Morane sualnier a-1, 1/3 scale..
 

This is a first time build for me of a Saulnier A-1 parasol wing WW1 fighter. I built a 1/3 parasol wing Fokker last year and decided on a Saulnier A-1 to get a feel for how this one fly's in comparison.
First thing was to locate a photo of a Saulnier that I want to duplicate, which I found on line. Next was to order a 1/3 size Balsa USA plan to build from. I well scratch build using the plans for general reference with some small modifications as I go along building the airplane. From looking at the photo of this aircraft it looks like a more recent duplicate of the original Saulnier.



http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1940609

The first step for me in the construction is to trace out the parts I need to cut on cardboard as a templates... Next I lay the plan out on my building table ( I use a hallow core door panel as my building board). I start with the fuselage cutting some 5/16" sq. strips on a table saw from clear pine or spruce board... lay the 5/16" strips over the plan and pin it down and glue the cross members with thick ca or 5 minute epoxy... I have used balsa stringers as called for on the plans and supplied with many of the kits before,, but what I have found when using balsa strips it tends to break easy when flying and handling the airplane, than I am stuck with a timely repair issue.
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1940657

The fuselage getting covered with Coverite.. I tried to order some 1/2" wide continuous mini hinge from Nelson Hobby, looks like they are out of business. I wanted to use the hinge on the side of the aluminum fuselage front to create access panels.
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1940831http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1940833http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1940834http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1940835http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1940836

I have fabricated the landing gear struts from 1/4" music wire with bracket welded on the bottom where the two struts meet, this well allow for a rubber band to be wrapped around the axle for shock absorber. The 1/4' wire well be covered with wood struts.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1943176

I think these are an interesting plane, but you so seldom see anyone building them...

I had been thinking about building this plane for a couple years, the thing that held me back was all the wood struts needed on the wing to fuselage to make it appear scale. After looking at the flight videos on youtube it looked like it fly's good and I had a good spear G-62 on hand, I finally decided to give it a go.

The decals turned out good. I found a decal set I like in a 1/48 Revell plastic kit for my Saulnier. The decals were enlarged and scanned on my Epson copier and than copied onto clear decal paper which I purchased on E-bay.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1943742http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1943743http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1943744http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1943745http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1943746 http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1943747

Well its looking good. keep after it.