First father-son project - Tower Trainer .60 Rebuild
07-02-2010, 04:34 PM
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First father-son project - Tower Trainer .60 Rebuild
So, I've been HOPING, for several years, at least one of my two children would get bitten by the aviation bug. And this summer, it's happened. My 9 (10 this month) yr old son, Alex, has just gone bonkers.
It started over the winter, when he learned to fly some small helis with our indoor gang. A Blade MX was under the tree that December.
And while he'd frequently come to the field with me, just to hang out, this year he's really started taking a real interest in the airplanes, the different types, etc...and loves helping me with mine.
What really did him in, I think, was our trip last month up to Detroit for the Red Bull Air Race. He'd watched the races with passing interest on TV, but man, having them right there in front of him, he just loved it. And once he got his first sight of Mathias Dolderer's plane, he was hooked.
SO...this week, a kind club member donated a poor little Tower .60 trainer in need of some TLC. Lacking the desire or time to rebuild, he offered it to us as Alex's first trainer, knowing that I enjoy such projects, and that Alex seems ready to start flying.
Now...this poor thing was already "battle tested" when HE got it, and about a month ago a field box, our club president's feet, and the stand holding the trainer all came together in a heap. The "repaired" damage in the photos was from previous adventures, the obvious "new" damage was the result of said heapage. So, suffice to say, we've got a bit of work to do.
Plans are to strip the covering, make repairs as we go, convert to electric (and maybe a tail dragger too), and recover the bird in a rough tribute to Dolderer's Edge.
Photos and stories along the way, and hopefully some photos and video of our first buddy box session later this summer!
It started over the winter, when he learned to fly some small helis with our indoor gang. A Blade MX was under the tree that December.
And while he'd frequently come to the field with me, just to hang out, this year he's really started taking a real interest in the airplanes, the different types, etc...and loves helping me with mine.What really did him in, I think, was our trip last month up to Detroit for the Red Bull Air Race. He'd watched the races with passing interest on TV, but man, having them right there in front of him, he just loved it. And once he got his first sight of Mathias Dolderer's plane, he was hooked.
SO...this week, a kind club member donated a poor little Tower .60 trainer in need of some TLC. Lacking the desire or time to rebuild, he offered it to us as Alex's first trainer, knowing that I enjoy such projects, and that Alex seems ready to start flying.
Now...this poor thing was already "battle tested" when HE got it, and about a month ago a field box, our club president's feet, and the stand holding the trainer all came together in a heap. The "repaired" damage in the photos was from previous adventures, the obvious "new" damage was the result of said heapage. So, suffice to say, we've got a bit of work to do.
Plans are to strip the covering, make repairs as we go, convert to electric (and maybe a tail dragger too), and recover the bird in a rough tribute to Dolderer's Edge.
Photos and stories along the way, and hopefully some photos and video of our first buddy box session later this summer!
07-02-2010, 07:25 PM
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RE: First father-son project - Tower Trainer .60 Rebuild
The work began this evening with the tail feathers.
First, we cut hinges, and removed the elevator.
First, we cut hinges, and removed the elevator.
Next, we removed as much of the Chinese Krap-o-kote as we could (whatever this garbage is, it's OBNOXIOUS to remove, and the plane will probably lose a pound of weight just from the conversion to Ultracote *lol*). The broken ribs in the left stab half were discarded, and will be replaced with simple stick balsa cut to the correct lengths.
Next, we pieced together the top sheeting and fuse sides back to their original positions.
Then, we replaced the vertical stab. Good chance to learn about using a triangle here.
Finally, the outer frame of the left stab half was put back into shape.
We called it an evening with a set of tail feathers back in the right shape, anyway. Still plenty of filling, bracing, sanding, and finishing to do.
07-02-2010, 09:20 PM
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RE: First father-son project - Tower Trainer .60 Rebuild
What a proud moment you too are having. I wish my father showed more interest in teaching me when I was younger. Sure he bought me my first plane at 17 for X-mas and we built it together, but we never got to the point of him teaching me to fly and that bothers me to this day. If he had only shared that experience with me I would have been flying for over 20 years now, but alas I have still yet to learn, and life problems keep interrupting that experience every year.
So treasure this time you are having with your son, I will be following this project to its end.
Steve
So treasure this time you are having with your son, I will be following this project to its end.
Steve
07-03-2010, 01:17 PM
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RE: First father-son project - Tower Trainer .60 Rebuild
Thanks for the kind words, Steve. We're really enjoying the project!
==============
This morning saw the tail feathers re-attached to the fuse body. Completing this, we realized we needed a bit of 1/8x1/2 for the ribs in the stab, and i was out. So I suggested we needed to "go to the plane store". Alex's immediate reaction was "can we take the plane and show mike what we've got done?"
Sign of a true builder...gotta show off our work!
Fuse is mostly done. still some finish work to do. We also got a new hard point mounted to move the mains forward for the taildragger conversion. We'll probably cover the fuse and tail feathers this weekend, start in on the wings after that.
07-03-2010, 07:35 PM
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RE: First father-son project - Tower Trainer .60 Rebuild
Made some covering progress this afternoon. Bottom and left side of the fuse are covered now. Also got a new mounting plate and slot made for the mains.
Bottom and left side of the fuse are covered now. Also got a new mounting plate and slot made for the mains.
07-03-2010, 08:39 PM
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RE: First father-son project - Tower Trainer .60 Rebuild
ORIGINAL: N1EDM
Another nice side-benefit of this, along with having fun with your son, is that you have no idea where these burgeoning skills could lead him...
Aeronautical engineering, maybe????
Bob
Another nice side-benefit of this, along with having fun with your son, is that you have no idea where these burgeoning skills could lead him...
Aeronautical engineering, maybe????
Bob
If there's one thing I've learned about this kid and his autism, it's that every single time I think he can't do something, he makes a fool out of me. So hey...
What I KNOW is that he'll have some pride of ownership, and he'll know just a bit more about airplanes than he did before we started...and those ain't bad things.
07-10-2010, 05:32 AM
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RE: First father-son project - Tower Trainer .60 Rebuild
Funny, he now knows more about model construction and assembly than possibly 60% of the so called "experts" at my flying field!! You guys are doing a great job!! Enjoy these moments together in the shop. I did when my Dad and I built together!!
Bob Harris
Bob Harris
07-10-2010, 08:07 AM
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RE: First father-son project - Tower Trainer .60 Rebuild
LOL Bob 
Thanks for the kind words. We're really enjoying it so far.
Sorry it's been a while since an update. Monday we just had to go to the flying field, and it's been a busy week. *heh* Hopefully we'll get more done this weekend.
07-11-2010, 05:20 PM
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RE: First father-son project - Tower Trainer .60 Rebuild
Got a bit more covering dove today. Both sides and the bottom are donenow.
Alex is starting to get the hang of gun/sock use a bit.
Alex is starting to get the hang of gun/sock use a bit.
07-11-2010, 09:16 PM
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RE: First father-son project - Tower Trainer .60 Rebuild
I hope to one day have one of my kids interested in the hobby as well...although my daughter at the age of 7 says, "That's for boys daddy" maybe one day she'll come around lol; my son is 4 and although he likes the sim, he won't try the sticks for real yet. Thanks for sharing your story.
07-11-2010, 09:38 PM
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RE: First father-son project - Tower Trainer .60 Rebuild
Eh...it just might take a while. This one has always kinda enjoyed going to the field or airshows or what not, but didn't really get bit until this year at age 9.
Have faith!
07-12-2010, 08:11 AM
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RE: First father-son project - Tower Trainer .60 Rebuild
Thanks, Barry.
Don't be so modest though...I owe a pile of thanks to you, too. Your willingness/work getting us the ability to fly indoors over the last couple winters is a big part of the reason for all this. Alex's interest really began to take off this past winter when he got to fly (and later acquired) a small heli...that likely never would have happened save for the indoor flying we were doing.
It is, I think, all part of the fun...watching how one good thing you do for a completely different reason comes back to pay dividends in unexpected places.
07-24-2010, 11:53 AM
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RE: First father-son project - Tower Trainer .60 Rebuild
Lengthy delay. Had some obligations last weekend, didn't get anything done.
Today started with one of the funnier things to ever come out of my son's mouth. Weneeded a tail wheel, so off to the "plane store" we went.
Now, when you're almost 10 (10 on Tuesday) doing things yourself is a BIG DEAL, of course. So, we discussed ov the way what he'd be asking for. "I'm going to ask Mike for a tail wheel for my airplane". Ok...good. Got it.
So I asked "Hey...you think you can go in and take care of this yourself?" "Yep!" "Ok..well, then, I'm going to gonext door and get a coke." "Ok"
We arrive, I hand over some cash (of course), and say "Ok...here's some money." And he looks at me very serious and says:
"Ok. I'm going to go get a tailwheel. When you're done shopping, if you want to come to the plane store, you're welcome to."
*blink*
I really didn't want to laugh, so i just said "Ok...I probably will." and went for my coke. When he was out of site, however, I just howled. Got some strange looks from the rest of the folks in Dollar Tree. *heh*
================================
Anywho...not much time today, as we're going out of town tomorrow and have lots to do. We DID, however, get a chance to cover the tops of the horizontal stab. Covering scheme starting to take shape!
07-27-2010, 11:56 AM
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RE: First father-son project - Tower Trainer .60 Rebuild
I am following this with interest, as I have 5 y.o. daughter who loves all of Dad's hobbies. I hope she remains interested on some level as she grows up.
07-28-2010, 07:31 PM
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RE: First father-son project - Tower Trainer .60 Rebuild
Ya know...I think I'm lucky twice, really...
My son has been bitten by the aviation bug...which just thrills the heck out of me.
But my daughter? She's like her mom...figures airplanes exist to get you from A to B when it's too far to drive, and that's about it. BUT, she's become quite the accomplished young dancer.
Dance? Really? Are you KIDDING? Talk about 'couldn't care less"!
But I've realized that what she's done is introduced me to a whole different style of performance and athleticism that I'd never have given a second thought to before.
So...one shares my passions...the other's shown me new ones.
Doubly blessed, I'd say.
07-28-2010, 09:16 PM
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RE: First father-son project - Tower Trainer .60 Rebuild
I'm following this closely. My son Brent turns 6 in the fall. He comes to the field with me. He does use the simulator. He's getting not to bad for his age. Better he crash on the sim, rather than an actual model. My daughter Katrina is 9 and she dances tap and jazz. He started dancealso this year. I saw a couple of the older boys dance tap and jazz and they could cut a rug. If Brent has my dancing ability,it's best he gets help early in life. He does like to help fire rockets with the local 4H club. Winter it's hockey.
Jim
Jim
08-09-2010, 12:39 PM
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RE: First father-son project - Tower Trainer .60 Rebuild
Just a quick update to say...well...basically...that there's no update. *lol*
Between back to school shopping and a couple of flying events, it's been busy weekends of late, and we haven't gotten much building done....we got some flying in though!!
Haven't abandoned the project, just haven't attacked it lately. no fear...more progress will be forthcoming soon.
08-09-2010, 05:30 PM
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RE: First father-son project - Tower Trainer .60 Rebuild
I'm having fun watching your progress. I too have a son with Autism (Aspergers) who tends to have very focused interest. I've tried several times to drag him over to the 'dark side' of RC modeling but he's not very interested. I still keep trying though. Have fun!!!