Ben Buckle Junior 60

[cymaz]

I have just invested in this Ben Buckle Junior 60 kit and a .30 four stroke to power her with.

What I would like to know is ................is there any good build threads or sites that show a build as the plans and destructions ( sorry intructions ) are a little vague.

I built a Sig Somethin' Extra last year which was my first build and really enjoyed it. At the moment I am overseeing my boy who is building a Great Planes Super Sportster kit for his D of E skill.

Any thoughts really appreciated.

[Alistair Taylor]

Hiya Peter

I'd recomment the SLEC building jig - comprising stick-on vinyl grid, and a number of right-angled brackets. This will help you build the fuselage straight. SLEC sell it at the model shows, but it should also be available from the big mail order shops.

Also - get a decent belt/circular sander so you can put perfect angled faces on the ends of uprights and longerons. I've never built a Junior 60, but I believe it's a fairly standard vintage build using lots of sticks, and a few bits of sheet infill. I've allways found that getting a straight angle on the end of a piece of balsa is impossible in the hand, and darn difficult even if using the edge of a bench - but circular sanding tables do it in a trice.

I don't know of any build threads on the Junior 60, and I don't have the instructions to compare. Might be worth giving BB themselves a call, as it's run by people who probably have a Junior 60 or two under their belt.

AlistairT

[Andy Green]

There are several threads on RC Groups but you have to register to search.

Here are a couple of links to see if its worth it.

Junior 60 1, Junior 60 2

Andy

[cymaz]

Hi

Thanks to one and all for the ideas.

[260 Flyer]

Andy Green wrote (see)

Junior 60 1,

Nice colour scheme!

[Allan Jordan]

 Hi Peter, I  built a Majestic Major some time ago ( It's a scaled up Junior 60 ) It isn't what I would call difficult to build but it pays to take your time and read the plan carefully.

[cymaz]

Well there she is folks

[jimmyboy]

Hi Peter Miller, just gotmy Jan issue and like the look of the Big Ship. You mentioned that one of your club members installed electric, can you illuminate me as to what the specs are.

Mnay thanks, Jim Feeney

[Tim Mackey]

This should be interesting

[Emil Benson]

hi Peter smedley, i,ve got a old Junior 60 up in the loft ,you,ve inspired me to get it out and........!!!

[cymaz]

Great news Emil.......I need to decrease my wing incedence a little more so that it will fly level without using all my down trim. I find the best coditions to fly the Junior 60 is calm. My rule of thumb is if the branches are moving its too windy.

Enjoy getting it out of the loft...................   P.S. Don't fall through the hatch....messy business that!

[Pat (rActive) Harbord]

Timbo - forum moderator wrote (see)

This should be interesting

What would you suggest Timbo? I have something very similar in vintage and layout. Currently planning on leaving it free flight and installing my PAW .049 diesel. But something in me (I don't know why) is thinking I could do another one and electrify and R/C it.

[Tim Mackey]

Well I see Peter has gone quiet on the intended electrification of the old bird - surprise surpise

Its not really my sort of model, so with limited experience of it, but a lack of obvious discrimination, my suggestion would be.....

About 12" prop, slow turning, for that vintage experience, so a low Kv outrunner.

AUW I guess around 3.5 - 4Lbs ? - if so, then 300 Watts should be more than enough.

LiPo or Nickel ? assuming LiPo then probably 3s would do 300 Watts / 10.5V = 28.5Amps

So we need a low Kv 300watt motor happy at 28+ Amps, a 3s Lipo and a 40A ESC

Assuming ( again ) a budget restraint....hows this for starters?

ESCs and batteries are everywhere, so get googling.  I suggest a 2500maH battery of around 20C or so, then at 28A its only pushing 11C static WOT - so in the air just stogging around vintage style it is hardly loaded at all. You could even try a 2s pack for longer slower flights.

A nice alternative ( assuming charger capabilty etc ) would be  4s X A123 cells, for in-house fast recharging.

[Pat (rActive) Harbord]

Thank you Tim all sounds resonable

have a good NY

[cymaz]

HELLO...........I'VE NOT GONE QUIET!!!!!!!!!!!!! I put an ASP 30 four stroke in the Junior 60 and a fine job it makes of pulling the old bird around the sky. It also sounds sooooo good.

[Bob Stone]

Can anyone give me a firm steer about how best to rigidly join the two wing halves and centre section together on a Ben Buckle Junior 60? The plans and instructions are a bit tenuous.