Electric Lanc Build (Full Version)

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Scott G -> Electric Lanc Build (9/2/2005 8:25:27 AM)

I finally finished a little Dumas Sparrow Hawk to hang over my son’s crib, so now it's on to the Lancaster. I though I'd post pictures as I progress through the build. I know this isn't a Top-Flite kit or something, so people may not get as much use from it as other build threads... but Lancaster's are just kind of pretty in an ugly sort of way ;).

This is my first build thread and my first build from plans, so hopefully I don't glue the horizontal stab to the wing saddle or something equally inept.

If you are interested I found the Lanc in a magazine called RCM&E that is published in the U.K.. Here is a link to the article online:

http://www.modelflying.co.uk/features/feature34/

It has a high level walkthrough of the build so hopefully I don't get too lost.

I ordered the CNC cut parts/plans/vacuum formed bits from them. The first shipment was lost in transit but they were very helpful and sent out a second batch. All told it took about 2 1/2 months to get everything. If I didn't have shipping trouble it would have likely taken only 3-4 weeks. The folks that handled my order were quite friendly.

So, here we go... The first pictures are of the parts as they were shipped.

Edit: Hawk, not hack. Be nice if I could spell.




mR JoLLy -> RE: Electric Lanc Build (9/2/2005 10:45:27 AM)

Well Scott I shall be watching this one with some interest.

Build away my friend!



Scott G -> RE: Electric Lanc Build (9/3/2005 5:09:58 AM)

Well got a little done tonight before I realized that I needed some medium CA. Just a couple of pictures of the partially built fuse. Not much going on yet...

scott.




Jetjockey_3 -> RE: Electric Lanc Build (9/4/2005 12:26:38 AM)

Scott,

I would be very interested to find out who you spoke to. I ordered the very same kit in mid-July and all I received so far are the plans. Drop me an email with any info you might have.

I am very interested in how your build is going. I plan to start mine as soon as the rest turns up.




Scott G -> RE: Electric Lanc Build (9/4/2005 4:05:55 AM)

I had quite a few emails back and forth with a very helpful gentleman, but the emails are all on my work computer. If I haven't deleted them I'll get the email address. I think I initiated the process through the email link on the RCM&E web page if I remember correctly.

As far as the turn around, once they sent the replacements I think it only took about 3-4 weeks for everything to come. They were in three separate packages and came on different days. Funny thing was about 2 months after I got all the replacement parts, a box with the original vacuum formed stuff showed up. I figured after the initial debacle a free set of canopies/spinners was reasonable payment for my trouble… ;)

More progress on the fuse... got all the formers in as well as all the stringers. The front bit of the fuse was a bit of a pain. I should have hosed it down with more Windex because when I tried to bend it in I cracked the left side. Now with the supports out it tends to pull more to the right and get all out of whack. I'm hoping that once I get the top sheeted that will be enough to hold it straight.

Also the plans call for two one-piece sheets to cover the top. I'm going to strip plank it instead. I think I will have an easier time of getting the compound curves at the front and back if I don't try to get it all in one go. Also, I think I'll have an easier time keeping it straight.



Scott G -> RE: Electric Lanc Build (9/6/2005 3:46:46 AM)

Moving right along... I strip-planked the fuse and did some coarse sanding with the 80 grit to knock down the seams. Next up I need to cut some holes for the cockpits and wings.



mR JoLLy -> RE: Electric Lanc Build (9/6/2005 7:25:41 AM)

Scott what thickness was balsa skin ? and also curious about the glue you used while planking as it looks like it sanded very nicely.

Regards



nmacwarbirds -> RE: Electric Lanc Build (9/6/2005 9:24:34 AM)

Dear Scott
I take it it is the 11 foot Lanc you are building, we have one it weighs 34 1/2 pounds
that includes two pounds of ballast. It flies like an absolute dream.
Below are a couple of pictures.
Good luck.
Phil G.



Scott G -> RE: Electric Lanc Build (9/7/2005 5:30:10 AM)

quote:

Scott what thickness was balsa skin ? and also curious about the glue you used while planking as it looks like it sanded very nicely.


The sheeting on the lower part is 1/8. The planks are 3/32. As far as glue, I just used thin Zap CA. I am going to go back and fill some gaps/low spots with epoxy and micro balloons.

quote:

I take it it is the 11 foot Lanc you are building, we have one it weighs 34 1/2 pounds
that includes two pounds of ballast. It flies like an absolute dream.
Below are a couple of pictures.


Great pictures. As far as the size, this is the 72" version. I don't have the field, workshop, or transportation for a model that size. The largest model I have right now is a Byron Originals P-51 that just fits in my truck with the tailgate down. I bought it built but not flown from a fellow club member. I need to go through it and do the maiden which will likely be out in the local desert on a dry lake bed.

Scott.

A picture of my 1/5 scale 'stang and my 1/3 scale pilot.




nmacwarbirds -> RE: Electric Lanc Build (9/7/2005 6:28:54 AM)

Dear Scott
You need to be very very careful with the weight of the Lanc, the smaller one is quite tricky to fly.
But fly it will if the weight is right. The designer of the Lanc is due to attend our Battle of Britain
event this sunday the 11th of September. He now has a 17 foot Lanc electric of course.

Let's hope the 1/3rd scale pilot grows up to be a full size pilot.

Regards Phil G.



Scott G -> RE: Electric Lanc Build (9/11/2005 6:40:16 AM)

This week has been busy, both at work and at home. So the progress has been slow; tonight I managed to start on the center section of the wing. I decided to break with the instructions in the article and build the wing and tail now. This way I can have the actual parts in hand when I'm cutting out the holes for them in the fuse. Also I should have an easier time of getting the canopies lined up with the wing mounted.

The CNC cut wingribs did not include the little temporary stand off. So I had to tack glue some on.




p2driver -> RE: Electric Lanc Build (9/12/2005 12:55:42 AM)

Scott,
Very nice beginning, it will be most interesting to monitor your progress; thanks for sharing your project. See you at the field next weekend.
Cheers



Scott G -> RE: Electric Lanc Build (9/13/2005 5:21:10 AM)

The center section is ready to be put aside while I work on the outer panels. Not much for excitement tonight.



Scott G -> RE: Electric Lanc Build (9/15/2005 6:41:55 AM)

Got started on the left wing panel tonight. Again, I had to spend a decent amount of time gluing on the little standoffs at the front of the ribs. For some reason the CNC cut parts come without them. Also, two of my ribs were way off compared to their matching rib and the plans. I'm not sure how a CNC machine can screw that up, but screw it up it did.




Selleri -> RE: Electric Lanc Build (9/15/2005 4:28:55 PM)

Some pics of a Lancaster my clubmate built from the same kit > http://frettavefur.net/myndasafn/16/
It's currently in the final stages of painting.



Scott G -> RE: Electric Lanc Build (9/21/2005 6:03:55 AM)

Thanks for the link. I hope mine looks as good when I get that far; I especially like what was done with the gear.

I cranked out the other wing and hopefully I'll join the wing panels tomorrow night. I am waiting for an order from lone-star balsa for the wing skin stock so I may get held up on that. If so, I'll start on the stab.




Scott G -> RE: Electric Lanc Build (9/21/2005 6:05:54 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: nmacwarbirds

Dear Scott
You need to be very very careful with the weight of the Lanc, the smaller one is quite tricky to fly.


In what way is it tricky? Reading the article, it sounded like the first flight had marginal power but an extra cell fixed that.



nmacwarbirds -> RE: Electric Lanc Build (9/21/2005 12:01:50 PM)

Dear Scott
The power is an issue but the weight is also a big issue.
We work on this formula trust me it works.
The maximum weight of the model must be no more than the cubed scale.
ie 1/4 scale would have a maximum weight of no more than 1/64 of the fullsize unlaiden weight.

So the fullsize Lanc has a wingspan of 102ft turn that to inches 102X12=1224 inches
Divide 1224/72 which will give you the scale of your Lanc. that gives you 1/17 scale.

The unlaiden weight of the Lanc is 36900 lbs.
1/17 scale cubed gives you 1/4913
so if we divide fullsize weight by cubed scale that will give you maximum weight for model.
A lot of the Lancs are coming out above this weight that is why they are tricky to fly.

36900/4913 =7.5lbs

You may not believe this but it is true and I am trying to help you.
If you do these calculations with other scales you will see what I mean

lets try the 11 foot 2 inch one. that is near on 1/9 scale.
36900/729 = 50.6lbs maximum model weight
ours weighs 34lbs some people have got these out at 26lbs. miles with-in the limit.
Good luck.
Just keep it very light regards Phil G.



Scott G -> RE: Electric Lanc Build (9/27/2005 5:16:58 AM)

More progress. The top of the wing is now sheeted. The last bit is kickin' it under some lead while the glue dries. I think I'll crank out the ailerons next so I can set up the linkage. After that I'll sheet the rest of the bottom of the wing.

The only "problem" I ran into was trying to figure out what the plans wanted me to do at the wing tips. I finally just put in some blocks and sanded them to match to flow of the last couple of ribs.

Scott.



Scott G -> RE: Electric Lanc Build (10/5/2005 6:29:56 AM)

Over the last couple of nights I cranked out the ailerons. The pictures should be pretty self explanatory. I want to get these done early so I can test my aileron cable setup. I am just running one servo connected to a Sullivan golden rod that has a pretty heavy bend to get to the control horn. I would like to see everything work without too much binding before I sheet the bottom of the wing and make a "Plan B" much harder to implement.

Also, I ordered my retracts from Spring Air and picked up what I am planning on using for motors. The gearboxes are 2.33 to 1. I have not decided how to wire it yet. Tony Nijhuis (the designer) suggested these with each wing in series and the wings wired in parallel with a 5S lipo pack. My local electric hobby store owner didn't like that idea due to the high voltage. So I will just have to test some stuff out before I decide. Any tips from folks who have run a similar setup would be greatly appreciated.

Scott.



p2driver -> RE: Electric Lanc Build (10/15/2005 3:02:25 AM)

Scott...great progress and posts...BTW...I ordered the P6E...
Cheers



Scott G -> RE: Electric Lanc Build (10/19/2005 6:58:44 AM)

Well the silence is not due to lack of progress, just lack of interesting progress. I have finished the wing sheeting, but it seemed to drag quite a bit. It might be that the underside is a bit time consuming since it is not fully sheeted. In any event the deed is done. The only deviation from the plans was the addition of balsa filler between the upper and lower trailing edge sheeting where the wing bolt will be located. The plans just call for some 1/16" birch ply for support. This seemed suspect with only 1/16" balsa sheeting.

Fitting the wing to the fuse is just around the corner, after which I think I’ll work on the inner nacelles. That way I can get this guy up on his legs. I’m still trying to figure out how to do the steerable tail wheel. The plans don’t really have any detail on this aspect.

Scott.



Scott G -> RE: Electric Lanc Build (10/20/2005 5:50:26 AM)

Tonight I sheeted most of the fuse bottom leaving the last 12 inches or so open until I get inspired about a tail wheel solution. More importantly I got the wing saddle pretty much were I want it. Tomorrow I'll add the doubler and the wing bolt anchors. I'm getting dangerously close to having something that looks like a Lancaster... :)

Scott.



Scott G -> RE: Electric Lanc Build (10/23/2005 7:03:33 AM)

Well the modeling lesson of the day is: Install wing bolt anchors before sheeting the fuse… Oops. I went to install the forward anchor and realized that I was not going to be able to get it in via the wing opening. So, I cut a small slot in the side of the fuse to slide it in.

The aft anchor can actually be slid in after the sheeting, waiting until now makes cutting the wing saddle doubler easier. So it wasn’t all bad that I waited on these I guess.

Here are the pictures of the crime:

Scott




Scott G -> RE: Electric Lanc Build (10/26/2005 4:25:30 AM)

Not much to report tonight. I got three of the nacelle structures in the wing without glue. Once I get the fourth one in and it looks reasonable I'll glue these in and start sheeting them.

Scott.



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