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DB Sport and Scale Auster J1 Autocrat


Danny Fenton

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Hi chaps, Eric a bent piece of piano wire wouldn't allow the cowl to fit. I want to keep the non scale cowl openings to a minimum. This is the same problem with using a nut driver John.

What I have done is turned down an M3 Allen head screw and used that. This way I only need a tiny hole in the cowl.

 

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But thanks for the feedback, especially on it needing adjusting. 

 

John I calculated the exit area of the stock exhaust and then made the new one with the same exit area. I bit un scientific I know but that was my thought process.

 

Another stainless M3 dome head screw is great to seal the fill line.

 

Not obvious in the pictures, but I have lifted the tank centreline to be level with the carb needle valve, from what I have read that's where it needs to be, though I wont be doing aeros.

 

Cheers

Danny

 

834.jpg

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So a pleasant evening setting up the radio, and all is good.

C of G is about right with 1500mAh 2S LiFe Rx pack balanced on the cowl so should be good.

 

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AUW ready to fly, minus fuel. 4.38kg or 9.66lbs

Pretty pleased with that......means the model is eligible for light scale

 

Cheers

Danny

Edited by Danny Fenton
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A work of art as usual Danny, it's nice to see an I,C, model with everything enclosed. 

Simon, in the past I have made scale models and spent hours on them, I never worried about putting them in the air as I had the pleasure of building them,  I would not like the experience of spending a lot of money on a ready to fly and seeing it crash  on the first flight. 

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Thanks Simon and Eric, I have three models that still haven't flown for one reason or another, enthusiasm probably.

Once I have had the pleasure of building the model, flying is a bit of a chore. But with the Auster, the paintwork, mainly the silver has not gone as well as previously, I have some ideas why and will do some testing to prove this. This has meant that I am quite happy to fly it without too much fear, its not likely to be a difficult model to fly, my only concern is that engine, and the first climb out, will I get to safe altitude...... Hopefully yes. Also it will be interesting to see how many of my detail parts stay attached to the model ?

 

I really regret not making a working undercarriage, this piano wire structure is absolutely rigid, and the model will look stiff on the ground, which will be a shame. But who knows if it fly's well enough and I enjoy it, I can always retro-fit a better working undercarriage.

 

Cheers

Danny

 

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It's amazing how un-rigid the undercarriage is on a heavy landing,  I have found the quality of piano wire these days variable. Some I have used recently could be cut with a junior hacksaw, the only way to cut it in years gone used to be with a grinding disc.

I don't know about modern paints but years ago when I was in the motor trade the paint sprayers hated painting metallic colours especially silver as it was difficult to get a uniform finish. 

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3 minutes ago, Eric Robson said:

It's amazing how un-rigid the undercarriage is on a heavy landing,  I have found the quality of piano wire these days variable. Some I have used recently could be cut with a junior hacksaw, the only way to cut it in years gone used to be with a grinding disc.

I don't know about modern paints but years ago when I was in the motor trade the paint sprayers hated painting metallic colours especially silver as it was difficult to get a uniform finish. 

Hi Eric, this undercarriage is made up of three sections of 6mm piano wire soldered into a triangular base, therefore no spring, it is extremely rigid. I would prefer the undercarriage to give or even collapse on a hard landing, If I put this down hard the structure will feel the pain, probably struts and wing mounts.

 

Its frustrating because I have sprayed Klass Kote silver on my last model, the hawker Fury, and it went on a dream. But you are right metallics can be a mare. Get the pressure and viscosity slightly out and it goes on too dry, which is what has happened here. Usually 1:1:1 is spot on...... several modellers say the same. I have a feeling I instinctively reached for celly thinner and not the official Klass Kote reducer and that's the root of my problem.

I have a Seagull Chipmunk to "re-colour" so we will see.

 

Cheers

Danny

 

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23 minutes ago, alan p said:

Given all the travails you have encountered still a excellent model to your usual standard. (even though you started as sport scale?)

Thanks Alan, still is only sport scale mind you, but I will feel happier flying this at comps than an ARTF, as much as I love my Black Horse Chippy it isn't the same.

Cheers

Danny

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Outstanding work Danny, mine will be nothing like so well-built and finished as yours. I admire your skill, dedication and persistance, three qualities which I do not possess in sufficient quantity to produce a model to this standard. If I were capable of building to this standard, I would be scared to fly it!

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Thanks David, The model took time, but all that time was enjoyable. So it owes me nothing. Any flying I get is a bonus.

 

I have lost models on maiden flights before and the only thing I would say is make sure you have plenty of good pics before you commit aviation, they may be all you are left with.

 

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I am sure you remember this ill-fated Nijhuis Spitty?

 

Surprisingly I am not too troubled by this one, and am in fact quite looking forward to flying a four-stroke.

 

Cheers

Danny

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1 hour ago, Danny Fenton said:

Thanks David, The model took time, but all that time was enjoyable. So it owes me nothing. Any flying I get is a bonus.

 

I have lost models on maiden flights before and the only thing I would say is make sure you have plenty of good pics before you commit aviation, they may be all you are left with.

 

DSC_4082.thumb.JPG.39a12484e0caa46ac33966ed782cdbea.JPG

I am sure you remember this ill-fated Nijhuis Spitty?

 

Surprisingly I am not too troubled by this one, and am in fact quite looking forward to flying a four-stroke.

 

Cheers

Danny

 

Unsurprisingly Danny, I am the comlete polar opposite to you, I never take pictures of my models until they have had their maiden flight!  Taking the picture before the model has flown will surely bring bad luck! ?

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Lol. I take pictures before, just in case.  And following the first rebuild!

 

I get very nervous of flying even my kit-built hacks...far more so than any ARTF (sorry to pollute the thread!)

 

Danny - you'll love the 4-stroke. Beware of being dragged to the dark side - I've flown my ic powered planes much much more than my electric ones this year.  In fact, I have mothballed half a dozen electrics.......

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On 07/06/2022 at 09:20, Danny Fenton said:

Hi Eric, this undercarriage is made up of three sections of 6mm piano wire soldered into a triangular base, therefore no spring, it is extremely rigid. I would prefer the undercarriage to give or even collapse on a hard landing, If I put this down hard the structure will feel the pain, probably struts and wing mounts.

 

Its frustrating because I have sprayed Klass Kote silver on my last model, the hawker Fury, and it went on a dream. But you are right metallics can be a mare. Get the pressure and viscosity slightly out and it goes on too dry, which is what has happened here. Usually 1:1:1 is spot on...... several modellers say the same. I have a feeling I instinctively reached for celly thinner and not the official Klass Kote reducer and that's the root of my problem.

I have a Seagull Chipmunk to "re-colour" so we will see.

 

Cheers

Danny

 

Beautiful build. If you put celly thinner in the Klass Kote, I am surprised it worked at all!

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14 minutes ago, John Stainforth said:

Beautiful build. If you put celly thinner in the Klass Kote, I am surprised it worked at all!

Thz John, I had the celly out for cleaning, and when the 1:1:1 was too thick for the Iwata with the larger suction pot, i instinctively sloshed some in. It wasnt intentional. But it did harden, but it could have caused the dry finish.

Cheers

Danny

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9 hours ago, Danny Fenton said:

Surprisingly I am not too troubled by this one, and am in fact quite looking forward to flying a four-stroke.

 

Cheers

Danny

Danny, I regularly fly four stroke powered models as well as electric ones. I am always more nervous test flying a new electric model than one powered by a four stroke engine.

You will be fine I'm sure. Look forward to seeing the photos.

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