The Dauntless build

[Grahamd]

Quick Drum roll.

Drrrrrrrrrr, Drrrrrrrr

oh and that trampalene is 15 foot across

[Flanker .]

Yum !

[Doug Ireland]

Master Builder,

Can you show some pictures as you progress with the wiring, I for one would like to see how you go about it, particularly the other end of the "D" connector?

I think the soldering thing has come to a conclusion; this is after all your build thread.

[Myron Beaumont]

Why have all the "bits " got black edges ? I'm not sure what cutting device you're using but I think it's time it was cleaned  

Grumpy with his Stanley (clean) knife   

[Grahamd]

Wires on the back of my connector (stripped, tinned and soldered), with sleeving.

And after I've epoxied them (used tape around the wires, and poured epoxy in), before I sheet the bottom, the wires will also be epoxied to wood braces, ensuring none of them can either work loose or break due to vibration or external forces.

[Grahamd]

Going to start building the outer wing panels, I need 8 1/2" at the end of each tip, so I inclined the center panel 4 1/2" by using steel rulers, clamped and spot CA'd, the Cyno will allow the rulers to stay put, but they will rip off easy afterwards.

[Grahamd]

And one wing panel takes shape.

[arthur bishop]

Graham, WOW! worra teacher! and every piccie perfect! superb,thank you,

[Grahamd]

Thanks Arthur, its slowing down a little as I do the intricate bits like fitting the flap and dive break servos etc.

 Remember the plans show a complex arrangement of cranks, wires and luck, and I'm using a shop load of servos, so planning where they are going, and how they will work takes some thinking out. However I now have the two servos in (just leaves the Aileron one to do), and every opertunity I've added to the strength with very little weight being added, including a cyparis frame that will also provide the surface for screwing down the inspection hatches.

[Grahamd]

One wing panel almost complete, and three servos now installed (and tested)

And as a bonus my aircrew just flew in

[Flanker .]

Oops! First bit oi aint appy with ! YUK! Check out the toy pilots thread. Those guys are a 1000, 000 miles away from the standard of your FANTASTIC build! Be brave. Ignore the traditionalists. ! Fly your beautiful aircraft without the dollies that say "hey toy plane here, looks like a Dauntless but it's not, it's a Britton's farm tractor !" BUT, Remember it is YOUR PLANE if you like 'em , put 'em in.!

[Grahamd]

Both wing panels are now complete and I'm upto my eyes in installing servos, however as the sun was glowing in the sky, I couldnt not take another picture with the wings now almost (less the leading edges and wing tips) semi built.

if you look carefully down the fuz you can see I've cut out the holes for the steps that the pilot and gunner used to climb in.

[Flanker .]

Please ignore the pilot comment. I should learn to mind my own business!

[Erfolg]

Flanker

I thought you were having a laugh.

I like the crew, they have character.

Grahamd

I was disapointed this morning, I thought you would have finished the construction phase by now. You have had plenty of time for painting. So where are the aerial shots?

It is at least a day from your last posting!

Erfolg

[Myron Beaumont]

Wait til you see my "Albert"    See the thread about Albert & his problems  .  'Er indoors has promised to put a picture of him on the gallery or what ever    .I can't do it 'cos I'm an old fuddy duddy   Timbo says !      !

[Erfolg]

Myron

I have looked for the fabled Albert on this site, cannot find him.

Is he as real as "Puff the Magic Dragon"

Expectant

Erfolg

[Lee Morgan]

Well Grahamd

 I am sat here in amazement. I cannot believe how great your build thread is. That aeroplane looks great and the attention to detail is stunning.

I am so jelouse, I sit here at my pc thinking WOW!!!!.

I think you deserve an award for showing all us "builder's" what building really is. Your an artist lets hope you fly half as good as you build so we can watch the flight and landing video's

Best Regards

Lee Morgan ( www.lwmorgan.co.uk)

[Grahamd]

Thanks for the kind comments Lee, its just a labour of love.

 A quick update;

Retracts on order (CenturyJet)

All servos (except bomb release) are now installed and wired in the wings, inc the retract (mini) servo, and all air retract pipes and operating valve are now in (picture to follow).

The retracts will be a week or so, so I will move on to the Ailerons (complex being bottom hinged), and I've had a result on the flaps and dive breaks, but more on that later.

[arthur bishop]

Erfolg, salutations friend, oh, are you going to modify an old 'Dak' into 'Puff the Magic Dragon' for us then? great!  'Daks' are tuff old birds, and unmistakeable in sound and flight.  ...how strange, I have never seen a model 'Dak' airborne....... 

[Myron Beaumont]

Erfolg  Albert is in the gallery  Sorry I'm off thread  others !

[Flanker .]

Just had a look at Albert. I aint sayin nuffin !

[Jan Soltes]

very nic model

[Grahamd]

The Dauntless features Freis ailerons, hinged at the bottom, and with a curved aileron its proved to be nothing but fun (apart from yet more grey hairs) trying to think how to get the hinges at the right point to allow the aileron to swing up and down.

I used some brass tube (something I've copied from someone else) and this has allowed the hinge point of the Robart Super point to swivell at the correct place.

This is the aileron in the Up position

And here in the Down position (Wing upside down)

to get a better idea here are the three hinges

And again in the down position (remember the wing is upside down)

Now I have one working I can move on and do the other aileron a little older and wiser

[Grahamd]

Just a quick update, still working on the ailerons  taking a bit longer than I thought. Should have the retracts in the next week or so, then I can get them in and close up the wing. Whilst I'm waiting for the retracts, and when I get the ailerons finished, I might have a play with making some wheel wells in glassfiber or polythene.

[Grahamd]

Almost finished the ailerons, meanwhile I wired up my wing plug. Took ages as I wanted to test every servo wire both after soldering and after screwing the shroud on. I also filled the shroud with Silicone Sealant before closing so the wires will tolerate some vibration, but will stay put.