Concorde Speedbird Posted October 1, 2013 Author Share Posted October 1, 2013 Let's go back in time to see the state of the wheels initially. Alright, I have done everything I can and here we go... Yes! The wheels are in flush. The legs and units are protruding a bit, but with cunningly shaped doors the legs will disappear and maybe I can paint the units themselves. The reason it is like that is because of the thin thin wing limiting how deep I could place them. But overall it has come out very well, and they don't look bad down. CS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony H Posted October 10, 2013 Share Posted October 10, 2013 Nice Work CS! The wheels are finally flush. Have you made any more progress, I'm sure we would all love to see any new photo's you have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Concorde Speedbird Posted October 10, 2013 Author Share Posted October 10, 2013 I have, nothing interesting just cowl shaping. The problem is the shed temperature, now winter is coming it gets cold, last year when Domino building it hit -2 degrees C! CS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Gardiner Posted November 1, 2013 Share Posted November 1, 2013 Hi CS. How are things progressing with the build? I have a couple of questions, if you don't mind. What wheels did you go for (and where did you get them). I note on the plan is says 70mm wheels but in the instruction book it suggest using 50mm if installing retracts. Also, I notice the wing joining method does not have a brace glued in. Does it appear strong enough with just butt jointed foam glued together - I guess you will be reinforcing the joint with fiibre glass and epoxy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Concorde Speedbird Posted November 4, 2013 Author Share Posted November 4, 2013 The build is progressing well. I don't know why they suggest 50mm wheels for retracts, I used the scale sized 70mm. The wheels are just ones I picked up at a model show and don't seem to have a brand, but they are thin which is the key. It seems strong, but you can only tell when the GRP bandage is on. I wouldn't worry about braces, it just increases the weight and therefore the load on the wing. CS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator Posted November 4, 2013 Share Posted November 4, 2013 Hi CSB - I was getting worried about you! Glad the build is progressing - though you are right about the shed getting a bit chillier this time of year. I was in there over the weekend and it just on the lower edge of OK! Very good job on the wheels - that looks so much better. It amazing what a bit of skill and perseverance can achieve. Well done! Any progress piccies? BEB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Concorde Speedbird Posted November 5, 2013 Author Share Posted November 5, 2013 It's just planking and various other bits and pieces like the now partially removable cowl at the moment. The next major job is mounting the wing and making the fairings. My shed gets very cold, I think my record is minus 2 when Domino building last winter, but nothing that some extra few layers can't stop! I'm not sure about skill, rather some excellent advice from you and others that did the job. CS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Gardiner Posted December 15, 2013 Share Posted December 15, 2013 All gone quite for a while CS.....I guess you must have finished!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Concorde Speedbird Posted December 15, 2013 Author Share Posted December 15, 2013 No, not yet. I have made some good progress but I have not posted it, it isn't anything that is complicated or abnormal. The build is great fun, I'll carry on. CS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Concorde Speedbird Posted December 21, 2013 Author Share Posted December 21, 2013 Sorry I have not updated progress to the few who are interested, I haven't been using the forum much. I have completed the planking which is very nice, fairings have been started and various bits here and there have been progressed. I'll get some pictures up at some point, probably do some nose work next. CS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator Posted December 21, 2013 Share Posted December 21, 2013 Sounds good CSB - looking forward to seeing some pictures of her taking shape. BEB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Concorde Speedbird Posted December 28, 2013 Author Share Posted December 28, 2013 Can anyone see a Spitfire, or just a pile of wood? Tail surfaces on, cowl off because I want to get the spacing between the backplate and spinner better, fairings coming soon. When the fairings are on it should then look like the famous fighter. CS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny Fenton Posted December 28, 2013 Share Posted December 28, 2013 Looks great CS, nice one Cheers Danny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Concorde Speedbird Posted December 28, 2013 Author Share Posted December 28, 2013 Thanks, how do you think I should do the fillet between the tailplane and fin? I don't know how to get the right shape yet. CS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny Fenton Posted December 28, 2013 Share Posted December 28, 2013 Ahh CS now you are on to one of the most difficult parts of a Spitfire in my oppinion. The wing fairing and cowl bulges being the others that sprang immediately to mind. The tail fairings/fillets MUST be light yet they are not insignificant. The way I did them on the TN Spit was painfully slow but did work. In that method I built up layers of sheet either side of the fin. You have to watch the weight of the glue using that method. Foam would be the lightest, but you would have to be more skillful than me to make it work So bottom line is probably blocks of very soft balsa, profiled to the top of the tailplane. Cheers Danny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator Posted December 28, 2013 Share Posted December 28, 2013 Looks great CSB - definitely taking on that "Spitfire Look". For the fillets another possibility would be resin and micro-balloons. Light but strong. If you want to try this experiment a bit first - there is a "window" with this stuff, between about 20 mins and 30 mins after mixing and applying in which it has a consistency a bit like plasticine. You can carve it at this time to the rough shape you want, you then finish with sanding. If you choose (as I do) to use your fingers to shape the fillet (by placing the stuff there then drawing a finger along the joint) you must wear latex gloves or similar with this stuff - if you get it on your fingers in any quantity is the devil to get it off again - ask me how I know that! BEB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Concorde Speedbird Posted December 30, 2013 Author Share Posted December 30, 2013 More has been done, but I am here to consult the many minds available. I'm covering her in tissue and Eze dope, but how should I do the panel lines, and maybe some rivets. I was thinking actually cutting the panels with the tissue which would leave a line, any other methods? CS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 Panel lines are usually put on via the paint job CSB - very narrow strips of masking for the edges then removed to leave the ridge of the panel join. Take a look at Martin's Mustang he has just been doing this. BEB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFlyingCrust Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 Re. the fillets. Have you ever tried lightweight filler? When you pick the tub up it feels very light. And unlike BEB's just lick your finger and draw it across the filler for a finish. Its ready mixed and sandable. Worth a try. Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Concorde Speedbird Posted January 1, 2014 Author Share Posted January 1, 2014 I have tried filler, I use it a lot to smooth things out, it's great. BEB, I still don't understand how that is done. Well a new year arrives, the year when this thing will (hopefully!) fly. So I better build it. The cowl is much better now, the picture doesn't show it well. Now there is a nice constant and subtle gap between the backplate and spinner. I made my own backplate and did it differently. Still plenty of sanding to fit flush, but it is getting there and starting to look right. CS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Concorde Speedbird Posted January 6, 2014 Author Share Posted January 6, 2014 Some hinging on the last day of the holidays. The built up control surfaces are worth every effort in my opinion, much better than sheet. The black marks are due to an accident with some oil, the wood is fine. Also worthy of note is that the plan shows the MKI-V elevator balance, not the extended MK IX ones which I have incorporated. I think it is nice, what about you? CS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martyn K Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 That looks great... Keep it going - will we see it at Greenacres this year? M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Concorde Speedbird Posted January 6, 2014 Author Share Posted January 6, 2014 That was what I hoped when I started, but the fly in is a day before a maths exam, so no unfortunately. Maybe next year if it is still in one piece by then! CS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martyn K Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 You need at least one day clear of Maths before an exam. Do it properly and come down for 2 days . You will be better for it.. You will be relaxed and able to think far more clearly M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Concorde Speedbird Posted January 6, 2014 Author Share Posted January 6, 2014 I really would love to, but it's quite a long journey here from East Anglia and I am worried that it would tire me. I will go to one, but not this year's. CS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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