JohnF

Well, I've started working on this again after a year. It is a 1/4 scale Dennis Bryant SE5a and sold by Bob Holman plans. I am using a Roto35 for power. I'll be starting the wings next which is really the last major thing to build. Everything else is finishing details which there are a ton of. McCudden shot down an LVG and had the spinner put on his SE5a for those of you who don't know the history. The Dennis Bryant plan shows the Worseley Viper engined version but I am making the Hisso. version because that is what McCudden had. Here's some pic's.

JohnF

Just a couple more.

JohnF

Working on the radiator. Have to add the shutters next. I am using mesh from some old outdoor stero speakers because the holes are round like the full scale.

JohnF

What it should look like when I'm done.

Mode One

Great Job, John! I have the Dynaflite SE5a painted up the way shown on the box. I don't think anyone really knows who's plane it was. It's the same one as on the cover of the Squadron Signals SE5a book. It's a Hisso version and has "V"s on the fuselage and wings. I covered mine with Supercoverite which I think looks like the natural fabric used on the undersides of the wings and horz. stab. I painted it with house paint in as close to PC-10 as my eyes would let meand overcoated with Luster coat to fuel proof. It's powered with a Saito 100.

JohnF

I'm getting the shutters done. Made the frame from sheet aluminum but the shutters are thin plywood. The frame is screwed to the plywood backed mesh and the shutters are CA'd to the frame and mesh. The spinner will cover the top so I won't go all the way with the shutters because they will never be seen.

JohnF

Almost done with the nose now. Added the brass radiator top which I made by gluing some thin brass sheet to a piece of plywood. The shutters will be removable so the engine can be accessed.

JohnF

Wanted to make the linkage for the elevators more simple than the plan shows. So, next pics show my solution.

JohnF

There were to many connections originally so I am replacing it all with a torque rod that will be connected to the leading edge of the elevators and will be operated by the push rods inside the fuselage. I will make dummy control cables to duplicate the full scale. The push rods are made from carbon arrow shafts.

JohnF

Well, the small stuff always slows me down. I am working on the dummy elevator control horns which I am making from G-10 and wood dowel. I am using the drawing from the copy of the original RAF SE5a parts catalog I am lucky to have. I have also changed the way I am operating the elevators and going with a single servo and push rod so the pictures I posted above are now incorrect. I have connected the two elevators with piano wire and brassed a steel control horn to it which I will connect the push rod to. I'll post pictures of that later.

JohnF

Can't get a good pic of this but you will get the idea. Nothing fancy. I drilled a hole to slide it onto the piano wire and bent the top over. This gave me more area to brase the horn onto the piano wire.

JohnF

Finally done with the radiator shell. PC10 is from Mick Reeves and I used gray, auto. primer.

cocobear

My Feedback: (2)

Very nice work!

JohnF

Thanks DJ, Hope to have the fuselage done soon.

JohnF

Finally getting the fabric on. I am using Nelson LiteFab that is pre-painted and Solartex which I believe is the same fabric. To those of you who may build from the Dennis Bryant 1/4 scale plan, it does not show you to laminate the balsa longerons. I have used 1/64 ply to do that. It keeps the fabric from sticking to the uprights and is flush with the rest of the ply used on the fuselage.

JohnF

More fabric on. Will be doing the lacing along the fuselage sides next.

JohnF

I am using some pinked tape I got from BUSA to simulate the fabric the eyelets are put in. I brushed it with some Sig dope. I'll actually sew the lacing in through the eyelets. Oh, I trimmed the pinked edge off the tape first.

JohnF

Lacing started. I am using Kevlar cord soaked in CA for the laces and CA'd into the eyelets that are CA'd into the fabric. Just call me Mr. CA!

smcouch77

Looks good John. She's getting there.
Steve

JohnF

104 eyelets later.....I still have the other side to do!

JohnF

Finishing up the tail skid but decided I didn't like the idea of drilling holes in the brass post for obvious reasons so I made a fitting with tabs for the wires and silver soldered it to the post. This made the post stronger. The picture also shows ply strips being JB welded to the brass post. Next to cover it.

JohnF

Getting some more stuff done. All the fabric is on the fuselage so now I'm getting ready to add the leather trim around the cockpit. Made the windshield and fairings and the inspection window. I'll mask of the window before painting of course. I used some "screen saver" clear film for the window which I'll use for all the inspection windows in the wings as well. You can find it at RadioShack or probably anywhere PDA's and cell phones are sold. The pilot was donated by Tony A and I thank him for his generosity. I am also finishing up the cylinder head fairings. Had to add the flairs where they would be bolted to the hood. I'll use some fiberglass filler to get the final shape. The fairings are glued to the cylinder heads so the hood will be able to be removed without them. I am almost ready to put the fabric on the stab. but haven't finished the pully inspection panel details yet. Stay tuned......

Prop Nut

My Feedback: (3)

Looks good John, the detail is astounding.

JohnF

Thanks Dave, Yeah this thing has crazy detail. The rigging will really test me[sm=spinnyeyes.gif] I'm using flat stainless wire and Mick Reeves fittings.

CoosBayLumber

My Feedback: (1)

John....

Of what era did you purchase plans or parts from Bob Holman?

I ask this for Dennis made a measurement error in overall for fuselage width near to the cockpit area. Back in 2004 the plan got revised and the laser cut parts too. If you have an earlier than 2004 set of either, it is wrong then.


Wm.