Prop Nut

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David...not Dave

jumpinjan

Oh!..Okay, David.
I have the top wing mounted now, using 4 nylon 4-40 screws that I hope will shear on a crash and save the top wing. I'm making a bottom hatch cover too for access to the battery & servos.
I don't have a very precision scale, but the one I have indicates the model is slightly over 1 pound now (without battery). Tail surfaces are covered with Polyspan.
Today I'll mount the two wing servos and think more about how I should design & build the wing struts. The wings are removeable and so the strut assemblies will probably be a single unit and fastened in place between the wings. I haven't a clue as to what fastener to use yet.
Jan

jumpinjan

I have covered the wings a little with polyspan. Also, finished the access panel and added magnets to fasten the panel to the fuselage. I purchased the magnets and their laser cut plywood mounts from Radical RC http://www.radicalrc.com/shop/
I also solved the spreader bar problem for the gear legs. The ailerons are almost done, just need to glue in the hinges & the make the pushrods.
My next thing is to find a solution to the removable wing struts. Here again, I'm looking at using aluminum tube and the magnets to hold the struts into the wing.
Jan

Prop Nut

My Feedback: (3)

Wow, Jan, you are moving right along.

jumpinjan

Thanks David, I only got about 2 weeks to go! Hey, I think I have a solution to the removable struts, that I want. I used those small magnets to hold the struts in the wing. It has some good holding power, that I think might be enough because the wing assemblies are so stiff now.
Next, we all know how hard it is to get both wings pretty much parallel laterally & longitudinally, so I used my 3' metal shear apron and some metal posts (as you can see) to support the wings while the epoxy cures.
Now I can get everything covered...Yeah!

Prop Nut

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Now there is a tool that I do not have yet! It seems very handy.

Steve Percifield

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Being an old sheet metal worker, I want a shear also!
steve

Prop Nut

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I have soo many sheet metal projects that I would like to do....all I have is 200,000.00 in woodworking tools! Oh the shame!

jumpinjan

Ahhhh. Its basically finished. Now to cover the fuselage.
The lastest weight is about 2.5 lbs and that includes two 1300 batteries in the cowling.
The 0.047" pushrods are guided in carbon tubing. They weigh as little as the poly tubing, but without the flexing.

jumpinjan

Its all covered, and I'm just about finished with the streaking. Next is to paint the white insignia fields and the black crosses.
I think next week, I can do some test flights.
Jan

abufletcher

Nice work on the streaking! What was your technique?

Prop Nut

My Feedback: (3)

That does look awesome Jan, how did you do it?

Stachel

Jan,
Your camouflage finish is most excellent! No lumps or skips, I'm very impressed.
What scheme are you planning on?
Lyle

jumpinjan

Thanks guys.
I have been experimenting for some time now on the application and I'm pleased on the results. Earlier, I studied and studied some more the old Triplane (and other Fokkers) photos for hours & hours and using Dan-San Abbott's recommendations on the colors, I finally was ready to try it on my model.
I'm making my model look just like fresh factory D.V, and and applying serial number 681/17, which is the same number on my 1/5 scale D.V.
Jan

jumpinjan

Maybe you have seen this photo of Fokker factory wing painters, painting Triplane wings. The requirement, to avoid the pitfalls, is to thin out the paint a lot, so it becomes transparent and I used a scaled down 4" brush (the width of brush the Fokker workers used). You need a steady hand, and relax yourself, so the brush moves pretty straight.
Jan

Prop Nut

My Feedback: (3)

Hey Jan,

You are bringing that to Muncie next weekend right? I would love to see it.

jumpinjan

David,
Yes, I will have both D.Vs there at Muncie next week.
Here's the final assembly. I need to paint the pilot & engine cowl. I need to finish the undercarriage and the find some shock cords to install.

NorwayRC

Very nice model! Love the paint job, always nice to see a model not often made.
Think you have inspiered me to choose my next winter model build.

Prop Nut

My Feedback: (3)

Getting back on track...

A buddy of mine sent me the Windsock Mini Datafile #11 for christmas (Thanks LuckyDog!)

I am doing an inventory of the wood that I have in stock and an order to LoneStar balsa (yes, they are back in business) is going out next week.

I am working on my cad files right now and I think I have everything down and so will start building the fuse this week sometime (1/8 plywood main box similar to my 1/3rd scale Sopwith Triplane)