lovetoflyguy

My Feedback: (139)

Okay, so here we go again! Dino decided to go with an all wood upgrade for our Platinum 109. After many tears and him begging, not until he promised to name his first born son after me did I decide to do the fist build and create a step by step builders manual for this plane. Some might remember I did the same thing for our P-47. Honestly, I do appreciate the opportunity to better my skills and try to produce something that can help other modelers.

The only difference to our new line is the wing and horizontal stab. However, I decided to log my build here and get slapped around by you fine fellows so here we go!

The first think I noticed was the high quality and ease of the parts. The first picture shows the main wood parts that go into building the wing.

The spar comes in 3 parts so, I laminated them using Zap 30 minute epoxy.

lovetoflyguy

My Feedback: (139)

Once the spar had time to dry, I tack glued all the ribs to the spar then secured it to the table. The build tabs make it really easy to align each rib and assure correct wash out once the sheeting is complete.

After I was happy with all the alignment, I glued the leading edge and trailing edge hardwood forms. The nice part is, once everything sort of "snaps" into place, you know its straight. I love the simplicity of this wing so far!

Some light sanding is required to make sure the sheeting will lay flush once it is glued on.

lovetoflyguy

My Feedback: (139)

I can't believe that I sheeted the first wing and forgot to take pictures. So, I decided tonight to build the other side and take pictures of that. I decided to start sheeting from the trailing edge. Second I layed another sheet from the leading edge. As you can see, the sheeting makes triangles. The triangles actually make the wing 84.5223% stronger than laying it side by side......okay so I totally made that up, but I do think it does help the strength and well Dino will probably want to fly it sooooooo.......

The last picture shows the wing sheeted after I lightly sanded with 250 grit. I'm pretty happy.

It has taken about 3 hrs to get to this point. So far both wings look like the last picture. I'm waiting to figure out a few thing and will bring some more pics soon.

Ram-bro

My Feedback: (101)

so is the kit an all wood kit or is it just the wing?

jeff naul

My Feedback: (16)

Yeah P.J. is doing something!!!!!!! and his reward will be....................

dmyers0403

My Feedback: (48)

Be Glad to Help and I only need one !!

lovetoflyguy

My Feedback: (139)

LOL Jeff, I can only expect something like this from you. If there was a "bubble top" 109, I would build it in your honer!

Rambro, No, its just the wing. The rest of the plane is fiberglass.

tfarmer96

I have 2 of these new in box and the foam is what has been keeping them out of the air. I see Dean got the top guy on the job! This will be great.

kwik

Did you glue the sheets together while they were "On" the wing, so to speak?

Many claim (including myself) that it is best to glue the sheets flat on the table first, and then
glue the whole sheet to the wing afterwards. (You can still make a triangle)

Easier to avoid ugly sheet-joints, when gluing them together.

The triangle-tip is something to remember.

lovetoflyguy

My Feedback: (139)

Hey,

Good question. I have been able to glue it on 1 by 1 as I go. I know many feel it is better to glue all of them together first, but I guess I've been doing it this way for years and am happy with the look after. All of my joints are seamless. I take my time cutting the sheeting and sort of "slide" them into position. I ONLY use Zap thing (pink) to glue the seams together. It sands down just as easy as the wood. I found other CA's don't. They are harder to sand down.

91zulu

My Feedback: (2)

Looking on....

GaryM

My Feedback: (14)

PJ, I have just one question, how many bottles of 5 hour Energy Boost did you guzzle to get those two wing panels done in only three hours. Jeff knows your first weakness, I know your second.

jeff naul

My Feedback: (16)

Actually Gary those are his second and third weakness.. The first is... well anything made my little debbie.

butlern

My Feedback: (15)

Not to start an drawn-out argument, or detract too much from your thread, PJ... But, out of curiosity, why is wood considered an upgrade from foam core wings? Just from my personal experience, I would argue that foam builds faster and is ultimately lighter and stronger than built-up wings.

So, I would be interested to hear the argument from those at Meister Scale.

Thanks.

Watching with interest, too.

Noah

tfarmer96

I cant answer for anyone, but for myself i like wood better because i understand how to work with it. I have been hounding Dean for a wood wing for this bird and i am under the impression that others have aswell. What ever you think of this kit you have to admit Meister Scale is responding to its customers requests. You got to give them credit for that. I ordered 2 of these upgrade kits yesterday.

wulf190

My Feedback: (19)

Really interesting build thread. Wasn't aware that a wood wing was developed. I have never had a problem using foam at all, but I can understand how many like to stick with the built up structure as familiarity does breed confidence, and certainly I have built more wood wings than foam core ones. However it's done, the bird is the pinnacle of 109's, so should be fun to watch.

Mk23socom

My Feedback: (7)

I was unaware of the wood wing coming as well. I know that the Platinum 109 was very attractive to me for price, size, and quality but was immediately set down and walked away from when I saw foam core wings. Not that I dont like foam core, just that I have no experience or knowledge about them. I would rather not cut my teeth on that kind of thing with something that big, perhaps something in the 70" size I might dabble with but for the big boys, I want wood as Terry said, I understand how to work with it better. I am interested in this thread.. and P.J.? Show more pictures of your pretty face!

F4u5

My Feedback: (81)

I think Terry nailed it. I too prefer wood, and stating that "I am familiar with it, and how to work with it" echos my sentiments perfectly....especially when it comes to putting retracts into a foam wing [:'(].

Jeff

91zulu

My Feedback: (2)

Wow, didn`t know there were so much guys that do not know how to do a foam wing. Must be newbies, because if you were in for quite a while one had to have done a Lanair or Byron kit some where along the way or maybe a Jemco, Bud Nosen even ??? Really!!! Holy cows. Give me foam any day its a hell of a lot easier. Back when I was younger I scratch build using just a Xacto knife, razor saw and a Stanley plane. So when a foam wing came along it was Christmas.

tfarmer96

Yep im a newbie. Only 7 years in the hobby. Garym helped me out with the only foam wing i ever had. I cant say i built it because i basicly just did what i was told. Now with that said i can tell you for a fact it was the strongest wing i had ever seen. I made a few bad landings and bent the struts real bad but never damaged the wing. The plane was sold and when it went in the only thing that made it out was that wing.

91zulu

My Feedback: (2)

Oh yes foam wings are super strong. Done right you would gamage your gears before the foam. That is form 40 size to giant.

F4u5

My Feedback: (81)

Yes, I am a newbie with 25 years under my belt, but that doesn't mean one does not have preferences, and established a rythym and pattern for assembly of wooden wings. With that, jumping to a foam wing disrupts my building pattern as I have to think everything out from scratch. Can I do it? Yes, easily. I have done many foam wings, including those on my 1/2 scale GeeBee, but I don't care for them. I think they come out heavier and weaker as I have never really seen a foam wing that stands the test of time vs. retracts. I will agree they are easier to repair in many cases, however. To me wood builds easier, faster, stronger and less mess. I think it is all based on what you grew up with. I can assemble a standard Ziroli wing, ready for glass in less than 30 hours. Speaking for me, I know I can't do that with a foam wing. Maybe some can. Just an opinion, and we know where those get ya....

Back to topic....Personally, I think it is great that wood wings are coming for this kit.

Jeff

tfarmer96

What he said. Hey PJ anymore photos?

fw190d9

My Feedback: (1)

BTW, foam haters, The retracts are not mounted in the wing on the Platinum 109. They mount to the fuse. The wing only has the wheel wells.
E.

jeff naul

My Feedback: (16)

I too like foam and Dino gives me crap about it...My next Meister 47 will have a foam tail... Like you guy's said lets get back on topic.....Let me lure P.J. back out....Here Pee-Pee-Pee-Pee.....