Posts: 250
Joined: 10/30/2004 From: o'fallon,
MO, USA Status: offline
Today was the day I finally cracked the seal on my Hog Bipe kit I got for Christmas. I am really excited to get this bird in the air. I started construction with the TOP wing, the instructions call for construction to begin with the fuselage, however I do not have my engine for the plane yet and I want that on hand before I start the fuselage. My first impressions of the kit are positive with just a few minor "issues". First, the kit contains some very nice laser cut parts, the wing ribs however are die cut. Some of the ribs were die "crunched" as opposed to cut. A lot of the die cut sheets took quite a bit of sanding on the back side for a clean seperation. Second, and this is not too big of a deal, I hate folded plans. I went over the plans numerous times with a hot clothes iron and still could not get the creases out, but so is life
Construction begins by pinning the 1/4 by 1/2 main spars to the board. There is a gap in between the spars at the wing's center. This is for the strut attachment points later. The proper spacing must be maintained between the two R-2 ribs close to the wing tips for the cabane mounting bracket, again added later in construction.
My final bit of work was to add the pre-formed leading edge to the wing ribs.
What you see here is about 1.5 hours of work. I am not using CA as my general construction adhesive, I am using Sig-Bond as I feel it is more forgiving when it comes to sanding the airframe and allows me time to make sure parts are aligned properly. It is also much easier to remove from my finger tips
I'll be attaching pictures as I progress so keep checking back!
< Message edited by dbruening80 -- 1/25/2006 3:37:45 PM >
Posts: 706
Joined: 9/8/2003 From: Mount Airy,
NC, USA Status: offline
You're going to like this kit. It goes together easy and flies like a dream. Go with the dual aileron servo setup and move the main gear forward 1/2 inch for better ground handling. I've got a Saito 100 on mine but a .91 would have been fine. I used the 100 only because I just happened to have one lying there gathering dust. WCB
Posts: 706
Joined: 9/8/2003 From: Mount Airy,
NC, USA Status: offline
You'll like the power the TT .91 makes. I've owned 2 (still have one, sold one to my brother) and both were decent engines for the money. It will pull the Sig Pig along no problem.
Posts: 250
Joined: 10/30/2004 From: o'fallon,
MO, USA Status: offline
Here is tonight's installment. The first order of business was to true up and glue on the lower and upper 1/16 trailing edge sheeting. It was tough truing up the edges on the sheet as the edge truing fixture I built is 45 inches long and the balsa sheets are 48 inches long, but I got it done.
The next step was to install the 1/8 inch plywood center wing brace.
The last bit of construction I did this evening was the installation of the 1/16 balsa shear webs. This was also the most time consuming, not because it was difficult, but I really tried to get good glue joints in regards to the shear webs. I fully intend on flying the snot out of this airplane and want everything to be as rigid as possible.
My goal for tomorrow is to get the top leading edge sheeting installed and the cap strips on the ribs.
Posts: 250
Joined: 10/30/2004 From: o'fallon,
MO, USA Status: offline
quote:
ORIGINAL: Ballistic Insanity
Coming right along. Hurry up you could fly this weekend...
LOL....With most of my planes I set a completion date and shoot for that, I'm not doing that with this one. When it's done, it's done. I've got plenty of building season left, of course I do have my next two building projects already in the back of my mind I'd like to have it framed up by the next club meeting, but thats a month away.
I was looking at the sheeting for the leading edge that's supposed to go in next. Its pretty rigid and has a nasty bow to it. I'd like to find a better piece, unfortunately the sheeting is 48 inches long and the closest hobby shop that has 48" lengths in about 40 miles away. I'll probibly see if I can't true the edges up and use some ammonia and water to get it to bend. Wish me luck
Posts: 250
Joined: 10/30/2004 From: o'fallon,
MO, USA Status: offline
I was successful with the leading edge sheeting!!
I was able to true the edges up perfectly, I'll outline the process I used to attach the sheeting.
First, as mentioned earlier. I trued up the edges of the sheeting. I then attached the sheeting to the leading edge, I let this dry for a couple hours and helped Ballistic Insanity cover his sukhoi (http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_3083875/tm.htm)
Whe I got home I soaked the sheeting with a 50/50 mix of amonia and water to get it to flex. This piece of sheeting was pretty rigid and took some time to bend. Luckily I only had one minor crack at the and of the sheet and
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