Ian Lennox

What is the best method for soldering piano wire for landing gear? What I'm after really is: 1. Wattage of soldering iron, or is it best to use a blow torch? 2. Make of flux. 3. Make of solder preferably with percentages. Thanks in advance!

It seems like I'm perhaps over thinking it! Thanks for the pictures Martin! Much appreciated. It does seem though that the struts are not simply decorative. KC put me on to the Jan 1984 issue of Radio Modeller where there's an article on this model. Thanks kc! The struts create the dihedral by locking it in place. The article also mentions washout. Unfortunately though, the build was covered over 2 issues, and so I've only got half the information. I'm now on the hunt for the Jan 1984 issue of Radio Modeller too!

Having received plans for my next build (Extra 300 S designed by David Boddington), it suggests building wings from veneered foam. Has anyone had any experience in doing this, perhaps any experience in using a service from Billkits? Has anyone built this from plan and converted it to electric?

alias Mr Ficky

I simply flattened the ends, bent them to the correct angle and drilled a hole for a small bolt to attach to a T nut glued in the wing. I'll post a close up photo asap.

Thanks for the suggestion! I will do that, as I do have a Dremel and cutting disc. I think that space may become larger as I think I need to move the battery further back. I moved it back by about 1.5cm from what the picture shows, and noticed an improvement in how it flies. (Even though I'd checked the C of G and thought it was ok). 2% Thrust. I returned the rudder to 0 trim, and I noticed that as I flew verticle, approaching a stall turn, there was a significant difference, no veering to the left! So I can't help but think that a small percentage of thrust may help.

I'm currently using it at the moment as it's a quarter of the price of Oracover. This is only the second model I've made! The first model I used Oracover. I went for it thinking 'more expensive = superior quality'. Whilst Oracover is good, Macgregor is a third or sometimes a quarter of the price it was a no brainer! I read somewhere its classed as a 'budget' covering. Would I buy Macgregor covering again? Absolutely!!! It goes on fine! Sticks down well and shrinks nicely. I went for it also as I found out that the models coming out of China are often covered with Macgregor. I don't know how true this is though!

After completing my first balsa kit (Rans S9 Chaos - Oct 2020 rcm&e) I was disappointed that the plane is extremely tail heavy. I now understand that the C of G should be considered throughout the build process; so may question is: How do you do this? I don't want to wait until the final stages of the next build to check the c of g. I think I'm going to build it again from scratch.

Thanks Nigel. I'll get some twin and earth wire and use my vice. Although no soldering is necessary on this build, I would like to create something scale like on a cub.

Thanks Dwain! And what type of soldering iron do you use? Something substantial I presume?

Having come to nearly the conclusion of my Rans S9 Chaos build, (Peter Miller - Oct 2020 rcm&e) i am after some advice as to how to go about bending and soldering together the landing gear that i wish to make myself from piano wire. This is my first build, so any advice from you experienced builders would be much appreciated!

Peter. I'm completely new to building - this is my first plane build. I have a question: on your picture on this forum (the one showing the dihedral braces and R1 rib, dated 20th June), it indicates that theres 2 x R1 ribs joined together. However on the plan there is only one R1 rib (and in the short kit). Can you please advise?