Pong Two build thread
#1
Thread Starter
Pong Two build thread
I'm building 2 Pong Twos. The original Pong was designed by L.F. Randolph and featured in May 81 issue of Flying Models Magazine. In 1984, he redesigned it a bit and called the new version Pong Two. It was featured in a 1984 issue of the same mag. A friend of mine built a couple of these years ago and I was inspired to do the same after recentlyseeing some video footage of them flying. The plans are still available thru Flying Models. It's a simple, built-up, low-wing, 2-channel sport plane with lots of dihedral and docile flying characteristics. I plan to power one of these with a Stage 3 Skyline .049 from Tim Wiltse's Hypercolor business and am probably going to bolt up a Cox .09 Tee Dee to the other to overpower it for a bit of excitement. Here's how it looks:
#2
Thread Starter
RE: Pong Two build thread
I started by cutting out the wing ribs, fuse sides, doublers, and dihedral braces. Then I made the formers according to the plans. Simple work so far. Starting to look like I have a kit at this point.
#3
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RE: Pong Two build thread
I've attempted to update this thread several times with more info and pics but my stuff doesn't seem to post after attaching pics even though it says the upload is successful. For now, the thread is on hold.
#4
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RE: Pong Two build thread
Here's a left wing panel under construction. Used a foam board and stick pins to make it faster than nailing it to the table like I would for a larger model. Sorry for the double pic post.
#5
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RE: Pong Two build thread
I substituted 1/8th sq. spruce for the spars instead of balsa because it made me feel all happy and fuzzy at the time. They are a little heavier and more difficult to sand down on the ends after removing them from the table, however. I was worried about snapping a wing under heavy loads with an .09 screaming up front. This thing was originally designed for a Golden Bee or Black Widow style .049. Sometimes it's fun to break the rules a little bit. Here's 3 completed panels with 1 still on the table.
#7
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RE: Pong Two build thread
Next, I need to round the leading edges with a sanding block, glue on the 1/16th wingtips, and give them a good sanding. That's all for now. Have a high school football game to attend.
#8
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RE: Pong Two build thread
Hey TB, I've built two of those over the years. The first one got slap worn out. I left the landing gear off of it because I flew it out of my yard and lots of other grass fields where the grass was too long for anything but a handlaunch. I first flew it with a Black Widow and then a TD .049. I loaned it to a guy that flew it a couple of years and gave it back. The fuselage got so oil soaked I built another fuselage and kept flying it. I finally gave that one away. The second one I build with a PAW .061 diesel with the landing gear. That one was great for T&G's from the paved runway. I sold that one with the engine after the novelty wore off. Good idea on the spars, I did the same thing since they're small (and the spruce at that size won't weigh enough more to affect the performance).You'll like the plane, Randy Randolph really knew his stuff. I had the pleasure of flying with him at many of the Little Rock SMALL fly-ins.
#12
Thread Starter
RE: Pong Two build thread
For what it's worth, this is my first plans-built plane. My previous models were built from kits. Don't be intimidated. Once you get the basic parts like ribs, fuse sides, etc. done it's very similar to kit construction. Some of these smaller 1/2A planes are very simple designs which go together quickly without a lot of carving, shaping, etc.
#15
Thread Starter
RE: Pong Two build thread
Getting things to fit so that I can later join the two wing halves. There are 4 dihedral braces, 2 on the top, 2 on the bottom. One wingtip is lifted 6 inches off the table to give it lots of dihedral.
#16
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RE: Pong Two build thread
This time it's for real. After modifying the dihedral brace notches a bit for a better fit, I applied epoxy to the center ribs and spars where the braces would go. At this point you need about 7 hands to get everything lined up. Lots of small clamps sure help keep things aligned while you're working. And now the two halves are a wing!
#17
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RE: Pong Two build thread
Looking good TB! Just think, you are probably one out of maybe 5 guys in all of North America who is scratch building a plane right now. In the years that we've had 1/2A design contests, that number might jump up to ten? Maybe we can petition RCU to oversee a design contest this winter?
#19
Thread Starter
RE: Pong Two build thread
Today, I got the other set of wings joined together. Then I sheeted the center section of the set I joined yesterday. The plans only call for sheeting between the center ribs and 1st rib but I got a little carried away. I'd like to say that I meant to do it that way based on my vast aviation design experience, but the fact is that I accidently cut the 1st couple of sheets oversized and glued them in before catching the mistake so I just ran with it. The weight penalty will be very small. The bottom is sheeted as per the plans. In the pic, you can see the filler(DAP lightweight spackling) applied along the joints. Should be nice and smooth once final sanded. Spackled it before the pic so you guys wouldn't tease me about the gaps in my joints.
#22
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RE: Pong Two build thread
The wings were joined over the weekend and I just finished sheeting the center sections. In this pic you can see the epoxy drying on the 1/16th music wire trailing edge braces. These help support the trailing edge center sections as well as keeping the rubber bands from digging into the balsa when the wings are attached to the fuselage. Now, I have to clean the garage out, sweep, and reorganize my work area to get into covering mode. All the dust from building must go. I'm going to cover the wings B4 building the rest of the airframe because I've got a 4 Star 60 that's ready for covering as well. With my limited space, I have to dismantle my flat, true building surface and set up a table on saw horses for easier access when working with the covering material.
#23
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RE: Pong Two build thread
It's off topic, but here's a pic of my 4*60 that's almost done. Can't wait to fly this thing. Clipped wings and enlarged rudder. Magnum 91 4-stroke engine.
#24
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RE: Pong Two build thread
Back on topic. Here's the fully-built Pong Two wings. They just need to be sanded a little more before applying the Ultracote. Wingspan = 44".
#25
Thread Starter
RE: Pong Two build thread
Ok, now we're getting somewhere. Here's the bright yellow Ultracote going on. You just unwrap it and stand back while it applies itself. Well, maybe not but I did enjoy the covering process today since it was a break from all the cutting and fitting of balsa parts I've done lately.