Paul Williams

I have to say I struggled with the flaps, after cutting them away from the wings the next step is to glue on the LE this is cut into two pieces so the flap control section can be inserted in between the skins. Somehow this led to the flaps getting warped so I had to spray them with glass cleaner and clamp them flat. I got away with it ! They dried and stayed flat. The kit helps out here with a drill guide to help centre the single point hinges Thinking more about the covering I did some tests using glass cloth and poly c varnish. Its quite impressive here is a sample and as you can see its survived being folded back, the balsa snapped. With all the control sections now hinged its time to fix and align the wing. The instructions call for sighting the alignment by eye but I figured out a more scientific method. Turn the fuse upside down and ensure the fuse and stab are level. A good builder’s level is the tool to have. Once all is fine fix on the wings and bolt them down, using blocks set the level up to check all is fine. Then glue in the wing dowel doublers so they hold the wing correctly. Its again a testament to the kit that almost no adjustment was needed. Sorted

The trailing edge is not a problem I simply run a sanding block over the cloth and it leaves a nice straight cut, its wing tips and radius that are taking ages to get the cloth to stick I have tried slitting and it improves matters I just wondered if anyone had tried pva on the tricky bits. Thanks for your help.

B&Q glass cleaner is what I used fella worked great you can nearly bend 3/32 sheet double.

Help please, I have covered the elevators and I am quite impressed with the end results but I am struggling getting the cloth to stick around corners. Its taking ages to get it stuck down on the radius any suggestions? I thought about PVA to help matters

Stop this foolishness, I have done the right thing cut the servo mounts off and turned one of the servos over sorted. Thanks for the suggestions guys.

should have known, no empathy, just one sensible solution offered. Thank you that man. Some times I think your not taking this hobby serious   Where can I get a servo revearse lead.      

After a full day fitting the flaps on my topflite kit I wired them up to check for binding and movement.

Sorry tp bring this up again, I have done various test pieces using Poly c with great success and I am now happy to go ahead and cover the Thunderbolt. I tried colouring the varnish without great success It still needed a top coat so defeated the objective. Which brings me to another question I am using acrylic spray paint and wondered if I should varnish the finish to make it more fuel resistant? If so why not use the poly C as a top coat sprayed over? Anyone tried this

Have a look at Giant cod website

window cleaner fella works great and comes in a handy spray

Fitting the wing tips was easy enough although you would not believe the pile of shavings from the waste. I took some time to experiment with the finishing varnish Poly C, after reading many forums it seems you must use sanding sealer first then apply the glass cloth and varnish. I did not fancy using the sealer because of the odour so I tried sealing the surface with PVA first. I covered two balsa pieces 4”x4” the pva warped like a banana! So be warned don’t use a water based sealer. The cloth stuck well refusing to pull off I will try spraying it next to check out the finish. I was concerned with the price my local shop was charging for glass cloth so after hunting round I found a great company who were very helpful. They sent me a sample and it’s the same stuff model shops are charging £7 a meter. I got 5 meters for £5.50 great service arrived next day. http://www.fibreglassdirect.co.uk/ Next job flaps and ailerons.

Hi can anyone recommend an odourless sanding sealer to use before applying Poly C. If I use the one Rc World sent me the Mrs. will go mad.

I take your point, the support ribs are ply lamenated with slots cut into them for the bearers to fit in. I also drilled and fitted 2mm steel dowels through the ribs and bearers so the epoxy has little to do.Because the gear is a solid steel mounting in effect it should bond the total area combining the strengh of both bearers. I have read quite a few reviews and to date no reports of a weakness in that area but I guess time will tell eh.

I must try to get a move on the Mrs has spotted some sunny days and is insisting on her conservatory back ! Time to remove the flaps and ailerons from the main wing Although there is some way to go before the wing fitting I could not resist a quick peep at what it will look like

Just when you think sorted another question pops up, there are different types of sanding sealer? Which one works guys. Acrylic or cellulose

Its strange, yesterday I galloped along and there was something to show at the end of the day. I seemed to work twice has hard today and hardly moved along. Still a pleasant rainy Sunday was had. The first job was to fit the wing dowels and centre dowel plate. After a bit of thought I figured the best way was to employ my trusty old engineering V blocks to ensure the drill went through at the right angle. It meant I had to turn the drill by hand but it did not take long into Balsa. Nice of them Topflite boys to supply a jig to hold the wing steady Then onto the bottom sheeting, I can’t believe how long this took but I figured do the cut outs before fixing the aft sheeting on so if it turns out a disaster it will be easy to remove. Worked out ok though. I traced the wheel well opening off the plan and taped it to the sheeting to ensure the cut out was right.

I have to ask Glyn did you seal the wood first?

Good day today, got the wing half’s ready to epoxy together. It’s a testament to the kit that when slotted together with the dihedral brace in there is no gap in the joint. The dihedral worked out to within a 1/16. Happy days

Thanks guys it seems its down to personal opinion, PolyC or epoxy. My project is a 1/5 scale so I have nightmares about mixing all that epoxy. I have since found a previous thread which covers all in detail. My next question is although much thought has gone into obtaining a cheap water based varnish has anyone found a good sourse for the glass cloth ? The small packs offered by model shops are like gold leaf.

I have been trying to make up my mind what to cover the P-47 with. I have gone away from film because I fancy a model that you don't poke your finger through whilst picking it up. So glass fibre and paint. I have heard about this Poly C stuff from a friend who says its great to use has any body had experience with it. Is it durable, fuel resistant ect http://www.poly-c.com/

Amazing how quick you go when you’ve done it once, just a few hours and the left wing panel is up to the same stage. Flap and aileron sheeting goes on. When I came to proof fit the retracts it did not quite go to plan. The retracts shown in the instructions are different I checked with Robart and the ones they have sent me are updated because of complaints they did not completely tuck away. In a bid to get more of the wheels hidden they know hit the top sheeting before locking in. I guess my choice of wheels might not help but the only way to make things right is to pack up the inner fixing rail by 1/8. They now lock ok.

Thats interesting where do you fly? I used to patrol the M58 and used up many of my lunch breaks at Skem flying club. I have since transfered and miss the banter is there a club in that area?

10 out of 10 mate. Scrap wagon overturmed and the volvo driver could'ent stop in time. Nearest thing to a cross over I've seen. It ended up on the central barrier.

I know a lot of GMP this was at Junction 12 about 19 miles out towards chester. It must be something about Volvo's Here is one trying out the 4x4 capablities   When I got the call to this one the radio operator called it in as Debris on M53. Sense of humour or what.

I work for the highways agency and today I was asked to remove a vehicle from the M56. The owner had no recovery and was trying to make the next exit to prevent the removal bill. She could not understand why I was shocked at her antics. Here is a picture of her front nearside tyre .