Mark the positions for attaching the heat-pressed plastic landing gear bay blocks made earlier.

Fig. 3-3-9 Marking the Landing Gear Bays

The landing gear bays are located just forward of the main spar. Looking through the gear openings, one can see the lower rear section of the engine, its piping and wiring, the main spar and ribs, the MG151 cannon base, and the main landing gear pivot and retraction-arm bases. I reproduce these internal structures as faithfully as possible. First, cut out the leading edge along the position of the main spar.

Fig. 3-3-10 Cutting the Gear Bay Section

Cut 0.5 mm plastic sheet to match the main spar and glue it in place with instant adhesive. Cut narrow strips of plastic sheet for the ribs and glue them similarly. Prepare the bonding surface for the previously heat-pressed leading-edge block by trimming it carefully with a design knife. Drill four holes in the main spar—two inner ones for mounting the MG151/20 mm cannon bases, and two outer ones for attaching the landing gear pivot bases. Insert the landing-gear pivot sockets shown next into these holes.

Fig. 3-3-11 Constructing the Landing Gear Bays

Insert the soldered landing gear pivot sockets into the holes in the main spar. Attach the MG151 cannon bases and retraction-motor housings as well. Then, on the inside of the previously heat-pressed leading-edge part (the gear bay area), build up the ribs and reinforcement members from thin plastic sheet and glue them in place with instant adhesive.

Fig. 3-3-12 Detailing the Gear Bay Cover

Paint the main spar, its accessories, and the inner surfaces of the leading-edge parts (gear bays). The color used is RLM02 (standard interior color).

Fig. 3-3-13 Painting the Wing Leading Edge

Attach the heat-pressed leading-edge blocks to the main wing body with instant adhesive and fill the gaps with polyester putty. A slight step may appear along the joint, but since the plastic sheet is 1 mm thick, once the putty dries, boldly sand and file it smooth to blend the surface. Be careful not to over-sand and thin the material too much. With this, the wing block is largely complete. Next comes the connection with the fuselage block—but before that, install the engine-related parts onto the fuselage.

Fig. 3-3-14 Completed Wing Block