LoL!! Dave, removed fuse. from jig, mounted engine mount I knew I would have to mod. the engine mount to fit the Rossi 61F, its about a 1/4" to long as the pic's show should be no problem after removing about 1/4" of the top of the mount to clear the header, Hope to get fuselage all framed up by this evening.

Pete,
I had the same problem with The wood Bootlegger but it all worked out ! just add some here and take away there ....

Dave ..

Dave, here what I did, remove some off the top of the engine mount, worked out fine. I still have an issue with the header not having a high enough bend to clear the fuse. might heat it up and bend the rear of the header, I remember somebody else had the same issue with this engine and header combo any ideas from anyone would be appreciated on this. Pete

Pete ,
Paul Pappas did that on his Dirty Bird !! He said he used a small torch and some wood dowels to make the bends..

Dave..

Fuselage all boxed in, front end will be done after carving the box!! I use a electric carving knife to make fast work, less balsa dust. Will address the header @ a later date.

carving knife on balsa.. interesting.

Looks good!

Carved one corner with knife, then used a hand planer follwed up with 100 grit sandpaper. This was done in a little under 20 min. One of our local builders used this procedure is how I learned about it. Very little balsa dust. Man those fiberglass fuselages sure do spoil ya!!!!.

WARNING: if you try this method of removing balsa I will not be responable for any injury's by anyone trying this. just my way of doing it. Pete Coleman

Pete,

the build is progressing nicely, great stuff.

I have the XLT plans, the same motor, looking forward to seeing how it all comes together.

I am wondering if we could get NRossi to produce a header pipe that is higher than the current version?
Most of the plans I have checked need a taller header pipe to allow clearance for the pipe.
It may help a lot of people out there.

regds

Dale

Hi Dale, looks like Leo (Pattern one) is looking in to it, yes it sure would be nice to have a higher header. I will try and heat the header up and bend it up, its been done two times that I know of and it worked. I'll keep you posted with pic's when I do it. Pete

Pete

Im working on a XLT header..talking with the welder in morning. I have the drawing from plans.

I will let you know..

Scott

Hey Pete...Nice job on your build!!

I have a couple of photos below of an option you may consider?? I do this to all of my headers, I feel it reduces stress at the engine mount and helps with misalignment problems....I simply cut the header and add another silicone tubing joint which adds more freedom of movement...

You can get the silicone tubing from McMaster Carr...I get the Hi-Temp silicone rubber tubing which is available in a few different colors..
http://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-si...tubing/=ls6oq6

They also have those clamps...They are called "Constant-Tension Spring-Band Hose and Tube Clamps" (bottom of page)...
http://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-hose-clamps/=ls6v45

Have Fun...

Chuck

Chuck, that's a great idea!! I'll go on the web sight and check it . Thanks that's what I like about this forum the great ideas everybody has. Pete

Thanks Scott, that would be great!! Pete

I've done the same and it works well.

Short update, had to order new wood for the front end of the fuselage, wood in kit very hard and heavy could not find wood I needed @ local hobby shop. did build vertical stab. and rudder, lot of sanding will be needed to get the profile right. Horizontal stab next. I did go on web sight Chuck talked about and ordered tube and clams ordered Retracts from Spring Air also.

Gathered the wood for the horzontal stab. that came in the kit surprising it was in great shape and contest grade wood. I weighed it 12 sheets 1/16X3X16, six sheets for each side of the stab. shuffled the sheet around until I got the same weight 1.6 oz for 6 sheets per side. I had to order the wood for the wing kit comes with 3/32 sheeting for the wing and the wood is good I went with 1/16 sheeting for the wing, trying to keep things light. Pictures show one side otherside done the same.

Pete,

Coming along very nicely! I really like the looks of the one Dave Guerin built a couple of years ago. Rusty posted pictures somewhere on the forum. I'll see if I can find them.

You could probably get rid of those stubs rising from the motor mount into the exhaust area. I don't think they accomplish much structurally.

The 3/32 sheeting can be used for fuse sides in wee models or for bottom planking, or for a thousand other things I suppose...

David

Hi David, thanks its coming along just wish I would have ordered the wood I needed sooner, hobby shops just don't carry much balsa these days, no kits just ARF's. I will add the 3/32 balsa to my stock for future use. I have talked to a couple of guys and they said the XLT is a great flying plane if keep light, that goes with out saying!! Regards, Pete

Nice work. I really like the electric carving knfe idea. Wish we had one to try out.

A quick comment on the sheeting - both stab wing but expecially wing. I find it much easier to get a smooth leading edge if I place a piece of the 1/16" sheetingparallel to the leading edge of the core.It curves to fit the leading edge contour much more easily since the diagonal edge of the balsa - and associated joints - land in the middle of the core, not on the LE..

BTW - the XLT is a great flier, even if it's a little heavy. My XLT was built box stock - read heavy - and it still flew great with an OS 61VF.I found an old picture during our recent cleanout of my kids posing with mine when they were just little guys, probably circa 1983-84 or so. <br type="_moz" />

Jim, thanks for the info on the sheeting, I have already sheeted the stab. Waiting for it to dry but will try your technic on the wing when the balsa for the wing arrives. Can you post the picture of the xlt you referring to? Would love to see it. Pete

I'll try but it's not CURRENTLY in digital format. It's truly fugly and boring (red, white and black) as I don't have an drop of creative blood in my body. I also have pictures of it's younger brothers, two different Escapes I flew over the years.

Jim
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Hopefully these scans will show up. If you havent seen the original Flying Models article, here it is.
Stuart C.

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