OldScaleGuy

My Feedback: (2)

Had some time to spend on this project today finally. The fuse sheeting has to be cut to fit the wing panel as it is slid into position. Like a lot of this kit, not difficult but time consuming. One panel down, one to go. The pictures are not very clear as to the process. With the next panel i will take a couple of pictures as progressing.

prgonzalez

Very Nice Work.

I subscribed to this thread. I have one kit that I bought right after it was discontinued 5 yrs ago.

Keep on going and please post lots of pictures of the construction details.

Pedro

WhoDaMan

My Feedback: (164)

Steve you are a great builder,,,, not many left out there

OldScaleGuy

My Feedback: (2)

Thank you for your kind words. I am hoping building will make a come back as the arf's continue to get more expensive.

WhoDaMan

My Feedback: (164)

or as they tend to fall out of the sky because you don't know what's under the hood as they say

pacorro

My Feedback: (9)

Hi.
Nice dog, by the way a real fast awesome and clean work, flying prehaps in six more weeks?

OldScaleGuy

My Feedback: (2)

Six weeks? Good question. It really depends on the weather, if it nice it will probably be longer than that. I love being outside when the weather is good. We love the puppies, one young black lab and one old golden. Here are some pics from today's progress, this took about 2 hours to complete, it is time consuming but this is an important step to the finish appearance of the plane. Mark a little, cut and sand a little and finally you have a good fit. Front deck is next.

DGrant

My Feedback: (4)

Very nice work... So its just a matter of "baby steps" when fitting the wings huh.... I'm thinking(trying to remember my manual that I've read several times over the years)..the alignments are done way prior to this correct?.... before the fuselage siding is complete... thereby you're only creating clearance for the wings to seat onto/into the main fuse box internally..

I think I'm on the track here.. still itching to build mine... its just too much to take on right now... but it will happen.. I do thoroughly enjoy watching others though.. and I still have my smaller builds for a bit... Thanks for sharing man.

OldScaleGuy

My Feedback: (2)

You are exactly correct with both statements. Baby steps when fitting the wing through the sheeting. The wing panels do slide through the sheeting, which is basically cosmetic, to the inner fuse box which is the main supporting structure for the fuse where the alignment takes place prior to adding the sheeting.
This picture shows why i wait to finish leading edges until just prior to ready to cover. I slipped yesterday and a finger nail hit the leading edge. Had to learn this one the hard way.

If you go back to this post, you can get a good idea how it all aligns with the fuse box. http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10985194

DGrant

My Feedback: (4)

Thanks.. It jogged my memory.. at the time of alignment.. one really can't even tell what its going to be... I've always thought this to be an ingenious design.. I know its root design concept has been around a while.. and basically used in a few or more other aircraft.. but to watch it unfold just reminds of how well thought out it is.. and you're doing a great job with it... and yes.. some of the easier steps take way more time then much more difficult tasks.. then its about actually taking the time needed, and not hurrying.. which then becomes the hardest part of something easy... haha... of which you've obviously got that under control... cant wait to see it unfold further.

OldScaleGuy

My Feedback: (2)

It is an older design but still works well. Nick Ziroli uses a similar concept in his designs.

It is raining this morning in lovely Seymour, IN so the front deck is on the way, formers and stringers added. The only issue with this is the kit was short 3 of the 6 pieces of 1/8 X 1/4, once again as luck would have it, i had some 48" sticks in stock. On to getting the front deck sheeting prepared.

OldScaleGuy

My Feedback: (2)

Had to take a step back on the front deck. The 1/8" lite ply front top former was badly warped and i didn't notice it until it was too late. First the previous stringers were removed and an effort was made to straighten the former with new stringers, that didn't work out either. So, the lite ply former and stringers were removed a piece of 1/4" 5 ply was cut and new stringers added again. Definately a minor weight penalty but IMHO well worth it because the back of the cowl mates up to this part after sheeting. In the mean time the rear turtle deck formers and stringers have been added. Now it is on to sheeting both decks.

OldScaleGuy

My Feedback: (2)

Front deck is finished. First the sheeting was watered down, then tape in place overnight, finish fitting, glued in place, yes it looks like a porcupine at this point , then finish sand. A bit more work and time than expected but it turned out ok in the end. The 1/4 X 1/4 square small pieces aid in aligning the vertical stab after sheeting the rear deck.

Hawk21

My Feedback: (7)

You can use water to take out that dent. Also do you know how much dihedral the wings have?

OldScaleGuy

My Feedback: (2)

Thanks for the tip. I think it will sand out as the rest of the leading edge is finished, but will sure keep that in mind. There is no dihedral as such, just what builds into the wing as the tip ribs get smaller. I will put it together and get a dimension for you on that.

Hawk21

My Feedback: (7)

Thanks, I am planing on building mine with foam wings that is why i am asking
for the dihedral.

OldScaleGuy

My Feedback: (2)

Hawk 21, by measuring the thickest portion of the ribs, from the root rib to the tip rib there is exactly 1 inch difference.
Pictures show the first attempt at the cowl installation. The cowl fits fine but with a bit of pre-planning you could easily do a 1/4" or so overlap to the fuse. As designed the cowl butts up to and is flush with the fuse sheeting across the top and around a portion of the fuse sides. Personally i think i would have preferred to do the 1/4" overlap just for ease of construction and overall better finished appearance.

OldScaleGuy

My Feedback: (2)

Rear turtle deck sheeting in place via tape, pins, clamps after a good soaking with water. I glued up the sheeting last weekend and it has been sitting with weights on it all week. Will let this sit until tomorrow, in the mean time, back to work on the cowl.

OldScaleGuy

My Feedback: (2)

Basic fitting for the cowl is finished. Still have to do the cut outs for exhaust, air outlet, etc.
First trimming complete on the rear turtle deck sheeting. So far, so good on that.
Sunny and warm day [8D] but very windy [:'(] but probably not much else will get accomplished this weekend. I need to get out of the dungeon.

OldScaleGuy

My Feedback: (2)

Took a bit of a break this morning for the typical stuff and decided to install the throttle and choke servo. Looks like it should work out ok. Plus the additional plywood servo tray ties in the firewall and fuse sides for some added strength.

OldScaleGuy

My Feedback: (2)

Rear turtle deck is installed and sanded. The cockpit floor along with the front and rear cockpit formers are installed. The pilot sits too short so i am thinking of adding a 1" block under it to give it a more scale like appearance, one picture shows the effect to adding 1". Opinions welcome on that. Still a lot of trimming to do to the canopy.

pacorro

My Feedback: (9)

Hi
It really looks good, nice and clean, and looks light. I like that kit but it´s too big for me, hope in few weeks you put the link with a succesful maiden
flight.
I´ll keep an eye on your building.

OldScaleGuy

My Feedback: (2)

Been working on the ailerons today. Decided to set the fuse aside for a while and consider the canopy attachment method. Great Planes directions have it attached permanently to the cockpit floor, front and rear cockpit formers. I am definately not going that route but still kickin' the tires on how to proceed. The ailerons are really the last of the actual construction. I suggest removing the aileron at the aileron leading edge first then cut the remainder of the ribs off at the trailing edge of the wing. Hinge blocks are glued in one panel.

OldScaleGuy

My Feedback: (2)

Ailerons are fitted and the leading edges sanded. There was enough wood removed from the leading edges to make another small plane. Still some work to do to close the hinge gaps.
The basic construction is now complete. A lot of finish work to do before it is ready to cover.

OldScaleGuy

My Feedback: (2)

After some vacation time and a busy partial work week, i had some time this morning to devote to the 330L. The GT-80 is out a DLE-111 is in. Started the retrofit this morning. This really worked out well due to the fact the GT-80 did not come out as centered with the cowl at what would be the spinner diameter. I was already kickin' the tires on moving the GT-80 for a better fit when Carl came to the rescue with the 111. I moved the center lines based on the GT-80 results and now it looks much better. Any one building or going to build this plane please check and recheck all the instruction manual dimensions before proceeding. This is a great kit, every thing fits well and is designed very well. The only complaint i would have would be the dimensions called out in the instruction book need to be confirm via the plans or better the actual plane when you can. Edit: was able to upload the pictures.