Current state of panic … errrr … play!
Still more things to take apart.
Those little screws … they are weeeeeny!
Furthest point from home!
Old cable (bottom) out, new cable (top) ready to go in.
That multi-strand HD video cable feels like the most fragile thing in the world. Butterfly wings are far more hardy!
So - fiddling about trying to get the new cable in, I was getting ever more worried about damaging the expensive multi-stranded HD video cable. So followed one of the videos on this and removed the camera and cable.
These little multi-connectors are the most ridiculously difficult things to align and connect … the new ribbon constantly trying to spring them back out and/or into the wrong position.
After an hour trying to get the very end one on, the connector to the roll-axis motor, behind the camera, I thought it was in position and pressed a bit harder. It didn’t engage.
After a few more attempts, each time it seemed to be loose. I knew something was wrong.
Closer inspection revealed I’d f*#ked the connector.
As the old one looked …
As the damaged new one looks …
For scale, those connectors are slightly under 5mm long! #TheFiddlyLittleFuckers!
Luckily, no damage seems to have been caused to the socket …
So far, the most damned fiddly aspect of this game (?) is that these connectors are secured with some rubbery goo. Getting that out of the way has been a real pain. You can see some still at the lower end of that socket. Might have been that preventing a good connection.
The other thing I’m struggling with it my aging sight.
Decided to get some jewellers’ glasses with built in LED lights.
Back to Amazon …
Two conclusions I’ve made so far ….
a) anyone that does this kind of repair work for a living is a masochist!
b) anyone that complains about the c.£90 charge for replacing a ribbon cable wouldn’t complain if they knew just how frigging tricky it is!
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I’ll add a third - I conclude this is not something i’m ever going to even contemplate!
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WISE move!
And, ultimate irony, the purely “cosmetic” issue I was attempting to correct wasn’t correctable … so, even when I DO get it all back together and flying … that will still be there and it was all a total waste of time. 
Yup! Sure thing!
It won’t be for as little as £90, though! 
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Actually … chances are, once I have proof that I’ve managed to do it, I’d be pretty good at doing it … and willing … for a sensible fee, too. 
One learns by mistakes … right?
I’ve leant a lot! LOL!
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They do say practice makes perfect.
In other news … I missed a fantastic sunset sky last night … epic cloud colouring, and similar this morning.
If it rains the day I’m back in the air … I apologise. 
Possible cause of my not being able to get the new connector to fit correctly … the rubbery gunk they use to prevent them vibrating loose.
Getting the camera to see in here with any light was near impossible - hence grainy high ISO pic - so my ageing eyesight without magnification really had no chance.
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Bloody hell Dave…
Nightmare job 
They don’t make it easy for us, do they?
What’s the plan now? Another new cable??
Ordered two - they’re cheap - hoping to have a spare.
Illuminating magnifying glasses, too, so I can see wtf is going on at the end of my fumbling fingers.
Plans to remove the gunk? I was thinking a hair dryer to soften it and a pin or needle perhaps?
Eff - no! You’d do more damage than good with heat.
When I can see what’s happening, fine tweezers and loads of patience!Apparently Amazon don’t sell patience … I may have problems. LOL
Lol, I said a hair dryer, not a flame thrower 
Even so - it’s deep into the socket surrounds … difficult to get heat down there.
My fingers would also suffer.
