David Sack Posted November 2, 2019 Share Posted November 2, 2019 Yay - glad to be on board. I began the build yesterday and have decided to go for the FJ3 variant with a colour scheme based on the USS Forrestal group. As a beginner I'm really glad to have started this and will be watching for all your tricks and tips to guide me on the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Gay Posted November 2, 2019 Share Posted November 2, 2019 Nice colour scheme David, and easy tailplane setup with straight joiners! Martin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Sack Posted December 8, 2019 Author Share Posted December 8, 2019 Firstly a big 'Thank you' to all you guys sharing your experiences building the PSSA Sabre. For the ones like me, bringing up the rear, the 'gotchas' have been really helpful. My beastie is an FJ-3, the wing is the 6-3 variant and I am making some subtle alterations to extend the wing root by 15mm and the wing tip by 7.5mm. We will see how that works out (gulp). Here are the woking pics so far, the reinforced frame for the wing and tentative first steps on the skin. I am enjoying following everyones progress and its great to be back building a (hopefully) fling machine. Nice one PSSA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McG 6969 Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 Hello David, ... and welcome to the 'mad' Club. And as Martin wrote, at least, some straight tailplane joiners... Cheers Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Sack Posted December 20, 2019 Author Share Posted December 20, 2019 This is a call for help! Have any of you good chaps set up the ailerons using rds ??? Graupner have a good set but before I invest what are your thoughts https://www.graupner.com/RDS-Servo-lead-ductDES/3927/ By the way these were the only readily available commercial sets I found. If anyone else has already posted on this then my apologies - I missed it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Sack Posted December 20, 2019 Author Share Posted December 20, 2019 The wings coming together. Quite plesed with the build so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McG 6969 Posted December 20, 2019 Share Posted December 20, 2019 Hi David, Apologies but I can't help you regarding the RDS stuff. ... but your starboard R4 definitely needs a bit more glue... Cheers Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Barlow Posted December 20, 2019 Share Posted December 20, 2019 Hi David I believe Danny Fenton was intending to use the RDS system on his Sabre but I've not seen it in his build blog yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Sack Posted December 21, 2019 Author Share Posted December 21, 2019 Thanks both, Yes I've been taking the saving weight by using less glue far too seriously I'll get on to Danny, thanks for the heads up Cheers, David. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Sack Posted December 31, 2019 Author Share Posted December 31, 2019 The past couple of weeks I have been grappling with the 6-3 wing, and too much Christmas food The Fury FJ3 had a variant of the original wing where the chord was extended forward 6 inches at the root. This has been covered elsewhere on the forum. I decided to draw a new wing with the 6-3 format and see what I would need to change on 'our' standard wing. My references were various internet sourced plans, a scale model plan that I resized to 1/10 scale and a scale model fury fj3 from Sword. Having drawn the new profile my next step was to produce a new leading edge and to alter the point of maximum thickness 1.3 cm forward at the root. Having temporarily taken over my wife workshop table (she owns a knitting shop and has a craft area at the rear) I set about the modifications. So my efforts are reproduced below:- Leading edge fitted ready to be cut to correct profile A piccy from the knitting shop craft area. I made use of the area while wifey was having a Christmas break. My pilot takes a seat on the newly shaped wing and reviews progress. The leading edge is correctly sized and about to be shaped. The wing formers will need more work in the next stage. This may be more fiddle than strictly necessary but I am thoroughly enjoying the ride ! Would anybody like to offer a name for my pilot ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Gay Posted December 31, 2019 Share Posted December 31, 2019 Captain Grey? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McG 6969 Posted January 1, 2020 Share Posted January 1, 2020 ... pretty good start regarding a name, Martin. ... but will his legs not interfere with the servo horns, David? Cheers Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Sack Posted January 1, 2020 Author Share Posted January 1, 2020 Well Chris I have had to have words - there are little grey footprints all over the inner wing skin! Servos now purchased for ailerons, I'm using Turnigy. There are some fantastic forum posts on servo installation which I am following closely and hope to apply within the month. For now I will turn my attention to the fuselage as I am aware we are in 2020 and 'The Event' is approaching even more rapidly. BMFA membership renewed, CAA enrolled. Im almost good to go, just need my plane to come together aaagggghhhhh (don't panic Mr Mannering). Happy New Year and Happy New Decade to one and all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny Fenton Posted January 1, 2020 Share Posted January 1, 2020 Happy New Year David Build is coming along well. Cheers Danny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John H. Rood Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 A little FJ-3 Fury inspiration for y'all !!! A 1960s childhood flashback for me: The cover of my fave magazine, graced by this fair maiden and Joe Coles' Dyna-Jet (pulse jet) - powered control-line model of an FJ-3. Ever heard a Dyna Jet roar? God be the days! Nowadays the OUTERZONE online plans resource has PDFs of the gorgeous plans and the accompanying feature article from April 1962. look for the tabs down the page there to download those two PDFs if you'd like to add 'em to your stash. The Great Orme PSS Scale Fidelity Police will note that Mr. Coles has faithfully captured the deeper nose contours of the FJ-3 variant. David, best wishes on your build! Fun idea to do the great and mighty badass FJ-3 !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Sack Posted February 11, 2020 Author Share Posted February 11, 2020 Mid February looms and I have two fuselage halves that almost match. I have a pilot who is the right scale and correct uniform - and no longer quite so grey. Although the build is progressing slowly I am getting there and she will be ready for June. This has been great fun and I am thoroughly enjoying the ride. This model of the Fury is based on the Sabre airframe wih some small alterations. I found a plan for the Fury which I scaled up to 1:10 and this has been used to make the cockpit tub and other adjustments to the original airframe. The nose of the Fury FJ3 is slighly larger than the Sabre F-86A and so has been remodelled, though obviously not as extensivley as Mr McG's outstanding Sabre Dog. The nose and rear sections make use of foam. The centre section is almost as original in order to maintain the alignment and strength. On a dry fit the two sides come together quite nicely and the tub for the pilot fits in well. At the tail end the tailplane and jet pipe differs between The Sabre and Fury and using models, photos and drawings I have modelled the shape as close to the Fury FJ3 as I can. I learned not to sandpaper my airframe in the house as this seems to initiate marital distress and anyway working in the garage is altogether quieter. The wing has been remodelled to a 6-3 format just because once I started I couldn't stop myself - someone said in their thread they overcomplicate things Yep - Guilty ! So to date my build consists of a half finished wing, two half finished fuselage halves, a half finished cockpit and a half finished tailplane, and I am in a happy place ! I find all the posts on the forum hugely encouraging, there are so many skilled peeps doing this build giving us tips and guidance which I gladly apply. When I get the chance I'll turn my attention to the drop tanks and sidewinders Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McG 6969 Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 Thank you for your kind words, David. ... "outstanding Sabre Dog"... Cheers Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John H. Rood Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 I learned not to sandpaper my airframe in the house as this seems to initiate marital distress and anyway working in the garage is altogether quieter. Oh, and never has a PSS problem ever "INTRUDED" on a otherwise blissful MARRIAGE !!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flyer Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 With regards to marital bliss...….also refrain from utilising the conservatory as a spray booth...……………….. apparently the lady of the house can still smell the paint several days after actual spraying has taken place...… Don't ask how I know cheers Nuggett Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Sack Posted March 7, 2020 Author Share Posted March 7, 2020 Well I am not just sitting on my hands watching you guys speeding ahead.Though I am conscious time is getting shorter. The last few days I have been obsessing about the cockpit canopy which was just wrong for the FJ3 Fury variant. So my first picture shows the Fuselage with the canopy, already cut but not shaped, being roughly positioned. Captain Grey was obviously concerned and has been keeping an eye on proceedings The Fury cockpit canopy was moulded to shape with some cutting and a little filler And for the prototype frame the canopy was covered in a layer of clingfilm. This is what I call 'The modified Tinck technique' as Dirk was the motivation for this effort. On the first attempt the film was not sufficiently smooth and so a couple of attempts were made to improve this.When I was happy that the surface with the clingfilm was smooth enough I painted a layer of water based polyurethane varnish and then the put the glass fibre onto the canopy and brushed it into place. I then brushed another layer of polurethane on top of this leaving little excess. For the clean up I washed my hands and brushes in warm soapy water When I left the 'lab' tonight the glass fibre was looking quite promising. Tomorrow I plan to get another layer of glass fibre and once it has dried remove it from the frame. Then I can confirm that the shape is correct and decide whether the prototype has been a success or not. All good fun. The second canopy I purchased along with the first will provide the final finish inside the newly made frame. My past picture shows the shaping of the nose which I think has gone quite well, though those of you with a forensic interest may spot that there were some cutting issues:- My next update should come shortly - did the 'modified Tinck method' suceed ?? Will Captain Gray be happy with the results ?? Did Luton beat Wigan ?? ( darn, 0 - 0 draw ). 'Til next time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirk tinck Posted March 8, 2020 Share Posted March 8, 2020 following with interest David , good luck ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Sack Posted March 20, 2020 Author Share Posted March 20, 2020 My build has progressed slowly, largely due to paid real life work ! However my work on the cockpit canopy has been an enjoyable challenge and has come on quite well. I have not made the frame as tidy as Dirks (yet), but the fact I have a prototype frame that looks like a frame has made me smile. So more careful cutting is required and the pilot -Captain 'Stalker' Grey - is most impressed with the cockpit so far. But he remains concerned that he does not have a fuselage, tailplane or wings. The story continues ...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Sack Posted April 15, 2020 Author Share Posted April 15, 2020 Well I could not let a day go by without a posting appearing on our forum ! My work on the Fury FJ3 fuselage and tailplane at the moment is progressing but mostly its just sanding down. The canopy is at the mark 3 stage and getting close to how I want it, being diifferent from the Sabre it has required a bit of extra fiddling as I have already mentioned. Using a modified 'Dirk Technique' employing clingfilm and polyurethane varnish the frame is now quite firm and in the final shaping phase. I did spend some time on the ejector seat which is again different to the Sabre version. Getting good pictures has proven difficult and my seat is based on the few good ones I have found. Tbh I am really pleased with the look of the seat, its got that 'used' feel - Captain Grey is quite happy with it, and so am I. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Garsden Posted April 16, 2020 Share Posted April 16, 2020 Looking great David. I suppose my question is how is the canopy going to marry up with the rest of the plane and be installed as you don't have the curvature of the fuselage yet. I have never seen this done before, so is it common? Edited By Peter Garsden on 16/04/2020 08:13:15 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Sack Posted April 16, 2020 Author Share Posted April 16, 2020 Hi Peter, thanks My sanding around the cockpit area of the fuselage is largely complete and the seating of the canopy has been tested all along so it should be okay. This earlier photograph shows the Mk1 canopy mould being aligned by the primordial fuselage The canopy and the fuselage marry up quite well despite the slight differences between the F-86 and the FJ3. As Phil Cooke has noted there are adjustments to be made. I have had to cut the supplied canopy in order to get a longer 'windscreen' and as a result the top has flattened by about 5mm so the curvature is slightly incorrect. This is the bit I am battling with. From a little distance I doubt anyone would notice but it irritates me no end ! In this picture the Mk1 frame and the cockpit tub are side by side. This picture shows Capt. Grey looking out from the seated frame. Lots more work to do but great fun. Having never done a build like this before I'm learning a lot and enjoying seeing how other peeps tackle problems - then unashamedly stealing their ideas. Hopefully we will have a presentable plane that flies. It would be my first since I was about 14 (Keil Kraft Swan and some jetex planes) some 50 years ago (gulp!!!!) when I was a young member of the Stevenage Model Aviation and Marine Society. Happy days. Edited By David Sack on 16/04/2020 09:00:09 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.