Zorba1

Hi All. I started by light sanding the balsa and applying a coat of Mia F-37 polyester resin diluted with acetone.
It takes a while to dry but once done is easy to sand.
I sanded lightlly with 320 grit and I applied the fiberglass cloth on the top side. For now I have to wait to get some more free time.
I do this at work since the smell of the resin will create problems at home.

I will keep you posted.

Condor060

My Feedback: (2)

Lookin good bro. I can't wait to se the finished product. This is one build I will follow. Did you decide on an engine yet.

Zorba1

Thanks Fred.
I'll be using the DLE 55 with the Keleo exaust. Kelvin is in the process of making it.
From Solo Wayne recommends the 20" prop wich it will be good enough for the 55.
The gear has to go. I was talking with Lado E-retracts and they will figure out something for the 51. They have the one for the TF P-51 but is not the same.
I will only keep the air for the tail. As for the gear doors I'll use direct servo mechanics.
There will be some changes done along the way for sure. FM should be here soon. I have something different in mind for the panel lines also.
I'll keep you posted.

Cheers

Zorba1

Well been doing some work on the 51. Going slow cause we are busy at work.
All the glassing is done on the small pieces, Ail, ele, rud, flaps.
The wings are glassed and tomorrow I'll shot the first coat or primer.
The fuse I'll keep for last sinse this is the most delicate part.
Will keep you posted


Cheers

LargeScale88

Are you using polyester resin? Thats what I was using, and it had a horrible smell, luckily, I had a shop fan to get the smell out. I now use Epoxy resin, zero smell.

P-51 is coming along nicely.

Jason

Zorba1

i have a big shop at work and the smell is not an issue. The problem I have is when I get ready to glass and a customer walks in.
I use MiaPoxy polyester resin for the fiberglass cloth and epoxy resin for the top coat. It works really well. But epoxy takes longer to set, I got my self the slow hardener.
Also for primer I use an automotive primer mix with catalyst and reducer, and I spray it on.
Lots af sanding too.
Thanks
Bill

Zorba1

Well had some time to do some work on the 51.
The Flite Metal finally arrived so I went to it.
This stuff is great to work with but it sures scraches easyly.
It took me about 8 hours today to do the elevators, one stab, one aileron and the radiator scoop.
I am not too happy with couple of the pieces, so when I finish all the FM I'll go back and redo them. I just want to see if I have enought o do the whole plane first.
This best thing I found to smooth out the FM is using a rubber applicator that comes with the Bondo resin, They use it on cars and it works great.
I didn't do any rivets yet I'll leave that to the end in case I have to redo some of the pieces.
Here are some photos of the progress.
Enjoy.

scale only 4 me

My Feedback: (158)

I am using the lado retract actuators in my p-47 and the robart tail wheel assembly,, but I am using a Hitec HS5645 that I programed to 10% speed,, Why worry about Air for just the tail wheel when it's so easy to run off a servo,, just a thought,,
Vids if interested
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g94Aq-DxCrA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EEyEkt6t80

What are you going to use to sequence the gear doors?

Zorba1

That's not a bad idea for the tail, but D&L will converted to electirc as for the gear doors I have to leave the air cylinders,
as there's not enough space to install servos.
I know somone did installed servos for the gear doors but I can't find the post.
The sequenser is supplied by D&L. The gears should be ready by the third week of August.

Cheers

Zorba1

Did some more today. Took me all day between jobs.

Zorba1

Here are some more photos

SeamusG

I just hate threads like this - gets me thinkin' about the trouble that I haven't got into yet ... [&:]

What's the film used for the tip? I've tried Ultracote - during the stretching the film ended up with very noticeable "stretch marks". Only Ultracote film that I've had problems with.

Zorba1

The film is Flite Metal. 12mil aluminum sheeting with adhesive backing. It can stretch 25%.
Is lots of fun LOL

scale only 4 me

My Feedback: (158)

What are you using to lay downte rivets?

Zorba1

hehe the small rivets are made with a spiked wheel and you just roll it along the line. The bigger rivets are done with 1/16 or 1/8th copper tube and some are made with a phillips (star) screwdriver bit. You can't do that on balsa base. You have to glass the whole surface or else you dig in the wood.

SeamusG

How old is this ARC kit? Just curious ...

Zorba1

2011

SeamusG

Thx - I think I'll stop by there tomorrow to see what's new ...

Zorba1

did some more work on the FM this week.
That stuff takes time and with some mistakes it takes a bit longer also.
The DLE55 fits spot on with out any modifications, happy about that. The stand offs that come with the 55 are the right length
and I don't have to add any spacers.

Zorba1

The project is coming along very- very slowly.
Today I did the application of the FM(Flite Metal) aluminum covering.
It took me almost 8 hours to do the bottom of the wing.
Rivets will be next but I will leave that to the end until the whole plane is covered.
For the rivets I use the gear from the TX450 I had laying around from my heli days.
Since the teeth on the wheel are too close together I had to grind off every other tooth.
Then I put it on a drill and sanded off the wheel on an angle to get the point I needed.
It worked really well.
Here are some pics so far.
Cheers

I had an email from Keleo Creations about the Exhaust. It looks really nice.
He will start the welding next week sometime.

stevenmax50

My Feedback: (1)

Nice job.  I am curious about the flight metal.  Did you have to glass the model first or was that just a choice you made so that you could put in the rivet lines? 

Zorba1

Thanks Steve, the model is glassed, to a smooth finish just like you were going to paint.
For better adhession make sure they are no contaminates or the FM will not adhere properly.
I missed a couple of spots but that's just weathering LOL

Cheers

Zorba1

Well this week had time to do some more.
Almost finished the covering on the wings, all is left to do on them is the fine detail of riverts, access panels and lettering. Also I installed the guns and now I have to cover them also.
After that the rivets.
I thought the covering would be a pain but the rivets take alot of attention cause once they are down is too late nothing can be done if there is a mistake. So, I will take my time on this one.
Here`s a couple of shots of the progress.

Cheers

PS.. Question for the experts here.
I want to run my engine on the bench.
Should I use any old prop or use the one I will be flying with?
The reason I ask is because I want to set the max rpm and pitch. My prop has an adjustable pitch and I can set it to whatever I want.

Zorba1

Started on the fuse today.
I will leave the FM as it is for now, I wont sanded just to see what it looks like and if not then I would sanded with the steel wool.

Cheers

daveopam

My Feedback: (9)

You have mad skills and patience. Good job!!

David