Well, what seemed like a well built model turned out differently. I think the build was done well, but unfortunately, there was a small crack in the paint just aft of the bow on both sides. Sooooo....thought I would just repair the paint cracks. But for some reason, there was a a strange reaction between the epoxy and the balsa. seems like some oily residue was in the balsa, or leached out of the paint/epoxy combo. All of the paint /epoxy delaminated from the hull except at the bow balsa block. What began as a small repair turned into me peeling all the paint off the hull. it all came off rather easily in a few hours.
Some of the original epoxy seemed to bond really well, especially on the original motor mounts and stuffing tubes. However, the universal joints (ADP 3.17 to 5mm) were cracked and could not be used again. So I had to order a stainless set (only come in 3.17x4mm) so these will have to be drilled for the 5mm shafts.
The hull was the rough sanded, and a spread of bondo applied. Then the long sanding process, all by hand due to the hull curves. Then came a filler coat of acrylic paste. I use winsor and newton. I know it holds paint well, and hardens fast, and has not cracked on any of my models, even when applied rather thickly.
then another sand. Soon to be applied will be a few layers of 1/2-3/4 oz fiberglass cloth with polyester resin. I also brazed up a set of struts and ordered a pair of opposite rivabo 60mm props from Harbor models.
Comming soon: electronics install (x2 540 motors, mounts,cooling fans w/temp-speed control, voltage regulator, 6v batt install, and remote)