Balsa USA 1/4 Scale Nieuport 28 Build
#551
Thread Starter
This project really needs to get done so I can move on. My brain is already two kits ahead!
Today I installed the wood covers over the landing gear. The covers were made from spruce which I machined into a streamline shape. I also cut grooves in the center of each to accept the wire.
Each cover consist of two pieces, an inner and an outer. The wire is sandwiched in the middle.
To make sure the wood pieces never rotate on the wire gear I soldered a small tab on each leg, to lock the wood in place.
Little final sanding and some clear lacquer and the gear will be done.
SunDevilPilot
Today I installed the wood covers over the landing gear. The covers were made from spruce which I machined into a streamline shape. I also cut grooves in the center of each to accept the wire.
Each cover consist of two pieces, an inner and an outer. The wire is sandwiched in the middle.
To make sure the wood pieces never rotate on the wire gear I soldered a small tab on each leg, to lock the wood in place.
Little final sanding and some clear lacquer and the gear will be done.
SunDevilPilot
#553
Thread Starter
This morning I got right to the final sanding and putting the lacquer onto the gear. I'm using Deft brand lacquer which comes in a spray can. Super easy to use and really nice finish.
The fresh wood is a little lighter than the spreader bar and struts, which were done months ago, but they should yellow up a bit in time.
Gear is now complete. Next up, mounting the guns.
SunDevilPilot
The fresh wood is a little lighter than the spreader bar and struts, which were done months ago, but they should yellow up a bit in time.
Gear is now complete. Next up, mounting the guns.
SunDevilPilot
Last edited by SunDevilPilot; 05-17-2015 at 09:56 AM.
#554
My Feedback: (49)
gona save the maiden till November ? Gota get Video for U-Tube.
Only 7 degrees cooler than U today but winds are from the south at 26 gusting to 32
Possible T Storms this afternoon. This is what one of our members did yesterday
In the Pits right next to the parking area. Lucky Miss.
.
OK let's get back to the Project at hand.
Only 7 degrees cooler than U today but winds are from the south at 26 gusting to 32
Possible T Storms this afternoon. This is what one of our members did yesterday
In the Pits right next to the parking area. Lucky Miss.
.
OK let's get back to the Project at hand.
#555
Thread Starter
gona save the maiden till November ? Gota get Video for U-Tube.
Only 7 degrees cooler than U today but winds are from the south at 26 gusting to 32
Possible T Storms this afternoon. This is what one of our members did yesterday
In the Pits right next to the parking area. Lucky Miss.
.
OK let's get back to the Project at hand.
Only 7 degrees cooler than U today but winds are from the south at 26 gusting to 32
Possible T Storms this afternoon. This is what one of our members did yesterday
In the Pits right next to the parking area. Lucky Miss.
.
OK let's get back to the Project at hand.
Not really sure when the maiden will be. At least I am closing in on the end of this one. Woodworking is almost complete. Finishing, while complex, should go quickly.
SunDevilPilot
#556
My Feedback: (49)
Be sure to get video of the maiden.
I Got home safely if U consider $1200 front end damage from hitting the javelina pig on the Bush Hwy Safe, Happy it wasn't an an Elk, or the $248 Bearing and hub replacement, in Amarillo TX, on the trailer. I was warned to grease the wheel bearings. OH well it's only Money. Now my only worry is dieing on the table Thursday when they blast a Kidney stone.
Any way have a good Maiden and Hope to see ya all in November.
Last edited by HoundDog; 05-17-2015 at 10:50 AM.
#558
Thread Starter
Working on the last bit of construction, gun mounting.
I had two options... Go with the "Sport Scale" mounting vs the scale mounting. I went with the sport scale.
The difference between the two would be mounting the guns to the surface of the fuselage vs cutting into the fuselage and mounting them below the surface (Tighter fit).
I'm struggling with getting this project done so I am going to surface mount them. There is quite a bit of structure under the mounting locations and I really don't feel like modifying that at this point. Additionally, mounting them on the surface will allow them to be added after the model is covered, simplifying that process. The balsa USA Manual has them surface mounted and a few other models I have seen follow this trend.
So far I have the upper mount made. I have the lower mount drawn out and will build it this weekend.
SunDevilPilot
I had two options... Go with the "Sport Scale" mounting vs the scale mounting. I went with the sport scale.
The difference between the two would be mounting the guns to the surface of the fuselage vs cutting into the fuselage and mounting them below the surface (Tighter fit).
I'm struggling with getting this project done so I am going to surface mount them. There is quite a bit of structure under the mounting locations and I really don't feel like modifying that at this point. Additionally, mounting them on the surface will allow them to be added after the model is covered, simplifying that process. The balsa USA Manual has them surface mounted and a few other models I have seen follow this trend.
So far I have the upper mount made. I have the lower mount drawn out and will build it this weekend.
SunDevilPilot
#559
Thread Starter
Just FYI,
I've been doing a bunch of "Modeling" just not on my project!
A friend of mine is in the final stages of an Aviation Concepts PT-19. He asked me to create the inner brakes and outer wheel cover for his plane. He enters scale competitions with his models so I had to work pretty hard on them. The inner portion remains stationary on the axle while the wheel turns. It attaches to the axle with a small set screw. There is about a 1/32 gap between the inner assembly and the wheel itself.
The first photo is of the landing gear of a PT-19 at Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson. I had taken the photo when I heard my friend would be working on a new build and thought he may want it for reference. My friend did go down to Tucson and was allowed access to the plane where he took a bunch of photos.
They took a couple weekends to complete and I hope they added in a positive way to his model.
They aren't perfect but I had to work within the limitations of the Robart wheels he was using for this project.
SunDevilPilot
I've been doing a bunch of "Modeling" just not on my project!
A friend of mine is in the final stages of an Aviation Concepts PT-19. He asked me to create the inner brakes and outer wheel cover for his plane. He enters scale competitions with his models so I had to work pretty hard on them. The inner portion remains stationary on the axle while the wheel turns. It attaches to the axle with a small set screw. There is about a 1/32 gap between the inner assembly and the wheel itself.
The first photo is of the landing gear of a PT-19 at Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson. I had taken the photo when I heard my friend would be working on a new build and thought he may want it for reference. My friend did go down to Tucson and was allowed access to the plane where he took a bunch of photos.
They took a couple weekends to complete and I hope they added in a positive way to his model.
They aren't perfect but I had to work within the limitations of the Robart wheels he was using for this project.
SunDevilPilot
Last edited by SunDevilPilot; 06-14-2015 at 09:26 AM.
#561
My Feedback: (49)
Just FYI,
I've been doing a bunch of "Modeling" just not on my project!
A friend of mine is in the final stages of an Aviation Concepts PT-19. He asked me to create the inner brakes and outer wheel cover for his plane. He enters scale competitions with his models so I had to work pretty hard on them. The inner portion remains stationary on the axle while the wheel turns. It attaches to the axle with a small set screw. There is about a 1/32 gap between the inner assembly and the wheel itself.
The first photo is of the landing gear of a PT-19 at Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson. I had taken the photo when I heard my friend would be working on a new build and thought he may want it for reference. My friend did go down to Tucson and was allowed access to the plane where he took a bunch of photos.
They took a couple weekends to complete and I hope they added in a positive way to his model.
They aren't perfect but I had to work within the limitations of the Robart wheels he was using for this project.
SunDevilPilot
I've been doing a bunch of "Modeling" just not on my project!
A friend of mine is in the final stages of an Aviation Concepts PT-19. He asked me to create the inner brakes and outer wheel cover for his plane. He enters scale competitions with his models so I had to work pretty hard on them. The inner portion remains stationary on the axle while the wheel turns. It attaches to the axle with a small set screw. There is about a 1/32 gap between the inner assembly and the wheel itself.
The first photo is of the landing gear of a PT-19 at Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson. I had taken the photo when I heard my friend would be working on a new build and thought he may want it for reference. My friend did go down to Tucson and was allowed access to the plane where he took a bunch of photos.
They took a couple weekends to complete and I hope they added in a positive way to his model.
They aren't perfect but I had to work within the limitations of the Robart wheels he was using for this project.
SunDevilPilot
#563
Thread Starter
Worked in the garage as long as I could, which was not very long due to the heat. Probably about 95 degrees out there. The second mount has been roughly shaped and the mounting inserts for the guns themselves are installed into the mount. Next the upper and side gun mounts will get dowel inserts for the screws that will bolt the mounts to the fuselage. Then the parts will get rounded.
Going well so far.
Going well so far.
#564
Thread Starter
I added the dowels into the gun mounts. These dowels capture the 2-56 mounting screws which hold the gun mounts to the fuselage. Now I need to add the 2-56 blind nuts to the inside of the fuse. The rear mounting screw locations are going to be easy, the front two not so much. The holes are already made in the fuse so all the tough stuff is done.
Once the blind nuts are in I'll do the final shaping of the mounts.
Once the blind nuts are in I'll do the final shaping of the mounts.
Last edited by SunDevilPilot; 07-06-2015 at 03:01 PM.
#565
Thread Starter
This morning I installed the blind nuts for the gun mounts into the fuselage. The rears were a no-brainer as they were in plain view. The upper front was buried under a former and caused a few tense moments (Somewhat rage inducing). The front rear was totally obscured by a former until I made a small access hole.
Once the blind nuts were in a did a little rough shaping of the lower mount. I used the included photo as a reference and believe I got pretty close. I may need to add a little more angle to the rear edge to closer match the photo but so far so good.
I think the next item is the windshield, then double check everything and commit to covering.
SunDevilPilot
Once the blind nuts were in a did a little rough shaping of the lower mount. I used the included photo as a reference and believe I got pretty close. I may need to add a little more angle to the rear edge to closer match the photo but so far so good.
I think the next item is the windshield, then double check everything and commit to covering.
SunDevilPilot
#566
Thread Starter
Just thought I'd share this. Heck, it's my thread!
My friend finished up the wheels for his PT-19. He really does some great work (Why I had to try really hard to make my contribution nice).
SunDevilPilot
My friend finished up the wheels for his PT-19. He really does some great work (Why I had to try really hard to make my contribution nice).
SunDevilPilot
#567
Thread Starter
Today I did a little more shaping on the gun mount and think I have gotten the shape where I want it. About 2 minutes of rounding on the upper mount and they are done.
I started looking at what to do with the windshield and think I have a plan. There are several variants of the windshield and I think I will choose one with three distinct panels, all of which are slightly rounded. To my eye it just looks the most proper for the plane. A couple templates will be made from card stock to get the shape correct then the final piece will be thin ply.
I re-mounted the pilot figure to check the height of the windshield.
SunDevilPilot
I started looking at what to do with the windshield and think I have a plan. There are several variants of the windshield and I think I will choose one with three distinct panels, all of which are slightly rounded. To my eye it just looks the most proper for the plane. A couple templates will be made from card stock to get the shape correct then the final piece will be thin ply.
I re-mounted the pilot figure to check the height of the windshield.
SunDevilPilot
#568
Thread Starter
Started on the windshield.
I was lucky enough to receive a template for the windshield from someone in RC Scale Builder. I have referenced several build threads on RC Scale Builder for a long time and many of the guys over there create some really magical planes. I believe the original creator of the template was a guy who, on RCSB, goes by Geezer. He had provided the templates to a gentleman named Whit. Whit provided them to me.
If you want a true reference of a great pair of 1/3 scale Nieuport 28's look for Geezer and Whit's threads. They are both in the Balsa USA section on RCSB.
First I plan on mounting the base onto the fuse with some tiny screws. Then the frames will be fitted and glued to the base. This method will allow the windshield to come off the model for finishing and simply bolt back on.
I still need to cut out the glass section but at least I have a start.
Thanks Geezer and Whit!
SunDevilPilot
I was lucky enough to receive a template for the windshield from someone in RC Scale Builder. I have referenced several build threads on RC Scale Builder for a long time and many of the guys over there create some really magical planes. I believe the original creator of the template was a guy who, on RCSB, goes by Geezer. He had provided the templates to a gentleman named Whit. Whit provided them to me.
If you want a true reference of a great pair of 1/3 scale Nieuport 28's look for Geezer and Whit's threads. They are both in the Balsa USA section on RCSB.
First I plan on mounting the base onto the fuse with some tiny screws. Then the frames will be fitted and glued to the base. This method will allow the windshield to come off the model for finishing and simply bolt back on.
I still need to cut out the glass section but at least I have a start.
Thanks Geezer and Whit!
SunDevilPilot
#569
Thread Starter
Today I tackled the windshield. I have never done a windshield using this method but I believe it is superior to gluing one on after the model is finished. All the fiddling is done and for the most part the windshield is complete. I will likely add some fillets to the lower edge once the initial glue sets up. I will also add some type of filler material to the backside, along the joints between the front and sides. I don't want these parts to come apart down the road so maybe something like fiberglass cloth.
The process went really smooth. I first mounted the base, centering it on the fuselage. Then I added the center portion, using a small piece of wood with a tiny notch in it to set the proper angle. Once the center was glued in place I added the sides. The sides have a slight bend to them. I pre-bent the parts with a little water, allowing the bend to set while the parts were strapped to a can.
I think the only item left to address is the locating and mounting of the motor ESC. Been a lot of work but this one is pretty much assembled and can move onto covering / painting.
SunDevilPilot
The process went really smooth. I first mounted the base, centering it on the fuselage. Then I added the center portion, using a small piece of wood with a tiny notch in it to set the proper angle. Once the center was glued in place I added the sides. The sides have a slight bend to them. I pre-bent the parts with a little water, allowing the bend to set while the parts were strapped to a can.
I think the only item left to address is the locating and mounting of the motor ESC. Been a lot of work but this one is pretty much assembled and can move onto covering / painting.
SunDevilPilot
Last edited by SunDevilPilot; 09-15-2015 at 02:50 PM.
#571
Thread Starter
First bit of covering goes on. Started with the rudder to get the feel back. SolarTex just makes the job too easy.
SunDevilPilot
SunDevilPilot
Last edited by SunDevilPilot; 10-27-2015 at 06:35 PM.
#572
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
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sorry if I am crashing this thread. I'm new to kit building and quite ignorant of what it takes. I just have one question, just how flat does a building board have to be. I have mine down to .007" on a board that is 48" X 24". Is that good enough? once again sorry to interupt
Ray
Ray