Ok, so having sorted out the rudder bracket I moved on to the upper pivot. The hole for the rudder was drilled in the hull (using the usual precautions) and the rudder pivot tube checked for fit (fig1).
fig 1
At this point I discovered that a casting (part no’ 172 - rudder top tube) was missing from the kit (fig 2). Now if this was due to having the “twin screw” version of the hull I cannot be sure, never the less I was unhappy with the idea of the pivot just being glued in place with no additional support.
fig 2
From bitter experience I have found many models with broken or leaking rudders because they are so vulnerable. So I always tend to over do it when it comes to fixing these items in place. I have made a mounting block out of ply (4cm x 2.5cm x 1cm) to help support the pivot, and drilled the hole for the pivot tube at a suitable angle. (fig 3)
fig 3
