ORIGINAL: shomenda
Mike:
With all that building you've been doing, when do you practice flying ? Your modifications thread makes for interesting reading, especially for those of us with limited pattern type aircraft building experience. I'm about 75% finished my Hydeout refurb and I'm looking for your suggestions regarding installation of the fixed landing gear support block and prepping balsa wood prior to application of primer and finish coat(s). There's a balsa plug in the vertical fin used to mount the rudder which I removed in order to gain access to the inside for repairs. On top of the vertical fin is a balsa horn. In your opinion, what is best to prep these parts prior to paint? As for the landing gear support block and surrounding bulkhead formers, I plan to replace old ply with new ply but I have no drawings for the ply bulkheads inside. Any suggestions? I've tried to contact Guerin but no success. Steve
Good question, I practice when I can. More in the season, less during the winter. As much as I can though.
The landing gear block should be made like a sheath, with an upper and lower 1/4" block and spacers as thick as the gear, so the gear slip fits between them. You can use a thinner block for one side, but I wouldn't go as low as 1/8".
Cut your holes in the fuse and sand the block edges to shape until it just fits between the sides without bowing the fuse. Clean and run sandpaper over the contact area, the epoxy it in place.
What I do then is make some triangle braces that run up the side of the fuse and the front and rear of the block. All this does is spread the stress so as not to crack it when you have a stiff landing. Then just drill, tap, install.
As for the exposed wood, just use finishing resin and .75 oz or less glass cloth. Let it cure for about 2 days, then sand/prime/ rinse and repeat until smooth.
As for the bulkheads.......if you can get the old ones out intact, use them as templates. (yeah good luck there). Otherwise get some poster board and cut/fit/have a beer/cut fit/have a beer until it fits. If you're too buzzed by the time you have it to shape, wait till tomorrow to glue it [8D]
Seriously that is going to take a lot of patience. It would be easier if I could show you, but hopefully you get the idea. if you happen to feel like coming to the districts I can fix you right up.
Cya
-Mike