JACK STAFFORD Models Aircoupe's
#176
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RE: JACK STAFFORD Models Aircoupe's
The Ercoupe took to the air today, the take-off was just fine and the plane was tracking well thru the 1st 2 turns and then out of nowhere it snapped hard right and nosed down into a corn field. I am still a bit perplexed as to what happened. The only thing for certain is the coupe was destroyed. Par for the couse on the way my year has gone so far. I have been way too hard on planes this year.
All of the gear will be pulled out of the plane and inspected for use in my next build.
Later!!
Anthony
All of the gear will be pulled out of the plane and inspected for use in my next build.
Later!!
Anthony
#179
RE: JACK STAFFORD Models Aircoupe's
I feel you pain of tearing up models. I had a deadstick with my 29% Edge 540 several months ago and ended up landing off field. The clunk was hard and after a long inverted low pass the motor shut down due to a lack of fuel. The desert is not too nice on planes when they land off the strip. I was lucky and only had a few tears / scratches, broken prop, and bent gear. I put the model away for a while and just today repaired all the damage. I need to order some gear and wheel pants and she will be ready to fly again.....
Last weekend I had a retract issue with my Thunderbolt, one gear got stuck in the well, so I did a belly landing. I repaired all but the paint on the fiberglass belly pan this weekend.
It can get frustrating but I guess it is just the cost of admission..
SunDevilPilot
Last weekend I had a retract issue with my Thunderbolt, one gear got stuck in the well, so I did a belly landing. I repaired all but the paint on the fiberglass belly pan this weekend.
It can get frustrating but I guess it is just the cost of admission..
SunDevilPilot
#181
Thread Starter
RE: JACK STAFFORD Models Aircoupe's
It is all part of the hobby. I went quite a few years without losing a plane and it seems like the odds are catching up to me. It is enough to make you lose some confidence in flying abilities. I lost my 33% Waco due to getting too slow on final and my 1/4 DRI to rudder horn failure and I am not sure at all what happened to the Ercoupe.
I still have 3 flyable planes and I will be building a Top-Flight Contender for a throw around plane. All the gear from the Ercoupe will go into the Contender.
Later!!
Anthony
I still have 3 flyable planes and I will be building a Top-Flight Contender for a throw around plane. All the gear from the Ercoupe will go into the Contender.
Later!!
Anthony
#182
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RE: JACK STAFFORD Models Aircoupe's
Sorry to hear about your accident. I am confident that you will get on the right track shortly. Keep flying.
It sounds like a broken record, but still have my Aircoupe ready to glass and paint. How many years has it been Anthony? To many for sure. I have just been flying other aircraft, but hope to get it finished this fall.
I have it set up for an OS 46 2 Stroke Glow. I really wanted to use a 4-stroke, but did not feel I wanted to purchase a new motor. I have been flying mostly electric 3-D aircraft for the last two years and might even make this electric.
Ed
It sounds like a broken record, but still have my Aircoupe ready to glass and paint. How many years has it been Anthony? To many for sure. I have just been flying other aircraft, but hope to get it finished this fall.
I have it set up for an OS 46 2 Stroke Glow. I really wanted to use a 4-stroke, but did not feel I wanted to purchase a new motor. I have been flying mostly electric 3-D aircraft for the last two years and might even make this electric.
Ed
#183
Thread Starter
RE: JACK STAFFORD Models Aircoupe's
Hi Ed,
I am well into the Contender build and should have it flying within a week or so. The Ercoupe was a good flying plane still not quite sure what happened as it all happened so fast. I was too low and just above the corn I didn't even have time to think about it I just cut the throttle listened for the hit.
Later!!
Anthony
I am well into the Contender build and should have it flying within a week or so. The Ercoupe was a good flying plane still not quite sure what happened as it all happened so fast. I was too low and just above the corn I didn't even have time to think about it I just cut the throttle listened for the hit.
Later!!
Anthony
#184
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RE: JACK STAFFORD Models Aircoupe's
I am ready to seal up the bottom of the Aircoupe where the tank is located. The wood parts that are used is two pcs. that are labeled #10. Does anyone have a photo of this area. Bottom view, Firewall back to the leading edge of the wing.
Thanks
Ed
Thanks
Ed
#185
Thread Starter
RE: JACK STAFFORD Models Aircoupe's
Ed,
I just went back and looked over the pics on page #2. My memory is terrible. The 2 pieces get an agle sanded on them so they match up good down the middle and they get glued to the firewall and the former in front of the wing saddle. Hattend made his removeable and he posted pics showing how he attached it and sanded the shape.
Later!!
Anthony
I just went back and looked over the pics on page #2. My memory is terrible. The 2 pieces get an agle sanded on them so they match up good down the middle and they get glued to the firewall and the former in front of the wing saddle. Hattend made his removeable and he posted pics showing how he attached it and sanded the shape.
Later!!
Anthony
#187
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RE: JACK STAFFORD Models Aircoupe's
Ed, if I remember right, the hatch was 1/8 ply with a 1/4 balsa overlay so I could sand it to shape. Then epoxy coat the inside to fuel proof.
Some bass wood anchor epoxied inside as the screw anchors.
It comes in handy to get inside there and you can't do it very easily if you build the plane as it is supposed to be constructed.
Post #43
Don
Some bass wood anchor epoxied inside as the screw anchors.
It comes in handy to get inside there and you can't do it very easily if you build the plane as it is supposed to be constructed.
Post #43
Don
#189
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RE: JACK STAFFORD Models Aircoupe's
I am back working on the Aircoupe. I glassed with .75 ounce cloth, two thinned coats of Pacer Z-Poxy Finishing Resin. Just put first coat of Rustoleum Grey Automobile Primer. I like this primer since it dries fast and sands with 400 grit into a powder.
Ed
Ed
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RE: JACK STAFFORD Models Aircoupe's
Hey it really looks good to me. I find it very interesting I will have to have a look at them. By the way, your works looks great
#195
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RE: JACK STAFFORD Models Aircoupe's
Thanks for the kind remarks. It has been an on and off project for many reasons, but hopefully I will get it finished. It looks like a fun airplane to fly with the 52 4-stroke.
I guess one of the hold ups has been what paint to use. I use to spray with a Sears Compressor, medium size spray gun, plus an airbrush. Before I moved to Florida, I sold the compressor. I thought I would replace it, but that was not the case.
I will have to use a rattle can. Finding the Rustoleum or Krylon Colors that are fuel proof has been a problem. Seems some are and some are not. I looked at Top Flite Lustrekote. I have heard + & - on this as well.
I guess one of the hold ups has been what paint to use. I use to spray with a Sears Compressor, medium size spray gun, plus an airbrush. Before I moved to Florida, I sold the compressor. I thought I would replace it, but that was not the case.
I will have to use a rattle can. Finding the Rustoleum or Krylon Colors that are fuel proof has been a problem. Seems some are and some are not. I looked at Top Flite Lustrekote. I have heard + & - on this as well.
#197
Thread Starter
RE: JACK STAFFORD Models Aircoupe's
Ed,
Klass Kote paint is top notch but it does require you to have a compressor. I painted my 1/3 Waco with Klass Kote paint when I rebuilt it and the paint is awesome. This will be my paint of choice from now on.
Here is a pic of my Waco.
Later!!
Anthony
Klass Kote paint is top notch but it does require you to have a compressor. I painted my 1/3 Waco with Klass Kote paint when I rebuilt it and the paint is awesome. This will be my paint of choice from now on.
Here is a pic of my Waco.
Later!!
Anthony
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The latest on my Stafford Aircoupe.
Yesterday I Clear Coated the model . I ended up installing a Hacker Electric Motor instead of the 52 4-stroke. At the moment it appears that I will be able to get about 100 watts per pound, which should be good for scale flight.
I hope to test fly in a couple weeks.
Ed
Yesterday I Clear Coated the model . I ended up installing a Hacker Electric Motor instead of the 52 4-stroke. At the moment it appears that I will be able to get about 100 watts per pound, which should be good for scale flight.
I hope to test fly in a couple weeks.
Ed