TF P-39 Aircobra Tank Buster, Gold Edition
03-01-2014, 06:39 AM
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03-01-2014, 01:54 PM
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Started the fuselage;
Bulkhead 1 and 1a gets doubled up,
I had a hard time understanding this main stringer. Its slotted on one side, and the pictures in the PDF manual are such low res. that I could not determine if the slot went to the inside or outside of the fuse, and there was no wording that stated this either. In a view further in the manual, I could just barely see the slotted line on the outside, so... outside it is.. still though, at this point I am uncertain what the point of this main spar is...
Bulkheads are cleaned up and fit and glued in place.
The stabilizer cradle is glued in. This was actually a little challenging
The firewall half is set.
Bulkhead 1 and 1a gets doubled up,
I had a hard time understanding this main stringer. Its slotted on one side, and the pictures in the PDF manual are such low res. that I could not determine if the slot went to the inside or outside of the fuse, and there was no wording that stated this either. In a view further in the manual, I could just barely see the slotted line on the outside, so... outside it is.. still though, at this point I am uncertain what the point of this main spar is...
Bulkheads are cleaned up and fit and glued in place.
The stabilizer cradle is glued in. This was actually a little challenging
The firewall half is set.
03-01-2014, 02:02 PM
#53
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Stringers are fit and glued in...
As you can see, I find out what the slotted main spar is about. A balsa stringer gets slipped in..
*This gives a nice ledge for the external sheeting to rest on as a base.
And the some sheeting on the sides..
As you can see, I find out what the slotted main spar is about. A balsa stringer gets slipped in..
*This gives a nice ledge for the external sheeting to rest on as a base.
And the some sheeting on the sides..
Last edited by JRgraham; 03-01-2014 at 04:14 PM.
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03-01-2014, 02:11 PM
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And no, I didnt just spread some glue on the stab and slap in on there 
I spent a lot of time getting it set true, and am now still spending time getting the fin just right to glue.
I spent a lot of time getting it set true, and am now still spending time getting the fin just right to glue.
03-04-2014, 07:38 AM
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IF anyone out there happens to come across (or knows of) a cockpit kit for this old Topflight kit, please let me know. Or if anyone has any other ideas of how to go about building one.. I am just realizing that I will regret building this with a blank cockpit area..
I am also considering blowing up the templates, and attempting to scratch build a ~50cc sized for more of my sized bird, and if so, will want a scale cockpit at that scale as well.. input appreciated!
I will be updating image progress shortly.
Thanks!
I am also considering blowing up the templates, and attempting to scratch build a ~50cc sized for more of my sized bird, and if so, will want a scale cockpit at that scale as well.. input appreciated!
I will be updating image progress shortly.
Thanks!
03-04-2014, 08:01 AM
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Sheeting some of the Fuselage
I glued the Vertical Fin in place, and the rest of the stringers are cut and glued.
The cockpit area is sheeted. I have sheeted the full area as if no cockpit kit will be used. Since I have no cockpit to use, I assume it will be built without one. I will hold off on the canopy as long as I can, and hope that I can find one before I am ready to close it up with the canopy. If not, I may just tint the canopy dark.. just thoughts at this point.
The tail fin sheeting template is traced off the plans, and used to cut the pieces. I am avoiding cutting the original plans any further than needed, to conserve them.
And finally, the rear sheeting is on, and ready to putty and final sand. For what it is, I think it came out pretty decent.
I am now at the point of starting the lower half of the Fuselage, and prepping pushrods and control surfaces. I really like having a two piece fuse construction for this purpose, having the fuse open for pushrod install. My thoughts are a pull pull rudder, and a fiberglass pushrod shaft with a V on elevator end as I usually do.
Engine application is still being decided.. At the moment I have choices between a SuperTiger G-90, OS 91FX, Saito 82, or Saito 91. Well, I do have a YS 61 AR, but I dont see running a rear exhaust w/ pipe on this thing.. Thoughts?? I think a 20cc gas may be a bit much..
The cockpit area is sheeted. I have sheeted the full area as if no cockpit kit will be used. Since I have no cockpit to use, I assume it will be built without one. I will hold off on the canopy as long as I can, and hope that I can find one before I am ready to close it up with the canopy. If not, I may just tint the canopy dark.. just thoughts at this point.
The tail fin sheeting template is traced off the plans, and used to cut the pieces. I am avoiding cutting the original plans any further than needed, to conserve them.
And finally, the rear sheeting is on, and ready to putty and final sand. For what it is, I think it came out pretty decent.
I am now at the point of starting the lower half of the Fuselage, and prepping pushrods and control surfaces. I really like having a two piece fuse construction for this purpose, having the fuse open for pushrod install. My thoughts are a pull pull rudder, and a fiberglass pushrod shaft with a V on elevator end as I usually do.
Engine application is still being decided.. At the moment I have choices between a SuperTiger G-90, OS 91FX, Saito 82, or Saito 91. Well, I do have a YS 61 AR, but I dont see running a rear exhaust w/ pipe on this thing.. Thoughts?? I think a 20cc gas may be a bit much..
03-04-2014, 02:56 PM
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I have used Ty at Tys planes to do cockpits for me. I had him do one for a 1/5th scale Hurricane. He just needed some dimensions and how much detail . Realise that a cockpit is just a hole in the fuse that we fill with what looks like important stuff. He was reasonable also
03-09-2014, 08:23 AM
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So the next bit is pretty straight forward, and that is to fit and glue the wing saddle and lower bulkhead formers. There is not much to this other than getting them set straight.
I have also putty filled the tail section, at least a rough fill and sand anyways. As you can see (for those that know this build) I have run the full length of the canopy area as if no cockpit was to be installed (per manual), this is in case I do not acquire one by time I am finishing the thing. I can always cut the front area back out, should I be lucky enough to have a cockpit to place in.
Next progress involves setting the control cables/rods to the elevator's and rudder, hinging them, and setting the servo's prior to closing up the bottom of the fuselage. I also have some serious decisions to make as to power plant, and soon. Electric would most likely be the best route, but I have nothing in way of electric equipment, and not sure I want to spend the money on it all..
I have also putty filled the tail section, at least a rough fill and sand anyways. As you can see (for those that know this build) I have run the full length of the canopy area as if no cockpit was to be installed (per manual), this is in case I do not acquire one by time I am finishing the thing. I can always cut the front area back out, should I be lucky enough to have a cockpit to place in.
Next progress involves setting the control cables/rods to the elevator's and rudder, hinging them, and setting the servo's prior to closing up the bottom of the fuselage. I also have some serious decisions to make as to power plant, and soon. Electric would most likely be the best route, but I have nothing in way of electric equipment, and not sure I want to spend the money on it all..
03-10-2014, 11:26 AM
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Thanks,
Well, I have never been into the war birds in the 30 some years of my R/C airplane life. Not that I dont appreciate them, just that most of my interest had always been in the pattern competition side of things. I somewhat rescued this kit from a donated lot from a retired gentleman, and tossed it on the shelf.. I guess I figured I would come across someone eventually that would really want the thing. But, something kept drawing my attention to it mysteriously, and after researching things about it, I came to the conclusion that it would be a great flying plane. The profile of the thing really grows on you too, and having the expensive scale robart nose gear really was nearly the deciding factor to build it.
For what its worth, I am really considering the idea, should this one prove to be worthy and fly good, of enlarging the templates and scratch building a giant scale version. I know there are a couple places that have plans already scaled up, but that takes some of the fun out of scratch building I think Time will tell.. In the mean time, I am going to try to make this thing as nice as I can, with what I have to work with.
And again, for those couple out there that are following along, please dont be shy about posting comments or suggestions along the way!
Well, I have never been into the war birds in the 30 some years of my R/C airplane life. Not that I dont appreciate them, just that most of my interest had always been in the pattern competition side of things. I somewhat rescued this kit from a donated lot from a retired gentleman, and tossed it on the shelf.. I guess I figured I would come across someone eventually that would really want the thing. But, something kept drawing my attention to it mysteriously, and after researching things about it, I came to the conclusion that it would be a great flying plane. The profile of the thing really grows on you too, and having the expensive scale robart nose gear really was nearly the deciding factor to build it.
For what its worth, I am really considering the idea, should this one prove to be worthy and fly good, of enlarging the templates and scratch building a giant scale version. I know there are a couple places that have plans already scaled up, but that takes some of the fun out of scratch building I think
Time will tell.. In the mean time, I am going to try to make this thing as nice as I can, with what I have to work with.And again, for those couple out there that are following along, please dont be shy about posting comments or suggestions along the way!
04-13-2014, 07:20 AM
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Haha, I had been wondering if anyone had noticed
Yes it is on hold. I had a kitchen remodel started right about the time my last post was made. I had to pack my shop up with the entire kitchen etc to clear the way for the contractor's guys. It dragged out nearly 4 weeks, but was just finished a few days ago. I have only just gotten my area back in order to resume my projects. However I also have had a couple other planes cut in line for work.. The wife has recently taken interest in flying, (not building.. :-/ ) so I have been getting her going with a couple planes, and maintenance on my planes had to happen.
I have also been racking my brain on what to use for a motor, being I am just about at that point in the build where I need to mount an engine. I seriously do not want a glow motor in this thing that will just ruin it in short order. I have recently been thinking about one of the newer 10 or 15cc petro motors, but with all my projects I am trying to get to, its rough to prioritize my hobby funds!
But I will be back at it one way or another shortly, its not abandoned!
-JR
Yes it is on hold. I had a kitchen remodel started right about the time my last post was made. I had to pack my shop up with the entire kitchen etc to clear the way for the contractor's guys. It dragged out nearly 4 weeks, but was just finished a few days ago. I have only just gotten my area back in order to resume my projects. However I also have had a couple other planes cut in line for work.. The wife has recently taken interest in flying, (not building.. :-/ ) so I have been getting her going with a couple planes, and maintenance on my planes had to happen.
I have also been racking my brain on what to use for a motor, being I am just about at that point in the build where I need to mount an engine. I seriously do not want a glow motor in this thing that will just ruin it in short order. I have recently been thinking about one of the newer 10 or 15cc petro motors, but with all my projects I am trying to get to, its rough to prioritize my hobby funds!
But I will be back at it one way or another shortly, its not abandoned!
-JR
04-13-2014, 07:26 AM
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Oh, and I recently obtained a little gem brand new in the box from an old member that passed... And it has been calling my name.. even while I am sleeping, I can hear the faint whispering from the garage.. wanting attention 
a KMP MK XIV Spitfire.. I am having a hard time ignoring her
a KMP MK XIV Spitfire.. I am having a hard time ignoring her
04-30-2014, 04:39 AM
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Hi Bob,
Mine has been on the shelf for a bit. I had a kitchen remodel going on last month that tore up my shop, since I needed my electrical panel replaced as well, and it was right next to my work bench's. I have not abandoned the build, I have just had my hands tied on other projects. Getting closer to pulling it back down though!
Thanks for stopping by, it is those little things that help a guy get back to work!
And your welcome to show some pictures or whatever else here, too!
Mine has been on the shelf for a bit. I had a kitchen remodel going on last month that tore up my shop, since I needed my electrical panel replaced as well, and it was right next to my work bench's. I have not abandoned the build, I have just had my hands tied on other projects. Getting closer to pulling it back down though!
Thanks for stopping by, it is those little things that help a guy get back to work!
And your welcome to show some pictures or whatever else here, too!
04-30-2014, 06:07 AM
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No kidding! I had my entire shop torn apart and piled in a corner, and most the kitchen and appliances in the space that was left.. then the contractor decided my house was not a priority, and things went from a week and half projection, to nearly a full month.. now several weeks after the fact, I still don't have the correct shelves to one pantry cabinet.
But, at least the shop is back in order!
But, at least the shop is back in order!