Martian Posted December 22, 2013 Share Posted December 22, 2013 I've always liked the RF4 and RF5 so when I got hold of a Westwings RF4 plan used in the kit I just had to make a start, unfortunately the plan does not show fuselage formers or wing ribs hmm this is not as easy as I had hoped still not to be put of I managed to find a suitable wing rib profile and was able to print out a set. The fuselage however was not so easy so some time spent with pencil and compass gradually produced said formers onto card and with little adjustment formers were produced (not not there were many to make 7 or 8 I think and the rear top decking was a originally a vac formed part this has been replicated using 1/16th light balsa sheet in 2 sections duly steam curved pinned and glued on. pics so far note they apparently quite normal messy work area Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Bennett Posted December 22, 2013 Share Posted December 22, 2013 nice build so far sir. makes me want to finish my kamco kloudrider that i started a year ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted December 22, 2013 Author Share Posted December 22, 2013 Thanks Tony ah the old Kamco kits I liked them.. I seem to be stricken with the same lack of interest in my posts that you complain of. ah well perhaps it's just not interesting enough Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Bennett Posted December 22, 2013 Share Posted December 22, 2013 well it is to me sir. i want a Fournier one day. its just fitting one into the extensive build list Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete B Posted December 22, 2013 Share Posted December 22, 2013 Don't you believe it, Martian - there's always plenty of lurkers out there... Is yours the earlier 3-function or the recent 4-function RF4 kit? My 4-function is still going strong, with a 3-axis gyro to smooth it out as I found it a tad twitchy. If you haven't already had a browse through the forum, there's plenty of threads where the RF4 gets a mention Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted December 23, 2013 Author Share Posted December 23, 2013 Thanks Pete just a touch of prima donna it's not a kit so much as a plan and simple plan with no formers or rib shapes nor cut out bits and no instructions ,it seemed like a good idea at the time lol anyway yes I have read several threads including Mr Miller's. This is the 4 function electric version and as has been said in a West Wings thread everything is very tight up front . I,m waiting on the motor before the front end can be finished Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted January 3, 2014 Author Share Posted January 3, 2014 progress slowed due to Christmas but back on it now This West Wings RF4 does not have much room at the front end but I'm gradually shoe horning the bits in below elevator and rudder servos and in front the cut out for the rx this will be velcro fit onto a false cockpit floor which will also hide the servos 180w motor fitted onto 1/8th ply mount the space to the left will house the ESC and batt which will have to be a compact lipo cockpit area showing the other side of servos note the stringers glued to the side to place false floor on ESC temporarily in place when connected this will be covered by the batt box sufficient cooling holes will be cutout as build progresses below a pic showing the lack of space for 3s 107mm long lipo I will be switching to a 70mm 3s lipo I felt the fuselage sides at the motor end were to thin so 1/8th balsa doublers have been added ,note the clamps these are trouser hangers ends just the right amount of pressure. either side of the motor will be balsa engine covers these will be hollowed out and a hole either side of motor into covers to aid cooling underneath Edited By Martian on 03/01/2014 18:38:57 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Bennett Posted January 3, 2014 Share Posted January 3, 2014 looking goood sir. nice and neat. can ya build me one. he he he Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted January 3, 2014 Author Share Posted January 3, 2014 happy to Tony and thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted January 4, 2014 Author Share Posted January 4, 2014 been an eventful day but not on the model still did a bit last night ESC in place and connected and tested setup will now work on the cowl and side cheeks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Bennett Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 keep going sir. i am watching you progress with it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon barr Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 Yeah, Martian... I am one of the lurkers mentioned above by Pete,,,, Nice build... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted January 4, 2014 Author Share Posted January 4, 2014 Thanks both Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john stones 1 - Moderator Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 me too martian love to see rf4 doing graceful aerobatics you got a colour scheme in mind yet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Leighfield Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 Martian, that's a really nice aeroplane, definitely worth the effort. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted January 5, 2014 Author Share Posted January 5, 2014 Thanks John ,Colin and Colin yes I have it's going to be blue and white ,I will also add a mid wheel tail wheel and wire outriggers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted January 6, 2014 Author Share Posted January 6, 2014 Well a bit more progress :- this shows the really tight fit for the motor you can see the rear shaft of the motor is covered with a plastic tube that is to prevent the motor wires getting caught up or damaged. Motor breather hole this will be covered by cowl cheeks which will be scalloped out to allow air flow from prop wash to go straight through and drag air from around motor top of nose cover/cowl scalloped to allow air over motor into area behind motor mount this pic shows method for scalloping nose cover it is a piece of thin wall stainless steel recovered from a garden LED light and sharpened soft block balsa in place lots of planing sanding and coughing to do later initial shaping complete will fine finish when spinner block is in place thought it best to punch another breather hole this one is outside the ESC ESC separator panel it's only 1/16th just to keep it from contacting the lipo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Bennett Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 looking great now martian. nice tight fit on the motor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Leighfield Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 Looking good Martian, can't see you going wrong on this one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich too Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 Posted by Tony Bennett on 22/12/2013 20:34:06: well it is to me sir. i want a Fournier one day. its just fitting one into the extensive build list I agree! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted January 8, 2014 Author Share Posted January 8, 2014 Progress continues not as fast as I'd like because I want to crack on with the Barnstormer cowl/spinner end plate , you can see clearer the use of these trouser hanger clamps they hold pieces like this lamination perfectly (just raid the wife's wardrobe snaffle a few and accidently break the ends of ,you will need to use some hot glue or epoxy to stop the thing falling apart but hey they are free but not pain free if you get caught ) engine covers in place need lots of sanding sanding checking sanding saw off and start again this may happen again not entirely happy with them, the kit off course had moulded plastic ones. Because there is so little space I decided to forget the top hatch and opted for a 1/16th ply plate underneath secured with screws so if I need access to ESC or motor mount it will be just about possible, I shall remain optimistic it wont be necessary Oh you can see one of the covers met with my disapproval and was sawed off This is the cover that is still safe for now Cockpit floor this hides the wires and bottom of servos, I am toying with the idea of making the canopy and floor as an integral unit that will be removable. front end ,still not happy with the left cover /cheek. incidentally the hole for the spinner plate was cut with a body spray can cut down and sharpened (smells nice) I am developing quite a collection of homemade boring tools Finally for now the tail end ,the fin is a lamination of 1/8th and 1/16th either side sanded down to profile the resulting thickness is about 3/16th I did this because the fin seemed far to fragile , I am not happy with the method of hinging the control surfaces (mainly cos I've tried it and am no good) so I very gently cut slots with a fine blade so I can use CA hinges and that's how these are done now. I spoke to Tim Hooper last night for some advice he said when are you going to fly these things you keep building he is right but I hate the cold weather Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
will -0 Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 Hello. Are you planning to do an aileron wing or a 3ch wing as per the original? In either case, fit some sheeting to the wing as the original (which I built) had a very open structure and is very easy to warp! Mine flies OKish on a speed 400 and 7 nicad cells, but I don't fly it much as my batteries aren't what they were! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted January 8, 2014 Author Share Posted January 8, 2014 this particular plan is from a West Wings kit that features Ailerons and sheeting to the front , I take your point tho and will modify where I see fit . Is it worth the time to modify and fit brushless motor and a 3s 1300mah lipo . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Bennett Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 looking very smooth and sexy now martian. tempting very tempting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted January 8, 2014 Author Share Posted January 8, 2014 go on Tony you know you want to ..you can have my plan when I'm finished Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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