In the following lines I’ll subscribe the next steps of building a PBY-5A. First you musat know that studying the map of the plane (of any plane) is very important for the rest of the building proces. Nothing is more worse than making an error which you can relate to a misunderstanding of the map. So make sure that, before you touch that magic Balsa wood, every part the map is clear to you.

If you know you do, let’s get started!

There we are then. Wood enough for the next couple of weeks. The only thing we don’t have yet is 4 mm plywood, but it doesn’t matter. As you can understand: the first thing you need to build is a framework. The framework is built up out of several partitions in the first place and laths in second place. See the understanding simplified rendering for a better understanding:

How do you build such a complex circuit of partitions and laths?

It’s not that difficult. I say it again you must know the structure of the plain by a good looking at the map. Start by making the partitions. It’s not that difficult, but be precisious! It’s the base of your Cat (or other aircraft) so if you don’t make misstakes (like most of us do) you can prevent lots of trouble when you go further in the building process!

If it’s done cut the laths (in most of the cases they are square, but always check for sure!) If it brakes or knicks don’t repair, but make a new one. The laths must be strong so you and your plain can rely on them. If one is broken you also take the risk the structure and ‘good looking’ of the Cat is lost. That would be a shame, so prevent this type a trouble also!

 SA van Essen