8178

My Feedback: (17)

My black 2” Goldberg spinner arrived today so I’ll be able to complete the nose section. While I was waiting for the spinner I did a little more work on the front hatch.

To be continued…

8178

My Feedback: (17)

Now that I have the correct 2” spinner I was able to make a few adjustments to the mounting rails and engine mounting plate to get the nose to spinner alignment I wanted. I was able to pull in the front of the nose width so it is slightly over 2” (the same width of the kit plan) so it should be perfect for the nose ring and 2” spinner. The rails and plate are glued in with epoxy.

To be continued…

GSNut

My Feedback: (8)

8178

Been following along and must say.
[:-]
Looking very very nice !
Great workmanship !

Cheers

DinD

8178

My Feedback: (17)

Thanks for the comments Doug and I'm glad you are enjoying the build. This is point in the process that I really enjoy as a set of plans and a stack of lumber turns into a flying machine.

8178

My Feedback: (17)

Working on the plywood nose ring. I had to elongate the inner top part so the engine can be removed.

To be continued…

8178

My Feedback: (17)

Bottom nose sheeting.

To be continued…

GSNut

My Feedback: (8)

This is point in the process that I really enjoy as a set of plans and a stack of lumber turns into a flying machine.
[/quote]


8178,

Have the Time !
Got a stack of wood and I'd be interested in purchasing a set of
plans if you were to get to that stage.

My last Skylark 56 Mk II (Three of Three) bit the dust a few years ago during a fun fly.... But still took first place! Doing the Slow/High Speed run competition........... On the high speed pass, all at once elevator went full down and straight down into the middle of show center and center punched the runway. It hit so hard it shattered all the wheel hubs into small pieces. The largest part of the spinner was about a quarter in. sliver.

Needless to say the Skylark was just a torn up Monokote bag of balsa dust and not much else. Radio was ok and thanks to the breakaway motormount plate my K&B 6.5 twin stack didn't even get a scratch just a bit of dirt.
Still have the 6.5 and a New K&B 7.5 looking for a New Skylark to call home.

You just gotta love a good Skylark

Cheers
DinD

dhal22

Enjoying the build Mike. Thx for the regular updates.

zubba

Stunning work!!

8178

My Feedback: (17)

Thanks for all the nice comments. We have Carl Goldberg, Jess Krieser and especially John Wisniewski to thank for bestowing such a wonderful design on us.

I don’t think there were any kids in the 60s like me that didn’t lust after building and flying a Skylark. I remember so well saving almost a half a month’s pay to buy a $299 PCS four channel digital radio system for the Skylark. I guess that would be $1,500 in today’s money, so it was a pretty big deal. We had places called “hobby shops” back then where you could actually see and feel the product before buying that added to the lust.

As I’ve been building this one I keep having flashbacks to my first Skylark build in the utility room of our apartment building decades ago and I the aroma of Ambroid in the air.

Doug, interesting story about your Skylarks. I think the Skylark and the Falcon series must be one of the bestselling kits of all time. You can down load a PDF Skylark 56 plan here for free http://www.outerzone.co.uk/download_...an.asp?ID=1842 and get the stab rib templates from crigott’s post here http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11356555 I think with those two sources you should be good.

For some reason the reproduction Skylark canopy I got from Wing MFG/Early RC Models is an inch shorter than the first series kit canopy. I want to save the 10” kit canopy, so I’m on the hunt for a 10” reproduction Skylark canopy. I believe Wing MFG/Early RC Models closed but I think some other company has their products. Someone posted something about the company but cannot find the post now.

8178

My Feedback: (17)

Working on the lower nose and roughing in the shape.

To be continued…

GSNut

My Feedback: (8)

8178


Thanks, but I do have the PDF of the G-21 but am looking for the Mk II version.

Try Keith Sparks for your canopy needs, he does have the early G-21 canopy.
I understand that he can copy the one you have and I'm with you on the longer 10 in. canopy from the newer version Skylark. You will find him here:

www.parkflyerplastics.com

Feel free to contact Keith at [email protected] or [email protected].
Pressing questions can be addressed by calling 817-233-1215 from 9:00am to Noon, Central time.

Cheers

DinD

doxilia

My Feedback: (3)

Keith has been a great help and asset in reproducing a number of vintage canopies often being able to salvage the original.

Many of the vintage classic canopies were produced from originals sent to him by forum members. We just recently had an MK Super Chipmunk 120 canopy reproduced by him and he did a great job. Pricing is very reasonable too.

David

8178

My Feedback: (17)

Doug, I think you meant the PDF for the early first series Skylark not G-21, right. The 10" canopy is what I have in my early first series Skylark kit. I’m not sure where the 9” Skylark canopy came from. It looks identical but just smaller.

Thanks for the tip on www.parkflyerplastics.com. I sent them a note yesterday.

8178

My Feedback: (17)

Finishing off sanding on the lower nose and working on the upper part. I’ll need to do some very minor filling in a couple of spots on the nose ring edge. One of the dark spots near the ring is the corner of the engine mounting beam showing through and will not need filling. Lucked out on that one!

I can’t complete the fitment around the engine carb until the G-21 with the newer carb gets here next week.

Although it does not need to be removable for my application, I’m thinking about a clever way to retain the front hatch. I want it removable to follow the kit design.

To be continued…

8178

My Feedback: (17)

Working on the front hatch. Four basswood blocks keep it from sliding sideways.

To be continued…

8178

My Feedback: (17)

Thanks David,

If everything works out as planned we should have some nice clear 10” Skylark 56 canopies available. Image of my kit original below that is on its way for reproduction.

scottrc

Man that would be GREAT. I have been looking for a canopy for ever fro this kit. Mine is cracked and is showing its age.

Trisquire

Neodymium magnets maybe?

http://www.hobby-lobby.com/magnets.htm

8178

My Feedback: (17)

Thanks Trisquire. Yes, I’d thought about the magnet possibility.

8178

My Feedback: (17)

Thought it might be smart to figure out the fuel tank system before I decide on the hatch hold down mechanism. Not a lot of space to work with. The brass fuel lines were cut and silver soldered at 90 degrees. The throttle cable also needs to go past the side of the fuel tank.

To be continued…

Trisquire

Cutting and soldering. That's a clever way to turn a corner with tubing. It probably works better than bending the tubing.

8178

My Feedback: (17)

There was not enough space for a bend so the 90 degree turn helped a lot. I’ve done this type of thing before with fuel lines. Doing high temp silver soldering takes a little talent and practice but once you get it down you can do some neat stuff. The brass must be supper clean and the joint must be tight without gaps because silver solder will not bridge a gap.

Small brass tubing is a little more difficult but here is a video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1U2j2S1qBw

Trisquire

Cool. Thanks.

8178

My Feedback: (17)

The muffler Supertiger G-21 46 showed up today. The before and after clean up pictures are below. Externally it showed a lot of use but the piston looks almost new and the bearings feel good. Hard to tell though until it is run. Three head fins were slightly bent but that was an easy fix.

I had to cut two of the mounting bolts off by cutting into the side of the mount and cutting them off.

To be continued…