I was going to work on the fuel tank. I worked on the cab instead. Each piece is slightly oversized, and allows for fitment. I file the angles roughly and do several dry fits. I then file more exactly and check for tight fits. Even still, I get a joint or two that needs more work.
The cab was about 1mm too wide. I had flexed it a bit trying to get the back to fit tightly while glued up but not dry. One of the joints failed this morning and I had to refile it clean and remove enough material to get the measurement exact. I like that it failed easily this morning to show me what was wrong. Better now than in paint!
So then, I had to refile the back to get a tight fit.
Until the cab or any pieces get built as a cube, they are relatively fragile. Because I have to file and work on them in their incomplete state, I back up the joints with a good quality hot melt glue. Every piece added, adds to the overall strength until the final assembly gets quite strong. Once the cab gets it's nose, it will be pretty tough.
This particular model has a cab with many angles that makes it more difficult. It will be an experience to get all the angles right. I usually cut angles on nearly every joint. I held off on some, as it is very complicated and hard to design perfectly. I will custom file the nose piece's angles each, one at a time.
