Eamonn Fahey Posted September 30, 2014 Share Posted September 30, 2014 Hi, my name is Eamonn and I am a serial modeller. I want to build a model of this Chipmunk in Irish Aer Corps colours:- I got a Meccano set from the man in red when I was 5 years of age in an attempt to stop me from dismantling everything I could get my hands on in my thirst for knowelege on "How Things Worked". Then came Airfix models that were built, displayed and launched out the bedroom windows to see how far they would fly. Balsa models were next in my quest for flight, both chuck gliders and rubber powered planes. All were dismal failures - I was doing all my building on my own! Another gift from the man in red was a Jetex engine and a kit of a Vampire. This was my first sucessful flight - I was hooked. On the second flight there was a plume of smoke followed by a short burst of flame and she disappeared into the long grass, never to be seen again. I was crestfallen but on the way home on my bicycle I passed two lads flying Control line planes. WOW! I got lots of info from them and bought my first Aeromodeller magazine and the rest, as they say is history. My Dad taught me how to use a fretsaw, to sharpen chisels, to solder and to respect my tools. Several i.c. engines were recieved as Christmas presents over the next few years and many control line stunters and combat models constructed from orange boxes and brown paper and dope covering. Girls, marriage, a mortgage interfered and I had a bit of a break from modelling. My wife bought me a 3 channel Chart 'Horizon' R/C set and I was back building, mostly Semi Scale. Then another break while we reared and educated 2 children. Model boat racing and model car racing we did as a family. Back then to aircraft which is a rather selfish pastime as I disappear to the shed and to the park on my own. I am now retired and want to build my first proper scale model - rivets, panel lines, hinged cowl, sliding canopy and lights. And, I hope, give me the push I need to finish all the scale models I have started and abandoned due to a lack of confidence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john stones 1 - Moderator Posted September 30, 2014 Share Posted September 30, 2014 Sounds like a plan to me Eamonn Santa brought me a meccano one year, great toy I used to pinch nut and bolts of stuff in the house, only thing I threw out the bedroom window was myself ( sent to bed early ). John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eamonn Fahey Posted October 8, 2014 Author Share Posted October 8, 2014 Think it's about time that I started to post something on here about my build. I began with the elevators as I thought they would be an easy introduction to Denis Bryant's design. I made a new first rib from 1/4" as per the plan. I also cut the front spar to suit the height of the first rib down to the 1/4" tip. First photo - no flash; second with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eamonn Fahey Posted October 9, 2014 Author Share Posted October 9, 2014 After it had dried the next job was to turn it over and complete the other side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eamonn Fahey Posted October 9, 2014 Author Share Posted October 9, 2014 I did the same with the other elevator and then proceded to the rudder. 1/4" tips and bottom infil to be added. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eamonn Fahey Posted October 9, 2014 Author Share Posted October 9, 2014 In between building the elevators and rudder I started to prepare the ribs and braces for the wings. I glued the 2 B1 and B3 pieces together. The B1 balsa was brittle and the end started to break-up as I was planing it with the razor saw. I decided to remake the B1 brace from better balsa. I should have left the shavings - things look too clean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eamonn Fahey Posted October 9, 2014 Author Share Posted October 9, 2014 When I had cut all the ribs from the lazer cut sheets I noticed that there are some missing pieces. Two extra doublers are required for R1 and 1/4" short rib for the centre. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Davis Posted October 9, 2014 Share Posted October 9, 2014 Which kit or plan are you using Eamonn? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Day Posted October 9, 2014 Share Posted October 9, 2014 Neat looking work Eamonn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexJ Posted October 9, 2014 Share Posted October 9, 2014 You are romping on, it looks very neat. There is something very pleasing, watching the stripes appear on the ply as you taper it. Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eamonn Fahey Posted October 9, 2014 Author Share Posted October 9, 2014 David, I'm building from the Denis Bryant with the Traplet Laser cut pack. Nigel, Thanks for the kind words. Alex, I agree about the ply but as it gets thinner it becomes easier to damage. I find that it also starts to curl towards the side I am sanding. Eamonn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Walters Posted October 9, 2014 Share Posted October 9, 2014 Eamonn - great to see your work - nice and tidy - something that doesn't come naturally to me! Terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eamonn Fahey Posted October 9, 2014 Author Share Posted October 9, 2014 Don't believe it Terry. The first photos I took looked dreadful. There was too much shavings and dust. Danny has the right idea - I must get a blue card backing sheet. Eamonn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny Fenton Posted October 9, 2014 Share Posted October 9, 2014 Looks good Eamonn, well done. And well spotted on the missing R1's, not noticed that Still studying the plan for the best way to attack the wing. I am thinking of adding jigging legs to the trailing edge of the ribs. But the complex centre section looks like it need building into one wing and the other grafted onto this. What are your thoughts? Cheers Danny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eamonn Fahey Posted October 9, 2014 Author Share Posted October 9, 2014 Thanks Danny. High praise indeed from the Master Regarding the wing, I was thinking of proping up the rear spar. Each of the rib profiles has a datum line and I think that every third rib, or thereabouts, can be jigged. Looking at the centre section, as you say, it will have to be built onto each wing as the lower spars and leading edge need to be trimmed away after joining. The wing cross section seems to be at rib 10 and doesn't help much and the centre section on the fus. side view is no help at all. Looks like a new adventure! Eamonn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny Fenton Posted October 9, 2014 Share Posted October 9, 2014 Ah well if it was easy everybody would be at it..... oh they are Yes I have added rib legs to all the inner ribs, but as you say they aren't needed that frequently outboard. I guess I will cut some spars and see where the wood falls, you lot can all look on and go - "I wouldn't have done that!" Once more into the breach! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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