Half Scale Nieuport 11
02-20-2017, 04:59 PM
#976
I already have started the covering process Doc. The stab, elevators, ailerons and the rudder are covered - shoot, the rudder is even painted!
I know, don't yell at me ....... soon. Let's just say soon - like maybe sometime next month. The top wings can be covered as soon as I put a mounting pad of balsa for the Lewis gun.......just a block of balsa where each front leg of the gun mount sets. I need to get that done soon, because each time I move or handle the wing(s), they get nicked and dinged and dented more and more. As it is, I will have to replace/repair several to many cap strips.
In real terms the aileron drive rods need to be fabricated and the flying wires need to be made and the struts need to be finished and the gun mount needs to be made - then the wings can be covered. The lower wings can be covered just about anytime I want, but they aren't so big as to be bashed about when I move them around and they also have a space on the wing rack which keeps them in good shape.
Then the fuse needs to be finished. The formers are all made and fitted as are all the stringers for the turtle deck. Then the front top deck sheeting (1/32" plywood) needs to be fitted and glued down. The cowl ring needs to be drilled for the engine and then glued to firewall. Then fill in around the cabane mounts and fill the dings and dents
and then sand........or yeah, have to make the bottom hatches for the radio area and the tank/equipment area.
My "pie in the sky" schedule is all build/assembly finished by the end of March, covered and color scheme finished by the end of April and the rest of the check out/flight readiness to be completed, ready for a test flight by the end of May or first of June.
To answer your questions, yes I have the covering, no I didn't have to re-finance the house and about 3 ten meter rolls of Solartex. I have a spare bedroom and my wife is a great cook - just sayin'.
I know, don't yell at me ....... soon. Let's just say soon - like maybe sometime next month. The top wings can be covered as soon as I put a mounting pad of balsa for the Lewis gun.......just a block of balsa where each front leg of the gun mount sets. I need to get that done soon, because each time I move or handle the wing(s), they get nicked and dinged and dented more and more. As it is, I will have to replace/repair several to many cap strips.
In real terms the aileron drive rods need to be fabricated and the flying wires need to be made and the struts need to be finished and the gun mount needs to be made - then the wings can be covered. The lower wings can be covered just about anytime I want, but they aren't so big as to be bashed about when I move them around and they also have a space on the wing rack which keeps them in good shape.
Then the fuse needs to be finished. The formers are all made and fitted as are all the stringers for the turtle deck. Then the front top deck sheeting (1/32" plywood) needs to be fitted and glued down. The cowl ring needs to be drilled for the engine and then glued to firewall. Then fill in around the cabane mounts and fill the dings and dents
and then sand........or yeah, have to make the bottom hatches for the radio area and the tank/equipment area.
My "pie in the sky" schedule is all build/assembly finished by the end of March, covered and color scheme finished by the end of April and the rest of the check out/flight readiness to be completed, ready for a test flight by the end of May or first of June.
To answer your questions, yes I have the covering, no I didn't have to re-finance the house and about 3 ten meter rolls of Solartex. I have a spare bedroom and my wife is a great cook - just sayin'.
02-28-2017, 04:59 PM
#980
Turtle Report:
I've been working on the struts for a while. Got them sized and now I'm watching Hysol cure .... 24 hour, 90% strength and 3 days for 100%. Then I can plot out the bolt attach points, make a few more brackets and then fit the flying wires.
Cheers,
Art
I've been working on the struts for a while. Got them sized and now I'm watching Hysol cure .... 24 hour, 90% strength and 3 days for 100%. Then I can plot out the bolt attach points, make a few more brackets and then fit the flying wires.
Cheers,
Art
Last edited by R/C Art; 02-28-2017 at 05:02 PM.
02-28-2017, 07:28 PM
#982
The build started in November of 2013 and it has been 3 years and 3 and 1/2 months since then. I had a couple lulls of several months, so for me things have progressed on a more or less normal path and time frame. It has been frustrating and demanding at times when some of my ideas just didn't pan out - like a second job at other times, but mostly fun.
Let's hope things don't get too out of whack here in the homestretch. There is still a lot of work yet ....... and another flying is just around the corner. They beckon in earnest, the project and the adventures of the new flying season.
See ya at the field.
Let's hope things don't get too out of whack here in the homestretch. There is still a lot of work yet ....... and another flying is just around the corner. They beckon in earnest, the project and the adventures of the new flying season.
See ya at the field.
03-01-2017, 06:00 PM
#983
Turtle Report:
Struts are cured and test fit......the measurements are still the same, so it looks like it's time to plot the bolt locations. I will install hardwood dowels at each bolt location. After a few years of flying with my third scale N-11 the struts were crushed at the bolt locations - so a hard point seems to be necessary on the half scale. (probably necessary on the third scale, too - DUH!)
Struts are cured and test fit......the measurements are still the same, so it looks like it's time to plot the bolt locations. I will install hardwood dowels at each bolt location. After a few years of flying with my third scale N-11 the struts were crushed at the bolt locations - so a hard point seems to be necessary on the half scale. (probably necessary on the third scale, too - DUH!)
03-01-2017, 06:15 PM
#984
Hardwood dowel would prolly work but in time even that will begin to crush. If you want to do brass or aluminum bushings just get me the dimensions and I'll turn em and pop em in a padded envelope to ya in a couple days. Whatever I can do to help brother.
Doc
Doc
03-02-2017, 06:11 PM
#986
Hi Doc. Thanks for the kind offer. It did get me thinking 
(maybe). I have decided to do the wood dowel with brass tube inserts. I have checked my materials and they match up fine to the bolt size.
Thanks for the idea, Doc. Wouldn't have thought of it withoutcha ! Is that a word? Why yes - yes it is!
Later
(maybe). I have decided to do the wood dowel with brass tube inserts. I have checked my materials and they match up fine to the bolt size.Thanks for the idea, Doc. Wouldn't have thought of it withoutcha ! Is that a word? Why yes - yes it is!
Later
03-05-2017, 02:24 PM
#990
Turtle Report:
Struts have hardwood dowel inserts glued in and both strut and brackets have been drilled.
I got all the holes in the right places, first time that has ever happened!
Next order of business is install the T-nuts on one side of each hole and the brass insert on the other side of each hole. I will show some pictures before I do that to show how these items will function as anti crush bushings. (probably not the right terminology, but with some pictures it will be understandable [maybe]).
......any whooo, that's it for now.
Struts have hardwood dowel inserts glued in and both strut and brackets have been drilled.
I got all the holes in the right places, first time that has ever happened!
Next order of business is install the T-nuts on one side of each hole and the brass insert on the other side of each hole. I will show some pictures before I do that to show how these items will function as anti crush bushings. (probably not the right terminology, but with some pictures it will be understandable [maybe]).
......any whooo, that's it for now.
03-05-2017, 04:22 PM
#992
Art, is there a reason the bay with the lower strut attachment doesn't have the crossed X ribs in it?. Is this an intentional thing for a reason, or do you need to add them later? Just curious.
03-05-2017, 04:49 PM
#993
That's a legitimate question, Lance. I needed them left out until after the landing wire mounts had been put in - they would have been in the way.
Adding the cross bracing to that bay can be done anytime before covering.
You fellas need to get that bus rented and bring all your stuff to the Ohio Dawn Patrol. Paul is planning a bash to end all bashes! Its gonna be bigger than BIG!
I think you will enjoy it immensely this year.
Adding the cross bracing to that bay can be done anytime before covering.
You fellas need to get that bus rented and bring all your stuff to the Ohio Dawn Patrol. Paul is planning a bash to end all bashes! Its gonna be bigger than BIG!
I think you will enjoy it immensely this year.
03-05-2017, 04:56 PM
#994
Turtle Report:
Here you can see that the blind nut serves as the bushing on one side of the strut and the brass tube does the same for the other side of the strut.
Both bushings bear against the strut mount tabs which are screwed into the wing spars.
(this strut is just a test piece)
Here you can see that the blind nut serves as the bushing on one side of the strut and the brass tube does the same for the other side of the strut.
Both bushings bear against the strut mount tabs which are screwed into the wing spars.
(this strut is just a test piece)
Last edited by R/C Art; 03-05-2017 at 05:00 PM. Reason: add pictures
