Rflyin

My Feedback: (6)

Hello Skybolt Pilots,
I'm currently finishing up my SSB and have been thinking about how to cover the fuse. Especially around the cabanes. I've covered several planes in the past but they all had squarish fuses. I'm thinking of covering it by left half and right half or maybe top and bottom .Did you try to cover the cowl or paint it? Any help would be great.

Thanks,
Rick

snys

My fuzz is covered in 4 pieces, bottom, sides and then top between the cabanes. I copied the kit cowl and made my own FG one, so that is painted with automotive paint. Came out pretty well.


[link=http://www.pbase.com/image/74341640]Click for full size[/link]


[link=http://www.pbase.com/image/73262275]Click for FS.[/link]

Rflyin

My Feedback: (6)

Thanks,
Anybody else?

Rick

Halogen

I am just about to cover a Super Skybolt from Great Planes. I will try to copy the colours on the box. I will start from the fuse and leave the wings till last.

I will keep you posted.

surf

Here is mine, remind me not to try and match all of the checkering again!!

Rflyin

My Feedback: (6)

Hi Guys,
Those are great covering jobs. But I mainly need to know your method of application of the covering on the fuse. Like how did you cover around the cabanes? Did you cover the fuse left side right side or top half bottom half or something else.

Thanks,
Rick

Vintage

I started on the bottom of the fuse, then the two sides. On the side pieces, I made cutouts for the cabanes and extended the side covering about a quarter inch past the cabanes. I then covered in between the cabanes. It took a couple of tries to get it the way I wanted. I then made a small fillet all the way around the cabanes with a mixture of micro balloons and resin.
Good luck. Sorry I don't have a close-up.

surf

Rflyin,
Pretty much the same way as Vintage, except I didn't fillet in the cabanes. Made one piece with cutout for the cabanes and put it on then did the fuse sides. The two sides splice together at the top of the fus. behind the canopy.

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

Start by cutting four, 1-inch squares of covering (Or rounds, or squares with rounded corners, etc). Cut a small hole in the center - use a hole-punch if you have one. Then cut a slit from the hole, out to the edge.

Slide one of these over each cabane point and iron it down.

Now your covering only has to get close to the cabane. It gives you room for error.

Cover the Bottom, then the side, then do the top in 3 pieces - one piece (On each side) that starts about 1/2" inside the cabane (With notches cut for cabane clearance) and goes out and down to meet the side covering. Then a center piece - again with notches cut.

<Edit> Note: I used 3 colors so you can see the different pieces

snys

Minnflyer: (Or anybody else for that matter)

What engine did you run in your Skybolt? I have an OS 1.20 AX in mine, and it pulls well, but I am having problems getting the mixture right. Now I am wondering if it might be my prop size? I am running a 15x10 (minimum spec for the engine) maybe the engine will run better with a larger prop? I have been thinking of buying a 16x10. Any advice would be appreciated. Another dead stick will not be good. I had to repair a bit of damage last time. These things to NOT glide very well. [:@]

surf

snys, that should be more than enough power. My Skybolt is 10 lbs and I fly it with a OS91FS, pulls it fine. Will do most anything but of course the Skybolt is not a 3D machine. I have anither kit and if I ever built it, I will do everything possible to remove weight.

With the bigger prop you mentioned, I would be concerned with prop strikes as the plane does not have every tall landing grear.

snys

Surf: Oh yes, you have a good point there. I did'nt think of that. I'll measure the clearance, but I think you are right. Ah well, maybe once the engine is run in a bit more it will stabilize. That was the case with my OS .91, so maybe OS engines are like that? I only have about 10 flights on that engine (the 120).

(Sorry about hijacking your thread for a bit, Rflyin, I'll shut up about engines now)

surf

Last season was the first for the OS91FS and this season it is coming alive, so maybe, yes its takes a while to fully break in.

Rflyin, how is the covering coming?

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

I flew my skybolt kit with a YS 91AC with a Graupner 12.5 x 8 prop and it was a very good match

snys

Hi MinnFlyer,

I think my Skybolt is a bit heavy. I had to add lead to the nose, (Quite a bit, probably about 50g) even with the 1.20 on the nose to get it to balance.

Oh, also I am about 1500m ASL.

surf

Snys,
I had to add a ton of weight, I think it was a pound!! This is a tail heavy build plane with a short couple/moment. So balance it out correctly, do anything and everything to remove weight.

It is still a good flying plane.