Chris Barlow Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 Yes that's quite extensive nose damage! I thing a new F3b (or F2b) is a good idea and at least you don't need to do the engine intakes again. Looking at the debris I'm glad to see there doesn't seem to be a weak spot or failure point to be aware of, just the result of piling in nose first. Good luck with the re build. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Houghton Posted September 15, 2016 Share Posted September 15, 2016 Posted by Chris Barlow on 13/09/2016 08:24:25: Steve, sorry to hear about the JP. What happened to it? Chris, I couldn't get it away from the hill after launch, and after fighting to control it for a few seconds it got blown into a pile of rocks. Fuselage mainly OK, but both wings badly damaged. I'll post on my own JP blog in due course, rather than hijacking Malcolm's. Malcolm, good luck with the rebuild. Could be quite tricky over the waisted-in cockpit area that had the ammonia treatment, unless your splices are tight! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Baird Posted October 4, 2016 Author Share Posted October 4, 2016 Rebuild is now well in progress, interrupted by such minor mundane domestic tasks as building a reinforced concrete base for a domestic oil heating tank in the garden. I've made some progress (with the A4 that is), as in the following photos. I cut back the damage forward of F3, and produced a new set of parts for the nose. I made the battery box first(!), then a clone of F3 is positioned against the original F3, but 1/4" further forward. Ensure everything is square and aligned, and fixed to the 1/4" base. Add 1/2" x 1/2" triangular, and 1/2" x 1/4" steamed upper doublers, then attach the sides. They wrapped around without a problem, no Ammonia required. Time for some sanding (Outside..). - Sand off the excess base, any bits protruding past F1, and level off the upper nose, then attach 1/2" upper decking and fill in the nose blocks. Apply more elbow grease, and The upper deck behind the cockpit survived, so I just need to slot this in... So the next stage is to attach, sand a bit more, fill in any holes, prime and glass the restored front end. Reinstall cockpit decor and pilot, not to forget the ejector seat handle this time. I will need a couple of 1/32" shims between the F3's to avoid producing a banana. ( or I could change the colour scheme...Hmm - Fyffes A4? Maybe not.) New canopy is even now on its way from Traplet. (If I'm going to make a habit of this, I might invest time to create a lemonade bottle canopy mould, as at £6.99+pp a time, it might get costly.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Garsden Posted October 4, 2016 Share Posted October 4, 2016 Good job Malcolm. I am sure I remember seeing this damage on the Orme and feeling sad about it. So much easier to repair a balsa model than fibreglass In terms of resin, I always use Eze Kote from Deluxe Materials which is water based and much easier to apply. You do need more coast though, but it is better than epoxy as there is no chance of putting it on too thickly as it is a much thinner consistency. This is what I used on my A4 - **LINK** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Kettle 1 Posted October 4, 2016 Share Posted October 4, 2016 Malcolm that's a fantastic fix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Barlow Posted October 4, 2016 Share Posted October 4, 2016 Excellent repair Malcolm. Blends in well behind the jet intakes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Twist Posted October 4, 2016 Share Posted October 4, 2016 Nice tidy work Malcolm - you'll soon have your A4 back together! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flyer Posted October 4, 2016 Share Posted October 4, 2016 Nice work Malcolm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Baird Posted October 5, 2016 Author Share Posted October 5, 2016 Thanks everyone for the encouraging comments. And thanks Peter too for the advice on Eze Kote. I will follow that up. Watch this space!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Baird Posted October 6, 2016 Author Share Posted October 6, 2016 Unfortunately, I won't make it to Llandudno for the 8th/9th October but look forward to meeting up next year, or if there's a PSS meeting further north perhaps? In the meantime, I hope to hae a wee play aroon' the local slopes over winter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Kettle 1 Posted October 6, 2016 Share Posted October 6, 2016 "Och aye the noo - but this weekend Malc". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve McLaren Posted October 6, 2016 Share Posted October 6, 2016 Yes, that's an excellent repair Malcolm. I am sure it will be a useful guide for me in the near future! I found I have a photo of the launch. to remind you of the day, and to encourage you to get it airborne again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Baird Posted October 6, 2016 Author Share Posted October 6, 2016 Fantastic shot Steve - Thank you very much! And belated thanks to Paul for the heave-ho. Very encouraging!! I hope my rebuild guide won't be needed at all... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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