carlbecker

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Well this is tonights acomplishments. I shall see if I can do a canopy

I have plenty of room for exhaust, battery and lead once I get the dummy mount in place.

Rich I don't think its up to your craftsmanship but its a good step for me.

Connery

The build is looking great. I'm really interested in see this one fly as I have heard nothing but bad things about IMP plans. I had wanted to get their A-36 Apache plans but after hearing all the negative comments I decided to pass. If your Claude flys well, I may have to rethink my decision.

carlbecker

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Connery,
I to have not heard much good about IMP. I really like the Claude and found only a sport scale plan else where. Reid's Quality has a Nate but I decided to give the IMP Claude a go. I have had to change a few things after the fact but I was prepared mentally so it did not cause any grief. If you have worked from plans and can adapt in mid build then go for it. I would check everything at least twice and make sure the CG is correct! I had to make some changes in the wing, mostly because I used Robart struts and some of the ribs did not need all the cut outs. Biggest errors in the Claude plans are the former at the trailing edge of the wing making for a bad filet and the dorsal fin is not accurate. This is not a competion model as I'm still learning and will not do surface details. The real Claude was a very good flying plane so there is hope that this will fly well. I have a GSP 70" Zero which flys very well and I have read nothing but good about larger Zero's so I believe I will be OK. If its ready I will bring it to Warbirds over Delaware in July. I think the wheel pants will be a bit wide but thats life, limited to the Robart struts.

Carl

Baldeagle

My Feedback: (7)

Carl your craftmanship looks fine to me. I didn't tell you I have over 3 years building the Zeros working off and on. I noticed in the first picture you have a plastic model, Do you use it to change the scale outline? Thanks Rich

carlbecker

My Feedback: (3)

The plastic model helps me in 3D for things like the filet and dorsal fin. Changing the out line is more than I can bit off. My only hope is that its correct. My one book on the Claude indicates the plastic is pretty good. I have a box of plastic models for refference in building (please don't tell the plastic guys I will never build them). I had also planned to enlarge the decals for the larger scale but I lose to much to be of any use. We'll see how well it comes off. I think the basic shape of the canopy is still off after looking at the picture you posted and my work in progress pic. I don't have that much time to put into my builds. Still have six more must do's.

Carl

carlbecker

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Progress as of tonight. I finally made my first canopy. Oven at 350 degrees with the mold in a vise. After the thrid heating I got something usable. I tried using other heat sources but the oven worked and the wife did not kill me. Actually no mess or smell. The Saito is centered upright.

Carl

Baldeagle

My Feedback: (7)

Carl haven't herd from you in a while. Got any paint on the Claude yet? Rich

carlbecker

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Hi Rich,
I have been working on the spats. I decided to make the bottom part go up and down with the oleo and the top stay with the wing. I tried making my fillets disappear like the recent article in RC Report. Dave Platt also has this in his video's. I am happy with the results. I also thought it would be a good idea to move the motor and cowl with ballast forward 1/8 inch. Should be spraying primer this weekend. Seriously thinking about painting it like the picture you uploaded of W 102. I have some 3 views of that one.

Carl

Connery

Carl,

Good to see you back on the Claude, can't wait to see how it flys. Here's a paint scheme I came across. Even though it's a 2 seater model, the scheme would DEFINATELY be easy to see in the air

http://www.hsgalleries.com/gallery04/a5m4kms_1.htm

Baldeagle

My Feedback: (7)

She is looking real good Carl. I bet that was a little tricky getting the gear worked out like you did. keep us posted. Rich

carlbecker

My Feedback: (3)

I am still working on the gear. I have not decided how to attach the upper spats yet. Screw or glue and how to hide the strut mount bolts.

Carl

F4u5

My Feedback: (81)

I have had good luck with Claude Baskin plans offered thru IMP. That's a nice looking Claude....especially the engine arrangment. You've put in some good work. Good luck.

Jeff

carlbecker

My Feedback: (3)

Thanks Jeff,
Soon I will need a Peashooter to chase around. Once I get some black paint inside the cowl and firewall I think it will work pretty well. I really like this Claude. I sure hope it flies good.

Well lets see if I can make a decent fillet and cover the mounting bolts. If this works I will just tack glue the upper spat sleeve to the wing. Just hate unsightly screws.

Carl

carlbecker

My Feedback: (3)

Dang I hate when that happens

carlbecker

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Wheel Pants are finished and I started primer. I started a Stearman PT-17 ARF which slowed me down alittle.

Carl

Baldeagle

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Carl my wife just gave me a new book and it had these pic in them.

carlbecker

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I like sanding for some reason but I'm getting my fill now. I tried Behr latex primer and its not fun to sand. Then I reread Vailly's latex paint guide and found I could use auto primer underneath. Well on some parts only now. I should be about finished with primer soon. I need the latex for Nelson's System3 paint to stick well.

Still looking strong at the W102 colors. Nice book and thanks for the pic.

Carl

Jimmy Bananas

My Feedback: (13)

Carl:

Your Claude looks great in the building stages....Keep up the good work

I can hear the pilot in the cockpit yelling; BANAZI,BANAZI,BANAZI

carlbecker

My Feedback: (3)

Thanks.
I think I am finished with sanding. I will shoot a light coat of house latex and get ready for the system3 paint. I am going to do the W102 tha baldeagle has posted here. May be ready by the end of May?

Carl

Baldeagle

My Feedback: (7)

Carl on the Behr primer is it just hard to sand? I have been using automotive light gray Laqure primer for years with good luck, but it is getting pretty expensive, I buy it bu the gallon and the last I bought was 98$ a gallon. but it will do a lot of planes. Thanks Rich

carlbecker

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The only reason I tried Behr (easy to find here) is because of the System3 paint. I was not real happy with System3 epoxy primer and someone had success with a Calif. latex paint. Behr primer balls up if sanded hard or long. Its OK if lightly stroked but I like the way auto primer dries and sands much better. Problem is System3 doesn't adhere to auto primer / lacquer very well. So what I should be doing is glass/epoxy then auto primer and filler then use light coat of Behr to seal and then System3 color. Hopefully the System3 sticks to the Behr. I really should have done tests but I pretty sure all will work well. I'm just buying primer in the can at $4 a pop. It stinks and is a little pricy but its the best I have tried so far.

Carl

Baldeagle

My Feedback: (7)

Carl I have been using Latex House paint now for about 4 years with good results and it is cheap and handy. They can mix it to match any color you want. Then I clear coat it with flat clear from the LHS. Also the Latex is lighter than automotive enamel. Rich

carlbecker

My Feedback: (3)

The reasons I use System3 are safety of chemicals, water clean up, covering power and quick drying. I have heard it takes a long time for latex to dry completely. I use glow only and don't want to wait a month before clear coat. How long do you let latex dry before sealing? Latex has lots of advantages like price and accessibility of colors but this drying time keeps me from it. I don't know if the latex primer I'm using cures completely in 24 hours, I hope so. 2-3 days would be OK for curing for me. Going a half mile to the Home Depot to get paint when ever I need it would be great!
Carl

Baldeagle

My Feedback: (7)

Carl I have found that two coats of latex is enough. Most colors covers good.I wait about 4to5 days to clear coat then wait another 2 to 3 days.
I usully put all my colors on the same day. You don't have to wait that long to mask for other colors.
I really don't mind the wait I usully let a plane sit for a month after I am finished and get started on a nother plane. When I do test fly then I am not as nervous to fly it. I don't enter in any contest so I don't have a deadline.
I just love to build warbirds. I am working on a Holman FW 190 A now and I wou't finish it till next winter. To many Grandkids playing Little League and the Trout fishing is good this time of year too.
I can't wait to see how yours is going to fly, it just might be my next project. Rich

carlbecker

My Feedback: (3)

Rich, My only problem with latex is the wait for cure, if you only wait 4-5 days to seal I will have to use only latex. I think I will still use system3 for sealing.

Let me know if/when you do a Claude. I have a couple of suggestions.

Carl