Jez Harris 1 Posted March 5, 2015 Author Share Posted March 5, 2015 Hello again... Sorry about the gap in postings but I had a take away curry in January which at the time gave me and my daughter food poisoning - It put her in hospital, which with visiting her (she's autistic and doesnt do hospitals very well!!) meant I didnt get help for me... I eventually thought I was over it after a couple of weeks but suddenly had an episode of acute stomach pain - bad enough to end up in A&E where they diagnosed Hepatitis A as a direct result of the food poisoning..GRRR!! So Ive been off the beer, wine, spicy food etc and not really feeling up to gluing and sticking..until the last couple of days where I've been back on it with a vengeance. Update time then.. First off I decided to get some redundancy into the radio installation - the plans call for a solid elevator driven by a single shaft from the rear of the center console as per the fullsize - this is ok for the fullsize as its all mechanically driven with nothing to wrong but pilot error. With the time and effort going into this build I want to get rid of some of the single point of failure opportunities - I know I cant eradicate everything but as I go through the radio installation I hope to cover as much as possible i.e. dual recievers, dual batteries, soft switches that fail to on etc. Here's the original console... A bit of re-engineering later.. And the servo installation underneath.. Jez Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cymaz Posted March 5, 2015 Share Posted March 5, 2015 Sorry to hear about your hospital visits.....hope everyone there at your end is now on the mend. Great to see you are back on the build. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jez Harris 1 Posted March 5, 2015 Author Share Posted March 5, 2015 The rudder is driven by a single servo -( I use Hitec 645s throughout.) The rudder bar is as full size with a single bar extending right through the fus. The downside of this is that you have to devise a way of installing the centre console, then sliding the bar through the fus and securing it in place. I will be making the centre console fully removable through the rear cockpit, so need to plan for this too. What I decided to do was silver solder a pair of 2mm nuts to the bar and this enables me to attach it to a large servo disc. Access to this is via the front seat - it will be removable. Jez Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny Fenton Posted March 5, 2015 Share Posted March 5, 2015 Blimey Jez, sorry to hear the family has been poorly, but glad you are on the mend. I was getting Moth withdrawal symptoms here Cheers Danny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jez Harris 1 Posted March 5, 2015 Author Share Posted March 5, 2015 Another job ticked off is the instrument panels - The supplied textured panels are great, I had a few dials kicking around from a crashed Moth someone was scrapping - they are quite old I believe so have just the patina I was looking for..I just need to sort the compasses out, and perhaps some better oil gauges. With the centre console ready, I fitted the front seat frame and the seat, along with the backrests - the textured plastic looks great througout. And the rear seat.. Jez Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jez Harris 1 Posted March 5, 2015 Author Share Posted March 5, 2015 Some gratuitous cockpit shots then.. Rear ( where the instructor/primary /solo pilot sits) Front.. I have fitted the centre console using half a dozen captive nuts let into the cross memebers I added to the bottom of the console. Its not exactly scale but due to the way the servos are buried into the console, it was a toss up between doing it that way or cutting totally non scale access hatches into the floor. The only way to access the servos is to remove the console by firstly removing the rudder bar, undoing the 6 captive nuts, detaching the cables from the elevator pivot arms, undoing all servo cables etc....Luckily all the surfaces are via closed loop cables so I will be able to make any minor adjustments externally... Crash padding in place.. I've also primed and top coated all the brackets for the fuselage. I am aiming to fully finish the fuselage, including covering it and installing all metalwork before moving on to the wings. Its too big a structure to leave kicking around the garage attracting all sorts of hanger rash. Jez Edited By Jez Harris 1 on 05/03/2015 20:11:30 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat (rActive) Harbord Posted March 5, 2015 Share Posted March 5, 2015 Looking superb Jez. Good to hear you're all better. Like Danny, I was getting withdrawal symptoms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jez Harris 1 Posted March 5, 2015 Author Share Posted March 5, 2015 Thanks for all the kind comments.. Gutted about the Hepatitis - I like a few beers and really enjoy making and imbibing of the infamous Dawn Patrol Home Brew Wine.. Fingers crossed its only temporary - At least there will be a good stock to take to the first few shows this year! Jez Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Hooper Posted March 5, 2015 Share Posted March 5, 2015 Hey Jezza! I had no idea you/'d both been struck down so badly. Sincere sympathies, but I hope your problems are at an end! Keep plodding on, and we'll see you at some of the shows this year. tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john stones 1 - Moderator Posted March 5, 2015 Share Posted March 5, 2015 Looks better n better Jez, this one be at this years shows ? John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jez Harris 1 Posted March 6, 2015 Author Share Posted March 6, 2015 Posted by john stones 1 on 05/03/2015 22:11:09: Looks better n better Jez, this one be at this years shows ? John I'm certainly not aiming to have it ready for this year, but its coming on at a decent pace so maybe just maybe later in the year perhaps. Jez Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pup Cam Posted March 6, 2015 Share Posted March 6, 2015 Very nice indeed Jez and glad you're back in rude health (but slow down the build a bit please!) Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spice Cat Posted March 7, 2015 Share Posted March 7, 2015 I take my hat off to a true craftsman. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tim mock 1 Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 Hi Jez I was searching the forum for some info on the very same classic scale kit I have had for 3 years. I bought mine for about the same money with a deal on my DB Nieuport in exchange. Its partially built but some parts missing, like the engine mount but with the wings and fuz built its not to daunting. Do you think you could measure up the mount for me so I can make one up please? any other issues that you might have may well be already completed on mine if I can help. Regards Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Always broke Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 I see I am going to have to get the original Silver one out when you have finished this Jez for a bit of a fly together. Looking great mate. My one is showing its age in the finish now but is still a stunning model. Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jez Harris 1 Posted March 17, 2015 Author Share Posted March 17, 2015 Hi simon.. Could you do me a big favour and either post or email me pics of the connector between the exhaust unit and the Zenoah 62 in yours.. Jez Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jez Harris 1 Posted March 18, 2015 Author Share Posted March 18, 2015 Bit more done,, Its getting a bit tough - the things I'm doing now are long, slow jobs. The cowling is next up - this took ages to cut all the ABS from their mouldings. The metal work for the cowl cheeks had to be got right first time so I got through a few cardboard templates before going live so to speak.... First up a bit more sheet to fold - these will eventually be the cowl retention wotsits.. First they get folded in half Then take some screws, cut the heads off and file a flat on one end.. Silver solder the 2 together, round the edges and repeat another 3 times.. Add these to four brass plates that have been bent around a drill shank... Jez Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jez Harris 1 Posted March 18, 2015 Author Share Posted March 18, 2015 Next up it was time to fold the cowl cheeks.. These are tricky as the cowls are flat at the front but bulge out at the back to go over the oil tank one one side. heres the r/h side The hinges need to be folded - one half the hinge is on the cowl cheek, the other is a strip.. These are folded.. they need a bit of tweaking with a flat file.. I used some piano wire to bend the hinges around I bent the cheeks over a smooth cylinder - in this case the butane torch I had handy Hers one I made earlier.. To stiffen the cheeks, the leading edge and the bottom are bent through 180 degrees. To get these folds crisp, I simply squeezed them in the vixe using metal rulers..Bodgertastic but it works Jez Edited By Jez Harris 1 on 18/03/2015 22:40:27 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jez Harris 1 Posted March 18, 2015 Author Share Posted March 18, 2015 So - a couple of hours worrying metal created the basic cheeks.. Quick trial fit.. Yup - hinges work.. Catches for the cowls are in place..they are screws, however I cut them short and actually used them as rivets..whacked with a hammer and they are rock solid..They will be smoothed off as the full size ones are rivetted in Jez Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jez Harris 1 Posted March 18, 2015 Author Share Posted March 18, 2015 Ooooohhh... Engine stroking time...here it is bolted to the custom exhaust/mount. Also fitted is the prop extension. engine is a brand spanking new Zenoah 62 - magneto instead of leccy ignition - nice and simple. I need to make a manifold to connect engine to the exhaust. I will be ordering a Z62 manifold connector and silver soldering it to large diameter copper pipe. Unless anyone has a better suggestion??? Jez Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jez Harris 1 Posted March 18, 2015 Author Share Posted March 18, 2015 The engine position is above the fus centreline. Here is the plan with with a long steel rule laying on the top longeron. I then clamped the steel rule to the fus and repeated the above..To achieve ths I had to stand the fus on its tail. With the engine in the correct place it was simply a case of drawing around the mounting plate to mark the firewall. With the engine in the right place, I then had the final position of the front of the cowl. Only now could I place the fixings for the cowl cheeks. These are more brass fittings - plates with tubes soldered to them. With locations known , the cowls could be trial fitted - looks ok to me.. Another ABS moulding will form the bottom of the cowl. The fixing for the rear of the cowl is attached to the cowling framework..I used the springs from old biros to give sring loaded retainers.. Jez Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john stones 1 - Moderator Posted March 18, 2015 Share Posted March 18, 2015 Lovely stuff Jez a pleasure to watch you Jez Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jez Harris 1 Posted March 18, 2015 Author Share Posted March 18, 2015 Thank you John..'tis a pleasure to build! Jez Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly-navy Posted March 19, 2015 Share Posted March 19, 2015 Nice bit of metal bashing there Jez, (For an office wallah that is) Lovely work mate, can't get enough of this build. Edited By fly-navy on 19/03/2015 00:20:01 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martyn K Posted March 19, 2015 Share Posted March 19, 2015 Hi Jez Lovely work.. How do you hold small parts together when silver soldering? I know you need at least 4 hands.. Martyn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.