Devcon1 Posted February 18, 2014 Author Share Posted February 18, 2014 It's a long time since I've used some but just got this from a local craft shop, I'll use it cover the fuselage and decking. It seems strong and is a light buff colour but I suspect it will fade a bit with some dope. Regards John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devcon1 Posted February 21, 2014 Author Share Posted February 21, 2014 Been away for a few days but back on it now, Wing fixings complete. Front dowel PVA'd into place, I'll tidy this up and shorten it so it doesn't protrude through past the former. Combination of a simple jig and measures to transfer bolt position into wing. Thread tapped directly into hardwood bearer, I've subsequently washed in some diluted PVA to seal off the threads. Bolts will be trimmed flush later as the space is required to run control rods to back end, hoipe to have these installed this weekend. Underneath the Depron is hard balsa so no need for washers, I'll make some access tubes let into the fairing to allow removal of the bolts. Regards John Edited By John Milne on 21/02/2014 18:53:14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devcon1 Posted February 21, 2014 Author Share Posted February 21, 2014 Radio tray made out of Depron When the servos are glued in and the tray glued to fuz sides it will be very stiff, If I ever need to change a servio I'll simply make a new tray. Top view Trial fit I'll fit simple short Z bends made from piano wire glued to and then shrouded with heat shrink to carbon fibre pushrods supported in small sections of snake outers. I've positioned them this way to keep the cockpit clear. Regards John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devcon1 Posted February 22, 2014 Author Share Posted February 22, 2014 Leading edge wing fairings done. Now I shouldn't need these but I've made a further error in not allowing for the the additional depth of the Depron wing skins, I should have reduced the ribs in size slightly to keep the original profile, on a positive note I've just inadvertently decreased the wing loading. Oversize block glued to LE, Lazy method for transferring the profile onto the block Finished job. I'm got a Depron laminated, with PVA, leading edge ready to butt up to these root blocks. They will all get a final fine sanding before covering. Regards John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devcon1 Posted February 22, 2014 Author Share Posted February 22, 2014 Whilst waiting for the leading edge laminated strips to dry I thought about arming the Dawn Flyer. It will have twin guns based on these. Guns Picture 3 is what I'm trying to copy. I made a Depron rod with 1/16 X1/16 balsa strips tacked around it with Depron end plates. A coat of acyrlic primer and they look a bit rough, I'll either try in a different material or rub them down to get rid of the feather edges. Regards John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator Posted February 22, 2014 Share Posted February 22, 2014 A really interestingly different approach to the model John. One of the joys of the Mass Build - seeing totally different approaches to the same plan is fascinating. Nice work - very impressive. BEB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devcon1 Posted February 23, 2014 Author Share Posted February 23, 2014 Ailerons just a simple Depron skin with balsa reinforcement for the aileron horn, tip and leading edge. I won't use any mechanical hinges but will use the covering as the hinge. Regards John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devcon1 Posted February 23, 2014 Author Share Posted February 23, 2014 One wing tip complete and laminated leading edge almost ready for shaping. I've used PVA on the balsa to Depron joint and a thin sliver of Epoxy on the main Depron to Depron joint. Hopefully the balsa will act as a guide so I don't oversand the LE. Another error on my part, I started to make the Aileron but made it fit within the 5 rib bays after forgetting to take off the end off the last rib and also I've run out of 3mm Depron so have decided to to go for inset Ailerons, upside is I've always thought this setup gives a more aerodynamically efficient wing tip. Regards John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devcon1 Posted February 24, 2014 Author Share Posted February 24, 2014 Ailerons built and leading edges sanded down to a rough finish. Ailerons will be top hinged with Oracover. It looks better in the flesh and is still due a final fine sanding. Regards John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devcon1 Posted February 25, 2014 Author Share Posted February 25, 2014 First assembly of almost complete airframe. Did a quick weigh in and with an 1800 MAh 3 cell pack It should be about 1,000 grams or 2 pounds 3 ounces in flight ready state. Regards John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devcon1 Posted February 26, 2014 Author Share Posted February 26, 2014 Cockpit sheeting First strip fixed with Epoxy. The rest built up with PVA. like others I tried larger sheets but struggled a bit so opted for the planking method. I'll do it in two stages but it will be in one peice, I'll then cover the wings and simply glue it in place afterwards. Regards John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devcon1 Posted March 3, 2014 Author Share Posted March 3, 2014 Progress temporarily suspended whilst I assemble this. Carbon Z Cub Normal service will be resumed shortly. Regards John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devcon1 Posted March 10, 2014 Author Share Posted March 10, 2014 Back on the Dawn flyer after a little distraction. Started laying up the rear cockpit surround, I know it should be done in sheet but I get too stressed trying to get it to fit well so have opted to cheat.. So planking it is again. I actually find it very therapeutic doing every little plank bit by bit, I know it takes longer and will be heavier. Regards John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devcon1 Posted March 11, 2014 Author Share Posted March 11, 2014 Cockpit surround finished and almost ready for final sanding. I've used some thicker strip for the last two outside sections to give a little spare material for the final shaping. Fiddling around with the guns with bits from the scrap box. Regards John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devcon1 Posted March 12, 2014 Author Share Posted March 12, 2014 More parts of the jigsaw arrived today. Cherry laminated 10X4 prop. Pilot is named Albert in honour of famous World War One fighter pilot Albert Ball. Another wheel option but I'll see how I can "scale" it up. Regards John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devcon1 Posted March 12, 2014 Author Share Posted March 12, 2014 A first fitting of the cockpit for size. A bit nervous about cutting the hole,, But with careful cutting and some shaped sanding sticks, Open cockpit space to have a play with. Pilot from here ...maybe a little big but rather that than too small. I'm going to use the cutout to make the seat back Regards John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vecchio Austriaco Posted March 13, 2014 Share Posted March 13, 2014 Poor pilot - has to fly that without goggles looks good, I wonder what the final weight will be. And I wonder also in which conditions it will fly (knowing what it is like in Greenacres...) VA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thunderstreak.keith Posted March 13, 2014 Share Posted March 13, 2014 what a cracking build, well talented. I hope my westland widgeon looks half as good as your build, I`d be more than happy if it does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devcon1 Posted March 13, 2014 Author Share Posted March 13, 2014 Thanks for your comments guys, VA, I'm aiming at sub 2 Pounds but understand this won't be an all weather model, but maybe Greenacres are due a favour from the the weather gods. I may have to get another Pilot and move his goggles to flying position. thunderstreak, thanks for your comments, make sure you log your Westland build as the feedback, comments and looking at what other people are doing has been a great inspiration to me. Kind Regards John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devcon1 Posted March 13, 2014 Author Share Posted March 13, 2014 Well, I'd kind of expected I'd have this problem but, naively, tried to ignore it. I'd fully expected to make two holes in the cockpit surround to accommodate the wing bolts but this would make a god almighty mess of it so opted to fix the wing from below. An alternative bearer and another hole in the wing resulted in this. The bearer was let into the Depron skin and sits on the TE. I'll cover it in with a little shaped sheet. A small bit of 1/32 ply to spread the load a tad. The setup minus the wing for clarity. Regards John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Winks Posted March 13, 2014 Share Posted March 13, 2014 John thats the same pilot that I'm using in my Barnstormer 63 and I thought he looked a tad big in that but for some reason he looks just about right in your DF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devcon1 Posted March 13, 2014 Author Share Posted March 13, 2014 Phil, Just looked at your build, I like the engine and exhaust, perhaps we should do a photoshoot of the pilots in their respective machines. Regards John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Winks Posted March 13, 2014 Share Posted March 13, 2014 I'll make point of doing that at greenacres John it'll be interesting to see how the same pilot looks so different in differing models and the range of pilots used Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devcon1 Posted March 14, 2014 Author Share Posted March 14, 2014 Not my neatest installation but it does all work, my slight worries about my little motor/power (not being big enough) have been put at ease. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devcon1 Posted March 18, 2014 Author Share Posted March 18, 2014 I've come to a dilemma, wings and tail feathers are ready for covering... Plan A: I have some very nice cream/buff Oracover which has a good antique colour, trouble is it has a shiny gloss finish and is not very opaque and I'm not sure it will look too good. I could try and roughen the surface up with a plumbing abrasive pad to weather it a bit. Plan B: Get some Solartex as others have done, but I fear it may be a little aggressive whilst shrinking onto my Depron wings and be a little on the heavy side. Plan C: Try using some lightweight silk (which I have in stock) and find a non solvent way of applying it. Plan D The same as C but use tissue. Plan E Any other ideas much appreciated. Kind Regards John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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