jrbmoto

I did get a little bit of work done this weekend. I made the fairings that connect the vertical to the horizontal surfaces. I also cut the hinge slots for the ailerons and did some final fitting. Its just about time to start the final sanding. I still need to set up the tail wheel and shape and hinge the tail surfaces. But that shouldn't take much time. I need to figure out what to do for covering. Should I do a fabric and dope finish? I haven't played around with dope since I was in high school but I've always loved the way a silk and dope finish looks on an airplane. So much nicer than plastic iron on covering. Any suggestions?

-Johnny-

Free Bird

JRO, thanks for the effort!

Deadstik

My Feedback: (8)

Jrb,

I've attached some pics of my Sportmaster Project. Certainly don't want to intrude on your thread. You've done a beautiful job on your build. Is there a way that you could take a picture of your wing saddle area and post it? You can look at mine and see that this plane undoubtedly went in on the wing and ripped the wing off the plane. I have plans, but it would be much easier to just look and then know what I have to rebuild. I also posted pics of the canopy area so you can get an idea of how this one looked. It would be great if we could find one and pull a plug. I'm taking this one to lunch tomorrow to continue stipping off that awful green metallic Monokote. I'm also going to cut a new foam wing for mine so I'll start another thread when I start my restore.

Dan
Carolina Custom Aircraft

jrbmoto

Dan,
Thanks for the kind words, your not intruding at all, I'm happy see another Sportmaster get put back into service!
Your Sportmaster being an original Aamco kit has the "Box-Lock" construction, 1/2" balsa with dato cuts to except the cross rails. The Lazerworks kit is different in that the fuse sides are 1/8" balsa doubled up with another layer of 1/8" balsa and 1/16" ply from over the wing saddle forward to the firewall. So unfortunetly, Im not sure if a picture of mine will help you. Good luck on your rebuild, it doesn't look too bad. Please post more pics as you progress.

-Johnny-

Deadstik

My Feedback: (8)

Johnny,

Thank you very much for the picture. Now I can see exactly what was ripped out of the fuselage. Can you believe the thickness of that wing saddle balsa in my plane?? I'm going to try to strip it during lunch so I can see just what I have to work with. As you can see, looks like my rudder bit the big one too.... Now if we can just solve this canopy thing.....


Dan
Carolina Custom Aircraft

jrbmoto

Dan,
You should be able to trace the bottom half of former A, replace it and splice in some new stringers. You say you have the plans, isn't it nice that they show all the formers! Looks like you need to replace some wood on the wing saddle too, not a big deal since you have the wing profile. You mentioned that you are going to cut foam wings for it. I would like to suggest you buy a wing kit from Lazerworks. The ribs have tabs on the bottom so that you can build it flat without any jigs. They include a ply trailing edge spline and notches in the leading edge that except a 1/8 x 1/4 balsa stringer. This makes framing up very quick and easy. I had a lot of fun building the wing, especially the process of building the ailerons into the wing then later cutting them out. Fun stuff!
By shortening the wing 6" and spreading the ribs just a little bit further apart, I was able to eliminate 6 ribs! This along with carefull balsa sheeting selection, resulted in a very light yet sturdy wing....Just a suggestion, as I said, i'm just happy to see another Sportmaster coming to life!
I have to ask, where did you aquire this little gem? Any idea what year it was built? It would be cool to know it's history. What engine are planning on using? Keep the pictures coming!

-Johnny

Deadstik

My Feedback: (8)

Johnny,

Got the basic stipping of the old Monokote done today. I really don't have that much to "rebuild"... certainly nothing that I can't make from the plans. Not all that much fun getting the very old Monokote color off but between light sanding and straight acetone it will all be off shortly. I've attached a few pics. I may be able to repair enough of that cracked canopy I have and make a plug. I certainly can't make it any worse than it is. Anymore progress on your new one?

Dan

Carolina Custom Aircraft

jrbmoto

I've been busy getting her ready for covering. I did some final shaping of the nose and gave the fuselage a good once over before sanding it with 150. i will do the final shaping of the wing tomorrow morning before going over the entire plane with 220 then 400. I am going with Monokote after all. I was thinking of going with a fabric and paint job but the bottom line is that I want to get this plane finished. A fabric covering job would take me months! I'll post some pics when the covering begins.

-Johnny-

jrbmoto

Well, I managed to get the wing covered. I hope to start covering the fuselage this weekend.

-Johnny-

Deadstik

My Feedback: (8)

Johnny,

Classic trim scheme.... just what the plane needs.... I'll be getting back to my project shortly. Happy New Year !!!!

Dan
Carolina Custom Aircraft

jrbmoto

Thats what I'm going for, a classic look. Happy New Year to you too Dan!


-Johnny-

build light

Just love the cream color in your color scheme. Just about any dark color looks good with it.

Robert

jrbmoto

Some more progress this week.

pd1

That's really coming out very nice.
I like the colors and the trim scheme.

When the Sportmaster was flying, the wing always looked to be very high aspect ratio.
With your shortened wing, I'm anxious to see how it will look finished.

Paul

jrbmoto

Thanks Paul, I love the colors too. They really give it that old timey look. Once I finish covering, things should come together quickly. All of the servo mounts are in place and the fuel tank is ready to be installed. The only hold up might be finishing up the cockpit. I bought a Sportster 120 canopy that will work but I think it might be a little too big so I'm thinking of ordering a .60 size one instead. Then there is the issue of a pilot figure. I have some ideas but haven't decided on one yet. I always try to find something unusual instead of just buying an off the shelf pilot figure. I plan on going to the AMA convention thats in town this weekend so perhaps I'll find something there.

-Johnny-

pd1

These are easy to come by, and they're light too.

jrbmoto

The AMA convention was pretty much the same as usual. Row after row of ARFs, toy helicopters, and booths filled with batteries and servo extentions. There were some highlights, I got to try out the latest RealFlight from GP, pretty awsome! There were some beautiful models on display, including Bill Hemple's 50% J3 Cub nice! I think the best part was seeing Nick Maxwell put on an unbelivable heli show, its reducilous what this guy can do! I also got to meet up with some old friends. Jim Pearson from RCM was there with my old buddy Winfred Joe. I was also able to chat briefly with Jim Feldman about his latest twin Super Sportster project. Anyway, I looked until my eyes ached but I did not find one kit. Yes, not one box of balsa with a rolled up set of plans and an instruction booklet. Nothing but ARFs...Oh well...This is why I collect kits.
And no, I didnt find a pilot figure for the Sportmaster..

-Johnny-

jrbmoto

Quite a bit of progress this weekend, I finished covering the tail feathers and got everything hinged then glued everything up. It came out nice and straight! Here are some mock up pics.

Deadstik

My Feedback: (8)

Looks Great Johnny!!!! Can't wait to see the flight pictures!!!

Please don't let it snow again.... :-( I'm lrunning out of kerosene money!!!


Dan

jrbmoto

Thanks Dan,
Heres a pic of the dash, sorry its a little blury. I punched it out of a piece of autobrite (mirror finish stainless steel) then added some guages from a J-TEC kit

Deadstik

My Feedback: (8)

Johnny,

That instrument panel looks great. If you've got any spare time (lol) you could always build one for a friend......I am so looking forward to this weekend. It is supposed to be 65 degrees here for four days straight so I am looking forward to getting some serious aircraft building done. At least get the new cores cut for my Sportmaster. Still trying to find the right canopy but if I can't, I'll just make a mold and pull one.

'take care,

Dan
Carolina Custom Aircraft

jrbmoto

I'll tell you what, I'll trade you a dash for a canopy!

-Johnny-

jrbmoto

Here it is in the plane

Deadstik

My Feedback: (8)

Johnny,

Let me see if the canopy I have is repairable to the point of using it to make a plug.. if so... that would be a great trade.... I'll know tomorrow....
once I can get the shop up above freezing... tried to work this morning... and I just was too cold to wait on it... so am going back later today.

thanks again.

Dan

jrbmoto

Dan,
I was able to make the Sportster 120 canopy work after all. This morning I mounted my pilot figure (Irwin) then did the final trimming of the canopy. I painted a 3/16" border around the canopy with maroon Lustercoat then glued it in place with RC-56 and some screws. I'm not thrilled with the results but not disappointed either. Here are some pics.

-Johnny-