Dumfries A4

[Chris Barlow]

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.

[Steve Houghton]

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!

[Malcolm Baird]

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.)

[Peter Garsden]

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**

[Mark Kettle 1]

Malcolm that's a fantastic fix.

[Chris Barlow]

Excellent repair Malcolm. Blends in well behind the jet intakes.

[Harry Twist]

Nice tidy work Malcolm - you'll soon have your A4 back together!

[Flyer]

Nice work Malcolm

[Malcolm Baird]

Thanks everyone for the encouraging comments. And thanks Peter too for the advice on Eze Kote. I will follow that up.

Watch this space!!

[Malcolm Baird]

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.

[Mark Kettle 1]

"Och aye the noo - but this weekend Malc".

[Steve McLaren]

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.

[Malcolm Baird]

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...