mobilemenice80

guys im getting ready to start building a 35% 330 mid-wing, and i am looking for a great way to build the pipe tunnel for a set of mtw re2 pipes. i have seen a few diffrent ways of doing this and am open to suggestions in how to make it

1.light
2.strong
3.clean

rudder servos willbe going in the tail.

space seems to be at a premium, as things are pretty tight with this combo so i am looking for set-ups that have proven to be reliable!..

thanks!

lazy eight

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Check out the Edge 540 and Yak build I started theres some pics of the pipe tunnels Eric builds out of 1oz glas cloth and west system epoxy. They are light and strong and look cool plus they flow air like a wind tunnel. pipes stay really cool!! Theres a thread also I posted pics of my 40% Extra 260 with MTW 1090 pipes the tunnel on that is the same as the Yak and the Edge. check them out. I think its the thread "260 on tuned pipes".

James

mobilemenice80

i know i am capable and have a little bit of glass experance however and ope of getting a little more info on the fiberglass tunnel.. what was the foam tool lined with to aid in the tunnels release? thanks..

see if eric can do a build thread on the tunnel.. or better yet see if he wants to do mine!.. lol

Brad

lazy eight

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The foam plug was cut with a hot wire and then coated with epoxy then sanded smooth. Then coated with silicone mold release agent. There not hard to build just takes time. They really flow the air better than a boxed balsa set up. Plus they look COOL and add more strength to the fuse. It really takes the twisting out of the fuse and makes them really stiff.

mobilemenice80

thanks buddy! exactly what i needed to know!

lazy eight

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Glad I could help. I will be doing a build thead this winter on my 43% Edge once I get it. Hopefuly it will be a better build thread than my last two. I will be doing the build this time around. Stay tuned. The kits are to ship this Nov. It will have the glass tunnel with RE 3 pipes and a DA 170 for power.

James

lazy eight

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Heres a new one for ya to look at. 37.5% Yak 54 CARDEN!!!! Those are MTW RE3's tucked in there with 12.5 inch MTW headers.
Built By Watz Custom Aircraft Saginaw Michigan. Brand spankin new baby!!

BBW Walt

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Tunnels are pretty much a thing of the past. There not needed. I have tunneled in most of the installations on Cardens, MTW 110's, Greeve's and RE3's and have come to find its not necessary. There's some pretty interesting numbers on another site to support what I mention that have changed my mind. I believe I"m up to 4 builds without tunnels in various planes and no issues what so ever. Walt

lazy eight

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Pipe tunnels may be a thing of the past as is building your own airplane and keeping it for more than a year. But for me I have had it both ways and believe there is a value to having them. Having proper airflow across the thin wall pipes is a great thing for many reason as well as the bonus cooling it adds to the engine. How many tuned pipe set do we all see for sale every year with the mount dents in them? I wonder how that happened? Heat burning the rubber mounts? Also I dont like my fuselage getting dirt,oil, heat, fuel blowback and other crime inside my plane. Also pressurizing the fuselage in my opion is a mistake. Ever watch the fuse sides ballon out on a ground run? I like the fuse closed off as much as possable. But look at most ARFs there wide open to everything and they work GREAT. My numbers are on the Carbon tunnels. Pipes so cool you can grab them after the flight. I'm just here sharing my planes for all to see and to show Erics great work. I'm not saying you should build a plane like mine just check it out, it works great.

BBW Walt

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Here's a couple pictures of some that I have done and a couple without tunnels. All these are still flying. If memory serve's me correctly the tunnels in the Carden builds usually add 3oz's to the build. I use 1/32 balsa sheeting for the top's and polyurethane the inside to stiffin up and seal the tunnel. The Fabric/resin tops add more. Maybe this will offer ideas to your origional question..Walt

lazy eight

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Nice work Walt