Would this make a decent PSS model?

[MikeQ]

Hi

 

I've always liked the A37 Dragonfly.  

 

Would it be viable as say a 50-60" PSS model, especially given it would have to have a fair bit of ordance hanging off it to look the part?

Wing area isn't huge relative to size.  Have built plenty models but never really designed one 😀

 

Cheers

 

Mike

 

 

 

Edited October 12, 2022 by MikeQ

[Alan Gorham_]

It's already been done, so the answer must be yes! 

This was the maiden of a plan built model last weekend at the PSSA meeting on the Great Orme. The model was built by Chris Collis to an enlarged plan designed by Paul Sampson. 

[MikeQ]

Haha ... super cool.  Great minds think alike.

 

Hopefully more details to follow?

 

mike
 

 

[Alan Gorham_]

Fairly sure Chris is a member of this forum. If you search his name you will be able to find his account and message him for details. 

His model certainly looked the part and flew nicely once trimmed. 

[Andy Meade]

I've also got a plan from a guy in the states that built one around 80 inches, complete with all the DXF's to get a laser cut kit done.  Let me know if you go for it Mike, it's one I'd like to build too, probably at Chris' scale as its a bit more portable. Plus he has the canopy plug!

[chris collis]

Hi Mike,The a37 Dragonfly that I’ve built is 54 inch span and weighs in at 4lb12 0unce with an sd205 wing section and 11/2 degrees washout.I’ve had to modify the original plan substantially to change it from a one piece model to a two piece transportable fuselage and wing.The colour scheme is actually taken from the photo that you have. I’ve made a mould for the canopy and blown it on my own homemade vac former.It runs on 4 mini servos,2 for ailerons,1 rudder and 1 elevator.hope this is of some help.Chris 

[MikeQ]

Hi Chris

 

looks absolutely cracking.  I had no idea there were other A37 fans out there 😀.  
 

That canopy and cockpit sure look a challenge.  What kind of finish is on the model.  
 

cheers

 

mike

[MikeQ]

On 13/10/2022 at 08:53, Andy Meade said:

I've also got a plan from a guy in the states that built one around 80 inches, complete with all the DXF's to get a laser cut kit done.  Let me know if you go for it Mike, it's one I'd like to build too, probably at Chris' scale as its a bit more portable. Plus he has the canopy plug!

One for a mass build in 2024 ??? 😀
 

I’ve just bought the short kit for the Mass build Sabre too!

 

Mike

 

 

 

 

[chris collis]

Hi Mike,The model is covered in silver solafilm and then flattened down with wet and dry,then painted with humbrol acrylics.refuelling conduit’s are from fuel tubing cut in half and then cyno in place.cheers chris.

[chris collis]

Hi Mike,Just so it doesn’t put you off,cockpit detail only took a day and a half to do.Just some 1/32 ply,a bit of clear acetate sheet and an abrasive cutting cone and some instruments cut out.fairly simple.cheers chris.

[chris collis]

Mike,are you anywhere near Seaton delaval?cheers

[MikeQ]

Hi

 

Sunderland, so not that far off.

 

cheers

 

mike

[Robert Cracknell]

Guys

 

Can't help but notice the similarity to the BAC Strikemaster. Anyone built one of these...?

 

 

 

[chris collis]

Hi Robert,I think that someone built the strike master variant when the pssa jet provost mass build was done. I know that a couple were built in the 90s.cheers 

[Andy Meade]

Chris - did you modify the plans at all when you enlarged them?

 I  just saw your other post 🙂

Edited October 19, 2022 by Andy Meade

[Andy Meade]

This is the one I have a plan for, if anyone wants it a bit bigger (5th scale)

https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?2315662-1-5th-Scale-PSS-Cessna-T-37A-Tweet-Scratch-Build

 

[MikeQ]

Hi Andy

 

are you happy  to share the dfx files etc?

 

cheers

 

mike

[chris collis]

Hi guys,Just about to look into how to create a pdf file for the 54in unmodified plan a37 if this may be of any use to anyone wanting a plan.i'm afraid i'm a total numpty when it comes to technology!Also I could make available the plans available for the 36in one piece version if there's any intrest.Just posted 2 copies of the 54in plan,1 to Portugal and 1 to Italy.I am also going to look into the possibility and cost of having canopies blown to see if it's viable.I would love to redraw the plan with my modifications on but do not have a draftsmans board for doing it.Paul got rid of his board.If there are any draftpersons out there that might be able to help, please give me a shout!Cheers Chris

[MikeQ]

Take it to Prontaprint.  They might be able to do it depending on size.

 

They’ve scanned 3-views in for me and converted to pdf which I’ve then been able to import into AutoCad etc to make drawings which can be used to generate cutting files.

 

Whilst on he topic, its worth knowing that many towns have something like a Fablab or MakerSpace, usually attached to the local university.  You can pay typically £20 an hour for access to all sorts of machines.  Ive cut a number of models at my local one.  With a bit of practice you can push a lot of balsa sheet through an industrial sized laser cutter in an hour.  Theres plenty of cheap or freeware alternatives to software like AutoCad.  You only need about 5% of the functionality.

As an example ...

 

https://www.hippocketaeronautics.com/hpa_forum/index.php?topic=24884.0 ... reply#7

http://controlline.org.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=15263&postdays=0&postorder=asc&&start=15 ... page 2

 ... both give you the idea.

Cheers

 

mike

 

Edited October 19, 2022 by MikeQ

[chris collis]

Thanks Mike,Will definitely look into this .Would plans from a pdf file be of any use to anybody?It’s just to save anyone postage costs.cheers 

[MikeQ]

Hi ... me 😀

 

Happy to go halfies on prontaprint costs.

 

When theyve done it for me its been scans of A4 or A3 sized drawings.

 

A full sized plan might be different depending on their kit.

 

theres a place in Team Valley Industrial Estate at the South side near the Motor way that does prints and copies too.

 

cheers

 

mike

 

 

 

 

Edited October 19, 2022 by MikeQ

[Alan Gorham_]

Metro Repro in Carliol Square in Newcastle can definitely scan full size model plans and save as pdf (or Tiff etc). 

I've used them many times and they are very accommodating. 

 

[chris collis]

Thanks guys,Was just at Metro repo yesterday!Will give them a buzz and also the one on Team Valley.cheers 

[chris collis]

Mike,cost of plan copy at Metro was £4 if you want one.

[MikeQ]

Hello Chris

 

Good to meet in person at the weekend.  Was very impressed with your models ... all of them 😀.

I know you can probably use search but as promised, here are a couple of links referring to PeelPly.

Peel Ply probably doesn’t help experts get any better results but its a big help to those of us who struggle with glassing.  It turns an poor glasser into an average glasser and an avergae glasser into a good glasser 😂

It can easily’ go around curves and ‘can’ be encouraged to follow mild compound curves, especially if you cut darts out.  For the size of the project you were talking about, i would think it would be ideal.  You could deal with any big compound curves as per normal glassing.  I used it to fully glass a 60” span TopFlite Corsair fuselage and that is full of curves.  
 

First time you do it you’ll be surprised how straightforward it is.  No doubt others can chip in with more advice.

 

Cheers

 

Mike

 

PS I didn’t half cop for it off the missus when she got me home.  She wasnt impressed with my ‘little’ takeaway 🤣.  Or more precisely, where Im going to keep it.  The kids have left home haven’t they!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 24, 2022 by MikeQ