Gary's BT 69" Spitfire Mk1

[Gary Clark 1]

Thanks gents.

 

I think the ball links on the original setup will probably work and keep the slop down due to no bellcranks and no clevis.

 

I've left the trailing edge strip off until I have the aileron built so that I can make it match the aileron perfectly but I suppose I could add it and sand to match too. Thanks for checking though

 

I'll hopefully get a bit more on the aileron done tonight once the kids go to sleep 🤨

 

Gary

[Gary Clark 1]

Not as much done as I'd hope over the last few days but got the main part of the aileron done. I decided to add the leading edge sheeting before adding the brash tube for the aileron pin. This made it a little trickier to add the brass tube but meant I could use the tube to drill out a path for itself and therefore be support and secure but also means I can shape the balsa around it to sort the shape instead of adding it in after

 

The balsa center is still there after being drilled and just slid out once complete. I made the hinge blocks from some mahogany (I think) as my plywood wasn't the best quality. The hole is slightly over sized to allow for a little movement while fixing the aileron but will be filled with epoxy to set the brass bush solid. Got 1 more to make then epoxy the bass tube in before the top sheet goes on. 

 

Gary

[Gary Clark 1]

I also need to add the control horn before I skin the top.....may have forgotten about that!

[Gary Clark 1]

Well that aileron control horn was more fun that I thought it would be!! I initially followed the plan and made a G10 horn exactly as drawn and also a balsa wedge to epoxy it into

 

 

I then attached the ball link and filed a channel for it to ride in the balsa wedge

 

 

But it was about now I realised the problem, the ball link sits too high and would be protruding above the top skin as shown

 

 

This meant taking approx 1/8th off the horn and deepening the channel for the ball link to sit in. This took a disappointing amount of time but finally it seemed ok and I epoxied in the brass bushes and skinned the top of the aileron. Ignore the overlapping brass tube, that was just to hold it in place to check the depth and it's one single tube now.  Side view shows the difference

 

 

I somehow managed to glue the top sheet a little too far aft so have a little void just at the top of the leading edge and the top skin but it's very shallow and will be hidden with a little filler. 

 

Really pleased to have the aileron done but I am waiting for some thinner G10 to arrive to use for the flaps so trying to decide what next. I want to leave the top skin until I've worked out the retracts 🤢 so maybe its starting to make the other aileron whilst it is fresh in my head but just keep saying "mirror image, mirror image, mirror image" so I don't end up with a spare....

 

I also need to sort the servo mount for the aileron and I'm thinking about 3d printing one that matches the angles perfectly instead of ply. 

 

Anyway, I need to sleep so that I can have my "2 starboard ailerons???" nightmare

 

Gary

 

 

Edited July 3, 2023 by Gary Clark 1

[Gary Clark 1]

Hi All,

 

Not been to much to report recently. I spent far too long trying to figure out the position for the aileron servo as the thin-ish wing out there means it's tricky to keep the servo and arm fully enclosed. The RDS plan would have been fine but having committed to the set up above, it looks like a low profile /wing servo might have to be the answer as the thickest part of the rib is only 27mm. You can see the mounting plate I tried to use but unsuccessful. 

 

I decided to move on with the flap whilst I wait and cut both sides from g10 and also fitted the trailing edge sheeting on the top. That has been set with the wing and the fuselage the aileron so everything blends in and this is where I got to

 

 

 

I fitted some 1/16 balsa behind the flap to blend it with the trailing edge but left that drying overnight. 

 

I managed to get a few ours to tidy my workshop out and clear my bench which sounds great until i realised I have thrown out the inner hinge for the aileron....top work 😡 moral of the story is don't tidy up

 

Things are moving slow but I am cutting mirror parts for the other wing as I go so hopefully that one will be quick after working all the issues out with this one

 

Gary

Edited July 9, 2023 by Gary Clark 1

[Gary Clark 1]

After a busy few days away with work, I managed to get back into the garage and progress with the flap. I cut 16 new 1/32 ply ribs for the flap and used a brass tube with the same diameter as the dowel to punch holes for the ribs to fit around the dowel. I fitted the G10 hinge and control horn and it all fits fairly well

 

 

I will cut the hole for the flap indicator and its G10 door so that I can test the flap next. I will look at sealing/glassing inside the flap area and attach it soon too.

 

I received the smaller servos for the aileron so will start that process again soon too

 

Gary

[Gary Clark 1]

Hi All,

 

Slow progress recently but I've managed to get the majority of the fiddly bits done like final mount of the aileron hinges and the aileron servo fitted which I have removed until I'm ready to secure it properly. I have managed to run out of pushrods so waiting on them arriving before I can continue withe the flap servo placement

 

The flap indicator was also cut out and I decided to make a 1/16 ply door rather than just litho plate as the plan suggests

 

 

I elected for a brass hinge which meant letting it into the ply and balsa on top of the wing. I secured the door hinge and a little glazing putty to hide it. Balsa side isn't secure yet but will probably be secured once the wing is glassed.

 

 

I'll sand the putty smooth once it's dry but I'm almost at the top skin stage. I'll move onto the other wing once the flap/aileron servos are completely done and that side should be much quicker now that I know what I'm doing....so I keep telling myself. Pleased so far though

 

Gary

[Gary Clark 1]

Hi All,

 

I skinned the bottom of the D section so that I could remove the tabs and lock in the washout. Everything other than the final servo fitting and retracts is done on the right wing (other than sheeting and the wing tip obviously but I want the retracts in first) so I decided to put it on the fuselage for a moral boost. I ended up putting a few bits on to see how she looks. It's all roughly sitting on so not perfect but she looks like a spit!!

 

 

A little moral boost before it starts again.....

 

 

Double check I have a left wing and not a second right (experience has taught me that) then tidied up all the cuts for the spar then added slots for the extended spar in front of the main spar.

 

Fingers crossed it goes quickly and I can get these retracts in 🤮

 

Gary 

[Gary Clark 1]

Hi All,

 

I have now returned from 3 months away with work and hoping to get back into the spit. I'd love to try and get it flying next year.

 

I have a fair bit of tidying and re-organising to do but I'm still on it and not given up yet!

 

Gary