How to Build a B-29
12-28-2015, 07:14 PM
#76
PLEASE PAY VERY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THIS SYSTEM, FOLKS!
Once mastered, it's pretty simple and gives awesome access to engine and fuel compartments that is critical for maintaining 4 smooth-running engines
I have two planes that use this system and I would NEVER build one any other way
Mark
Once mastered, it's pretty simple and gives awesome access to engine and fuel compartments that is critical for maintaining 4 smooth-running engines
I have two planes that use this system and I would NEVER build one any other way
Mark
12-28-2015, 07:26 PM
#78
Four cowl assemblies almost ready to go
I try to create them all identical, tracing them off a single pattern, but note that each part is labeled with its engine numbes, so that tiny little tweaks can be made to each assembly for a perfect fit
Making four of each thing, "assembly line" fashion really shortens manufacture and assemble time
Aluminum engine mounts are a must.
Period
12-30-2015, 06:33 AM
#82
You know I have seen Dwaynes planes many many times.. But I had no idea he was building them so quickly. Since i generally only see him once or twice a year I figured it took him an entire year or more to complete his big bombers...
Now I wonder... He is making this go as fast as a 4 star 40
Now I wonder... He is making this go as fast as a 4 star 40
12-31-2015, 02:54 PM
#83
Mass-producing the engine cut-outs for cowls:
1) do one the old-fashioned way
2) make a cardboard cut-out of it and visualize, mark it through the other cowls, lining them up with the appropriate bolts on the mounts
You can see how the cowl rings are bolted to the firewall in the last picture. Bolts hold cowl and firewall to the nacelle front flange. Two bolts of the SIX have enlarged cowl ring holes that do not need to be removed to pull the cowl off. The other four hold the cowl on
12-31-2015, 03:06 PM
#84
Time to get back to the WING:
Don't need the wing tips for this part, so take them off after you check the washout on both sides.
Glue the wing center section to a very flat surface, checking for the 3 degree wash-out both sides before you take the tips off
We will put the wing center at FOUR degrees positive to the flat table, which puts the wing tips at ONE degree positive
The engine firewalls will then be set at right angles to the ZERO degree table, thus providing FOUR degrees of engine downthrust, RELATIVE TO THE CENTER WING.
When all is assembled, the propshafts will then be parallel (ZERO degrees) to the fuselage datum line
Engines will have NO side thrust.
The precision with which all those angles are built will PROFOUNDLY affect low and high speed handling
Get 'er done!
Last edited by kram; 12-31-2015 at 03:39 PM.
12-31-2015, 03:11 PM
#85
All engines are mounted and centered
Most of this work is done on the bench. Mounting the engines and cowls on the wing is unnecessary time and hassle.
Find the needle valve exit hole by using a short stub that just touches the cowl from the inside
12-31-2015, 03:17 PM
#86
Once wing is firmly glued to table, mark (with a right angle) the outboard leading edge ON THE TABLE
Refer back to your Monogram model for the wing angle of attack on the full scale B-29
We will refer back to this scale model frequently for scale details that aren't obvious on the plans
12-31-2015, 08:46 PM
#87
Use squares to mark wing and building board for nacelle position
Nacelles 1 and 4 have to be built first because the more forward positions of 2 & 3 would get in the way of aligning firewalls 1 & 4 if they were built first
1/8" nacelle planking has a nice 1/2"-wide ledge for gluing on the back-most rings
Last edited by kram; 12-31-2015 at 08:49 PM.
01-01-2016, 11:41 AM
#88
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Hey kram,
was out to see Butch and check out the wizards work this morning. Wish I could build like this, but knowledge, and know-how are key to something like this. No simple process with build instruction
manual from SIG. Better take a trip up to see this in person a couple times this winter.
Love that smell of CA in the morning.
was out to see Butch and check out the wizards work this morning. Wish I could build like this, but knowledge, and know-how are key to something like this. No simple process with build instruction
manual from SIG. Better take a trip up to see this in person a couple times this winter.
Love that smell of CA in the morning.
01-01-2016, 08:32 PM
#93
My Feedback: (24)
HA, that looks like my shop around the saw!
Curious what glue you used to glue wing sheeting seams. Looks like really nice clean seams. I've been using taping sheets together, folding them back, and using good old fashion wood glue. I see CA, and a bottle of what looks like "560", or maybe regular white glue in the pix, just curious what he's using
Thanks
Curious what glue you used to glue wing sheeting seams. Looks like really nice clean seams. I've been using taping sheets together, folding them back, and using good old fashion wood glue. I see CA, and a bottle of what looks like "560", or maybe regular white glue in the pix, just curious what he's using
Thanks
01-02-2016, 06:52 AM
#94
ragtop:
Dwayne uses a lot of CA. Only times he uses epoxy he will usually mention it on this thread.
He does not pre-join sheets of wing sheeting, preferring instead to custom-fit it in 4" and 6" widths
He uses this generic brand CA from our LHS
"I have used extra-thick CA in the past for sheeting, but if you keep the wood mating surface tolerance close, medium CA works fine. I will keep track of total glue used for this project"
The basic technique he uses on planking is to spray the sheeting with accelerator, put a bead of glue on the appropriate ribs/formers.
Dwayne uses a lot of CA. Only times he uses epoxy he will usually mention it on this thread.
He does not pre-join sheets of wing sheeting, preferring instead to custom-fit it in 4" and 6" widths
He uses this generic brand CA from our LHS
"I have used extra-thick CA in the past for sheeting, but if you keep the wood mating surface tolerance close, medium CA works fine. I will keep track of total glue used for this project"
The basic technique he uses on planking is to spray the sheeting with accelerator, put a bead of glue on the appropriate ribs/formers.
Last edited by kram; 01-02-2016 at 07:24 AM.
01-02-2016, 07:07 AM
#95
"When using lots of CA, air circulation is important. I use electronic air filtration in my shop."
"Thin CA is the main fume-maker. I use thin CA to fuel-proof the cowl and plywood parts that will get fuel-soaked."
Also, a precious photo of a young Dwayne and his first Westcraft at his first of many Bomber Fields: September 1988!
That B-17 has worn out several sets of engines, and now belongs to Mark Taylor, who learned (well, sorta) how to fly bombers on it, with more than 120 missions the last 4 years
01-02-2016, 07:16 AM
#97
If I walked into a room with that much CA, I am not sure I would make it to the Hospital in time ! 
So Mark has that bomber now? He is quite a guy. Once he moved into the big warbirds, he made more improvement in flying in a couple years than some do in ten. I have seen him at many rc events around and even out of the state. He makes sure everyone gets a trophy when he runs an event as well.
So Mark has that bomber now? He is quite a guy. Once he moved into the big warbirds, he made more improvement in flying in a couple years than some do in ten. I have seen him at many rc events around and even out of the state. He makes sure everyone gets a trophy when he runs an event as well.
01-02-2016, 12:06 PM
#99
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Thanks Mark
What they said on CA. CA fumes pretty much drove me away from stick building 20 years ago. Seems to be much better now, but I use it in much smaller quantities. Not sure you remember the P-38 rebuild I did, but I gave it a thin CA "wipedown' outside once I was done with glass repairs, and even outside, it still messed my sinuses up for a couple weeks! My freaking nose won't stop running...lol
Anyways, enjoying the build, amazed how fast its progressing!
What they said on CA. CA fumes pretty much drove me away from stick building 20 years ago. Seems to be much better now, but I use it in much smaller quantities. Not sure you remember the P-38 rebuild I did, but I gave it a thin CA "wipedown' outside once I was done with glass repairs, and even outside, it still messed my sinuses up for a couple weeks! My freaking nose won't stop running...lol
Anyways, enjoying the build, amazed how fast its progressing!