Geoff Bradley Posted June 27, 2012 Share Posted June 27, 2012 I've just started to build Mr Millers Harlequin and will post pics and probs as I proceed. This is my second build and hope the skills learned from 'The Big Ship' build will help me along the way !!!! i've gathered together most of the required supplies but have not been able to source 'rock hard' balsa wing spars at the local model shops. I'm considering using spruce instead but am concerned about the increase in weight. Can anyone shed any light on any problems I may encounter by doing so? Also, I have not yet sourced a pilot - although only the head is required! Again can anyone point me in the right direction please? Well that's the prologue - on with the build ........... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Concorde Speedbird Posted June 27, 2012 Share Posted June 27, 2012 Should be interesting to compare it to my Funfly. Looking forward to it! CS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Bradley Posted June 27, 2012 Author Share Posted June 27, 2012 Balsa ready for the cut!! Fus. sides cut .. Ply doublers,F1 to F4 and longerons in position. Slight distortion to fus sides after fixing ply doublers but was removed when fitting F1/F4. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Concorde Speedbird Posted June 27, 2012 Share Posted June 27, 2012 Looking good! This build looks relatively simple, so it is a very good choice. The Funfly is more complicated, but it does make a VERY strong structure, as I found with a bump on the road- only damage was slightly bent undercarriage! Looking forward to more! CS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted June 27, 2012 Share Posted June 27, 2012 You can use spruce for the spars, no problem. Pilot question answered elsewhere Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Bradley Posted June 27, 2012 Author Share Posted June 27, 2012 Second fus side attached - then drawn in at the back using my Slec building jig - Closer view showing scrap infill tailpost Fingers crossed that I don't have a banana when I release it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Concorde Speedbird Posted June 27, 2012 Share Posted June 27, 2012 Looking good! Should be alright with the jig, nice and straight. This builds fast! CS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SDF Posted June 27, 2012 Share Posted June 27, 2012 I shall be interested to see how this goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Bradley Posted June 28, 2012 Author Share Posted June 28, 2012 Please feel free to ask questions - this is my first 'Blog' so I'm sure I'll miss out some important information !!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Bradley Posted June 28, 2012 Author Share Posted June 28, 2012 Good news - the fus is straight. Now to fit F5/6/7 and then F4b.... F5/6/7 fitted no problem using the building jig clamps but my fitting of F4b is a little different to plan. It seemed a little flimsy just to glue it in position so I went into my over engineering mode and fitted a support behind F4 - shown below then I glued F4b into position after making sure that the angled sides had the correct angle to line up with the coresponding angled faces on F5. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Concorde Speedbird Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 Great! Beefing up F4b was a good idea- the plane will last longer. You're making a nice job so far, keep it up! CS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted June 29, 2012 Share Posted June 29, 2012 Neat, but unnecessary. When the decking is fitted it is more than secure. That part is not stressed at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Bradley Posted June 29, 2012 Author Share Posted June 29, 2012 Point taken Peter I must learn to keep to the plans - I have a habbit of over engineering everything I do! Old habbits die hard !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted June 29, 2012 Share Posted June 29, 2012 Doesn't really matter. Just don't let your over engineering add too much weight. One small bit of wood won't make any difference but several and or bigger bits alladd up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Bradley Posted June 29, 2012 Author Share Posted June 29, 2012 Ply nut plate fitted next... Next it's the 1/4" U/C plate and uprights.. F2 is not as the plan to allow for a lipo battery instead of the fuel tank... the notch for the wing dowel is as on the plan... So far so good..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Concorde Speedbird Posted June 29, 2012 Share Posted June 29, 2012 So far so good- a lot simpler than the Funfly. The Funfly does fly brilliantly though, absolutely brilliantly. CS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Hooper Posted June 29, 2012 Share Posted June 29, 2012 Beautiful building! tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted June 30, 2012 Share Posted June 30, 2012 You need to fill in above the plate with the blind nuts so that the wing is pulled down onto a solid surface. Just use soft scame sheet. Otherwise, a really neat job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Bradley Posted June 30, 2012 Author Share Posted June 30, 2012 Thanks for the reminder Peter - I'll fit it later Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted June 30, 2012 Share Posted June 30, 2012 THat should read "Soft scrap sheet" My dyslexic fingers again. Well, It was fairly early in the morning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Bradley Posted July 2, 2012 Author Share Posted July 2, 2012 Moving on .. but very slowly due to golf !!! Underside of fus covered with 1/16" sheet (X-grain) 1/8" Ply Tail Skid Mount fitted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Concorde Speedbird Posted July 2, 2012 Share Posted July 2, 2012 Looking good, very neat which is always good. Carry on like this and you'll soon be flying her! CS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted July 2, 2012 Share Posted July 2, 2012 Golf? GOLF??? As described in "The Old Buzzard's Soaring Book" Whack de ball. Find de Ball, Whack de ball!..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Bradley Posted July 2, 2012 Author Share Posted July 2, 2012 That sounds like the way I play it ! but I don't always find the ball !!! It's my way of keeping the wife happy - she doesn't complain about balsa dust if I go playing golf with her - she's a golfaholic !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Bradley Posted July 3, 2012 Author Share Posted July 3, 2012 No golf today so more building ... Snake outers fitted - plenty of excess left for fitting later. Rubber hose retainers...( sorry about pic quality!!!) Before fitting the tailplane platform I checked for alignment. With the fus in the jig I compared the jig, tailplane seating area and wing seating area then corrected any errors using a Perma-Grit block.. When happy with the alignment I fitted the tailplane platform... Fingers crossed for tomorrows weather - flying day!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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