Props4ever

This site is really going KOKO now days!, tried to log in 4 times and 6 times it crashed b4 i could make this post!!!!

The way things stand at this point of time, i don't think this model will be ready in April but i'm working on it to get it done soon as i can. Whole model will first get covered with aluminum foil, one panel at a time and then upper half of the fuselage and all
3 fins will be painted white and rest will stay as bare aluminum....just this metal covering process will take a while to get done properly....

Hitec Winch servo hasn't arrived yet, it went back to sender for weird reason, Struts r still not in as yet, in mail some where.....

I did bought some other servos for this model n i will see if i can use SBUSS RX with my 9CHP radio then i will buy just the rx for now....

Props4ever

Small update:

Finally i got my Hitec Winch servo in lil while ago today. This thing is BIG!.....i'm recharging my TX n RX batteries and also trying to bind my RX with my TX so i can do some test runs on this servo.

Tonite i will get all my servos out and start figuring where what will go on the model, i will make a sketch and mark where what servos will be, then label the particular servo, this way when time comes to install then on the model, i will do it right away and will not waste time guessing n figuring out where what will go. Plus this way i can see how long and how many extensions i will need. Dosen't look like i will be upgrading my radio system to new 8FG Super to run S Buss system anytime soon.

Another thing that i will do is to make mock up flap functional now that the winch servo has arrived. This way i can get all the bugs worked out and then it will be smooth sailing to adapt this set up and make it function on the model's wing.

Props4ever

Earlier when i made holes for the wing's dowel pins on the fuselage, one side of slightly off by 1/8"!, due to this fuse was would tilt to right when mounted on the wing. This bugged me a lot, so earlier in the evening, i took out my new Motorcraft dremel set and went on fixing it, i had to extend the dowel pin's hole towards the bottom by 1/'8" plus had to shave bit of material under the left wing fillet. After doing this, now fuselage mounts perfectly right n level on the wing.

Constellation will soon start getting covered fully with aviation grade high speed repair aluminum tapes, aluminum foil roll covering plus none other then Flite Metal!. Idea is to cover whole airframe panel by panel starting from back and work my way to the front, reason being, i will be able to over lap bit of panels in a way that will create panel lines plus airflow will not try to get under the tape to peel it off while flying the model.

iron eagel

Covering that plane is a project in itself!

Props4ever

U bet it sure will be!..... After all this time, years of work this bloody ***** should fly and fly good!!!

Props4ever

Maiden flight video of Lockheed Constellation in US Army air force colors....

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLKSMQTcOXQ[/youtube]

Props4ever

Decades later fully restored SAC's S Connie...

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=QSCZzm4k5ls[/youtube]

King George

DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA OF WHAT TYPE SYSTEM YOU WILL BE USING/?????
TO ACTIVATE THE FLAPS???? I HAVE LOOKED AT MANY SYSTEMS AND THEY ALL SEEM DIFFICULT.
CAN YOU SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS??
KING GEORGE

Props4ever

Its a single servo set up KG. Winch servo will turn 180 degrees while pushing fowler flap out and pulling it in while CF slider rods will make sure flap travels out straight in line and flap tilting actuator will change flaps angle down while it's in outward moving motion. I will be mounting winch servo in the center of the wing's center section, there will be 2 nyrods hooked up on the twin servo arm and it's other end will be connected at the leading edge of the flaps.


These videos will illustrate how my single servo fowler flaps system will work.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtzqAI6md1Y[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRcnDv8tlU0[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpluvzmBmoA[/youtube]

bentwings

I ran across a bunch of Connie stuff on utube .

Here is one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJ_RS...eature=related

King George

Props4ever

I LIKE WHAT I SEE, STILL NOT REGERISTING IN THE GRAY MATTER ANY CHANCE OF A DIAGRAM SHOWING THE LINKAGE?
KING GEORGE

jonastecknare

Whoah! Those flaps looks soo nice! Hi Sam, still doing good i can see. Nice work. I too would love to see a sketch of your system.
Jonas

ampbomber

My Feedback: (7)

Hi All,

The video of the flaps are from my Tu-95. See it here: http://nasascale.wordpress.com/2012/...-95-follow-up/

The flap system that Sam is using on the Connie was designed by Skip Mast and myself, George Maiorana, back in 1997. This system has been used on many planes since then ( B-29, Tu4, Chinese AEW, Tu95 and my future C-133) and has proven to work well.
I know Sam is busily working on installing this system in his Connie so I'll post some info on the system.

I'll post some picture and if you have any Qs just ask.

BTW, if anyone is interested in owing the Chinese AEW let me know. I'm in Detroit. The plane has no motors, servos, batteries- just the airframe with a lot of info to get it in the air.

Hope this info helps you understand how this flap system works,

George

jonastecknare

Thanks George! I surerly need to look closely on these pics. nice plane!
Jonas

Props4ever

Guys this fowler flap system is simply the best designed system, i could not have asked for any better then this system for this model. If you can adapt this system on your models, your bound to have winner!!!.
Thanks George for illustrating your flaps system to all on here....

Update on the model:

Yesterday finally both main custom landing gear struts arrived in snail mail. Doug did fantastic job on these struts, each is capable of carrying 18lbs worth model, so these are more HD struts then needed yet they are way way lighter then Robart ones for the same size.

I also bought 24pcs of 12" Futaba J servo extension wires and another 25' of raw servo wire in case i may need more wire, so now i 'm sure i have more then enough needed on hand.

I'm excited to mount these struts, nose gear assembly on the model now n have all see how model will look finally on it's own legs n wheels.....

Props4ever

Update continues:

I have bought 1.5oz x 1 yard of matt cloth, Poly resin, Poly gelcoat 2031 + mek hardener, silicone mold release to finally make 3 pcs molds of the engine cowlings including lower air intake scoop.
My friend Frank and i will make this mold in coming week and once mold is made and fully cured, I will then cast cowlings from it.....

Also picked up 1/8" x 6" x 12" birch plywood sheet to reinforce both main main landing gear rails for retracts.

Props4ever

Couple more pics left out....lol

Props4ever

As i make this post cowl n lower air scoop plugs are with my buddy who will be making
these molds for me. As he updates me with the progress with pics of the steps i will be
keeping all you guys informed n up to date.

Props4ever

Cowl plug received modeling clay treatment specially in it's intake lip. The main cowl will be 3 pcs mold, front and then 2 mid/aft body in 2 halfs.

Next will be to apply spray mold release or wax and buff it following application of gelcoat with brush. After gelcoat is tacky cured, matt fiberglass lay up will start by using poly resin.

These 3 parts will take about a week to get done as all have to be done separately, one at a time.

Props4ever

Front section of the cowl plug has been molded. This was the most difficult section to mold as full cowl piece due to it's lip as undercut.

Props4ever

Middle and aft body of the main cowl piece has parting board attached to it's both sides. It will get mold release and gelcoat treatment on one of the halfs today and then matt cloth will be applied to form the mold.
Same process will commence tomorrow for the remaining half, this main cowl mold should be completed on Tuesday. After this pink playdo will be removed and dome plug will be cleaned to make it's mold. By close to end of the month everything piece should be molded including lower intake scoop.

Props4ever

Gelcoat applied to one of the 2 middle aft halfs. Matt cloth will be applied next to make mold on this half.

Props4ever

While molds are being made, i have started to fix the internal wing issue of both OB wings. When few years ago i cut the wing tube channel it was not done right internally, there for now i have come up with my own method to mount the Phenolic properly and permanently by adding anchoring 2 ribs on both outer wing panels and 2 ribs on inboard wing structure.

To do this i made 4 semi ribs from 3/32" balsa sheet that will pick up and mount wing tubes through a hole inside the wing panels. I have yet to figure out that exact location to make the tube access holes.

I'm sure pictures will illustrate themselves how i will do this mod to fix this problem. FINALLY NO MORE TAPE TO HOLD these together....

Props4ever

Right OB wing is now dry fitted together with center wing section by itself, anchor ribs did the job, wing tube and guide pin is presently holding the wing together.

Now i need to figure out how i will lock both wings together. I'm thinking on permanently make wing tube glued in the OB wing panel and add couple anchor ribs in the center wing section and make locking plates on the center wing. This is what i have in mind, once anchor rings are added in the center wing, i add a block of hardwood on the top of tipend of the tube and also on the bottom with in the wing's structure, then drill a small hole through bottom block, through the tube and into the top block, then use a metal wood/machine screw to lock the OB wing with IB wing......what do u guys think, any suggestions?

Props4ever

Newly custom made main landing gear's strut and wheels assembly has been installed in the nacelle's gear bay for the very first time. Apart from wheel being bit bigger at 3" dia, rest fitted perfectly. All the angles are right on, clearance between strut and nacelle's former and fire wall are all perfect and well calculated. I have also tested how retract operates with new landing gear, it needs bit more air pressure then what my hand pump could produced but otherwise its working excellent.