AL Villalobos Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 Yea but do not want to buy the parts to re design for a smaller scale. I have looked but there is only an older build and it does not cover the install of these parts. Thank you sir for the suggestion. Love the scale look but do not want to spend 20k lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Meade Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 This has been very quiet for a long time now Phil - have you sold the airframe on again? "3 careful owners, no flights yet" Edit to add - it's nearly 5 years old now, wow! Edited By Andy Meade on 01/09/2017 13:49:29 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Cooke Posted September 1, 2017 Author Share Posted September 1, 2017 you know it's not for sale! Behind the scenes I've built a lighter tailplane in an attempt to reduce AUW, this has been on and off the bench for some time but is now complete and ready for glass. Hope to update on that soon. Yes a 5 year old thread! The model has had more than one sabbatical from the building board, what with the PSSA JP and A-4 mass builds etc... I must double my efforts to get it finished!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Cooke Posted September 2, 2017 Author Share Posted September 2, 2017 Andy has embarrassed me into a quick update to reflect the tinkering I've been doing this past few weeks. I was conscious my tailplane and fins were overweight - due mainly I think to the veneer adhesive I had used way back. Anyway I followed Andy's lead and drew up and made an all balsa tailplane - carefully ensuring it fitted the completed fins accurately with profile and bolt spacing. I've also been able to weight reduce the fins (in particular the 'knock off' fin bases) for added goodness. General arrangement all built onto a 12mm carbon tube for stiffness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Cooke Posted September 2, 2017 Author Share Posted September 2, 2017 With it all sanded up the assembly could be tested and everything goes back together quite nicely. Prior to final sanding the new tailplane is 5 oz lighter than the old one. Each fin has been reduced in weight by 1.5 oz. So an 8 oz weight reduction at the back, meaning less lead needed in the nose...the moments are roughly equal about the CoG so I'm hoping this additional work has saved 1lb AUW. Time will tell. The assembly as shown is now ready for glass, which Ill do as the next job I think to break the monotony. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Kettle 1 Posted September 3, 2017 Share Posted September 3, 2017 Nice work there Phil, and a good weight saving, nice to know it's not collecting dust in the corner of the workshop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Cooke Posted September 5, 2017 Author Share Posted September 5, 2017 A relaxing spot of glassing after work... Aiming to take the fins, fin bases, rudders, tailplane and elevators through glass and to primer at this stage to break up the tasklist still to follow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Barlow Posted September 6, 2017 Share Posted September 6, 2017 Brings out the wood grain nicely. It's almost a shame to paint it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Meade Posted September 6, 2017 Share Posted September 6, 2017 Very nice chief. I honestly have never sealed a surface before glassing - I'm going to try Matt's tip of sanding sealer instead of epoxy as it's cheaper and easier to clean up after Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Cooke Posted October 22, 2017 Author Share Posted October 22, 2017 The two fins, fin bases, rudders, tailplane and elevators are now all glassed, sanded back and ready for their first coat of deep fill primer. In an attempt to minimise weight gain on these rearmost mounted parts, I've tried a slightly different glassing method which hopefully eliminates the need for the traditional 'flow' coat. Prior to adding any cloth, all the parts were very sparingly painted with resin - almost a dry brush method, just to seal the grain. This was then gently sanded smooth and cleaned down prior to the glass cloth being applied using a Jenny brush. This way, there is no absorption - and any excess resin is then 'squeezed out' using a credit card. The resultant surface finish on an elevator as it dries... akin to SolarTex. I'm fairly confident the amount of filler primer required to give a surface finish good enough for paint will be less weighty than what would have been added with the resin flow coat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Twist Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 Nice work Phil - what weight of glass cloth are you applying? I like your "dry brushing" epoxy technique- should save some weight on the tail feathers. I have a similar job coming up and may try (as discussed in recent previous threads) sanding sealer - thinly applied and rubbed back prior to glassing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Cooke Posted October 22, 2017 Author Share Posted October 22, 2017 its all 25g/m2 glass cloth Harry - from Fighter Aces. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Barlow Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 That's a lot of glass cloth and resin to cover all of the A-10! I might try Fighter aces when I come to order mine in a few weeks. In addition to squeegeeing with a credit card I also use blue tissue towels to blot the cloth to remove as much excess resin as possible. It's surprising how much is still sitting above the weave when you think you've finished! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Gay Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 Have you tried here?http://www.easycomposites.co.uk/#!/fabric-and-reinforcement/glass-fibre-reinforcement/woven-glass-fabric/ultra-light-25g-woven-glass-fabric.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Barlow Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 That's quite a bit cheaper at about £5.50/sqM inc VAT Will definately be shopping around when the time comes! Thanks Martin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Gilder Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 Looking good Phil. Glad to see things moving along again with the Hog! Chris, Buy 5 meters and get it for less than buying 4 meters!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny Fenton Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 That looks awesome Phil The cloth sold by Phil at Fighteraces is excellent, I have tried cloth from other sources, I will just say you get what you pay for.... One thing you could try to make glassing easier and even lighter Phil is by using "peel ply". A pure polyester cloth you apply on top of the wet cloth/resin. It eliminates/absorbs all the excess resin, and keeps the cloth and resin in contact with the balsa. When the resin is set the polyester is peeled off, it takes with it any waxey surface and eliminates the need for a flow coat. Leaves a texture akin to solartex that sands really easily. Give it a go on the next one Cheers Danny Edited By Danny Fenton on 23/10/2017 00:03:48 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Cooke Posted October 23, 2017 Author Share Posted October 23, 2017 Thanks Danny, I have watched your Peel Ply demo videos on YT many times, I will certainly get some and trial it on the bigger panels, wings and fuselage etc... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny Fenton Posted October 24, 2017 Share Posted October 24, 2017 Thanks Phil, it would be good to have a chat at Gaydon on Sunday, you can fill me in on your pre-resin approach maybe I should do likewise and give that a go Cheers Danny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Meade Posted October 24, 2017 Share Posted October 24, 2017 Looking good chief - not long now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Garsden Posted October 27, 2017 Share Posted October 27, 2017 I have yards and yards of peel ply, and do agree with Danny. Unless I make up a fibreglass replica of SWMBO (the lost foam method of course) I don't think I will use it all. I have also used it to great effect. You can also use it as a hinge when laying up bagged wings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Meade Posted November 7, 2017 Share Posted November 7, 2017 Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to youuu... 5 years on, still plugging away at it - well done Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Cooke Posted November 7, 2017 Author Share Posted November 7, 2017 Publicly mocking me into action is a dirty, shameful business Andy - hehe Yes 5 years!! Of course the A-10 has had more down time than build time over that period, at least I'm safe in the knowledge my epoxy has set hard on some of the earlier assemblies!! Its back on the bench again now as you know, I'll update on fuselage joining soon!! But as happened in 2014, then again in 2016 - the 2018 PSSA mass build subject is bound to take bench priority before this is complete and ready for the paint shop!! That said I DO hope to have the A-10 ready to fly in 2018 though - honestly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Meade Posted November 8, 2017 Share Posted November 8, 2017 As much as I take the mickey, I really am looking forward to flying these beasts in formation...then again I'm also not looking forward to it, as I know the quality of your build and finish will be a lot better than mine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Garsden Posted November 8, 2017 Share Posted November 8, 2017 Any news about the secret mass build project Phil. I am itching to get sanding and shaving. I haven't made a balsa model now since my Corby Starlet - **LINK** which was at least 4 models ago, and am looking forward to it. Obviously I can't disclose the secret but it is the name of a high wind which has crossed the Atlantic recently and devastated the Caribbean? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.