DelRay

Sorry, I forgot the pic post process, been awhile. Jim

Gents, If I may interject a suggestion regarding the rudder and tailwheel linkage. I bought this model already built a couple of years ago, complete with the Robart, rotating retracts, and the fella did a fine job, but I spent considerable time redoing several things on the plane before first flight. My suggestion is to run a separate control rod to the rudder and another to the tail wheel, this eliminates the alignment troubles between the two, and the adjustment capabilities at the servo end make it capable of having different throws on each part. Just another note of caution, don't use a plastic clevise on the elevator control horn link, I also modified this area with a metal clevise. I cut an access panel in the bottom of my fuselage to gain entry to elevator and rudder/tailwheel controls. I would definitely install individual aileron servos in each wing. Just some thoughts, maybe they might help. The plane flies awesome, mine has a Saito 1.00 four stroke in it, changed from a Super Tiger .90. Good luck on the building Take care, chat later, Jim Edited By DelRay on 26/04/2016 13:19:39

Wow, As a user of Saito four strokes for my power choice of my planes, I have to say " that's very impressive", and I never would have believed it without seeing it. The quick crisp throttle response is very nice, and just from the video, from what I can see, the machining quality is excellent. I'm sure that would haul one of my Astro Hogs around just as nicely as the Saito .91 does. Thanks Jon for the nice video, Jim

Ron, First off, your picture is awesome! This aircraft has a special meaning to me as the president of our flying club is building a large turbine powered Hawker Hunter. I visited his shop awhile back and got a sneak preview of what was coming, I have to say, it will be breathtaking, Todd is a sticker for details, etc. I'll surely take some pics and pass them along when he brings it out. Again, nice photo, take care, chat later, Jim

Simon, Thanks for a splendid tip, I can see where a little time building the jig will save a lot of time and frustration later. I've done a similar process with my band saw, but this is more accurate.

Steveo, Looks like a very interesting project, and I completely agree with your choice of power, the Saito is my favorite, I have ten of them. Will be watching this build, it looks like one I'd like to add to my collection. Jim

Chris, Don't get worried, I'm not playing with dolls now. I did locate this couple in a set fairly cheap, and they're the right size, although I did have to do some surgery to their knee areas to give them a better sitting position. The cut off wheel and the hot gun made quick work of that process. The seat base and seats are made from blue foam, very light and has a good density, and looks decent when painted with the acrylic water base paint. I didn't try the paper coating process you mentioned, I got lazy and went right with the paint to the seat, it has a cloth like look to it, and ya can't see it when I close the cabin door. Nothing is secured down yet, I plan on using Velcro to hold the seat base to the cockpit floor. The rear seat area will be where the switch and charge port for the nav lights will be located, I plan on using a mini micro switch actuated by a mini servo to switch the landing lights. I also have a little modification to the front steering fork to do yet, and I might add the fender , and plan to do a little more painting in the cabin area. (Where does it end?) All this work that can't be seen at 250 feet, but I'll surely smile when I see this cute blonde waving at me on a low, fly-by. Take care, chat later, Jim

Daren, Exciting news, I hope you can proceed with the Tri-Pacer as you stated. A chap did send me the plans when I first inquired about any info back on my first visit to this forum. I just wanted the original plans "just to have" and not needed for any of my restoration project. My Tri-Pacer project has really been a total restoration in some aspects, "bare bones" to new everything, the main structure was originally well built, everything else was replaced. What I was mainly searching for was any possibilities of a cowl for it as the one I have was severely hacked up. All replies came back negative as far as anything available, so I restored the original, it was an extensive part of the project. Possibly the chap that sent me the plans will jump in and offer some assistance, if not, I'll help in any way I can with the plans I have, if they're what you're looking for. Here it is with some red detailing left to do on the exterior, it looks a lot nicer now with the numbers and trim scheme painted on it. I'm detailing the interior and wiring up the nav and landing lights for my winter project. Take care, chat later, Jim

Chris, I had a little fun making the compass to sit on top of the instrument panel. I used hardwood dowel, it works very nicely in the lathe. I found a compass face on Google, used my collage program to reduce it to the size I needed and print it. A brused on coat of flat black lacquer for finish. After all this fun, who will see it at 350 feet or a low, slow fly-by? I'm trying to get the hang of inserting pictures into my posts. Next project will be the fuel tank caps and octane warning labels for the wing. Anxious to see your project pics. Take care, chat later, Jim

Chris, From what I found my first search there are several different styles of fuel caps that were used. The typical round cap with the knurled perimeter and several others that were flat and had a rib across the centerline of the cap to grip for removal, and one that was more detailed that had a lock down lever that recessed flush. There was one that had a 90 deg. vent tube sticking out of the center of the cap, seems like no worries about variety. I just Googled Piper Tri Pacer fuel cap and viola, found a bunch, didn't think I'd have that much luck first off. I'll most likely go with the simpler versions, either the knurled edge or the flat cap with the removal device down the center of the cap. I'm thinking the flat cap with the removal device will be easier to make due to my knurling tool isn't that fine, and milling the handle on the cap seems like it will be seen more than the knurling around the edge of the cap. See what you got me into now, it's all your fault. Only 6 deg. out this morning, think I'll go down to the workshop, maybe make a gas cap or two. Jim

Chris, Way to go, another nice detail for the project, looks great. I had thought about doing something similar, but nothing this elaborate, I'll probably just end up with a couple of fuel caps and be done with it. Now, on those tiney screws will those be buttonhead allen screws? I'll probably use glue dots to simulate the screws. Looks like I'll have more work to do other than just finish the interior, thanks for the nice pics and motivation, I'll be doing some perusing to check the locations and looks of the full scale tanks now for sure. I'm still dragging my feet on the stitching, don't think I'm up to that project, hmm, where are my pinking shears? I'm anxious to see what comes next, I'll definitely stay tuned. Jim

Chris, Thanks for those nice pics, I really enjoy them. The replacement panel for the cowl looks great and does a nice job of filling that void, when painted it won't be hardly noticable. The pinking tape is really nice, it adds a lot of scale look to the plane. I was thinking that was something I was going to do to mine, but maybe I'm beyond that point where I should have done it if I indeed was going to. I also have some instrument panel details left to do, the steering yokes and a compass to sit up on top even though the Garmin in the panel already has all that I'm wanting to turn out a nice compass for the top of the dash. Also, I'm planning for a map pocket on the door panel and some scale sized paper charts and possibly a magazine to lay on the right hand seat, you know, all that stuff that's needed for flight. I see the tug lug on top, that answered one of my questions, errr, I think that's the tug lug and not a scale antenna of sorts. I think the red we're both using is pretty close to match, I'm anxious to try your procedure for covering the seats, and I haven't decided for any framework or means to secure them in the cabin yet, maybe some magnets for easy removal to get under the floor if needed. Any info on how you switch and power your nav and landing lights would be interesting, I have that chore to do also. I tried to order one of those Brain Cubes from this site, didn't have much luck, and maybe it's not really needed, I can use a mini servo/micro switch combo for landing light switching, coupled to flap servo channel, and a small switch in the rear seat area for the entire lighting system. Finishing up the interior looks like it will be a fun project, anxious to see how yours turns out. I still might try that printed fabric I mentioned, a test run turned out some neat results , but how it'll look on the seat forms is another matter. Thanks again for the pics, glad you're back on this project. Jim   Edited By DelRay on 20/11/2014 12:33:37