RE: CD ScaleDesigns Sopwith Snipe build  
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RE: CD ScaleDesigns Sopwith Snipe build - 4/8/2008 2:31:27 PM   
abufletcher



Posts: 5185
Joined: 2/13/2004
From: Zentsuji, JAPAN
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: CliffordH
The decals are available from: Robert S. Cooper, 415 Kentucky Ave., Savannah, GA 31404. Each sheet contains 6 pairs of Logos at 100%, 50%, 33%, 25%, and 20%. They are water slide decals and are $10 a sheet postpaid.


Thanks! Does he have an email address? It would sure speed things up (by half the time it takes for mail between Japan and Georgia).

(in reply to CliffordH)
       Post #: 1426

RE: CD ScaleDesigns Sopwith Snipe build - 4/8/2008 3:00:59 PM   
abufletcher



Posts: 5185
Joined: 2/13/2004
From: Zentsuji, JAPAN
Status: offline 		Well, I'm pretty sure I'm never going to get a 100% sure answer on those tags. I was just asking myself why would they put parts labels on BOTH SIDES of the rudder. Then it occurred to me that maybe they didn't! So looking back on the datafile photos I noticed that there aren't any left-side views showing the tags. There are however a couple of right side views that don't have the tags either. But the fact that they were probably only applied to one side argues for "parts tag" explanation.

So that's what I'm going to assume. Anyway, now that I at least think I know what they are, I can put them on. If I'm wrong, I'm wrong. But I just couldn't bring myself to add "a little white rectangle" just because the photos showed a "little white rectangle."

(in reply to abufletcher)
       Post #: 1427

RE: CD ScaleDesigns Sopwith Snipe build - 4/8/2008 6:09:27 PM   
abufletcher



Posts: 5185
Joined: 2/13/2004
From: Zentsuji, JAPAN
Status: offline 		And with these couple of details the fuselage of the Snipe is essentially done! I'm sure I've forgotten something (many things) but this is probably it.

Two major tasks left: 1) Finish the wheels and 2) Do the rigging.

Oh, yeah...and put the engine in! Unfortunately that's going to have to wait two week because of my little Cub mishap.

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       Post #: 1428

RE: CD ScaleDesigns Sopwith Snipe build - 4/8/2008 6:11:39 PM   
abufletcher



Posts: 5185
Joined: 2/13/2004
From: Zentsuji, JAPAN
Status: offline 		Um...and do the details on the top cowling (windscreen and oil caps).

(in reply to abufletcher)
       Post #: 1429

RE: CD ScaleDesigns Sopwith Snipe build - 4/10/2008 11:46:42 AM   
abufletcher



Posts: 5185
Joined: 2/13/2004
From: Zentsuji, JAPAN
Status: offline 		BTW, here's what you'd get if you order the Sopwith decals fro the guy in Georgia mentioned in CliffordH's post above. I'm already thinking about cool things to do with the 100% decals!

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       Post #: 1430

RE: CD ScaleDesigns Sopwith Snipe build - 4/11/2008 12:32:14 PM   
abufletcher



Posts: 5185
Joined: 2/13/2004
From: Zentsuji, JAPAN
Status: offline 		It's been slow going but I finally finished the modification and weathering of the 5" William Brothers wheels. The first step (after the hub/spoke modifications I did before) was do cover the spoke area. This is a simple matter of packing the edges of the solartex between the tire and the rim. Next, because the tires on WB wheels (at the 5" size) are too wide relative to the rim, I glued on a ring made of 4 layers of solartex. To make sure these were all the same, I cut a template from lite-ply and then traced the edge with pencil. After the "rim ring" was in place, I added 128 bits of thread to simulate the hooks that hold the wheel covers on on the original. After they were stuck in place I painted over each with several coats of watered down Titebond.

On the scheme I've chosen the wheel centers are red and the edge of the wheel covers and the edge around the valve opening are white. The inside surface of both wheels was plain PC10. Actually I almost prefer the look of the PC10 only -- but there you go! The red covers seem uncharacteristic for the typically dull British WWI aircraft.

Next I weathered the paint with black and sienna pastel chalk powder rubbed in with my fingertip. And then this got a coat of Nelson's clearcoat -- with does reduce the look of the chalk powder so it's ok to go a bit heavy on the effect.

There's still some "oily grit" to be slopped on around the axle ends (and elsewhere on the model) but that can wait.

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(in reply to abufletcher)
       Post #: 1431

RE: CD ScaleDesigns Sopwith Snipe build - 4/11/2008 4:07:45 PM   
abufletcher



Posts: 5185
Joined: 2/13/2004
From: Zentsuji, JAPAN
Status: offline 		Here's one with the wings on. I almost hate to bother with better photos at this almost finished but not quite stage. But the closer I get to finishing, the more I realize how many, many details I've left off (out of either ignorance or lack of skills). I'm starting to understand why some builders will model the same aircraft again and again.

So on to the rigging.

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       Post #: 1432

RE: CD ScaleDesigns Sopwith Snipe build - 4/13/2008 4:40:24 AM   
abufletcher



Posts: 5185
Joined: 2/13/2004
From: Zentsuji, JAPAN
Status: offline 		Now that it's all put together, I had a chance to weigh it. Without the Saito 72 engine, exhaust system, propeller, and dummy it's 2.9kg which I think is pretty reasonable. In this condition it balances about 7-8cm behind the CG point, which again I think is pretty good.

I can't believe how HEAVY 3kg feels though! I need to get out to the gym more often!

(in reply to abufletcher)
       Post #: 1433

RE: CD ScaleDesigns Sopwith Snipe build - 4/19/2008 1:46:16 PM   
abufletcher



Posts: 5185
Joined: 2/13/2004
From: Zentsuji, JAPAN
Status: offline 		I haven't felt much like posting with all the virus problems and lost posts. Anyway, here are a couple of shots from the ongoing process of getting the landing wires adjusted.

It's also now obvious that I won't be able to solve problems with the lower aileron settings which creep in to the bellcrank system. So it looks like I'm going to have to do a bit of surgery on the underside of the lower wings and install two micro-servos. While I live the elegance of the single-servo-in-the-fuse design, and believe that in principle it should be workable, it's a bit fiddly and involves some complications with the removeable wing halves.

Chris will be making this change to the design of both the Snipe and the Pup. This will also effect the upper wing connections.

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       Post #: 1434

RE: CD ScaleDesigns Sopwith Snipe build - 4/19/2008 4:07:05 PM   
buzzard bait


 

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Joined: 1/1/2003
From: Ithaca, NY, USA
Status: offline 		Absolutely magnificent, Don. Thank you for persisting in putting up these posts - it is my favorite thread.

On the weight, 6 lbs is very impressive for all that detail. When you say the CG is 7-8 cm back, that is without the engine, right? So with the engine, will it balance?

It's exciting to see it so close to being finished.

Jim

(in reply to abufletcher)
       Post #: 1435

RE: CD ScaleDesigns Sopwith Snipe build - 4/19/2008 4:36:41 PM   
abufletcher



Posts: 5185
Joined: 2/13/2004
From: Zentsuji, JAPAN
Status: offline 		Thanks, Jim! Three kilos is closer to 7lbs but I was also surprised as I was expecting "a higher bill" for the detailing. Still, I always had weight in the back of my mind and I don't really have any "heavy" details. As a general philosophy I try not to add weight without thinking of where it's going to come off somewhere else. My scratch-built bamboo rudder might actually be a few grams lighter than the stock rudder. The rib stitching doesn't weight much of anything and the aluminum panels are almost weightless. A lot of the slightly bulbous front of the Snipe is just air.

But most of the credit goes to Chris for what seems like a strong but light design.

As far as the balance, I'm guessing that once I install the Saito 72, exhaust system (including flex tube), dummy engine, and prop it should come pretty close to being balanced. If I need more weight I might consider beefing up the dummy or maybe using a larger battery. I'd much rather add weight in detailing forward of the CG than lead.

< Message edited by abufletcher -- 4/19/2008 7:32:17 PM >

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       Post #: 1436

RE: CD ScaleDesigns Sopwith Snipe build - 4/19/2008 11:05:50 PM   
buzzard bait


 

Posts: 1019
Joined: 1/1/2003
From: Ithaca, NY, USA
Status: offline 		Yes, weight awareness in all parts really makes a difference. I've never done anything close to your level of detail, and it's good to know it can be done without a big penalty. Your Snipe should be a fine flyer and a very special airplane. Jim

(in reply to abufletcher)