germrb

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I am starting this thread to share the building of the new Aircraft Modelers Research (AMR) Wedell-Williams Model 44 racer. The kit has only recently been put into production and is another fine example of the large aircraft kits produced by AMR. I completed their 33% WACO YMF-5 last summer and have had a great time flying it. The WACO has an RCS250 radial and it has been so impressive that I immediately started looking for another project for a big radial. The racer came along just in time.

I started building the racer in September and have gotten most of the general framing completed. I have posted photos on our clubs website, if people would like to see how things are progressing. Here's the address: http://www.nurcac.org/lp/listpics.as...lmore+Red+Lion

The kit was not designed to accomodate scale flying wires, but I am trying to design them into the structure. I have been working with Hans Gautschi at Aero Scale Products in Switzerland for the flying wires. They are beautiful stainless steel contoured wires that really look great. They're not the cheapest thing on the street, but they are well worth the effort. Also, the landing is very basic, so scale upgrades are going to be needed there as well.

I am going to finish the racer as a Gilmore Red Lion, which was built specifically for Col. Rosco Turner for the Bendix/Thompson trophy races in the early thirties. I'm still working on sources for the graphics.

Michel Normandin and Dany Racine at AMR are still working on some scale upgrades to the basic kit, which should make this a great scale project.

I'd be happy to share whatever information I have about the project.

dhal22

what size of radial will this one have?

david

foodstick

It looks like it is designed nice, can't wait to see it together...

germrb

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David,

The plane has a 16 inch diameter cowl and will accommodate almost anything. Either an RCS 215 or 250 will work great. I plan to use an RCS250. I have one in my 33% WACO and its a great performer. AMR flew their prototype with a 3W157T2 and were very happy with the speed.

germrb

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I have spent a delightfully rainy weekend in the shop struggling with flying wire anchors. "Delightfully rainy"? When you live in the high desert, any rain is great. The original airplane has fifteen flying wires and five of them are landing gear supports. The AMR kit was not designed with the flying wires, so you have to start from scratch. Also, you have to build your own scale landing gear structure. The kit provides a really strong 5/16 inch thick aluminum strut, but it is nothing like the scale gear. The trick is to mould the landing gear into the wheel pants, which is one problem I haven't figured out a solution for. It would be easy to permanently attach the wheel pants to the landing gear, but not being able to remove the wheel pant or wheel doesn't seem like a very good situation.

Hopefully, I can get beyond the landing gear problems soon and move on to covering.

Be sure and VOTE on election day!

germrb

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I found a complete set of Gilmore Red Lion decals from Dumas Boats for a 24" wing span model. I sent them to Cal-Grafx and they have given me a quote to enlarge them 500%, which be just right for this build. They are going to provide me with proofs before cutting the final patterns. That's one more problem out of the way.

germrb

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I have been working on flying wire integration into the AMR design. The AMR desgin does not use them, but I think the plane would not look right without them. I have had some anchor brackets made by Aero Sport in Switzerland. I introduced 1/4" plywood plates into the wing structure and attached the brackets with 2-56 stainless steel bolt and lock nuts. The brackets are on 1/16" ply with 1/32" ply covering. This combination duplicates the normal 1/8" wing sheeting. All of the attach points will be flush. There are a total of 15 wires. As soon as all the brackets are installed, I can finish sand and start covering.

germrb

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Well, I finally finished all the flying wire attachment installation. The use of quick release anchor plates will greatly simplify field assembly. After carefully measuring each wire requirement, I was pleased to see that all the wires from left to rignt were exactly equal. More of a testiment to the AMR design then my building skills. "All's well that ends well" The order for the flying wire set went to Aero Sport this week.

Next task - SANDING! I hate sanding. For one thing, I'm never quite sure when I'm finished. It seems to go on forever. Sand, fill, sand, fill, sand, fill, ad nausium. When I get sick of sanding the wings, I'll start covering. I'm using F&M Stits Lite fabric. It is actually truely biaxial polyester and shrinks 12%. I haven't found another fabric that performs quite as well. I paint the bond surfaces with Balsarite (two coats) and then tack everything with an iron. Then I saturate the bonds with F&M PolyTac adhesive.

txaggie08

Beautiful kits, I just wish they where a bit more on the affordable side...

3D Joy

I wish I had one with a radial.
It seems like I will have to work a little more...

germrb

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You're right. Its a very tall step to climb. However, once you're there, its really sweet. I have an RCS250 in my 33% WACO.

dhal22

nothing, i mean nothing sounds better than high speed radial powered low pass. radials are great for biplanes but even better for warbirds or racers. can't wait for the video on this one.

david

germrb

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David,

I've got some flight time on VHS tape. My cameraman is suppose to get it transfered to DVD. I"ll post it when its availble.

The sweetest part is the 800 rpm idle.

germrb

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Well, I gave up on sanding. At the rate I was going, there wasn't going to be any wood left to cover. Both wings are now covered with F&M Stits Lite fabric.

For making rib stitching, I use a piece of 3/8" glass that is 8" wide and 12" long. I mount a series of nail on either side. I vary the spacing depending on the scale. For 30-40% models I use 3/4" spacing. I wax the glass and apply one layer of silkspan, string the proper size thread between the nails, add a second sheet of silkspan, and then saturate the layers with Balsarite. After its cured I cut the threads and peel the sheet off the glass. Lots of wax is required, otherwise everything sticks to the glass. Then cut the sheet into ribbons of the appropriate wide. To apply to the covering, first wet the cap strips with Balsarite and then attach the strips with a 250 degree iron. This attaches the strips and secures the covering to the ribs. Be sure and shrink the fabric first.

Once all the stitching has been applied, the tape comes next.

germrb

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Well, progress has been slow considering the holidays, etc. However, I did manage to get the wings and the fuselage covered, stitched, taped, and filled. Now, its down to details and fine finish and spraying. Ah, there's the rub! Its about 12 degrees today and I have'nt got an indoor spray booth. However, I do have a friend who just built a new shop. As luck would have it, he has a heated spray booth. I'm not sure how well he likes me, but I may have to find out. Otherwise, its a long time before Spring.

I have ordered the flying wires from Aero Scale Products in Switzerland. Hans sent me an e-mail saying that they had been shipped, so hopefully they will arrive shortly. Cal-Grafx has been buried in work and will start on the graphics package after the New Year.

The cockpit is going to be the next project. I have some documentation on the original IP and have been shopping for individual instruments at InZpan. Unfortunately, I don't have any documentation on the cockpit interior. Time to do research.

michou41a

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Hello Bob, your are a real Master Builder, your touch is excellent!

Thanks for the book, we are looking at very carefully.

germrb

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AMR, et. al,

Thanks for the kind words, but I'm not really that good. I see the work of people at the Scale Masters and cannot imagine how they do such beautiful work.

For others, the "book" is Wedell-Williams Air Service by Robert S. Hirsch and Barbara H. Schultz. It is a great reference book about the Golden Age of Air Racing. You can find it at Plane Merchantile at http://store02.prostores.com/servlet...oks/Categories

Carnifax

Wow, very nice build. It is looking great! I love the air racers and Im building a much smaller Wedell Williams too. The NR61Y is in our local museum. I took a ton of pics and would be happy to provide them if you want. I took detailed pics of the cockpit and exterior. I would gladly hike back up if you need more. Keep up the great work and Ill be watching!

Dan

germrb

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Dan,

Photos of the actual NR61Y would be great. What format? Film or digital? I'd be happy to pay for a duplicate set. Send me a PM and we can work out the details.

Meanwhile, the flying wires arrived from Aero Sport Products. As usual, Hans has done a great job. Everything fit beautifully. With all the wires inplace and tightened, this plane is going to be hell for stout! There's no way this bird will come apart in the air.

I did order some individual instruments from InZpan to make up the IP. The cockpit photos will be just what I need to finish up.

Carnifax

Here are some basic shots...

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...liams+crawford

I have more if you need them, let me know. They are all digital files. I could PM, email or burn them to a disc and send them. Keep up the great work.

Dan

germrb

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Dan,

Thanks for the photo link. Those will be great. I just need some ideas for a cockpit layout. I would love to visit the Crawford someday. We have a Browning Auto Museum in Ogden that is on a par with Crawford. It's a great way to spend an afternoon.

Thanks again,

michou41a

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Wow! first time i saw the Real one , thanks for the pictures

Michel

germrb

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I have gotten to the point where painting has become a necessity, rather than a choice. I tried filling my time preping individual parts and making holding fixtures for painting. Having run out of those projects, everything is just going to have to sit for awhile until the weather improves or my friend with the nice heated paint booth finishes up his project.

In the mean time, I got playing around with a different cowl design just to see how it would work. I made a plug, a mould, and one cowl (a lot of work) just out of curiosity. I made it big enough to go over the forward fuselage all the way back to the L/E of the wing. (19.75" dia. X 16" long) I also made the diameter great enough to allow plenty of cooling circulation. Unfortunately, it really doesn't work very well. It looks like its part of a different airplane that got stuck on this one. Oh well, so much for experimenting. Ha! Its winter. Whatelse have I got to do?

I still have to make a final engine selection. I would love to get another RCS 250 radial, but that's a lot of money for sound. The other option is the new 3W170T2. Its half the price and considerably more powerful. And there are always friends who say "With your money, just buy it". However, when I suggest a contribution, they all disappear.

Later,

germrb

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Michel,

That's a full 38% scale of the original, exept the taper is about 2.5 degree, instead of 1.5 deg The fuselage diameter would have to increase to approx. 18" and the firewall moved back about 4" to make it work. That would be really big! Experiments are always fun.

rcmiker

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Hi Bob,

Thank you for the generous heads up on your #44 build. I've done some catching up with your progress, viewed some of your frame up work on the club site, and am very impressed with all that you have accomplished to date. So very informative, and will be a BIG help to me on my own Wedell-Williams build. I look forward to your future posts there Bob, and following your progress. I will also be sending off for the graphics package that you were envolved in, as I am in the "gathering" mode with the Red Lion at this stage (have a Ziroli P-40 under construction - my first scale model effort, and though slow on progress - I'm loving every minute that I can get to work on it).

Keep up the great work,

Mike Huskins