My first building thread here on RCU... quite excited !
I was doing a research both here and on the web about modeled CL-215s and 415s and I came across Bernard Dumas' site: not only it was dedicated to some of the available built and flown RC CL-x15s out there but it also provided free plans for a 1/12ish version!!!
I downloaded the plans, checked the specs of the model
and... I liked it! I decided to give it a try and to document it since no one seems to know these plans (plus it isn't an usual modeling subject).
At roughly 86" span the model is big without being -that- big (IOW, a problem... at least for me and/or wife - parents - etc.). Some of the nice features of these plans are:
- fuse is scale-built, with around 50 formers / bulkheads and plenty of room inside; it resemble a Palmer plans structure, without being so complicated (thanks to the square section); light and strong in the end;
- fin and attached stab are removable; they can be swapped between fuses (in case one gets damaged) and ease up transport; be aware that the tail group of this plane is very big (especially the fin and rudder) to improve low speed handling (real thing);
- "it comes" with a construction manual that surely helps here and there
Posts: 5094
Joined: 7/3/2003 From: newton,
NC, USA Status: offline
Our club has two CL-215's, both different scales. One is the same size you're looking at, his is a kit (don't know which one) and the other one is a scratch-built with a 96 inch wingspan, done from measurements and photos of a full scale -215 at our local airport (N.C. Forest Service owns one). The scratch-built one incorporates a tank which holds just over a gallon and can be dumped in-flight, and theoretically can be filled on the fly, like the full scale (he hasn't tried it yet).
In both cases, the planes fly fairly well, but are extremely pitch sensitive due to a fairly short fuse (short tail moment) and the large tail surface. I can't remember what the plane the size of yours uses for power; the scratch-built one uses two RCV 90's turning 15-10 3-blade props. It weighs 23 pounds when filled with water. Good luck on your build, show lots of pics!
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Club Saito #2, WACO Brotherhood #20. What other trouble can I get into?
Posts: 4
Joined: 11/7/2003 From: MONTBRISON, FRANCE, METROPOLITAN Status: offline
Hi every one,
When I created my website I couldn't image that so many people would be interested in building a CL215 scale model. I'm happy to see that this twin engine is so popular !
But before beginning to build it, you must keep in mind that is requires many hours of works (at least 9 months), and that it is not a good choice for a beginner. I studied a pneumatically operated landing gear and started to have some parts machined but the guy who did this job for me never supplied all of them, that why I designed a non-retractable version easier to manufacture with usual tools. I created this site in march 2001, and to answer a frequently ashed question, I do not intend to translate it in English as I am now very busy with other projects and have no time to do it.
Wishing you a lot of success
Bernard
< Message edited by bernard.dumas -- 6/18/2006 2:18:33 PM >
OK then. Let's start. I'll follow construction as described in the "manual".
Let's deal with the MAIN GEAR BOX (MGB) or casson de train principal. Refer to the pics (from left to right): - cut bulkheads C31 and C32 out of 3mm (1/8" lite-ply; I got bulkhead C20 cut at the same time; - cut main gear reinforcements out of 5mm birch ply and glue them in place with epoxy + good clamping;
- drill pilot holes in C32; - align C31 and C32 along their top edges and drill holes through both of them at the same time; keeping them aligned while doing so is crucial as it is drilling perfectly vertical holes; - epoxy the cross-sectional element to C31 (oppposite side of gear reinforcements) making sure it is aligned and vertical;
< Message edited by g_boxwood -- 6/18/2006 3:32:19 PM >
- cut and epoxy sides to C31; without any notch it may be tricky to get them aligned and vertical, do one at the time for grater accuracy; * notice I made the sides longer than required by mistake (red crosses): they'll be cut later on; ** notice that the holes on the sides do not line up (more clear on other pics as well); - epoxy the last 2 cross-sectional reinforcements;
< Message edited by g_boxwood -- 6/18/2006 3:39:35 PM >
- insert metal pins into C32 before epoxying it to C31: they'll help keeping the two aligned! *pins should be tight inside the holes rather than loose; exercise care and patience in "introducing" them in with a hammer; this way the bulkheads will line up perfectly and stay in place during the curing time; - epoxy C32 to C31, aid adhesion with weights;
Let's get on then. We're going to build the nose/cabin section, structure avant, now:
- you need bulkheads C20 (previuosly cut) and C11, cabin floor, nose gear well sides (2) and upper and lower keel; get them cut out of 3mm lite-ply; - epoxy the nose gear reinforcements (5mm birch) to the well sides; clamp while curing; - you may aid yourself while building if you'd include some strategically placed notches here and there (those highlighted in the green circles are the one I made);
- drill pilot holes in one of the 2 nose gear well sides, - align them along their top edge and - drill both at the same time; - epoxy to underside of cockpit floor;
< Message edited by g_boxwood -- 6/19/2006 11:33:26 AM >
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Bernard Dumas' Canadair CL-215 - 
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lite-ply; I got bulkhead C20 cut at the same time; 
