RE: "DON SMITH " B-17'S?  
View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Tower Hobbies
Enter up to 4 keywords or Tower stock numbers
Logged in as Guest



Users viewing this topic: none
  Printable Version
       


Mustang Exhaust - Kit
Seller:  tony-howard
Details:   $35.00   |  9/21/2008   |  Classified Ad
We will rotate YOUR AD in this spot if you select "Forum Featured" when placing or editing your ad!

All Forums >> RC Airplanes >> RC Warbirds and Warplanes >> RE: "DON SMITH " B-17'S?
Page: <<   < prev  1 [2] 3 4 5 6 7 8   next >   >>  

Login
Message << Older Topic   Newer Topic >>
RE: "DON SMITH " B-17'S? - 2/28/2004 2:26:20 AM   
b17mik



Posts: 99
Joined: 11/25/2003
From: Visalia, CA, USA
Status: offline 		Howard..I was wondering how long you have been working on your b-17 and what your E.T.T is?..(.Estimated Time for Takeoff) Michael

(in reply to flydoc)
       Post #: 26

RE: "DON SMITH " B-17'S? - 2/28/2004 6:01:58 AM   
b17mik



Posts: 99
Joined: 11/25/2003
From: Visalia, CA, USA
Status: offline 		I was just wondering if anyone else is out there in the construction stage that I am in or near it?

Attachments
Click to see fullsize image.
Click for fullsize

(in reply to b17mik)
       Post #: 27

RE: "DON SMITH " B-17'S? - 2/28/2004 4:22:15 PM   
flydoc


 

Posts: 97
Joined: 4/26/2002
From: faifax station, VA,
Status: offline 		Michael,

I cut the first piece of wood for my B-17 on February 25, 2003. Airframe construction is now complete, and yesterday I applied the first piece of fiberglass to the stab. I expect that the plane will fly this summer, or fall, if i get held up. One thing I have discovered in my years of scale model building: when the airframe is finnished, then you are about 1/2 done with the project. Now that the flying season is almost here, the time spent in my shop will decrease so that i can go out and play with my "toys".

_____________________________

Howard Kahn
Fairfax Station, VA

(in reply to b17mik)
       Post #: 28

RE: "DON SMITH " B-17'S? - 2/29/2004 5:36:29 AM   
b17mik



Posts: 99
Joined: 11/25/2003
From: Visalia, CA, USA
Status: offline 		Here are a couple more progress shots..I am almost done cutting out all the formers..Its the nose's turn now..Michael..To Flydoc,,Out here in sunny California ,we really don't have a fly season..The coldest it gets is 35degrees and maybe a little rain so we fly all year around..Dont be too enveous ..Michael

Attachments
Click to see fullsize image.
Click for fullsize 		Click to see fullsize image.
Click for fullsize

(in reply to flydoc)
       Post #: 29

RE: "DON SMITH " B-17'S? - 3/2/2004 6:39:59 AM   
DownSideUp



Posts: 300
Joined: 12/29/2002
From: Lindsay, CA, USA
Status: offline 		Hey Mike. That thing looks great. I couldn't ever dream of building something like that from scratch. Anyway, I just wanted to say Hi. We need to be thinking of ideas for our funfly. And I'm not going to wait for the next meeting to get a flier out for the funfly. I'll probably see you this weekend. Later.

Richard

_____________________________

I just want you both to know, good luck, we're all counting on you.

(in reply to b17mik)
       Post #: 30

RE: "DON SMITH " B-17'S? - 3/3/2004 5:23:04 AM   
b17mik



Posts: 99
Joined: 11/25/2003
From: Visalia, CA, USA
Status: offline 		Richard..This project has been one looooong one ..I mean that every part has to be layed out ,cut ,sanded ,fitted, etc. And talk about a burn out sometimes..But you know what? I have been working on this for over a year now and it is taking longer than some of the other guys building the same project..Because I am scratch building it and adding a lot more than the original plans have on it..But..There is soon going to be a day in which the FINISHED airplane in all its glory is going to be at the end of the runway with all 4 engines purring at an idle..Then slowly I add the coal to it and it will start rolling down the middle of the runway and then the tail will lift up and then when there is enough airspeed,with a little up stick...It will break ground and pull away...THEN it will all be worth it ..Even then I can't wait for the first low fly by down the middle of the runway.. Mike

(in reply to DownSideUp)
       Post #: 31

RE: RE: "DON SMITH " B-17'S? - 3/3/2004 6:42:53 AM   
DownSideUp



Posts: 300
Joined: 12/29/2002
From: Lindsay, CA, USA
Status: offline 		And if I miss that day that you just described, I think I'll stay home for a year. I can't miss that. We've got to make sure everyone in the club is there that day. Hell, maybe we'll have a raffle and conests on that day since we could probably charge admission to see 4 .91 fs surpass engines on one plane!!!! I know I'd add to the club coffers. Anyway, try to stay focussed and don't get burned out. See you soon.

Richard

_____________________________

I just want you both to know, good luck, we're all counting on you.

(in reply to b17mik)
       Post #: 32

bringing out the big guns - 3/8/2004 5:32:32 AM   
DownSideUp



Posts: 300
Joined: 12/29/2002
From: Lindsay, CA, USA
Status: offline 		Thanks Mike, for driving that tractor all the way out to the field to get rid of those weeds. Maybe the railroad company will be a little more leanient towards us for using their easment to drive into the field. I did my best to spray the weeds on the field with my backpack sprayer today, hope I didn't miss any. Take it easy.

_____________________________

I just want you both to know, good luck, we're all counting on you.

(in reply to DownSideUp)
       Post #: 33

RE:Don Smith B-17 - 3/9/2004 5:55:16 AM   
b17mik



Posts: 99
Joined: 11/25/2003
From: Visalia, CA, USA
Status: offline 		A couple more picks..This is one side of the wing saddles..Worked all night on this..Just thought someone would like to see it a Note to Flydoc..Did you scratch build your plane or had it cut for you? Also on the tail feathers what was used for material on the formers that make stab and rudder??Thanks..... Michael in California

Attachments
Click to see fullsize image.
Click for fullsize 		Click to see fullsize image.
Click for fullsize



_____________________________

[b] Vonnie Gal[/b]
B-17G-5 DL

(in reply to DownSideUp)
       Post #: 34

RE: RE:Don Smith B-17 - 3/9/2004 2:54:28 PM   
flydoc


 

Posts: 97
Joined: 4/26/2002
From: faifax station, VA,
Status: offline 		Michael,

I always cut my own parts when I build. I find that I tend to make changes during construction to suit my preferences, and by making my own parts, I can select materials accoringly. As to materials in the stab and rudder, most was 1/8th balsa, although since i designed the stab to be a plug in structure, Aircraft and light ply was also used as needed.

_____________________________

Howard Kahn
Fairfax Station, VA

(in reply to b17mik)
       Post #: 35

RE: RE:Don Smith B-17 - 3/17/2004 7:36:12 PM   
flyboy520


 

Posts: 1
Joined: 3/17/2004
From: , MA, USA
Status: offline 		I have dreamed of building a scale B-17G for as long as I can remember (I'm 30 now). My grandfather used to fly one and I'm a pilot, so for me it's more of a family thing. I have only ever built a Goldberg Piper Cub J3 though... (it turned out GREAT!) I am buying a set of Don Smith plans and plan on building the parts myself (I have a fair background of wood working experience).

Does any one have suggestions or recommendations I should be aware of when I take on this laborious venture?

Thank you for your advice... and the planes on here look AWESOME Great job b17mik!

(in reply to flydoc)
       Post #: 36

RE: RE:Don Smith B-17 - 3/17/2004 9:33:45 PM   
nine o nine


 

Posts: 266
Joined: 5/22/2003
From: Leominster, MA, USA
Status: offline 		Flyboy250.....I want to encourage you to do a B-17 but at the same time I want to "sort of" talk you out of it. I feel that a relative newcomer to the hobby should have a few years of building experience under the belt before tackling a project such as this. Much is left to the builder's mind as to how things should be done as the job progresses. There are no step by step instructions from the designer....what type of wood to use where...how to set up fuel systems and engine mounts....control actuation...servo placement......servo torque values.....retract systems.....fiberglass techniques...weight and balance, etc, etc.....Let's not even go into how much money the special landing gear costs.....the 4 engines....fancy radio with lots of channels.
If I were you I'd hook up with a very experienced builder who has more patience than anyone you know and commit him to "marrying" you for the build.
I spent much love, money, and time on my Smith B-17 and I'm glad I did....it's the pinnacle of my 50 year modeling career.
It'll be flying in the ProAm event at TopGun this spring...wish me luck. Mitch

(in reply to flyboy520)
       Post #: 37

RE: RE:Don Smith B-17 - 3/18/2004 12:57:38 AM   
b17mik



Posts: 99
Joined: 11/25/2003
From: Visalia, CA, USA
Status: offline 		Hey there flyboy ..Here are a few suggestions for you ..Get the plans in front of you and stare at them for about 5 days!! Then you will see how big in size and how involved this project really is..Also be ready to spend at least 2 years at this and you will need a space that will handle the size of it..A dedicated bedroom or garage to hold it because you cant just put on the top shelf when you bored with it.!!I built a 4foot by 12 foot table with a sheet of 5/8 drywall as a pin holder..And now for the hard part..with everything that you will buy for this airplane..be ready to spend at least 3500 dollars..You can start out cheap...Balsa wood and plywood is fairly cheap and then start cutting parts...I started this project by first scanning all the parts into my computer and opening a folder with a title "B-17 parts" and then I had the whole airplane in parts in that folder...Print it out and you have a template to glue onto the balsa or ply and start cutting..Next..Get every book you can find on the 17 for documentation because you will want pictures of everything...Look at all the web sites and down load the construction pictures for reference later..And then DO IT..This is an airplane that you will cherrish forever!! No one will out do on this and you will be the envie of everyone out at the flying field..Let me know if you have any more questions as I am willing to help as much as possible..Michael in California..B17mik..


_____________________________

[b] Vonnie Gal[/b]
B-17G-5 DL

(in reply to nine o nine)
       Post #: 38

RE: RE:Don Smith B-17 - 3/18/2004 3:55:24 AM