29/4/2021

Having cut out the plywood buck for the front face of the mudwing, I was able to make the aluminum version for the nearside.   The top flange was turned over the buck with a panel beating hammer and a lot of heat, principally I suspect because I was trying to fold too much material and I trimmed this back to about an inch from the front face before assembling to the inner wing.  I rolled the lower edges around 3mm welding rod.  Next I manufactured the inner part of the wing that fits inside the wheel housing; this had a cut-out to accommodate screws from the read plate that sits on top of the wheel housing interior cover.  The two inner edges are wire-beaded as well.  Finally I riveted the front face to the inner wing and filled any gaps with aluminium solder.  It will need a final finish with filler after fitting.

New tread plate welded and ready for paint.

Whilst this work was going on I also stripped the paint off the nearside wheel housing cover.  This turned out to be made of stainless steel, which was surprising.  This was then primed and given two coats of red undercoat ready for fitting.

Last thing today I cut the pyramid treads and the steel for a new tread plate to fit on the wheel housing cover.