RickP

My Feedback: (2)

Hi Gang,
Compared to the rest of this thread, the airframe build is actually coming along quite quickly. The wing is pretty much done, here you can notice the aileron installation, hard points and flex cables. Ready for final assembly and covering. The next step will be to get the new inlet duct made. I got a new balsa block this week and will have a start on it tonight. Enjoy!!
RP

RickP

My Feedback: (2)

Guys,
I started on the new inlet in ernest. Two nights of hacking and sandig so far. Little by Little...
RP

MJD

My Feedback: (1)

It's easy: start with a 2lb block of wood, then carve away everything that doesn't look like an efficient ducted fan inlet.



I think you're going to need another glass or two of that "go-juice" on the building board before you're done.

RickP

My Feedback: (2)

Hey Guys,
Another night, shaping up
RP

combatpigg

My Feedback: (3)

A masterfull job..!! [8D]
You could ask your machinist friend to make you a gigantic router bit to shape that block in one pass though....

RickP

My Feedback: (2)

LOL,
Masterful? I don't know about that, but thank you! Weight is foremost on my mind at this point. I am really worried about overdoing it. I'll hog as much away as possible when I'm done to lighten it up. I also have the canopy to do next, That will also be a balsa block...
RP

combatpigg

My Feedback: (3)

At this point learning how to vacumform sheet plastic would be a handy skill to have.
I tried it and failed, but there are many modelers who have had great success with it.

GallopingGhostler

I think the amazing thing about this model is when Bob Aberle designed it 30 years ago, there wasn't much data on small model turbine fan models. Inlet and outlet were not optimal, but for the available ducted fan unit(s) for the then hot Cox .049 Tee Dee, it was a feat of its own.

I marvel at the things modelers did then and earlier, how that carving stuff out of balsa (take for example, Nick Ziroli's and Walt Musciano's earlier CL and RC creations) was the norm. One had to have decent sculpturing skills to replicate a model.

Nowadays we take it for granted and the various ARF manufacturers have modeled jets to look as close to real as possible. electric in-runner and out-runner units on modern lightweight LiPo's are light and powerful by comparison. Then, to get the power to weight ratios took some ingenuity and imagination.

RickP has done an amazing job on recreating this historic piece of 1/2-A ducted fan history, kudos, Rick. [8D]

RickP

My Feedback: (2)

Hey Guys,
Well I am sure glad that most of you seem to be appreciating this thread! There is some History involved with all of this here, and I guess that's part of the alure for myself as well. GG - I don't think Bob Aberle was involved in this project. I'm not sure if he was involved with DF stuff at all, but that would be interesting to know. Dick Sarpolus was the designer I belive and he worked closely with Rober Kress (of Grumman Engineering background and from very close to where I am located as well!) on the design. I found it interesting to read they were working on a double fan version, but nothing ever seemed to come out of it. I have to assume they were counter-rotating fan design to eliminate flow straighteners....

Some more carving going on with block last night. Looking a little rough still, but I think we are getting somewhere...

There are very few pictures of Dick's solution on this area, and the plans are vuage leaving alot of free form design here. Hope we get something usefull....
RP

RickP

My Feedback: (2)

Sorry Guys,
I have update pictures, but the photo upload is not working again :-(
RP

Got the pics to upload from last night, in case you are wondering why the rush, my primary field opens 4/1/13 and as soon as that happens I plan on being nothing but flying, I really want to finish this up!
RP

combatpigg

My Feedback: (3)

Rick, I think Dick Sarpolus would be tickled pink if you got a hold of him and let him know about this project.

RickP

My Feedback: (2)

I think it would be neat to chat with Dick about this. Bob Kress I read had passed, he was really the knowledge holder with the 1/2a Fan stuff and an Engineer as well as I. To have been able to chat with him would have been awesome too. Maybe I'll look up Dick on the AMA site, I actually never found out much about him....
RP

GallopingGhostler

You're right, my bad, it was Dick Sarpolus. I remember reading the article some time back in one of the model mags. I thought it was neat for the time. A half A ducted fan then was a rarity. I guess they really never caught on until the electric ducted fans came out.

RickP

My Feedback: (2)

Got a little more work done on the inlet. I got a "cage" now constructed for the fan and it's partially sheeted. I have to make some cage/hatch mounts next and finish the sheeting / sanding process. More pics to come.
RP

MJD

My Feedback: (1)

A labour of love! Like getting into the kit business..

Nice work, I sure hope this all works out.

Rubbernecker

My Feedback: (22)

Very nice work, quite impressive. I too have those plans and had a brand new Axiflow unit as well as a Midwest A-4 Skyhawk as a teenager. I thought I would try the wooden one (F-16) before the foam one that needed a catapult launch in case I crashed it. Never got around to building any of them and wound up trading them for a complete RTF .09 powered aerobatic plane that to this day still hangs in my basement unflown by me. [:@] Keep up the good work and looking foward to a flight report.

John

RickP

My Feedback: (2)

Okay guys,
Moving right along. I've got the majority of the hatch covering and holding the fan unit in done. The plans are really sketchy this far out and I'm pretty much making it up as I go along here. About the only thing left that the plans are any good for is the canopy, incidentally which you can see the beginnings of on the plan in the background of the last picture.

I know the hatch looks kind of rough right now, but for the most part it was buit to be functional. Now if functions, I'll work on smoothing it out. I was quite happy as it came out quite light.
RP

RickP

My Feedback: (2)

Little more building and a little more sanding. I added the rest of the sheeting for the lower fusalage and finished fabricating the hard mounts to hold the engine in. I also worked on the graphics a bit in preperation for covering. I am going to add the features below in vinyl graphics. I have my daughter this weekend, so I'm not sure how much will get done!!
RP

Japanman

Looking nice, Rick.
Did you ever sort out your steel adapter? If you can give me exact dimensions, I could turn one up for you.

S

RickP

My Feedback: (2)

Japanman, Thank you for your offer. No I did not get it turned yet. it is very busy at work - but I should be able to get something done before I finish up here. Much thanks though!
Rick

RickP

My Feedback: (2)

Hi Guys,
Kinda got sidetracked. Spent some time getting the convertible ready for spring and after all it is flying season. I've had two really nice outings so far. So with all of that progress has been happening. Wing and tail is on and top of fuse sheeted. Sealed sanded and painted the wet surfaces in the engine compartment and the butchering of the nose block has begun!!! Enjoy!!
RP

RickP

My Feedback: (2)

A little more carving and gluing. I'll get on some sanding tonight.
RP

GallopingGhostler

Looking good, RickP. Sort of reminds me of some of the hollow log CL stuff back in the 1960's. One takes a block, carves to shape, then a fuselage starts to appear.

RickP

My Feedback: (2)

Hi Guys,
Thanks for the comments! Spent some quality time with a sanding block breathing in balsa dust. I would say maybe one more night of sanding? I have to work on the back area over the wing.
RP

RickP

My Feedback: (2)

Ok Gang,
Rough sanding I suppose is finished. Starting filling and to figure out some way to mount the hatch so I can take it on and off quickly. The fuel tank will be located under this and I'll need to take it on and off to fill it.
RP