Martyn Johnston Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 I've enjoyed writing other build logs on here so I thought I'd start one on my latest winter project. It's a Demoiselle from the American Sig kit. It's supposed to be next winter's project, but once you get a box open on the table and you see all those interesting bits and pieces it's so hard to resist isn't it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martyn Johnston Posted September 22, 2014 Author Share Posted September 22, 2014 I bought it from Sussex Model Centre, then sent it back because of some broken parts and some missing parts; looked like the box had already been opened before I got it, not a good start. They returned it with the broken parts fixed (badly) and no missing parts replaced. I could have fixed the broken bits better than they did, and the missing parts are easily found//made/bodged. I wish I'd not sent it back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martyn Johnston Posted September 22, 2014 Author Share Posted September 22, 2014 This is nothing like I've ever built or flown before. I've not even seen a plane like this flying. But that's why I usually choose a project; something a bit different for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martyn Johnston Posted September 22, 2014 Author Share Posted September 22, 2014 The plan is good, and the laser-cut parts look good, but there aren't that many of them. It's mainly 1/8" balsa, and it's going to be extremely light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martyn Johnston Posted September 22, 2014 Author Share Posted September 22, 2014 The fuselage to this stage is easy, but very delicate. You can do the base triangle and the former triangles in one go, but it's then best to do it in little stages. It's not easy to assemble these triangles together more than one at a time, simply because it's so delicate, when you touch one end you'll knock something else over. Slowly and gently is the order of the day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Bennett Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 looks nice but too Fidly and delicate for my hands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martyn Johnston Posted September 26, 2014 Author Share Posted September 26, 2014 Fuselage pretty much completed It weighs approximately nothing.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martyn Johnston Posted September 26, 2014 Author Share Posted September 26, 2014 It's never going to be a scale masterpiece, but I've painted the framework to look a little better. I guess it now weighs about double. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martyn Johnston Posted October 6, 2014 Author Share Posted October 6, 2014 The wheels are made out of 30 tiny pieces of balsa each. They also weigh approximately nothing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Bennett Posted October 6, 2014 Share Posted October 6, 2014 wow love the wheels. looks smashing so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted October 6, 2014 Share Posted October 6, 2014 what a great subject ,subscribed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martyn Johnston Posted October 8, 2014 Author Share Posted October 8, 2014 Now I've gone and painted the wheels; looks awful. Will have to do something about that. Edited By Pete B - Moderator on 20/10/2014 16:35:44 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 I don't think they look awful Martyn just need a little lite sanding having said that they look amazing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martyn Johnston Posted October 20, 2014 Author Share Posted October 20, 2014 The elevator is simple, but delicate. My fingers and thumbs keep knocking things as I'm going along. The plan here is REALLY unclear. It shows a wiggly line down the middle of each of the two lengthwise pieces and what I now realise is a centre-line down the middle lengthwise piece. It really looks like you glue 3 1/8" pieces together (as I did in the photo). But you don't! There's supposed to be a 1/8" gap in the middle. Edited By Martyn Johnston on 20/10/2014 16:30:49 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martyn Johnston Posted October 20, 2014 Author Share Posted October 20, 2014 And on the rudder it's almost the opposite ! You can't tell from the plan at all whether there's supposed to be a central piece or not (I'm still not sure but I think there isn't). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martyn Johnston Posted October 20, 2014 Author Share Posted October 20, 2014 So I've put some loose spacers in, and I can add more later when I've figured it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martyn Johnston Posted October 20, 2014 Author Share Posted October 20, 2014 When dry the rudder is supposed to slide between the gap of the elevator, making an all-moving tailplane. It would seem to make more sense to have a single central piece in the rudder but I've done it according to the plan just in case I come across something I hadn't thought about later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martyn Johnston Posted November 4, 2014 Author Share Posted November 4, 2014 I’m not yet at the stage of needing to power it but I have no idea what to get. I’ll need a motor, receiver (to suit Futaba), ESC and two servos but I’ve never built anything this small or lightweight before. Postage (from USA) for the motor recommended by Sig will cost more than the motor itself. I’ve seen photos of tiny units that combine receiver, ESC and servos, but don’t know enough to buy one. And I’ve not seen one that seems to work with a Futaba transmitter. I’ve no idea if these are better or worse than buying separate items. Would anybody have any recommendations? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 try indoor flyers forum for advice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reg shaw Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 Hi Martyn, I have one of these contraptions and must say it is a fabulous flying machine. The power set up on mine has a 2 cell 450mah LiPo and it will fly around for at least 20 minutes easily. Mine was a very cheap set up from Tony Hill (All Electric RC) models 01782 788778 and I'm well chuffed with it. I couldn't tell you what it is as I don't know such things but Anthony knows the model and it's set up well enough to advise. Worst thing about the kit is the pilot and the wheels. Mine has spoked wheels but I haven't sorted another pilot yet!! Ian. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevo Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 Unusual- but VERY interested! Subscribed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martyn Johnston Posted November 10, 2014 Author Share Posted November 10, 2014 Spoke to Tony Hill (All Electric RC) about power system supplies; very helpful, will buy from there when I get to that stage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martyn Johnston Posted November 10, 2014 Author Share Posted November 10, 2014 Blurry photo of the tailplane gimbal. I suggest any potential builders buy themselves a length of 1/8" aluminium tube. This is my third attempt at building this tiny little contraption. The required (and supplied) length is 1/2" long, but making a cross piece without getting even the tiniest bit of glue inside proved impossible for my clumsy fingers. I ended up making it with a couple of 2" lengths, wound them together tightly with some carbon tow (I guess any strong thread would have done) and then gluing with CA and lightweight filler powder. When it was completely dry I cut the tubes down to length. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martyn Johnston Posted November 10, 2014 Author Share Posted November 10, 2014 The ribs are unusual in that there's no aerofoil shape at all. just a slight curve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 it certainly looks challenging ,following with interest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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