Comper Posted December 20, 2023 Share Posted December 20, 2023 Just starting a Ben Buckle Elf and shall put a 30 size Four Stroke engine in. I shall put pictures on as I go. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted December 20, 2023 Share Posted December 20, 2023 Which size are you building Comper? The original 39 inch span or the the enlarged 60 inch version? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul De Tourtoulon Posted December 20, 2023 Share Posted December 20, 2023 Are you building 3 of them ?.😂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Comper Posted December 20, 2023 Author Share Posted December 20, 2023 No I’m only building one I’m hoping the powers that be take the extra ones down. It’s the 60 inch version. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Engine Doctor Posted December 21, 2023 Share Posted December 21, 2023 I have the 60 inch 4 ch version power is an OS 40 fs . Great in the air but a pig on the ground , loves to ground loop . If I ever built another I would increase fin/ rudder area . Great looking model. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Comper Posted December 21, 2023 Author Share Posted December 21, 2023 Thanks I will increase the area. I’ve bent up the u/c and sewn onto the sub assembly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Engine Doctor Posted December 22, 2023 Share Posted December 22, 2023 (edited) Hi Comper . Heres my Elf just after its first flight. Ive now found some blue wing bands that look a bit better. Re the tail fin area , My plan is not the BB plan as that was somehow lost after fuz was started so downloaded a plan from Outer Zone . Same plan form but some slightly different build techniques . It suggested a smaller fin for 4ch RC . I wish I had gone for the 3ch sized fin , Slightly taller and wider . BB one might already be bigger ? Other mods include wing struts fixed using poppers as used on the Panic and carbon bottom wing dowels. Good luck and enjoy the build . Next flight , when ground dries out a bit I must try for some flying pics, Edited December 22, 2023 by Engine Doctor 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Comper Posted December 22, 2023 Author Share Posted December 22, 2023 Looks great I like the colour, good idea joining the undercarriage with spacers I’m doing the 3 channel with all that dihedral and keeps it as it was back in the day 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Comper Posted December 26, 2023 Author Share Posted December 26, 2023 Bit more done on the Elf, as somebody said it’s built like a tank and I imagine no two are the same. I’ve decided to fit a Saito 40 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Engine Doctor Posted December 26, 2023 Share Posted December 26, 2023 The Saito 40 is the way to go. The 30 fs would fly it ... just IMO with no reserve power. As you say it built like a tank , proper old school. I havent weighed mine but it flies really well. 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Comper Posted January 3 Author Share Posted January 3 I’ve been working on the cowl, I want it to come off in one piece so plenty of room to get to the engine. I’m still working on the shape so it’s going to take a few more days. As you can see on the pictures I’ve got a ply plate on the back and the rest is done with sheet balsa and triangular strip. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Chaddock Posted January 3 Share Posted January 3 A removable one piece cowl is neat. I must say if I were doing the cowl it would have a bit more taper so the front end was not quite so bluff 😉 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted January 4 Share Posted January 4 Too blunt in my opinion - it does not have that 'de Haviland ' or Gypsy engine look that Engine Doctors model has. Comper, have you seen Peter Miller's 'keyhole slot' method of fixing cowls? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Comper Posted January 6 Author Share Posted January 6 Not had much time this week on the Elf except doing more shaping on the cowl. Saito 40 fits in nicely. Onto the wings next. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Comper Posted January 13 Author Share Posted January 13 Elf top wing 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Comper Posted January 20 Author Share Posted January 20 More work done on the Elf this week, the bottom wing 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Comper Posted January 20 Author Share Posted January 20 Onto the tail end next 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Comper Posted February 2 Author Share Posted February 2 Just a bit more sanding and minor jobs before I start putting the Oratex covering on 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Comper Posted February 24 Author Share Posted February 24 The Elf is finished, maiden flight as soon as the weather improves 11 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Engine Doctor Posted February 25 Share Posted February 25 Nice vintage colour scheme 👍plus the old Castrol logo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Wagg Posted February 25 Share Posted February 25 On 21/12/2023 at 10:27, Engine Doctor said: I have the 60 inch 4 ch version power is an OS 40 fs . Great in the air but a pig on the ground , loves to ground loop . If I ever built another I would increase fin/ rudder area . Great looking model. Have you tried a bit of toe-in on the undercarriage ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stu knowles Posted February 25 Share Posted February 25 I always thought that the ground looping tendencies of vintage models stems from the very forward wheel position?? Lovely finish and colour scheme on the model although if t'were mine I would re think the bolted on struts. So slow and fiddly, the assembly / dis-assembly will discourage frequent and regular outings. Nice model and a good looking design. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Comper Posted February 25 Author Share Posted February 25 I don't mind the nuts and bolts I've got a 1/4 scale SE5 so the Elf is a picnic. I'll report back on the ground looping. It won't be as scary as it was for the free flight aeromodellers in 1938 they were the brave ones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoochykins Posted February 25 Share Posted February 25 That's bloody lovely. How long did it take you all together? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Comper Posted February 25 Author Share Posted February 25 I started the build on the 14th Dec 23 its not the easiest kit but enjoyable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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