Intimidator II Construction Thread
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Fritch,
TX
Posts: 2,060
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Intimidator II Construction Thread
The recent questions about the Intimidator II gave me an excuse to start a new thread.
I got my Intimidator II for Christmas. Now is a good time to start.
The kit includes the wood parts, wing cores, and landing gear.
Carbon fiber and other construction material will have to be purchased.
I got my Intimidator II for Christmas. Now is a good time to start.
The kit includes the wood parts, wing cores, and landing gear.
Carbon fiber and other construction material will have to be purchased.
#4
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Fritch,
TX
Posts: 2,060
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Intimidator II Construction Thread
Cut a 5" wide piece of 2 ounce fiberglass cloth.
Tack it in place with 3M77. The fiberglass cloth will strengthen the surface for stiff ailerons.
Lay a piece of 3/4 ounce fiberglass cloth over the entire wing skin.
Tack it in place with 3M77. The fiberglass cloth will strengthen the surface for stiff ailerons.
Lay a piece of 3/4 ounce fiberglass cloth over the entire wing skin.
#5
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Fritch,
TX
Posts: 2,060
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Intimidator II Construction Thread
Use a razor saw to cut a slot for the vertical carbon spar (36" X 1/2" x 21 thousandths thick).
The vertical carbon is installed on the top surface.
The vertical carbon is installed on the top surface.
#6
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Fritch,
TX
Posts: 2,060
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Intimidator II Construction Thread
Waxed paper is tacked in place on the wing shucks.
I will later use a homemade vacuum bag made from a piece of plastic tarp.
The edges are later sealed with latex caulking. Use the cheap stuff as you only need it to seal a short period of time.
I will later use a homemade vacuum bag made from a piece of plastic tarp.
The edges are later sealed with latex caulking. Use the cheap stuff as you only need it to seal a short period of time.
#7
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Fritch,
TX
Posts: 2,060
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Intimidator II Construction Thread
Mix about 0.4 ounce of finishing resin.
Use an epoxy brush to smear the glue in the slot. Slide the 36" x 1/2" x 21 thousandths thick piece of laminant in place.
Use an epoxy brush to smear the glue in the slot. Slide the 36" x 1/2" x 21 thousandths thick piece of laminant in place.
#8
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Fritch,
TX
Posts: 2,060
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Intimidator II Construction Thread
Mix about an ounce of finishing resin and then add about a 10% (cap full) of 91% alcohol. The total weight with alcohol is about 1.1 ounces.
This is then applied to the right or left side of the skin. Squeegee the epoxy as needed to spread out.
The other side is done the same way.
Slide the wing core between the balsa skins.
This is then applied to the right or left side of the skin. Squeegee the epoxy as needed to spread out.
The other side is done the same way.
Slide the wing core between the balsa skins.
#9
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Fritch,
TX
Posts: 2,060
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Intimidator II Construction Thread
Temporarily pin the wing shucks together making sure the parts are lined up.
Tape parts together with masking tape and remove the pins. You don't want to puncture the vacuum bag.
A piece of rope is taped in place around the wing parts.
Lay a long piece of paper towel on the top of the cores.
Tape the vacuum tube in place and apply a bead of caulking around the cores as needed.
Tape parts together with masking tape and remove the pins. You don't want to puncture the vacuum bag.
A piece of rope is taped in place around the wing parts.
Lay a long piece of paper towel on the top of the cores.
Tape the vacuum tube in place and apply a bead of caulking around the cores as needed.
#10
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Fritch,
TX
Posts: 2,060
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Intimidator II Construction Thread
The top of the tarp is folded over and the caulking is sealed. I just step on the edges to join the surfaces.
Turn on the vacuum pump to remove the air from the bag. Air pressure makes a superior clamp to hold parts in place while the glue is drying.
It was relatively cold in the garage so I placed the wing cores between layers of electric blanket. The warm surface insures that parts dry reasonably quickly (8 to 15 hours).
Turn on the vacuum pump to remove the air from the bag. Air pressure makes a superior clamp to hold parts in place while the glue is drying.
It was relatively cold in the garage so I placed the wing cores between layers of electric blanket. The warm surface insures that parts dry reasonably quickly (8 to 15 hours).
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: FORT WORTH,
TX
Posts: 1,386
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Intimidator II Construction Thread
GSJames and I started my wing yesterday. At noon today I can take the wing out of the bag and continue the build. I look forward to watching yours.
#12
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Fritch,
TX
Posts: 2,060
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Intimidator II Construction Thread
The sheeting was trimmed and the triangular balsa leading edge was glued on with 5-minute epoxy.
Masking tape held the leading edge in place until the glue dried.
Masking tape held the leading edge in place until the glue dried.
#13
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Fritch,
TX
Posts: 2,060
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Intimidator II Construction Thread
The leading edge was shaped with a sanding block.
The surface should rounded as needed. I used an old specialized sanding block for this service.
The surface should rounded as needed. I used an old specialized sanding block for this service.
#14
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Fritch,
TX
Posts: 2,060
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Intimidator II Construction Thread
Trim the trailing edge with a razor saw to make a 9 7/8" wide cord.
The trailing edge sheeting was shaped with a sanding block.
The fiberglass between the sheets makes a nice sharp trailing edge.
The trailing edge sheeting was shaped with a sanding block.
The fiberglass between the sheets makes a nice sharp trailing edge.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: FORT WORTH,
TX
Posts: 1,386
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Intimidator II Construction Thread
Can't wait till you get to the fuselage. I have mocked mine up with clamps to check fit and the (2) plywood blocks that will take the 4 screws to hold the wing on don't look right in my kit. They are labeled "front bolt" and "rear bolt" but they do not seem to fit in the correct slots. They actually fit better in the opposite positions. (Clamp side is front of the plane) I must have something wrong but the formers are all unique and will not fit any other way.
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: FORT WORTH,
TX
Posts: 1,386
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Intimidator II Construction Thread
well.. with the "front bolt" wing bolt block in the rear it is. I can't believe that he would have typoed with the laser. Who knows. I can make it work this way but the one that says "rear bolt" does have the slot for aileron control horns to fit in. I am in no hurry. Will wait for you to get to this stage and see what you think. thanx
PS what type of glue will you be using on the fuselage?
PS what type of glue will you be using on the fuselage?
#19
RE: Intimidator II Construction Thread
Scottfl78 just sent me a couple of pictures and sure enough, National Balsa labeled them backward. Scott H, see if you can verify this...
#23
My Feedback: (64)
RE: Intimidator II Construction Thread
ScottFL78,
Pay close attention to how you glue up the fuse doublers. On the ones I have built, the writing is on the outside of the balsa. Just make sure you glue the doubler on the correct side of the fuse side. The right fuse side is shorter than the left in front of the wing saddle to give the plane right thrust so they are not symmetrical. A couple of my buddies have glued the doubles on the wrong side. The plane is also designed with 1 degree (I believe) of down thrust
Pay close attention to how you glue up the fuse doublers. On the ones I have built, the writing is on the outside of the balsa. Just make sure you glue the doubler on the correct side of the fuse side. The right fuse side is shorter than the left in front of the wing saddle to give the plane right thrust so they are not symmetrical. A couple of my buddies have glued the doubles on the wrong side. The plane is also designed with 1 degree (I believe) of down thrust
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: FORT WORTH,
TX
Posts: 1,386
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Intimidator II Construction Thread
haha yeah GSJames helped me glue them so they are correct. The instructions says there is right and down thrust. Looks like maybe a degree or so not much.