andrewtexas123

Nick Ziroli...AT-6 Texan (1/5th scale)

OK guys The build has started and I thank every one who replied to my glue thread. I haven't built any thing of this size the questions are gonna keep flowing so I though I would just make a build thread and ask away here! Hope I still get as detailed answers as before, I have all four plan sheets and the short kit both came in the mail yesterday (3/21/09). After about an hour of going through the laser cut parts and plans I found where I would like to start! "fuselage crutch" is what its called runs down the middle of the fuse. Here's where my first questions come in!

The crutch is similar to this: ======== but its one long piece of 1/4th" x 1/2" x 55" running down both sides and 1/8" x 1/2" triangular cross bracing. Where can I get Balsa in lengthy pieces (55inch)? Where do you guys buy your balsa?


Thanks every one!
Andrew

andrewtexas123

Here are some pictures of last nights work just messing around getting a feel for the plans and parts! Nothing glued yet waiting for all of the sticks to arrive that Im going to order tonight. Then the real work will begin!

Andrew

planebuilder66

My Feedback: (8)

I've never come across 55" long balsa, 48 is the longest I've seen, I gues some scarf jointed sticks are your best bet, basically a splice of two sticks at a 60-70 degree angle, Ideally, it should be 8 time the thickness of the material, so if it's 1/2" thick material, then 4" long diagonal splice is perfrered, but that's for wooden boat building. A 60-70 degree angle is plenty of surface area to make the joint strong and spread the load.

andrewtexas123

Yes scarf joint is what one gentleman said in an email he sent me! Sounds very practical and I will give it a shot. I have some scratch balsa laying around here, I might as well practice a couple and experiment with various glues to find out whats strongest. Here's what I got coming from tower so far I know I will need a lot more but its a start!

LXAR36 Midwest Balsa 1/8 x 1/2 x 36" (15) $13.69
LXJD06 Tower Hobbies Balsa 1/4 x 1/2 x 36" Stick (16) $5.99
LXJD01 Tower Hobbies Balsa 1/8 x 1/4 x 36" Stick (20) $4.49

Hope to get the crutch built at least this weekend don't wanna don't want to bite off more then I can chew at once! I am very bust right now but should slow down in two weeks very busy with school, sports, and what not! I'm anxious to get this thing going though!

Thanks for the reply,
Andrew

frequent flyer

My Feedback: (6)

I 'll be following this thread. I've had this plane for a long time now and never got around to building it . I bought the fiberglass fuselage, cowl, canopy. Hope you post a lot of pictures as you go.

frequent flyer

My Feedback: (6)

Lonestar is back in bussinss now

dale691

Where did you buy the laser cut parts from Andrew? And are the cowl and canopy available

CAP232Pilot-RCU

Andrew,

I ordered my balsa from Balsa USA, they carry 48" lnegths. I scarfed my lengths so that the joint fell on the plywood side former. I am currently building a Ziroli Stuka. Once the crutch is built and straight I fastened mine down after each bulkhead was fitted to maintain the alignment. Then I ran several stringers and un-clamped the assembly from the building board. I am not sure on the Texan but there are a couple of errors in the Stuka plans.

rthalls

My Feedback: (63)

dose any one have a build instruction for the AT 6 for ziroli plans ? if so could you e-mail me a copy please , thanks
getting ready to start cutting out one

warbirdmustang

My Feedback: (21)

I don't think there are any instructions, other than what is printed on the plans. Ziroli plans are pretty easy to figure out, and Ziroli is good about answering questions when they arise. I likewise have the Fiberglass stuff along with foam wings and everything but a spinner to bild my AT-6, so I'm subscribed!

rthalls

My Feedback: (63)

thanks for the reply- I built his corsair and started his hell cat and they both had a instruction sheet witch was a big help so I though the AT-6 must have one also ..... going to stop build on hell cat couse what I'va read my G-62 wasn't enough engine for it , so will go to the AT-6 I think it will be OK

warbirdmustang

My Feedback: (21)

The AT-6 will have PLENTY of power with the G-62, that's what the racing boys use in them. I've seen several fly with that engine, and they are actually overpowered. I am putting an old 2.
4 Koritz in mine, that I have actually seen fly a friend's AT-6 at 27 pounds, and flew it well. Greg Hahn did an article several years ago about scale power loadings, and he said that a G-38 will fly this aircraft very scale like. I agree, because I've seen the 41cc engine I have fly one well. The G-62 will give you all the power you'll need. I have a G-62, but I'm going for a scale bird, so I really don't need the extra power. Keep us updated on the build!

rthalls

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dose anyone have exprence with flaps on the AT - 6 ?? would like to leave them off for a easyer build [ not going with retracts either ] thanks

warbirdmustang

My Feedback: (21)

While flaps may not be necessary on this bird, they sure do slow the landing and make the plane more stable. I think every one I've seen has them, and I would give serious consideration to including them even without retracts. Better to have them and not use them than to need them and not have them. If you didn't get carried away with detailing them, they could be made very simple.

rthalls

My Feedback: (63)

thanks think I will go with the flaps bob

warbirdmustang

My Feedback: (21)

Anyone have any updates on how their At-6's are going? I am trying to get some other projects off the bench, but I keep eyeballing that At-6 fuse standing in the corner of my shop!

Jannica

Hello!

I also have had the plans laying around for many years without getting anywhere. I also have the cowl and canopy. Maybe the time has come to do something about it. As far as I know there was no separate instruction sheet with the plans but they seem fairly straight forward so I don´t think it is necessary. I'm am interested to read of your progress.

Jannica

rthalls

My Feedback: (63)

trying to post a picture of my AT6 being built but can't get it done ' can any one tell me how .. also if any one has a canopy and cowl they will sell let me know thanks bob

dadragon

Hi Guys;If you call and talk to DIANE at ZIROLI I'm sure she can with all your needs for your builds,I have had real good dealings with them.GEO

warbirdmustang

My Feedback: (21)

I agree, Diane is pretty cool to work with, I have talked with her in the past! I have also spoke via phone with Nick Jr. about some flap building questions I had on a P40 I was building, and he was great to work with as well. I definately recommend Ziroli plans, they have good customer service( in my opinion) and the planes always fly great! I too have several other projects I'm working on, but was starightening up my shop last night, and had to move the foam wing cores for the AT6, so I got to stop and stare at the fuse and stuff for a few minutes! I can't wait to start on mine, but have 3 other planes going right now, so got to finish a couple before I start!

rthalls

My Feedback: (63)

can any one tell what to use or how to make the trim strip that covers the wing joinig area on the plup in wings ?? thanks

Eifel

Hi rthalls,

I can tell you what I did actually.

I bought a sealing band with 0,4" diameter in the next hardware store

Cut that in the middle and fixed it with CA on the middle part of the wing

Put some film on the outer part of the wing and put both wing parts together

Than I put glas fiber and 24 hour epoxi on it

warbirdmustang

My Feedback: (21)

Good idea! I'll have to look for something similar here in the states to do mine! I was wondering how I'd make that hump, and still have the outer panels detachable. I have the plug in tubes from Ziroli, but that feature was perplexing me. Thanks!
Bryan

rthalls

My Feedback: (63)

thank you for your information - I have never glassed a plane and would like to maybe do the texan that finish so any information on how I would love to have thanks bob

Eifel

Hi Bob,

in Europe it is still common to glass planes with this size, because the paint allow a much better scale finish. I could give you a lot of links how to glass but they are all in German and I still think that will not help.

Important steps are:

Very well surface finishing of the wood surface. All filling work have to be done on the wood surface. All scratches have to be filled and sanded
Typically we use glass filament with 48 gramm / square meter
Laminating will be possible with 24 hour laminating epoxi or a product called CLOU Schnellschleifgrund



Put the glass on the surface you like to laminate and bring your laminating liquid with an old credit card on the surface
After drying of this layer a first and quick sanding
For the next layer you increase viscosity of your epoxy with talcum powder
This surface can be finished for the paintwork
Painting can be done with an HVLP

Carsten