Ed Couch

Murph

My "canopy" section was added before covering not duplicating the actual section being simply screwed on as it was in real life. If I had it to do again and it looks like I may. I would cover the ship first and then add the canopy as it was on the real one. One can use screws as used on small railroad cars 00 and 000 brass screws or small rivets and it would take a bunch. I went back and simulated the screws with silver pen and then pencil just to show something other than paint. The windows in the side were framed after the fabric using 1/64 plywood frame and added the screws again as though maintenance had required them to be pulled at sometimes in its earlier history. Nothing fancy just a silver ink pen and a #2 pencil works well for me. Also a Monokote pin works well for doors and other maintenance panels. I know its cheating but it don't look to bad from 10 feet.

Murphey

My Feedback: (11)

Thanks Ed, those photos will really help. The canopy installation has been of concern since I started this project...and I won't be able to avoid it much longer!
When you flew your "Lady in Gray" Did you use the flaps for landing? Did you set them at 15 for take off and 30 for landing? And some down elevator mix?

This weekend, I glued in the ailerons and flaps, connected the linkages and rough adjusted them. I also installed the November numbers, leading edge position light, and landing light decals. In the nacelles I installed the ignition batteries, kill switches and ignition switches. I'm going to get the electrical stuff done, then the fuel system, gear and finally the engines. Should have about a 27 pound wing when finished...Then I'll start on the fuselage...
M

Ed Couch

Murph

On all my aircraft I never use flaps for takeoff. They are just not needed on our golf course green runway but I've always used them for landing if available. The big bird will leap off the ground if I let it. I normally drop half flaps on down wind leg and full flaps are called just after leveling wings on base. It gives the ship time to stabilize in speed and pitch before rolling onto final. On this particular model the builder did not add the flaps into the wing. Since the bird was already covered I did not want to redo everything until possibly later. They would be of great help but a close eye to glide slop and speed keeps me pretty much on track although I land a little faster than if I had 45 degrees of flaps deployed. My big warbirds use flaps on almost every flight including in winds. I flew jets for almost thirty years so I tend to fly a fairly flat approach using a fixed alpha and use throttle to maintain the proper attitude until touchdown Going all electric the rpm is much easier to control and the power is immediate when needed. Make life much easier. Average flight times have been over 7 minutes with and additional 3 minutes of reserve if needed.

Murphey

My Feedback: (11)

Thanks Ed! On the first flight, generally I don't use flaps even if available...just land with a little extra speed. After I see how it stalls, at altitude, and get a flight in, then it's time for flaps. I appreciate your sharing the experience on how she flies! Even though most every plane flied differently, your info lowers the jitter factor...not much, but some.
Thanks again!
M

Ed Couch

It seems like many years now but I guess only about five my sideburns and mustache were matched to my hair. Then I noticed that my glasses ear pieces were the stopping point of my gray hair as I gracefully started to turn a little gray. I also gained a little weight so now I'm gray below my glass line and I mean all the way but I don't seem to notice it until I added my pilot to the Lady in Gray. Years ago a friend did a series of cartoon characters of me in different flight gear and I've used them to grace many of my air vehicles over the years. Conceited, yeah just a little but hell I'm the one flying the ship so whom better to be in the bird on the fly bys. Don't look to bad in my old crush 50 mission hat and avaitor glasses. It is always fun to watch someone check out the pilot and do a little double take when they notice the old man setting adjacent to the Lady. I grin and go on as such is life. It took me a long time to laugh at myself but it feels great to do so. Just makes life a little easier.

Also the original builder of the Bomber made it out to our July 2 celebration with his lady and both had a ball. I was told he was down on himself on health issues but he was spry and getting around with a smile on his face. I asked him to return to building and helping me with a new project or two and he left smiling. Honestly his building was just fine and I would like to have him to help me fly a new bird in team scale. It gives me goose bumps when I saw him smiling and talking to his wife about doing a new project after four years of doing no building at all. Just a great day.

Laugh with me on the photos, grinning a little never hurt either.

ed

Murphey

My Feedback: (11)

What a great story Ed! Even the part about the gray hair! I drug out some photo's of me and some buddies when we were stationed in Thailand in '68...yep...I've changed a bit myself, it appears!

I'v been working on the Songbird installing radio and electrical gear in the wing and nacelles. The only equipment in the fuse are the elev and rudder servo's and a remote receiver. Should be ready to run engines next weekend...hopefully!
M

jdhughen

My Feedback: (1)

Gotten really quite is RC universe subscriptions still working. I'm monitoring about 15 differnent threads and haven't heard a peep from anyone since 7/6 ???

Is everyone just out flying or building ??

Joel

Avaiojet

I'll talk with you!

Murphey

My Feedback: (11)

I've had nothing to report, really...been finishing up on the painting, and installing the interior etc. I'm looking at a late August maiden...
M

Ed Couch

I have been flying with no noted problems, plan on taking it out this weekend if all goes well. I've been doing other things myself getting ready for the opening of the fall professional sports season. Working airships for the Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Stars and Dallas Mavericks this season. Also have two air vehicles in Austin scheduled. I normally get three months off a year now but thats been cut short due to business. This is the latest photo I just received taken at the flying field last week. "As the world turns". ed

SpaceRanger

Here's another full-scale Bobcat, or at least part of one, looking much like a model under construction. This is the fuselage of AT-17D/UC-78C, c/n 2688, ex-USAAF 42-14004 (originally an AT-17A from a batch which was to have gone to the RCAF as Cranes, but diverted), on display at the Flight of the Phoenix Museum, Gilmer, TX. It is owned by Terry Sullivan of Shreveport, LA, who used parts from it in the restoration of his other Bobcat, N66671. It is current as N91088, and the wings are in Terry's hangar in Shreveport.

Murphey

My Feedback: (11)

Well, today was "picture day"...She's all done except for a checking and re-checking the system. I haven't checked the CG yet either...
I've mentioned that all of the gear is in the wing save the elevator and rudder servos, so the wing weighs 24 lbs and the fuse weighs 7...so the dry weight is 31 lbs...I'm OK with that. Probably won't fly until early Sept though...
OK...now some of you other Bobcat Builders better get started...now there are 2!
M

Murphey

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Here are a few more:
M

Ed Couch

Skylard would be proud. Beautiful aircraft!

ed

zipman

My Feedback: (22)

Murphey,

Great job. Color scheme looks beautiful. Jon D. Larson will be happy when he see your Songbird. Hope she flys as good as Eds'.

I am cutting parts for the smaller RCM UC78. Hope to post pics soon. I also purchased a set of DS 1/5 plans and a short kit. It will be a while before I tackle

the big one.

The Best

jdhughen

My Feedback: (1)

Great job on the paint and details. Is the lettering and stripes all decals or paint ?
I like the little thin black stripe along the edge of the red. How was tha done ?

Who made the "flying Crown" and songbird decals for you ??

again supper job. can't wait to see her in the air. I hope mine looks as good. Is there a servo on the door ??

Thanks,

Joel

rhsmrt50

.....Beautiful work Murphey...........you are an insperation to us all..........the door came out great .....and the dummy engine sits in very well.......I am back to work on my project , so will update as I progress.......thanks for sharing such fine photos Murphey........it really helps me get back in the mood................Rich.

Murphey

My Feedback: (11)

Thanks for all of your kind words!
The stripes are painted and the November numbers are cut vinyl. The NO STEP and NO PUSH along with the landing lights (not shown in the photos are water slide decals. The "Crown" is inkjet printed on vinyl...all done by Cal-Grafx...and done very well I might add! The black lines are 1/16" striping tape, and a lot of it, applied over the line between colors and then painted with clear poly. The door is held closed by a magnetic catch.

Glad to hear you're working on the T-50 again Rich! And the rest of you...better get busy!
M

Ed Couch

Attached are a few shots taken this weekend at our local clubs big bird fly-in. Quite a number of beautiful air vehicles showed up and we had a great day. Good friends, lots of flying. no crashes, dings, or even broken props. A great lunch with burgers, dogs and other items provided by the club. Many of these pilots I have flown with for over 30 years. A little long in tooth and set in their ways but a great group to fly with. Sweet Caroline made three flights and danced for the crowd and I could not ask for more. I will be adding the 7 cylinder radials in this month and will make the final decision on adding the gear or not. Most don't even notice them being down but I do so we will just have to take a long look. This has been a very enjoyable year with the Lady and I look forward to many more flights.

Gents its been awful quite here these last few months, lets get the Cats in the air.

ed

Murphey

My Feedback: (11)

Thanks for the Photo's Ed...sweet lady indeed!

I did my taxi test a few weeks ago, just to check everything out and found that there were issues...I had some extreme RFI, which I fixed by shielding the spark lead and adding a choke to each throttle servo...so that's gone now...hopefully...A few bolts shook loose...now a bit of locktite later they're secure and I sent the landing gear back to be checked out because I was getting some intermittent operation. Turns out the jack screw was a bit too short...those guys at Down and Locked are great! And throw into the mix a bit of business travel and you've got the story...should be ready to maiden in a few weeks! That's my story and I'm sticking to it!
M

Down and Locked

Beautiful Bobcat there Murphy, we sure are proud to be a part of it Mitch at Down and Locked

Murphey

My Feedback: (11)

Mitch and Ron: Received the gear...I like the mods and they work great!
M

dauntlessuk

Hi,
Just found this fantastic thread as I'm contemplating building the Don Smith T-50. It's a mine of really useful information. Does anyone in Europe stock the Don Smith plans, or do they have to be ordered direct from the USA?
I was going to build a smaller version, but BIGGER is better, so why not do the job properly?
Thanks

Murphey

My Feedback: (11)

Welcome to the build thread! As far as I know, Precision Cut Kits is the exclusive distributor for Don Smith Plans. If you go back a few pages in this thread, someone had a complete kit that he wanted to sell...not sure if it is still available, but worth a check! Let us know if we can help!
M

dauntlessuk

Thanks for the welcome and the info Murphey.
I can buy from the USA, but here in Europe we get hit with high import taxes and then charges on top for collecting the taxes. The amounts charged are very random. The last kit I bought from the USA cost as much in taxes etc as the cost of the kit and shipping combined! So it would have been good to find a source/plan/kit available over here.