Gary Clark 1

I got the top skin on and checked the fit of the cowl looks much better now and time to move onto the fillets tomorrow. I need to cut the top skin to open the cockpit again but ill get the fillets sorted first. Feels like progress so hopefully I can keep the momentum Gary

I agree Jon, I just don't like the faff fitting them but once they're in, they're fine. I agree with the reliability of air and my experience with the cheaper electrics has been poor but due to the depth of this wing I don't have much room for an air bottle. Obviously it could go in the fuselage somewhere but good quality electric ones save be having air hose going between the two. I got some work done this afternoon. I got the cowl on and fitted but the front former at the top of the fuselage sat too high. I can't remember where I got this cowl and may not be a BT one so decided to make it work. Having a look from inside the cockpit, the top skin at the front was poorly fitted and wasn't the correct shape so only one solution....it all got cut off I remade the formers and adapted them to slope down slightly to fit the cowl. This isn't a competition model so nobody will notice it I think it looks OK so will leave that there. I've got some balsa drying after curving it for the top skin so hopefully get that done tonight a d some work on the fairings. The tail is mainly done and looks OK. It has rivet detail but not panel lines for some reason. Not sure why I decided that but it needs a few more then its done. Still a bit more scale additions on there but a part I don't have to re-do. Gary Gary

That's interesting Gary, strange to see the mounts in different places from the same company. I would have went for unitracts but no joy when emailing them even though I was asking for 3 different sets of retracts. Don't feel like your hijacking, this is the main reason for these forums so we can all see and learn from each other. Get as much on as you like!! Gary

A 75 or 80 does seem small for this Jon so agree with the need for something bigger. My plan is electric for this one as I bought the motor when I started building it years ago. I also have the 83" Mk IX kit here and that will definitely be glow powered and probably by a Laser. Gary it looks great, hopefully seeingine will spur you on to finish. Retracts are probably my least favourite part of a warbird. My intention for this will be to throw money at the problem and buy Electron retracts as they have a great reputation Gary

Thanks chaps. I know Nick, the P-47 isn't finished either but I've got all my other projects complete so that I can focus on this. It was a toss up of the two and to know this was mocking me from the loft was too much so had to get it out again. It's probably more work than I thought it would be so feels like I'm starting from scratch a little so hopefully it starts to look like a model I'd be happy with again. Gary

So, here goes.... Approx 6 years ago I started a BT spitfire (my first Spitfire) but after approx 6 months of interrupted building, I decided to bench it as I wasn't too please with how it was going. There were issues with the wing which had been built up to the top surface being skinned and the retracts fitted but it just didn't fit the fuselage correctly which I blamed on the way the kit had been cut. The fuselage was pretty untidy around the fairings, probably due to the wing not fitting correctly. Overall not a build I was happy with hence why it went into the loft. All that being said, I have decided to correct and finish this build. The wing is in the bin, fairing removed and re-made and progress so far below. I rebuilt the centre section but you can see what I mean about it not fitting the fuselage correctly As per the photo, the reason the wing didn't fit properly was due to the position of the front "box" being too far forward and also too long. This meant all this plus the fairings needed removed. Not a fun job. I got it done, built a new one and you can see the difference below And fairing started. Stll need a fair amount of sanding but the shape looks alright The whole model needs a real tidy up and plenty of bits may find themselves being removed before being replaced. I feel like it would be quicker to restart but I hate the idea of it beating me. Hopefully the thread will be of interest and fingers crossed she'll look tidy and presentable soon Gary

I had a quick flight this morning before the rain started and the prop braking worked well. I definitely see me building another glider and would like something with a more complex wing. What recommendations would you guys have? I still want a traditional built but I'm also building a Brian Taylor Spitfire so it will be when I want a break from that! Gary

Hi Pat, Not tried that yet so will give it a go tomorrow hopefully. Not too experienced having just a rudder yet so will play about with that too and see how I get on! Gary

Another couple of flights with the Elan today. The CG is ideal now the elevator is setup better and it just stays airborne for ages! I now see what you guys were saying about spoilers.....I think it took me 4 attempts on my first flight today to land withing 50m of my intended spot! I'm still getting used to gliders so by the end of the day I managed to get it low enough to fly the final turn and come in at sensible speed. Lovely looking aircraft and flys great. Really enjoying the relaxed nature of gliding Gary

I got some decals on and sorted the trim for the elevator. I bought some smaller batteries in an attempt to move the CG back but I don't like how tail heavy it makes her. One thing I will try is leaving the CG and having the motor brake on as it was windmilling last time and I reckon that will at some drag at the front. Has anyone tried a CG other than the 77mm suggested? Gary

Thanks Gents I went with the zip tie approach as you suggested Murat, simple and saves any faff. How did you find the recommended CG? My one feels a little nose heavy at the 77mm it suggests Gary

Did you ever get the plans for this David? I just received one and it needs some fixing up Gary

Maiden for my Elan Glider! Nice 10 min flight but need to move the CG back slightly

Hi All, Sorry for the lack of updates, it's been a busy few weeks. Well the Elan is finished! There was plenty of room up front for the motor and battery and my 3s 2200 leaves the CG in exactly the right place. I flew her on Sunday and she feels nose heavy so I think I'll Put a smaller battery in to shift the CG slightly aft. There are still some decals to put on but I'm pleased with how she came out Gary

Thanks guys. I'll stick with bands then Murat. I've used zip ties in the past to keep wings together but not a massive fan however they do work well

Got more progress done tonight, the back end is pretty much organised and has be dry fitted. I took all the tail parts away to be covered I have the pushrod in and roughly fitted so I can close up the bottom of the fuse then get sanding. I will try the wings and ensure the tail is set properly, ensure the wings are a tidy fir to the fuse then get them covered too. Lots of space in the fuselage for all the electronic, especially with the servos back slightly. I'll get a photo tomorrow Gary Gary

Well I finally have all the parts I need to get the Fuse done. I started off by gluing in the ply servo rails then gluing the two halves of the fuse together The slec board is great for this to ensure a straight fuselage. I wanted to mount the motor to see who it fitted/looked but it was clear I'd need to modify the very front of the fuse to allow a streamline look rather than the flat corners around the motor. I'm sure it wouldn't make a huge difference in performance but makes it look a fair bit better. I place a scrap piece of balsa in front, cut a circle smaller than the diameter of the spinner and shaped it to improve the streamline looks Still a fair amount of sanding to go to tidy everything up but hopefully you can see what I'm trying to achieve. I have the top deck on also but I need to sort the pushrods which means soldering the bowden cable and the threaded extenders.....I hate soldering. What other options are there for securing the wings in the fuselage other than elastic bands? Surely there must be a less fiddly option? Gary

I got a message today to say the motors will be back in stock on Thursday so fingers crossed I get the package this weekend and I can get this fuselage built. I've added a few photos of the difference between the material strengthening strip and fiberglass to show you the difference. They both need a bit more filling and tidying up but you can see what I mean about the thickness fiberglass is the second photo and very little filler to blend it in. Minor point overall but worth considering for anyone tempted to built this kit Gary

Well I'm still hanging around waiting for the motor and bits to arrive from 4 max, hopefully it will arrive soon and I can get on with the fuselage. I thought I'd give a quick run through of how I've found the kit and the build so far. First thing is the shape of the wings and general look of the glider is lovely, Fuse isn't built yet clearly but you can see why it has such a good reputation. The kit itself is very well cut and the parts clearly marked and easy to organise so saving a load of build time (except when you build 2 right wingtips and have to cut yourself another set of ribs....). The balsa is definitely a little hard for my liking, not unmanageable but trying to cut slots for hinges for example was pretty tough without splitting the wood or snapping it. One thing I don't like is strips of cloth used to strengthen the wing joints. This is thick and required a fair bit of filler to blend it back in so that I don't have a lumpy wing. I decided to use fiberglass strips on the final joint to compare the difference and it's exponentially easier to blend in and sand smooth. Overall, I've enjoyed this so far and it has spurred me on to want to build a more complex glider in the future but I think I'd get the ribs laser cut first as I've realised how many there are in a big glider like this! I'll hopefully get on with the build as soon as the motor arrives Gary

Hi Gary, Thanks for all that info, really helpful. I think I'll go without now and, if everything goes well, I can see myself building something more complex with flaps and spoilers. Unfortunately my order from 4max is delayed due to a stock issue with the motor so George has said a few weeks until it is back in stock. Due to this delay, the fuse is on hold until I can fit the motor and servos to ensure everything fits where I want them to. I have the tail parts complete an I'm ready to cover them. I got on with the left wing and had the inner and middle sections joined whilst I started the outer section. All was well and the outer section is finished including tips, cap strips and final sand but only 1 minor issue......I've built a second right wing outer section 🙈 I stopped thinking and just built it on the plan the right way up rather than mirrored. I can't believe how much of a tube I've been!! The only consolation is that I traced all the ribs before I built the wings so I'll just have to cut a new set for the outer panel. Welcome to amateur hour in Norfolk... P.s if anyone has a damaged outer wing panel I know someone with a spare one.... Gary

https://youtu.be/JoAsw2ccfM0 this would be fairly easy to insert now on the left wing and a wee bit of surgery on right. Is the general consensus to add them in? Gary

I've been making progress on the other wing whilst I wait for the motor to arrive. I ordered that and a separate order for scale stuff from Mick Reeves almost 10 days ago and still not here. Almost certainly due to the royal mail strikes last week. Fingers crossed it will appear over the next few days and I can get on with sorting the fuselage

Ah OK, I get you now. Thanks for explaining. I've also never flown just a rudder and elevator plane before so is getting it inverted possible?! Sorry for the ignorance! This is why I want to try this out and if it's successful (it should be!) Then building something more advanced will be on the list

Thanks Martin As I said earlier, I'm inexperienced when it comes to gliders so just went with the plan. No surfaces on the wing at all so I hope slowing it isn't too much of an issue!!

Thanks for that Pat. I will go for 2 degrees of downthrust and see how she does with that and can use washers to alter slightly if required after that. I was told by work today that I will be away from home until Friday evening so it's on hold. Apart from the money to pay for theses planes, work really does get in the way of your hobbies sometimes!!