VincentJ

I've admired the Spacewalker model enough to want to have one of my own so I thought I would go ahead and build one. After purchasing the kit I tucked it away in an empty closet in my house with the intentions of startinig itin thefall, after allI just finished a major 8 month build (Sig Ryan STA) and I thought I would enjoy the break.Ya, right, that lasted all of a week or twoand I have been missing the time spent in the workshop building.Building takesmy mind off the troubles of the day and calms me down, but that isa different story for a different thread...

Some changes will be made to this build to suit my needs and tastes. Some of the more notable ideas that I plan to implement are to split the elevator halves and place a separate servo for each half as well as a pull-pull set-up for the rudder. I plan to make some changes in the landing gear if my thoughts work outas planned. Power wise- I'm thinking DLE-30, maybe even the 35! Nothing ground shaking, but I think it will be funso I hopethis thread generates enough interest for you to want tofollow along...

VincentJ

All good builds start with a review of the building instruction booklet which I have done several times already. The next stepinvolved a short trip in mytruckto visit the local copier in town to have my plans duplicated. I hate to build on folded plans, so for me plans that lay flat is a "must have".

I took a quick inventory of the wood inthe kit, and was happy to see that everything inside the box was neatly packaged/placed without any visable damage. I sorted the wood and removed the six 1/4"x1/2"x40" Spruce sticks that will become the Main Spar assembliesfor the wing. Cutting them to length and glueing them up with epoxy went as planned. As a note, the glue of choice for me is Titebond II wood glue, however since the spars are made from Spruce I find that epoxy is a better choice for strength and holding power for this type of wood. (I use very little if any CA on my builds.) The spars were clamped between some aluminum square stock that I have in the shop to ensure the spars will be straight and trueonce dry.

While waiting for the epoxy to cure I decided to separate the ribs sheetsinto three piles,starting from the top areribs W-1, next W-2 followed by a pile ofW-3. I released the ribs from their die cut sheets carefully and made one large pile that I willclean upso all of the ribs will have the same identical profile.

jstyle13

My Feedback: (1)

I've always loved the Spacewalker II and the 1/3 kit as well. I hope to build one (or both of these) of them as well one day. I'll be subscribed to this thread and can't wait to see your progress.

JJ[8D]

Owl

My Feedback: (8)

subscribed...

I'm getting ready to start one of these soon myself, so I'll be watching closely

WacoNut

Hey VJ that's no fair you are getting a jump on me and the 1/3 SW

I am subscribed and will be watching. I have too many honey do's and other small projects to knock out before my kit hits the table.

Enjoy the build!!!
Anthony

TCampbell

I'm in! Looking forward to another great build thread.

Yank II

Signed up, can't what!

Cub Flyer Fresno

Come on VJ, what's taking so long?  Let's see some wings!  

jymster

My Feedback: (9)

Signed up to!

TomCrump

Vincent, I totally understand your need to start another build so soon after the completion of your Ryan STA. I, too, find a need to have an ongoing project at all times.

I know that you will enjoy building the SW II.

I look forward to following your progress.

VincentJ

Welcome all (JJ, Owl, Anthony, Tim, Yank II, David ,Jymster and Tom!).

Anthony, had to start early. You know the feeling of having a couple of kits tucked away and you're just itching to get them started and the second reason is, well, I'm not a fast builder like you so I need a head start .

I don't plan on rushing this build, as it's flying season now and I do want to fly more this year. Well I think it's flying season, frost warnings were still out last night and I heard the furnace running yet again...

ghoffman

My Feedback: (3)

And don't forget the new DA-35 as a candidate engine!  It is amazing to see the tolerance in the ribs.

VincentJ

Yes Gary, that's why I try to stack the ribs together and sand them as one. Makes for a better chance to get a straight true wing. I would have liked to see the ribs laser cut instead of die cut, however there wasn't any crushing of the balsa indicating that their dies were relatively sharp!

ghoffman

My Feedback: (3)

When was your kit made? 

VincentJ

I'll check when I get home. My guess is pretty recent though.

hrrcflyer

Hey VJ,

Even though the Spacewalker isn't one of my favorite planes, I'm in............. I just love to see a master at his craft. Let the lessons begin again.........LOL

Take care,
David

raptureboy

We want private Ryan, we want private Ryan,we want ..... Wow you are a building machine! I have too many chores outside to do now as well as a plane or 2 to finish andrepair. My new bearing for my DLE is on its way so I will be putting that back together as well as gettting ready to glass my P-47 and get detailing andpainting. Would like to have that done by the fall, before I start my GS Pt-19 for next winter. Proceed master

ghoffman

My Feedback: (3)

+1

Cub Flyer Fresno

Gee VJ, your furnace is still running to keep you warm, while my AC is cranking away 24 hours a day to keep me cool!  Fresno had 102° on Sunday!  Had to break out my evaporative cooler in the garage.... er... uh... I'm mean hanger to keep working on my Cub!  (Which, by the way, is almost there!)

[email protected]

My Feedback: (1)

i have 4 space walkers all with 20cc gas engines all with zenoah gas 20cc very nice planes

VincentJ

Wow, they must be if you have four of them...

[email protected]

My Feedback: (1)

iam trying to get away of my nitros so cheap to run gas

4570jackjack

My Feedback: (74)

<html />

Mr_Grump

I built one years ago. It was a great sunday flier. I modeled mine after a full scale version and powered it with a G26 Zenoah. Flew it very scale but a DLE 30 will be much better. Always good to have more when you need it.

Mine was very heavy as well. I covered it with a painted fabric. Can't remember the name but I think it was a Coverite product. Used their paint on the pants and cowl. It was all good stuff.

I've got a 1/3 scale kit now and a Saito FG-57T for power. Just need the motivation to put it together. Looking forward to the build.

Lowvoltage

I will be watching. I have the 1/4 and 1/3 scale Spacewalkers to build. I would think between Tom Crump, Vincent, and Waconut there should bea wealth ofgoodbuildingadviceavailablefor anyone to build a nice Spacewalker.