Top Flite Contender Kit Build
 

This is my first attempt to post a build log. Hope it goes well as I have enjoyed following along with others. This is actually my 2nd Contender. After flying the pants off my other I decided to strip it down and modify and recover but it was so fuel soaked that I just decided to start from scratch (kit - sorry for the "scratch" reference http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/js/f...wink_smile.gif). First will post my old contender and then a few of the pics starting the new wing. I hope not to duplicate pics, but initial try did not load. Maybe I tried too many. Will attempt to post old Contender 1st and then try some others.

RE: Top Flite Contender Kit Build
 

OK. That worked, now I will attempt a few more. By the way, I put an Evolution .61 on the old plane and had to add about 4 oz of counter weight toward the aft section of the fuse. I am planning on putting an Evolution .60 on the new one. If I recall it is about 4 oz lighter and hopefully will better ballance.

RE: Top Flite Contender Kit Build
 

Hi Grump. I'm looking forward to your build. I have outgrown my trainer but am not the pilot I need to be to fly the scale planes I would like. I always thought the Contender would be a good next bird.

RE: Top Flite Contender Kit Build
 

What trainer have you been flying? Kit? ARF? I did my initial training on a Kadet SR ARF. Then built a Great Plains Stik 60 prior to the Contender. Both the Contender and the Stik are pretty straight forward builds. The Stk is a little more gentle progression. The contender is quick and fast. Need to stay on top of it in flight.

RE: Top Flite Contender Kit Build
 

I have around 100 flights on my Contender I built earlier this year and love the plane. It has an old OS .61 4-stroke. Required no additional weight for balance.

I modified the rudder slightly and added the upswept wing tips. I do not have the adverse yaw that many guys report with this plane. It i a real joy to fly. This has been my go to plane since the maiden flight. I am interested to see what you might change after having another Contender.
Later!!
Anthony

RE: Top Flite Contender Kit Build
 

I can build 'em....I just can't fly 'em. I am flying a Kadet Senior as well. VERY relaxing. It is a real joy to fly. I also scratch built a 1/2a kadet that flys just like the big one. Neither have ailerons. I rebuilt an old Aeromaster my brother built in the 70's and it scares the heck out of me. I'll leave her hanging from the ceiling until I get more confident.

RE: Top Flite Contender Kit Build
 

Looks awesome! Thanks for the post WacoNut! Re any changes, primarily hope to have improved my building skills. Going to do the strainght tips like yours. this time I will build in some right torque in the firewall BEFORE I build the cowling. About the only thing I do not like about the plans is the virually useless hatch for the fuel tank. You cannot really get to and service the tank without having to cut out the support braces underneath. I am sill debating on the color scheme. I am thinking of doing the same that I had. Loved it. Since the picture files are too large to post at once I am going to keep posting 2 or 3 at a time in my replies.

RE: Top Flite Contender Kit Build
 

Nice work Grumpy. WacoNut did a good build thread on his, you might want to look that up for some reference. Love the way the Contenders fly. Touch and goes are a blast.

RE: Top Flite Contender Kit Build
 

Thanks for doing the Build Log, Grump. I'll be following your progress and am looking forward to it.

RE: Top Flite Contender Kit Build
 

Thanks OldScaleGuy. Where is the thread for WacoNut? One area that was very difficult on my first build of the Contender was trying to install per instructions the wing dowels. The instructions have you blindly drilling through the already installed and rounded leading edge. I decided to do the hole drilling and istallation of the wing dowels ahead of time for a perfect alignment and then install the leading edge. Worked great

RE: Top Flite Contender Kit Build
 

Thanks. A couple of folow up pics for my comments on the wing dowels.

RE: Top Flite Contender Kit Build
 

Anthony,
Just looking over your pics again and noticed what looked like a 'smoke' finish inside the canopy. If so, how did you achieve that?

RE: Top Flite Contender Kit Build
 

A few more pics on how the leading edge worked out with the pre-installed wing dowels

RE: Top Flite Contender Kit Build
 

Hi Grumpy,
Sorry about the delay I was gone hunting for a couple of days. I tinted the canopy using black RIT clothing dye. You can find it at most grocery stores. It is a simple process of just running hot water into a bucket/pot and mixing in the dye powder and soaking the canopy for approx 20 minutes. Do not use your better halfs good kitchen pot if you value your life;)

Here is a link to my build thread. [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_11166437/anchors_11166437/mpage_1/key_/anchor/tm.htm#11166437]Contender Build[/link]

I did do a few modifications but not many. The rudder was the biggest change. I did beef up the landing gear mounting as well.
Later!!
Anthony

RE: Top Flite Contender Kit Build
 

Thanks WacoNut! I already painted so I wonder if I can just invert and make it a basin and poun in the dye?
Now for some pics of the control surfaces......oops, looks like I forgot the tail feathers.

RE: Top Flite Contender Kit Build
 

If you painted the outside of the canopy then you could just fill the inside. You would have to make sure the canopy is supported well and will fill up evenly.
Might be a bit tedious but should work. You could always paint over the framework if you get some die on the painted surfaces.

Good Luck!!
Anthony

RE: Top Flite Contender Kit Build
 

Looking Great...keep up the good work!

Regards
Mike

RE: Top Flite Contender Kit Build
 

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RE: Top Flite Contender Kit Build
 

What's that got to do with this Contender build?????

RE: Top Flite Contender Kit Build
 

I guess someone hit the wrong buttonhttp://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/js/f...ular_smile.gif. Anyway, time for the wing tips and completed wing

RE: Top Flite Contender Kit Build
 

Thanks for starting this thread has motivated me to continue with my own Contender build [:o].

Regards
Mike

RE: Top Flite Contender Kit Build
 

Look forward to seeing your progress. Now to start posting progress on the fuse
Thanks

RE: Top Flite Contender Kit Build
 

More progress on the fuse. I built in a little right thrust in mounting the firewall which explains the appearant gap.

RE: Top Flite Contender Kit Build
 

Now for the fuel tank and top formers. One thing I do not like about this kit is that the hatch for servicing the fuel tank is on the bottom of the fuse, below the supports for the tank. The only way to service the tank is to cut out the supports, unless someone has another idea (I should have asked prior to moving forward). I thought about putting a hatch on top, but as you can see from the pics the tank would not be removable through that opening.

RE: Top Flite Contender Kit Build
 

Hi gang,

Just found this thread, and I too am building a contender. I am in the middle of the wing construction. Thanks ad661 for the tip on the
wing dowels. I did not want to drill into the LE. I will use your method. I am hoping to finish the wing in the next week or so.
I am not real fast!! Thanks to all for the helpful pics and posts.

More to come....