First light!!!

I labored over the maths to get the focal length folded to within the range of the focuser, measured my EPs, left some spare room both in and out. I then drilled four struts to connect the top and bottom tubes together using 4 of the 8 threaded inserts on each.

With the front end sitting on a folding workbench and the back end on top of 4 spare van tyres, I aimed for the floodlights of a farm a mile or so away. Dropping down from a 30mm to an 8mm EP (both Vixen NPLs), I got a cracking view of both elements in the light as well as the branches of a tree swaying in front of it.

Very happy with where the focuser sat with both EPs - unless I've got it wrong, I should have the focuser further in for astro over terrestrial.

Next job, cut and drill 16 trusses and put this thing together. It was about as rigid as a banana, tonight.

Happy days!