RagwingFan

My Feedback: (31)

sounds great, any pictures? have you purchased lights? curious what you may be using. I looked at some and have debated if i was going to add.

funnotcrazy

I cleared it off building board to build my small project, will post some pics when I get it back out (probably this weekend). I purchased the light set from Hobby King. Only paid $20 or so, they look great. The leads were not long enough for this size plane, so I got some long servo leads to facilitate - 2 leads for lights each wing half. The tailfeathers I enlarged & rounded the trailing edge. It is not scale to any model of Decathlon.

Researched a bit on float planes & larger rudder. This gives the plane a whole different look.

Years ago, a master builder told me he built somewhat larger tailfeathers, with a bit less throw required on elevator & rudder - makes a smoother handling plane. The less throw would not apply to highly aerobatic or 3-D flying, but that is certainly not the intent of this model.

funnotcrazy

Just now saw that you are in the Woodlands. I am between Conroe & Montgomery. Surrounded by hay fields I fly here at home. Maybe bring a plane over & fly with me someday?

Kurt

RagwingFan

My Feedback: (31)

sounds great, let me find the PM option here so not to bore everyone with our conversation

RagwingFan

My Feedback: (31)

Been busy chasing family/kids events. got a few minutes this afternoon.

added laminated control horn mounts for rudder and elevators. being 3/8 stock, I sandwiched a piece of 1/8 balsa between piece of 1/8 lite ply and the 1/8 piece aircraft ply supplied with kit. This will give me solid horn mounts.

I added balsa blocks where hinges will penetrate. I learned prior to taper these blocks as to "hide" them under the covering.

last piece, I added the balsa filler for the vertical. once I cut rough shape, I used a piece of sandpaper and a spray can for shaping.

all for the night.

ps.picture of little piece of scrap from my box of goodies from an old Nosen kit years ago. little "time capsule" token built in to her.

RagwingFan

My Feedback: (31)

back at it tonight as tomorrow will be busy with son's basketball game.

I installed 1/4 dowel rods between firewall and primary cabin wall. There is balsa truss and 3/16 sheeting. decided a little more reinforcement as going gasser. nice extra long bit to get me there.

next step, I decided I needed access to back of firewall. makes sense right. I laid out and removed a 3"x4" opening in the main cabin wall. obviously something I should have done before installing that former. guilty of being in a rush. I used a tool my parents had given me several years back....oscillating cutter. Man it worked slick.

lastly, I installed left side fuse sheeting. I am not sure yet if will go through exercise to put door on right side. so for now, sheeting will sit.

RICKSTUBBZ

Great Idea on tapering the hinge back up blocks before gluing them in. Hope I remember that for the next time.
Got to get me one of those oscillating cutters......

RagwingFan

My Feedback: (31)

some tinkering tonight

great tool by Robart for drilling alignment of hinge point holes. drilled rudder, vertical, elevators and stabilizer. Then I use a dremel cone cutter bit to open a countersink for the hinge points.

next, I like to insert a 1/8 brass tube sleeve in the stabilizer and vertical where the tail flying wires connect. This prevents crushing of the balsa. I CA these pieces in place.

all for moment as I need to put thoughts on next steps. It helps to keep progress rolling when I step away and make a punch list. Helps with the focus and not getting lost in the amount still to be done.

RagwingFan

My Feedback: (31)

light day


attached right side cabin. may come back later if decide to create opening door. always neat feature but reality is wing center section gives access and I am not competing in any scale contest.


attached nose bottom as well as tapered rear fuse tail post area.

RagwingFan

My Feedback: (31)

so just snuck a few minutes.

worked on shaping upper cabin sides. they are originally 2 - 1/4" pieces of balsa laminated together with thin ply as well. the top line must be tapered down to one thickness of 1/4 balsa in the lamination.

lot of razor planing then sanding. probably needs few more minutes then I can move on to right side of fuse cabin.

all for tonight.

Leroy Gardner

RagwingFan are you going to go full scale with you very nice build, you know, stitches, some litho plate skin wrap behind the cowling and maybe some lights. The first plane photo you posted of the red & white one is a real beauty.

You need a nice scale tail wheel, I built one for my 1/4 scale super cub, it's built on a superstar spring and have details if interested.

Leroy

RagwingFan

My Feedback: (31)

Leroy,

Thanks for info and pics. I had spied your tailwheel in your post. Nice work.

I have done full blown scale my first round in the hobby. My last venture then was a 1/4 scale Stinson 108-2 modeled after my brothers full scale. I had a ton of reference pics to work from for the project. I had opening doors, opening luggage, cloth seats, yokes that turned right and left and in and out, full navigation lights. It was done in Stits lite with tapes and rivets where applicable. Polytone paints, true Stinson blue and Dian Cream laid over fabric sealer and silver UV sealer/primer. I spent over 2 years in build. It was like an addiction. Everything was scaled exactly from measurements I took. It was fun and a labor of love then. However, I was also flying at a different field then, different group and different phase in our hobby. I built all my planes from small to several 1/4 and 1/3 scale, lot of stick kits and some scratch builts.

after 10-12 year layoff, a new field and group of flyers, I have entered the world of ARFS and electrics. maybe a couple old builders mixed in. Not the same nor same appreciation from fellow flyers. (hopefully not stepping any toes out there). I love to build and trying to get in full swing while competing with other priorities. With all factors at play, I decided not going to go AWOL as much as I would like. Lets call it semi-scale/stand off scale. The Nosen kit is not a true scale outline of the Citabria. Just a great box of sticks that becomes a wonderful flyer and one of the early Big Bird kits from the day.

I like different look and civil aviation. Love Cubs. Helped my oldest brother on his first full scale restoration, 1947 Cub, back when I was a teen. Keep up the great work on yours.

Leroy Gardner

RagwingFan I suppose you could say we have similar ideas about building. My super cub is getting the full treatment but the truth is it's a lot of work, I'm really doing it just to see and show what this plane can really look like, mostly for myself though. Stand off scale will produce a plane with just enough detail to give it that "wow factor" and at this point I'm more inclined to build that way in the future.

Your Citabria has nice lines to it and is an attractive plane with some pretty schemes to put on it to set it off, I'm sure yours will have one.. I never thought of it as a bush plane but feel your having fun with it as it should be. I enjoy watching crafty builders so will hang out here from time to time and watch a guy really enjoying this hobby.

Your very clean construction shows the pride you have in building and when we get them done we'll both have a very nice plane. You gotta love it to do it.

Leroy

RagwingFan

My Feedback: (31)

worked on shaping/tapering right side of cabin structure.

nice pile of shavings

in additional, I cut in a rabbet joint around inside perimeters of both rear cabin windows. This allows me to inset the window and face trim. little closer to scale look. fun whittling with Xacto knife and Xacto square edge blade cutting proper depth.

RagwingFan

My Feedback: (31)

Leroy

Thanks for the compliments. You have quite the scale project under way. Lot of great ideas and craftsmanship. She will be a great looking bird when completed. The Denali Scout is a hopped version of a Citabria basically set up for bush flying. I won't be exact scale but looking to capture the essence.I am a civilian plane person and try to do things a little different. Really similar to your project and along the lines you mention above.

again thanks for the comps and will keep an eye on your build.

52larry52

My Feedback: (1)

Ragwing, I very much enjoyed your photos posted earlier today in the RCU photo gallery. Great job on all those builds. For those of you following this thread, do yourself a favor and go to the photo gallery and check out the fine looking collection of airplanes this man has built. Thanks for posting Ragwing.

RagwingFan

My Feedback: (31)

52larry52

Thanks for gracious comments. I have been a member for years and then had hiatus. I never played with the gallery feature till I stumbled across early. Those birds were from my first run at the hobby, back in the 90's till early 2000. Life and kids took over as well as a move from the flying field. Found my way back with help of my 13 year old soon back in August/September this past year. Love to build and back at it. Trying to build more for pleasure without self imposed deadlines as I did in my younger days. I have a few others out there I will have to see if can dig up some scan images. I love seeing others creations. Hope others due. That's why I share.

Thanks again

RagwingFan

My Feedback: (31)

Been absent from building board between priorities, under the weather and a chance to build full scale.


my oldest brother long time aviator who has completed couple restorations is now working on a light sport kit


Zenith 750 Cruzer


My oldest son and I spent the weekend constructing/pulling rivets


couple pics for grins

first is a pic of what she will look like, rudder completed, pulling rivets on vertical, frame spars and ribs primers for horizontal, horizontal skinned, vertical framing

RagwingFan

My Feedback: (31)

little tinkering last night


got tail feathers shaped


added some pinning of windshield cross former and cabin rear former at TE of wing. I wanted a little more than glue butt joint.


I have some more items on fuse but looking to start wing center section. time to see more results for tinkering.

jarhead24

My Feedback: (9)

Great job, I also have the old "Tree in the Box" kit too. Hope to get it on the table soon, finishing another kit up.

RagwingFan

My Feedback: (31)

jarhead24

best description yet. sometimes makes me wish I was of the new gen ARFers. actually they have come a long way and maybe a couple out there I may own one day.

Thanks for comp

RagwingFan

My Feedback: (31)

some tinkering


started on cabin top/wing center section


the original kit builds a fully sheeting center section. since the Citabria-Denali Scout both have skylight, I am modifying mine to be open as well. Minor quick semi-scale added feature. proportionally,I am set like a Citabria. I do not have Scout good dimensions. It may be a little larger opening. Due to structural design, I will stop at original placement of wing secondary spar for the TE of the skylight. I am doubling the plywood outer ribs of the center section for strength as well as giving me a good surface later to attach the skylight "glass". I am retaining the original wing tube design in center section. I am still considering whether to permanently mount center section. If not, considering how I want to mount other than original kit design. Not 100% fond of that system. Maybe tweak it. Still have a little more work such as rear top sheeting and some minor items.


pics for now.

RagwingFan

My Feedback: (31)

decided to change up current steps as unsure of how I want to finish the center section. so.....


started prepping for building the wings. The original plans show outlines for flap options. outline little different on full scale so I will modify slightly. in addition, the wing tips are different design on the bush plane compared to standard Citabria. The redesigned tips required an extra main rib to be cut vs the original smaller tip ribs.


made couple errors where I cut two of main inboard ribs incorrectly. I had to scab back on my cut pieces. no biggie as will not cause any structural or cosmetic issues. second snafu for the night, I cut my main ribs in the aileron bays like 3/32" to short. I aligned the rib spar cut out on the outline of the sheer web. I may add extra stock on trailing edge cap or live with ailerons that are slightly deeper. Not thinking that will break the bank either at 3/32" deeper. Just bummed as made a simple mistake.


pics for now. nothing amazing.

stack and pack for sanding uniformity, new ribs cut, all ribs ready to start wing panel assemblies.

RagwingFan

My Feedback: (31)

so this is where one is thankful for not building a biplane.


I started the right wing panel tonight. Gathered up all the pieces for the panel. I like to have all available on building board even if will not need for a day or two. Ribs attached to front and rear spars. Sheer webbing installed on front and rear spars. sub-leading edge stock installed and lastly, trailing edge for aileron opening installed.


next will be trailing edge for flap opening. Then moving to leading edge sheeting on top and bottom. strut plates and cap strips to follow. Most likely I will double the root rib to prevent warpage of single root rib in flap opening. I will install root rib last once mated to center section and dihedral set.


That's all for now.

RICKSTUBBZ

I have nothing to add other than -- looking good

Watching and learning............