Paul Ashford

After what feels like for ever the Elmira is finally finished! Balanced out at 55mm from leading edge and canopy fitted. The build has not been without it's problems, however, I am very pleased with the outcome. Admittedly I didn't make life easy for myself deciding to incorporate modifications along the way. There have been many reports that the model is sluggish to turn on just Rudder (even the legendary Dave Hughes reported this back in '71) so I have incorporated ailerons and spoilers to assist with the landings. I will report back on this after the first flight, whenever that may be. I am very pleased with the look of the model and can't wait to chuck it off the hill!

Update on the Elmira build which has taken way too long but there is no rush at the moment. Airframe is now covered in Solartex that I just happened to have the remains of a ten metre roll I bought some time ago. The bare wood was primed with dope thin 50/50 with thinners and lightly sanded to remove the roughness. Paint trim is water based acrylic airbrushed on and sealed with clear varnish. Radio fit has been completed and control throughs roughly set. All I have left to do is fit the canopy and then set the CofG which I will try and get completed this weekend. Latest photos added to album. Edited By Paul Ashford on 13/11/2020 16:38:38

Nigel, thanks for the photos, I could have taken some more wood out of the back to round it off even more I guess, there is probably enough thickness in the wood there. The tailplane is sheared on the centre section at ribs 1 for support. I will be covering in solartex so hopefully it will cover ok. Time will tell.

The plan does not show in detail the fairings for fin and tailplane so this is my interpretation using soft balsa, the rear block was recessed to accept the fin post.Triangular balsa was also added at the base of the fin to increase the gluing area. This is the completed assembly, minus fin, dry fitted.

Whilst working on the canopy I noticed that the front lower cross-brace obscures the access to the front of the fuz. This was cut out and replaced lower to allow a 1000mah battery to be placed in the nose as forward as possible.