Originally Posted by
Matgray86
Hi. If if anyone could spare some time and advice I'd be very great full. A little while ago my partners grandfather gave our son one of his first ever planes he built that has seen better days. He wasn't very well at the time and my son accepted the plane as a gift. Sadly he has since passed and I've said to my son and partner I'd like to refurb it to its former glory in memory of her grandfather.
This is where I plead for help.... I've never built a plane before. I'm very good with my hands and woodworking etc. I'd like to keep it as original as possible and will be hopefully using his motors etc. As as you can see from the pictures the body is not in the best condition. How do I repair the bulk of the body as this seems to have started to crack and very thin. How do I re make the rear flaps and fix in the little hinges.
Basically i need to give the plane a full referb. again please excuse my lack of knowledge as I've net done this Before. Many thanks matt
Hello, Matt. Just a casual look at the photos, it appears to be very dusty from lengthy storage in a shed or unconditioned attic. The balsa probably is still good, just needs a really thorough cleaning. I'd first carefully vacuum the fuselage and tail feathers with a soft brush attachment. This will remove the loose dust from the wood surfaces. Then lightly sand with 320 or 400 grit.
You may be able to clean the windows first carefully inside and out. Then use a plastic cleaner for automotive clear plastic headlight lenses (Meguiar's PlastX in US) to remove the window fog from the outside surfaces. The bare wood can be covered in a modern plastic film or painted. Product availability may differ in UK from US. If paint, I would use one or two coats of MinWax Polycrylic water based acrylic varnish with light sanding between coats, then spray "rattle can" Rustoleum Gloss Protective Enamel (reasonably fuel proof after curing). Cowling around engine can be made from several pieces of balsa or foam block, done in the old style like the planes of the 1950's, 1960's.
Red head's suggestion is excellent. Your best bet would be to seek out a model aeroplane club close to you, show them what you have. The experienced members then can help with advice, may be even provide hands on instruction to help you place this aircraft into flying order. The fact you are handy with your hands helps, and the experienced modellers can point the way.
Good luck.