Martyn Johnston

Wings are coming along nicely. Lots to do but I just do a little bit when I can.

And a removable top-cover too. I love the shape of this bit; this is probably why I bought the Scorpion. You can see a couple of 'spare' fuselage pieces in the plastic container on the bench; I have no ide where they're supposed to go ?. But I daren't throw them away; just in case !

Front (removable) nose-piece coming along.

And Nylok nuts on the back of the captive nuts 'cos why not.

And I've cut the motor shaft down at the back, so it doesn't touch the battery.

It's been a while guys. Been laid up with Covid; v.ill for about 7-8 weeks. Largley better now but still get shattering fatigue episodes sometimes. Have managed to do some small bits and pieces and make sloooow progress. I think I'd finished battling with the u/c earlier. Now I've made a new bulkhead for the motor-mount, with captive nuts on the back. No guidance at all on the plan of course; all just done by eye. Motor from 4-Max.

Decision made: I'm going to remove the currently soldered u/c parts. Then I'm going to assemble the u/c main wire to the bulkhead (double thickness) (even though I've now split them for assembly) because I won't be able to get to the saddle clamps once assembled. Then I'm going to force gently assemble the bulkhead in to the fuselage 'somehow'. Then solder the other u/c wire parts afterwards.

Thanks Mike. I've put some captive nuts on the back of the (second) bulkhead sheet; I 'might' be able to put bolts in from the front to attach the u/c if I put the bulkhead in first. I'll do a trial run. Hadn't thought of installing the rear u/c wire in situ; might be a better plan. Tinned copper wire now ordered ?

I still can't see how this is going to get assembled now the fuselage is built. I can either attach the undercarriage wire to the bulkhead first (but then it won't go in to the fuselage). Or I can insert the bulkhead (split in two, as described above, for assembly) but then I won't have access to be able to attach the undercarriage. I guess it'll sort itself out when I get there.

Now made the undercarriage wire. I guess I should have done this 'before' assembling the fuselage halves. Unfortunately the aft part doesn't reach the fuselage; I'm sure it did when I pre-assembled it for test ? Might redo it as I don't like the copper/brass wire I've used to wrap it; doesn't stick to the solder at all well. I've used some picture framing wire I had handy. Can anyone suggest a better, very-thin, wire to use please ?

Saddle clamps with screws? Or bolts and captive nuts ?

And I've split the undercarriage-mount bulkhead, as recommended above. Might double this up for strength (one split left/right and one split right/left). I guess there will NEVER be access to the undercarriage bolts again once it's in.

I've cut the first diagonal back, as discussed earlier, to butt against the engine bearer piece. Looking quite strong up front now.

I started doing the tail like the first photo here. But have changed and reinforced the tail rear spar as shown in the second; MUCH stronger. Not sure how the fin will fit but I'll sort that later.

?

So, the top fin slots over the tailplane main-spar and is glued to the tailplane !? Should the rear tailplane spar go all the way across the tailplane itself? or is it cut into two like mine ?

I will split the wedge-shaped bulkheads when the time comes. Anybody any idea why there are four supplied (two with the hole cut-out and two without). I can only see one of each on the plan.

Just noticed that I've put the planking all the way across the from of the tailplane mid-section, not as the plan. that's easily fixed; once i understand how to attach the fin properly. Thanks for you comments Earlybird.

George, at 4-Max, has recommended a PO-3541-1070 motor. Slightly larger than necessary, he says, but ideal for this size, and typo, of plane. So I've ordered that, and will revisit the fuse later.

Now revisiting the horizontal stabilizer. I've built it all in one piece. Then cut along to remove the two elevator parts. But the plan is really not clear at all about what happens in the middle. Maybe I've misread it and this rear 'spar' should run all the way across and the 1/16" sheet should go on 'afterwards'. The first picture here, of the plan, shows a part (white arrow) that surely shouldn't be there. And I stall can't see how the fin attaches to this.

I'm giving up on the fuse for now; I'll wait 'til I get a motor and then build the front end around that. Any suggestions for a motor ? I've emailed '4-Max' to ask for suggestions. The nearest I can see on their website is a PO-3535-870, but I don't profess to know what those numbers mean.

? Sounds easy when you say it like that ? I like the idea of cutting the bulkheads: why didn't I think of that !?

Haven't even STARTED to think about electrics/motor/servos/battery etc...

I definitely CAN'T get the two plywood bulkhead parts into the fuselage now it's assembled. I'm gonna have to 'break' some joints to get them in ? . Before I do, do I need to make the undercarriage wire and either fit it, or at least position the saddle clamps, 'cos there's no access afterwards..