Jonny L

Thanks for the info and tips. Much appreciated! I’m trying to stay as close to the Chris Foss plans as possible, and think I may have got some progress today. Have the motor accurately placed in the ply disc and clearances look good. Now building up the cowl around the motor to give me a top hatch that should be suitable for motor servicing. (Not sure why the photos post upside down)

The reason the first attempt came off this morning while shaping the cowl for the bottom was the epoxy detached from the disc and the strength of the compression of the fuselage sides split the balsa cowl! Anyway, I’ve learnt my lesson to shape and fit the balsa cowls before glueing and may use a ply structure top and bottom to give structural integrity so the balsa cowls with vents don’t have to take any load. Still trying to work that one out.

Thanks Phil. To get the fuselage sides to curve in however, I need to epoxy the front ply disc to the bent in fuselage arms, so have to glue them under compression while the epoxy goes off. I’ll then build cowls top and bottom around the motor with ventilation. The challenge comes with getting the ply disc properly centralised around the motor. The further challenge will be creating cowls that allow me to get to the stand off screws and motor x mount at the back of the motor if I ever need to get the thing out, as I don’t wants to keep taking the stand off bolts out every time I remove the motor - which will be never at this rate!

Here is what I’m using. I’m having a hard time trying to get the nose of the fuselage bent into the correct position and shape the wood around it to fit the motor and keep everything centralised so I don’t get an angled thrust line. This part is proving to be very challenging. Plus I need to be able to access the motor mounts for future maintenance, so may have to create two hatches top and bottom to be able to get everything out.

More progress this evening. Rudder wires measured and ready for final fitting. Started to tackle to nose of the aircraft. I used epoxy to attach the circular ply disc, and held the curve on the front with a range of clamps to maintain the correct position. Then I attached the 1/2 sheet - possible I could have done this first, but I was concerned about being able to get adequate glue under the fuselage sides. Experimenting with some cooling designs for the top cowl to feed the motor and ESC.

More progress this evening with the fiendishly fiddly rudder and hinge set up at the back of the aircraft. This has to be done before covering the back with balsa as the wires from the servos etc have to be placed and holes made , as well as checking control horn clearances etc. I made a mock up tail to be able to accurately place the control horns and ensure clearance from the elevator controls. It appears to work and so I’ll now measure a straight line between the horn and the servo to run the rudder wires through a new hole with plastic tube to protect the fuselage.

Looks great Phil. Lovely job. When are you taking it up on its maiden?

Carbon elevator control rod built and servo racks mounted. Getting these lengths, heights and angles correct, so everything moves freely etc was pretty challenging. Now working on rudder wire setup and planning wing nylon bolt mounting (going in from underneath so the canopy fairing has no holes) so that I can screw down the rudder servo. Then it’s time for building the back of the fuselage, then onto the nose and cowl. I think it’s a good time to cover the elevators and fin, before building the back and mounting everything to the airframe.

Bit more progress this weekend. Elevators and horizontal stab blended and fitted for hinges. Stab now pointed to the airframe, after placing hardwood blocks in the tail to support the tail wheel. Doublers and gear laminated plywood cut and mounted. Now planning the elevator carbon and steel rod geometry and lengths before creating new holes in the fuselage.

Phil, have you made a removable front cowl for fuel tank access? I’m trying to get my head round the various formers and tapered strips on the plan to shape the front end. Because I’m going electric, I’ll need to have access to both front bays for battery and motor servicing. I’m planning a few strong magnets on the removable cowl but trying to plan how best to make it work. Cheers

Fuselage structure taking shape.

It looks pretty tight, but I think it’ll work.

Prototyping a battery tray for the Wot Knot. Slight clue to the theme of the pilot and covering.

Looking good Phil. Your time away will give me a chance to catch up! Enjoy your break.

Thanks Phil. Good shout. What is going on at the tail? Did you add a hardwood block to secure the tail wheel into?