Hull plugs, why?

[Robert Cooke]

It's probably obvious, but why drill holes only to supply plugs, with no visible means of fixing? Seriously, why do they exist and how are they fixed?

[Mike Conley]

Ya know, I've wonder that myself.

Then I figured it was so the plate could be mounted on posts in a fixture so the milling machine could mill the outline of the plate.

I don't know...

Mike

[Steve Norris]

I guess you are talking about the 2 plugs that fit in either lower hull plate, these are the locations for the swing are dampers on the real King Tiger. The dampers were mounted internally and the mounting pins passed through the hull sides and were visible externally, therefor the plugs you mentioned are detail parts and not just for filling redundant holes.
Hope this helps
Regards
Steve

[Robert Cooke]

so, purely cosmetic. are they retained by threadlock?

thanks.

[Steve Norris]

Yes cosmetic and can be retained with thread lock or 2 part adhesive (I use Araldite metal)
Regards
Steve