The kit this document deals with is famous for the amount of problems the modellers face on fitting the engine inside the body frame.
Basically, the problem comes from the small tolerances that the engine building allows, plus some minor problems that the kit contains. However, these problems can be easily solved if proper measures are taken from scratch, getting an enjoyable yet atractive result.
Mounting the engine, specifically a Daimler DB601 E similar to its sibling in the photo above (Daimler DB601 A), is described in the instructions manual steps 4 to 14. However, and in order to verify than the engine matches the body frame, we will mount some parts of the body frame before, as described in the next mounting sequence.
Mounting process
Follow the steps 19 to 21 in order to mount the front body. Caution: In case of mounting the F4 model, perform the steps 19 and 21; if mounting the F2 model perform the steps 20 and 21.
Rectify the hole with a nr.2 drill and get some extra space by countersinking the inner hole with a nr.5 drill.
nr.2 drill will not expand the hole, it will just help you to get a perfect circle, whereas nr.5 drill will give you extra horizontal space for the engine.
Be careful when countersinking the inner side, it must not be noticeable from the outer side.
Get the engine hoods (pieces A3 and A4) and check that they fit on the front body. You must not glue them, just check that they match by using, for instance, masking tape.
This set (front body + hoods) will allow us to check if our engine matches in its position before going wrong too far.
Mount the engine body (step 4), at least parts C27, C38 and C39. Then mount parts C41 and C43 being extremely careful to match them tight as show in the photo (sanding and patience will be necessary here). This is the first step in which, if not being careful, you start to sum extra length to the engine.
Go through instructions manual step 5 and mount parts C26, C42, C49, C51 and C52. Again be very careful to be sure they fit perfectly to allow errors.
Time to mount the turbine (part C40 in step 11). It is necessary to add a round piece in its bottom to get some extra space between the original turbine and the engine (sprue is a good source for this kind of plastic pieces).
Glue it and then sand it until allowing a fittiing as that shown in the photos (actually, it can be 0,1mm-0,2m closer to the engine to be more realistic).
Now mount the cylinders and exhausts (steps 6 to 9), though mounting pieces C20 and C21 is not necessary now. Be careful in this step since, as instructions set, pieces C34 to C37 require some cutting and sanding job (see photo).
Once the cylinders were joined to the exhausts, glue one side first with very very small amount of glue in order to correct its position easily by putting the engine in the body frame of the first step. Once one side was fitted, proceed with the other side in the same way.
The result should look as that shown in the photos (notice the distance between the upper front engine and body frame, and the distance between body frame and first exhaust).
If everything is right, you should be able to put the hood on the engine getting a perfect alignment between it and the front body.
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