Lipo Man Posted January 14, 2023 Share Posted January 14, 2023 I’ve been building foamboard models for a couple of years, and they’ve been an excellent way to get from novice to sort-of-competent flyer. So time to try a balsa model now I’m not expecting to destroy it immediately! For good measure I thought I’d do my first EDF. I guess I’m about halfway through the build and so far it seems to have gone smoothly. Very clever design - a really simple structure. Looking forward to seeing it finished! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul De Tourtoulon Posted January 14, 2023 Share Posted January 14, 2023 That's some quick building, I suppose you were up at the crack of dawn to start it ,. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lipo Man Posted January 14, 2023 Author Share Posted January 14, 2023 3 hours ago, Paul De Tourtoulon said: That's some quick building, I suppose you were up at the crack of dawn to start it ,. If only I was that quick! This is over evenings for the last week or so. I am sure some folks could do one of these in a day, but I'm enjoying savouring the experience! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Skilbeck Posted January 15, 2023 Share Posted January 15, 2023 Now is generating a pile of balsa shavings more satisfying than bending foam board 😁 Looking good 👍 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lipo Man Posted January 19, 2023 Author Share Posted January 19, 2023 Getting closer. Wing fairings going on… 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lipo Man Posted January 23, 2023 Author Share Posted January 23, 2023 Getting close now. First attempt at covering done on the ailerons. So far, so good! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lipo Man Posted February 1, 2023 Author Share Posted February 1, 2023 First attempt at using heat shrink covering is proving… challenging! Finding the compound curves tricky, and trying to do it with a clumsy domestic iron is probably not helping! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lipo Man Posted February 2, 2023 Author Share Posted February 2, 2023 Nearly done. Need to paint cockpit and glue on the canopy, but this is about done otherwise. Now I’m going to have to try and fly it… 😳 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john stones 1 - Moderator Posted February 2, 2023 Share Posted February 2, 2023 Looks good from here Lipo getting some decals on it ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrumpyGnome Posted February 3, 2023 Share Posted February 3, 2023 Looking good! Covering is A LOT easier with a propeller modelling iron....... you'll still need three hands at some points if course 😁 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lipo Man Posted February 3, 2023 Author Share Posted February 3, 2023 9 hours ago, john stones 1 - Moderator said: Looks good from here Lipo getting some decals on it ? Definitely. Got to get some water slide print paper. Another new technique to try! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lipo Man Posted February 3, 2023 Author Share Posted February 3, 2023 Well it flies! Took it to the field this afternoon, and had two good flights. CG and control throws felt pretty good, and hand launch into the gusty wind was much easier than I expected. Now to finish the canopy and add some markings! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrumpyGnome Posted February 4, 2023 Share Posted February 4, 2023 Result! Nice one. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lipo Man Posted February 4, 2023 Author Share Posted February 4, 2023 Proof of flight - a clubmate got some video (thanks Scott!) so here are a couple of flypasts and one very dodgy landing! Need to get used to how fast this thing comes in and get better at judging my approach! Link to youtube video below: https://youtu.be/p8U8kIKjJ_U Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Acland Posted February 4, 2023 Share Posted February 4, 2023 I am sure TN has shares in a balsa wood supplier. Most of his designs seem to involve big lumps of balsa that require lots of planing. When I built the fuselage of his 72 inch Spitfire Most of the wood ended up in shavings on the floor. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Gates Posted February 5, 2023 Share Posted February 5, 2023 17 hours ago, Richard Acland said: I am sure TN has shares in a balsa wood supplier. Most of his designs seem to involve big lumps of balsa that require lots of planing. When I built the fuselage of his 72 inch Spitfire Most of the wood ended up in shavings on the floor. I am building his FW190A which came as a free plan in a Special edition. My thoughts around the sections used is much the same so I am using the plan as a basis and removing all the slabs of balsa - preferring to use formers of the correct shape and then sheeting with 1/16" balsa. I will let you know the outcome but I am hoping to halve the weight. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lipo Man Posted February 5, 2023 Author Share Posted February 5, 2023 17 hours ago, Richard Acland said: I am sure TN has shares in a balsa wood supplier. Most of his designs seem to involve big lumps of balsa that require lots of planing. When I built the fuselage of his 72 inch Spitfire Most of the wood ended up in shavings on the floor. I see where you are coming from, but for a first time balsa builder like me the simplicity of the approach paid off. I don’t suppose my carving and sanding was the best but the model looks OK and flies really well, and that’ll do for me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lipo Man Posted February 11, 2023 Author Share Posted February 11, 2023 Here is a photo of the “finished” model (is a model ever finished?). Decals are inkjet printed onto clear waterslide decal paper, with white vinyl circles (hand cut with the kitchen scissors!) behind the roundels to cover the yellow of the fuselage. Pleased with the end result as it’s my first balsa model and first EDF. https://youtu.be/p8U8kIKjJ_U 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lipo Man Posted March 9 Author Share Posted March 9 (edited) A glorious morning today. I flew the Hunter which I’m finally getting comfortable with. Until now it was quite challenging - especially the tendency to fall out of turns in a sudden stall (I think). After too many near disasters I’d parked it for months. Anyway, in the nice weather this week I dug it out and took a brave pill before getting it airborne again. The good news is that it’s flying much better now that I’ve switched to a lighter 1500 battery rather than the 2200 I was using. I suspect the stall speed is lower, and I tried to remember to keep plenty of throttle on in the turns. Probably also helps that I’ve had more stick time in the intervening period, and I’m a definitely a better pilot now. It might be small but the Hunter is definitely tricky for inexperienced pilots! Anyway - my clubmate Chris took some great pictures on his fancy camera, so seems like the perfect way to sign off this thread. Edited March 9 by Lipo Man 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Engine Doctor Posted March 10 Share Posted March 10 (edited) On 01/02/2023 at 15:26, Lipo Man said: First attempt at using heat shrink covering is proving… challenging! Finding the compound curves tricky, and trying to do it with a clumsy domestic iron is probably not helping! Try leaving a bit more film to get hold of then its easier to pull/stretch around compound curves. You could also try using a hot air gun on these high stretch areas, the modelling sort not a diy type as they get too hot. Ps watch out for a coloured smears on your collar if using your home iron 😉. Some films can leave the coloured adhesive on the iron! My wife was not amused when i started many years ago 🤬. Edited March 10 by Engine Doctor 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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