Where have all the builders gone
08-13-2018, 07:59 AM
#1477
I sold off the Force One at the end of the day but not the Trainer 60. I should have gotten their earlier. It sounded like a lot of people,myself included, were disappointed that the city (Denton, TX) wouldn't let them have their auction. My impression is that it was an overzealous employee in the city office. They had a good crowd otherwise.
08-13-2018, 01:05 PM
#1479
My Feedback: (2)
I sold off the Force One at the end of the day but not the Trainer 60. I should have gotten their earlier. It sounded like a lot of people,myself included, were disappointed that the city (Denton, TX) wouldn't let them have their auction. My impression is that it was an overzealous employee in the city office. They had a good crowd otherwise.
Take Care
Michael
08-14-2018, 01:51 AM
#1480
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Measnes, La Creuse, France.
Posts: 2,126
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Well this builder is alive and well and living in Central France and I'll be building a Big Guff over the winter!
My Big Guff short-kit arrived safely and in good condition from Bob at Laser Design Services yesterday morning at 10.12 local time. Big Guff - $135.00 : Laser Design Services
Two days to get from Texas to Chicago O'Hare, six days to clear customs in Paris and a further five days to travel the 220 miles (353 kms) to my house in La Creuse. Vive La France! Mind you, four of those days were weekends and two were Mondays.
It cost me an extra €38 in taxes and import duties (S43.35 US or £33.82 Sterling.)
It's certainly big enough with its eight foot span, five foot six inch fuselage length and fifteen inch chord! ( 2.4 metres, 1.58metres and 38cms respectively.) 1 metre rule lends scale to the plans. I have a number of decisions to make about its construction. The wing as built by Dr Walt Good had two full-depth 1/8" balsa spars at approximately 25% and 75% chord. For me to replicate this method would involve cutting each one of Bob's lovely laser-cut wing ribs into three parts. I am going to modify the construction to a more conventional 1/4" square spars with shear webs in the postions where the original spars were, but should I use balsa or something a little stronger like basswood for the spars?
As for the fuselage, I think I am going to build it as stock. Sherwood Heggen's version over on RC Groups https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...light=Big+Guff is certainly stronger with its plywood doublers and 1/16" sheet covering but I think I am going to go with the original structure; 1/4" stick fuselage, forward section covered in 1/16" sheet balsa, grain vertical, and the whole thing covered in 1/32" balsa grain horizontal. I haven't used 1/32" balsa since I built a competition free-flighter called a Gossamer about fifty-eight years ago which was not a success, but if I crash it I'll break it anyway and if I can't fly a three-channel vintage model after thirty year's flying experience, I should give up the hobby! I may extend the side cheeks to allow for the long crankshaft of the Laser 70 and incorporate a little extra downthrust as the Laser may be a little more powerful than Sherwood's Saito 65.
Some claim that you could simply build a stick fuselage and reinforce the nose with ply doublers then cover the fuselage in silk, nylon or Solartex. Doubtless this would work but would it still be a Big Guff?
As for the radio installation I will use standard servos as far forward as possible to actuate the rudder and throttle and fit a micro servo in the tailplane for the elevator. I could easily fit a standard servo on its side in the forward fuselage for the elevator and use closed loop cables but the "up" cable would have to exit the fuselage well forward of the tailplane and it would look rather unsightly in my view. I will probably go for an HS 82 MG metal geared servo for extra peace of mind. I know I will not be performing aerobatics with this model, it's just a belt, braces and piece of string sort of thing.
I have followed Sherwood Heggen's build log with great interest and he has already privately given me some advice on the build. If my model comes out as successively as his I'll be very satisfied.
Once I get three repairs out of the way and finish off a Baron I intend to give as a gift, I'll make a start.
08-15-2018, 12:13 PM
#1486
08-20-2018, 07:35 AM
#1489
Have fun, build a Something Xtra. They are a blast to fly, docile at low rates, wicked at high rates, and very forgiving. I love doing nose high slow speed landings with it.
08-23-2018, 05:33 AM
#1490
Well it seems I don't have enough projects sitting on the shelf. Bob over at Laser Design Services mentioned he could cut one of these and I can resist anything but temptation so here is my new toy to build!
Tail detail
Mostof the fuselage
Wood pack
Tail detail
Mostof the fuselage
Wood pack
Last edited by FlyerInOKC; 08-23-2018 at 05:37 AM.
08-23-2018, 08:50 AM
#1491
SWEET! You do realize we're gonna want a lot more than photos, right?
Ant chance of a build thread? How about specs? Is that 75% scaled up, or down?
C'mon, now. Don't be such a tease!
Ant chance of a build thread? How about specs? Is that 75% scaled up, or down?
C'mon, now. Don't be such a tease!
08-23-2018, 10:05 AM
#1492
My version will be a 64.5" wingspan, 54" length and use a .90 two cycle with Robart 605HD gear.
I have a couple to finish and a few ahead of it but when I do start I'll post pictures. Looking at the plans I like the way Ziroli designs his airplanes.
08-23-2018, 10:59 AM
#1493
Thanks, Buddy.
Yes. Nick Ziroli uses very traditional structures and techniques. My understanding is, he is not above deviating from exact scale for better flight performance. Just a heads-up.
Dave Platt is another designer I like. I built his 1/5 Waco from a Pica kit many years ago. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
Have fun!
Yes. Nick Ziroli uses very traditional structures and techniques. My understanding is, he is not above deviating from exact scale for better flight performance. Just a heads-up.
Dave Platt is another designer I like. I built his 1/5 Waco from a Pica kit many years ago. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
Have fun!
08-23-2018, 05:18 PM
#1495
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: North Port, FL
Posts: 1,647
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I like to build,but i'm not that good at it yet though..lol Some day I hope to have the skills to build this Spartan Model 7W Executive 1/4 Scale I'm getting ready to start building a Hostetler 27% Extra 300XS. The TF P-40 I was building got put on the shelf until I can get electric retracts for it. I may do a build thread for the Extra but i'm not sure yet.
08-23-2018, 06:14 PM
#1496
This is my Taylorcraft from a Great Planes kit, Converted to EP.
I like to build,but i'm not that good at it yet though..lol Some day I hope to have the skills to build this Spartan Model 7W Executive 1/4 Scale I'm getting ready to start building a Hostetler 27% Extra 300XS. The TF P-40 I was building got put on the shelf until I can get electric retracts for it. I may do a build thread for the Extra but i'm not sure yet.
Building skills like any other, are acquired over time. After nearly 40 years, I still make stupid mistakes.
The best advice I can give? Get the best tools you can afford, use good lighting, and take your time.
Personally, my goals are three-fold...Build it light, build it straight, and build it strong.
Oh, and it's gotta look good! No room in my hangar for ugly airplanes!
Keep us posted, okay?
Photos are always welcomed.
08-23-2018, 07:15 PM
#1497
I like to build,but i'm not that good at it yet though..lol Some day I hope to have the skills to build this Spartan Model 7W Executive 1/4 Scale I'm getting ready to start building a Hostetler 27% Extra 300XS. The TF P-40 I was building got put on the shelf until I can get electric retracts for it. I may do a build thread for the Extra but i'm not sure yet.
Did you HAVE to show the Spartan to me??!!!! I wish it was 1/5th not 1/4 scale. Its been on my short list a long time.
Last edited by FlyerInOKC; 08-23-2018 at 07:18 PM.
