Alan Dorrell

Hi Bert,, I used 17 g/m sqd glass cloth and it follows the contours very easily. I also use an inexpensive artist's brush to apply. It is called a 'hake' (hakee) of soft goat hair and various widths. I use a 1 inch. As the resin is acrylic and water based, the brush washes out easily. Alan.

So, showing how I have created hatches for the tank bay and around the u/c. And , of course it will be seen that the fuselage has been primed now. I was going to use Solartex but decided on a paint finish instead. So, I have 'skinned' it with glass fibre using De Luxe Eze-Kote acrylic resin. Easy peasy. Not a bad finish. Now because I work indoors, I will use a brushed finish, so, what sort of primer ? Well, I also paint, so I have used artists' acrylic gesso intended for priming canvasses before oil painting. I had both black and white, so made a grey mix. It has gone onto the resin quite nicely so far. I plan to use Flair Spectrum paint. Finally I assembled the lower wing in place with no problems with my nylon bolts and captive nuts, a big relief. Also, when I slid in the stabiliser, it lines up beautifully horizontal with the wing. More relief . Cheers. Alan.

Well that seems fairly successful. Here goes again.

Hi Guys, A few piccies as promised. First, the u/c is now fitted. The spats were moulded over thirty years ago !!! As it is the Hawk Pshaw version I have made fairings for the tops of the u/c legs.

Courtesy is the oil that lubricates civilization.

Whittaker's "Bushwaker" Alan.

As one who has found the mass builds very enjoyable and inspiring, although I have not made it Greenacres to meet you all yet, This is my offer. Two seperate sections. The first, a beginners build section of the same model. I am going to suggest Alex Whittaker's "Bushwacker". Not only is it a RCM&E free plan but a kit is available, so it is in a similar spirit to the Webbit build. For us others who love to chat on the forum, anything goes as long as we share our experiences and it is scratch built. Cheers. Alan.

Hello again Guys, Especially Jim, Barry annd Bert. Of course I am now years behind you in finishing my Toot but I eventually got back to it a few weeks ago. The main airframe was completed structurally, what ? about two yars ago. I have been working on hatches and other fiddly bits. Boring !! But am now getting excited, sanding ready for painting etc. Somewhat naturally, I have changed my mind about certain things and the biggest one is to get an SC 120 FS for the power plant. I'll use the Webra in something smaller. The undercarriage with spats is installed with it's own hatch in case modifications are needed , the 'legs' are 5/32" dural (equivalent ) I have worked out an upper wing mounting to my own satisfaction which I will detail later. Got to take some photos to post very soon. However, I must get on so will close for now, Cheers. Alan.

Thanks Guys, Already helpful. On my stunters (40 to 50 years ago) I always used Humbrol enamels with a bit of Humbrol gloss fuel proofer over decals etc. Always seemed satisfactory then but seems to have lost favour somewhat these days. Cheers Alan.

Hi, Having spent my non flying time (lots of it this year) making certain every one of my fleet is fully airworthy, I have returned to continue building my Little Toot. ( See my blog to which I shall be adding soon ), I am in the process now of sanding the fuselage prior to covering. The model is to be decorated as the "Hawk Pshaw" ( Curtis P6e Snow Owl ) version. I had intended using a film covering for the fus, which I will do on the wings and tail surfaces. However, I have changed my mind and want to paint the fuselage. It is fully sheeted. When sanding is finished, where necessary, I intend to use Deluxe Materials Balsa Model Lite filler. I now fancy "skinning" (?) it with lightweight glass fibre using Deluxe's Eze-Kote acrylic finishing resin, with which I have already had pleasing results on smaller items. This now is where I need and want advice. My workroom is indoors and is also my studio, study and personal library, so do not want to use spray. I used to get a pretty decent result on my c/l stunters just brushing and sanding. I am thinking of a, probably grey, primer or under coat. Then the fuselage ( only ) is predominantly olive drab. However, the cowl ( ABS ) and the spats ( glass fibre ) both of which are already white, will be predominantly black with portions of white. Finally, the u/c legs are of dural and will need painting black. Off course then everything will need to be thoroughly fuel proofed against glo - fuel. I would like much advice on appropriate materials and particularly sources. I can visit B & Q and Halfords easily enough but would otherwise be dependant on mail order ( no problem ). Who is the expert who will be willing to help ? I will be so grateful. Cheers. Alan.

Hi, BEB. No disrespect to them, but my instructors, who strictly speaking are not qualified instructors, are the ones who decide whether it is too windy for me to fly. One day at Corfu, unusually, it was very windy, but Joe, the instructor put me through my paces for a useful three flights (my one hour lesson). However, otherwise, I was getting in six flights a day so it did not faze me. Peter. I am determined to make it. I hope one day to see my photo in the BMFA newsletter, sitting in my wheelchair after obtaining my "A" certificate. Actually, I do believe in jinxes. Just after the war in the late forties when I began my cycling career an older and very experienced friend decided to exchange his beautifully maintained prewar Dawes with a top of the range Claud Butler. The frame was completely nickel plated and sprayed over with a transparent blue enamel. It was gorgeous. But it was constantly involved in incidents that damaged it and it's glorious finish. We all ended up believing it was jinxed and our friend replaced it with second hand Bates with which he had no problems. Cheers.Alan.

Thanks Guys, Actually, I just needed to let off a little of my frustration steam. I love building and have seven scratch built models, five of which have been flown including one on which I have stirred the sticks. Having more than enough follow on models I am now continuing the build of my Little Toot. And after that I have six kits to go at, four of them scale. But I like many others, wish this weather would calm and settle down a bit. I noted many calm periods last winter, so have been making preparations like themals (long johns, silly) . However, at eighty, will I persuade myself to venture out on cold days ? Anyway, it is my intention to keep trying with my Trainer, 'cos it flies okay, the problems, as I described, have been otherwise. I ask you. Nine flights in twelve months and I have only stirred the sticks once. And I know I can fly after a fashion because I keep going to Corfu. Cheers. Alan.