Robert Parker Posted May 1, 2016 Share Posted May 1, 2016 Hi All, I thought I'd share with you the building of a kit that I once built back in the 90's, I sold it before I flew it and have regretted it ever since. Thanks to ebay, I finally got hold of a kit without any plans back last December and thanks to Jim Carss from this forum who pointed me to Derick Scott of Model Plans who thankfully had a copy of the plans which are no longer available from Easy Built so I now have a kit. With my bench now clear I'm going to start the build which if memory serves me right this is anything but an easy built kit especially when it comes to the hull. The model has a wingspan of 54", 4 functions and originally used a pair of Astro 035 motors with an all up weight of 3 1/2lbs. I am going to use a brushless set up with Lipos to bring it up to date This is the kit, no laser cut parts, all the formers ribs etc have been printed onto the wood and the print lines are about 1/16th thick so I am going on the outside and work in if needed. The build instructions start on the wings, these are in three sections, centre and outer panels. Ribs cut out and glued in place I had to mark out each rib as the printed cut outs did not match the rear spar, so I'll cut the notches for the top spars when this lot has dried. That's all for now and I hope you enjoy a trip down my memory lane. Regards Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Leighfield Posted May 1, 2016 Share Posted May 1, 2016 Another really interesting project. Good luck Robert. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted May 1, 2016 Share Posted May 1, 2016 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Parker Posted May 1, 2016 Author Share Posted May 1, 2016 Thank you both for your support, I was a little unsure if the project would generate any interest being such an old kit. I must admit that despite it's age it has kept well unlike me over the same time frame. I'll keep you all posted with progress Regards Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted May 2, 2016 Share Posted May 2, 2016 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo565 Posted May 2, 2016 Share Posted May 2, 2016 Keep us posted Robert,interesting project methinks. Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Jones Posted May 2, 2016 Share Posted May 2, 2016 Looking forward to seeing this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Price 2 Posted May 2, 2016 Share Posted May 2, 2016 Signing in, with interest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Parker Posted May 2, 2016 Author Share Posted May 2, 2016 Hi All, Done a bit more this afternoon and started the outer panels as well as continuing with the centre section. It has become apparent that I am missing some balsa, I had no top spars for the wing. A quick rummage through my odds and sods box and were soon back on track. I'm not surprised really considering it's age. I am also aware that I'm missing the hardware, clevis's, horns and hinges, all of which can be easily replaced. I do have all of the printed parts for the ribs and formers etc, So I hope we can continue without too bother. That's the three panels started. despite the ribs being printed for the cut outs for the spars I had to check each one as they differed slightly. That's all for now Regards Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Parker Posted May 2, 2016 Author Share Posted May 2, 2016 Hi All, I have been planning ahead a little and as the wing is progressing nicely it will need to be wired. As I'm quite new to this electric side I was going to order the motor cables. I would like some assistance in choosing the correct wire gauge 16,14 or 12awg The motors are Turnigy D2830/11 1000kv, Esc's Turnigy plush 30A Battery (yet to be purchased) but around a 3s lipo around 3700mAh By using the above set up I am saving around 3ozs Regards Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shane Sunday Posted May 2, 2016 Share Posted May 2, 2016 The catalina is a beautiful bird I hope to see this one fly. You're coming along nicely sith the build. I think you could get away with the 16 swg wire for the motors. The leads on the motors themselves shouldn't be much smaller. Here's a question for you... What gauge are the leads on your speed controller? This will help decide much easier. best of luck to you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WolstonFlyer Posted May 2, 2016 Share Posted May 2, 2016 Very interesting project, I will enjoy watching this ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Parker Posted May 2, 2016 Author Share Posted May 2, 2016 Hi Shane, For me that is the question. How do I find / work out that. As I said I'm a bit of a newbie with regards to the black art of electric flying. I know it is a simple and basic question and with experience would become second nature to many. Having given it some thought I will be extending the wires from the esc's to the motors. I am keen to try to keep the weight down as much as I can so getting the right cable size correct would be a help in keeping the weight down. I am trying to hit the target weight of 56ozs all up or below if I can. I do tend to end up with my models going slightly over and I want to get this one right. Regards Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shane Sunday Posted May 3, 2016 Share Posted May 3, 2016 Hello there Robert. 12awg is typically 2.o5mm diameter, 14awg is 1.63 and 16awg is 1.29. I just got this from a search I did so not my info but perhaps it'll help. If it were me I'd go with 14awg. I'd also keep the motor wires short and try to keep those speed controllers in the nacelles. This way youve less weight with only 4 wires to lengthen instead of 6. Hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Parker Posted May 4, 2016 Author Share Posted May 4, 2016 Hi Shane, Thanks for getting back to me. There seems to be quite a debate on this topic on another current thread, "Lengthening Wires" at the moment. I've just been reading through it. It's made me wonder a bit not so much for this build as they only need lengthening about 250mm, but my last electric build where I extended the wires from the battery to the esc's having 4 motors, the outer esc's have been lengthened to 900mm from the battery they seem to run ok but yet to maiden. Regards Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shane Sunday Posted May 4, 2016 Share Posted May 4, 2016 Hey Robert. In all of my builds ive only ever extebded the battery wires. One as long as 2 and a half foot. This was my F18. It ran on 4s 4000mah 35c lipos and worked a treat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Meade Posted May 5, 2016 Share Posted May 5, 2016 Very nice, I've just bought a foamie seaplane as a taster to flying off water. Would love to build a Cat at some point, they are very pretty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Parker Posted May 10, 2016 Author Share Posted May 10, 2016 Hi All, Another update. I have joined the wings so I now have a basic wing structure when it dries. I have roughly shaped the wing tip floats which will be fixed in the up position. I was suprised that blocks in the kit were quite heavy, I will make up some 1/2" laminated blocks and see if these are any lighter. I have also got the servos, now these certainly save a fair bit if weight 4 servos weighing in at just 48g, my standard servos weigh in at 45g each and the torque is just a little less than my standard servos. Top sheeting fitted Wings joined and braces fitted I'm hoping to fit a servo for each aileron. Next is to start the nacelle structure Regards Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Parker Posted May 21, 2016 Author Share Posted May 21, 2016 Hi All, I've been a bit busy lately plus managed to get a trapped nerve in my left shoulder which has proved to be very painful and of course being a left hander this has hindered my building as well. Finally, I've been able to do a bit more, and bit is the operative word here. I needed to extend the motor bulkhead to enable to fit the brushless motor to do this I had to duplicate the motor mounts and add a 20mm (2x10mm balsa) spacer. This has meant I've increased the weight by 1oz in total. When these are dry, I can continue with the nacelle construction as per plan. In the meantime it's back to reading my magazine. Hopefully tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Parker Posted May 22, 2016 Author Share Posted May 22, 2016 Hi All, I've had a very good day today and have got on better than I had hoped for. The motor mounts and nacelles are done The tailplane is done and hinges fitted Rudder completed Just needs some final shaping This was an impulse buy but when you see all of those printed sheets and the curves, it's well worth the investment Took just an hour to cut this lot out This was fairly straight forward just had to alter some of the notches a little When dry I'll fit continue with it, although the instructions seem to be a little vague on the next step plus I'm going to have to make some more strip as the box is getting empty. That's all for now Regards Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Parker Posted May 26, 2016 Author Share Posted May 26, 2016 Hi All, Just a quick update I have now completed both halves of the fuselage and soon be ready to join them both together. Sorry no photos, I cannot seem to upload any photos. I have a RCM&E icon top left of my screen which when clicked asking me to renew my subs, they are not due till next March, any one else having this problem??? Hopefully, this will be sorted soon enough More updates to follow. Regards Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Cotsford Posted May 27, 2016 Share Posted May 27, 2016 I had a letter last week inviting me to renew, my subscription is not due until next January! I now get an icon and even the smilies have stopped responding Nothing like being proactive is there? Edited By Bob Cotsford on 27/05/2016 08:24:25 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Parker Posted June 6, 2016 Author Share Posted June 6, 2016 Hi All, Here finally are the pictures I took after making the second side. Curves a plenty with this one, planking is going to be fun where best to start ???? I used my own preferred method to build the second side using baby oil on the plan this makes the plan transparent and allows a mirror image to be built. The instructions called for the second half to be built onto the first half which would make it a bit tricky to support and increases the risk to damage I think. I have clamped the two sides together and placed a flight pack in it's bay, plenty of room for adjusting the CoG here. Since then I had a weeks half term camping great weather and not had much time to do any modelling apart from ordering the wrong size snakes and replaced them for bowden cables, these have been delayed in their dispatch. I need to install the bowden cables and form the battery box before gluing the fuselage sides together and then the planking begins. That's all for now Regards Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Parker Posted June 25, 2016 Author Share Posted June 25, 2016 Hi All, I have not managed to do as much as I had hoped over the last few weeks with one thing and another plus work is starting to get busy as well over the next few weeks. I have managed to join the fuselage sides, fit the snakes and battery box as well as start the planking. Glued up Snakes and servos fitted need to trim the arms a little and the 1/16th sq stringers fitted very fiddly and delicate. Hull sheeted and planking started, going OK so far, though the lower / underneath area will be a little tricky. That's all for now Regards Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Parker Posted June 28, 2016 Author Share Posted June 28, 2016 Hi All, I have finished planking the fuselage and started making the wing pylon. The planking to the lower areas was a little tricky having to soak each of the 1/4" wide strips and then after waiting a few minutes twisting 3 times and holding for another couple of minutes then when released the strip had taken the shape quite well, then glued and pinned, then the same was repeated to the next piece and repeat fourteen times. and you end up with something looking like this. I'm going to glue some thin ply to the underside of the hull as I'm not fitting the undercarriage. Now for the razor plane and sandpaper. The wing pylon is made up of solid blocks laminated between shaped formers and carved / sanded into shape. That's all for now. Regards Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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