I am putting the finishing touches on my Shoestring, and am deciding whether or not to put on the decals.

They look great, but I'm concerned about them coming off over time (due to the decals coming in contact with fuel and cleaners).

Are people finding that they are holding up just fine? Did anyone apply a clear coat finish to protect them? If so, what brand of clear coat would you recommend?

Any help would be appreciated.

Damaso

Damaso,

Ive had my GP Shoestring for over 2 years w/ original decals...no probs with cleaners or fuel contact. Makes 'er look pretty cool with decals....IMHO...

chris

Thats why in previous posts on this plane it has been said many times to modify the gear. I flew mine on a very rough field untill we had it paved. Never lost a gear. Put triangle stock on below the gear mounting plate, then screw the gear in good. After that I put a fillet of cotton flox and good epoxy along the top to the bulkheads around the entire gear. Its not going any where. Cotton flox is a product we use in building full scale aircraft. Mixed with epoxy, it is very very strong. Micro baloons are not the same, they actually weaken the epoxy. You can get flox from aircraftspruce.com

I like the plane. Easiest plane to greese on a landing and is a blast in the air. It is fast though. Might be tough for a second plane. I have a 91 FX in the nose and the rudder servo in the tail. Seperate servos on each elevator under the wing. No lead added anywhere. It is a fine plane. The bottom is weak as other have stated. Either be carefull when you pick it up or add streangth there too.

How can you add strength to the bottom fuse without removing the covering? It seems hard to get an epoxy brush back there through the fuse to the bottom.

First thing I did when I picked up my Shoestring was to buy a roll of Monokote Cub Yellow. I cut the the Monokote on the bottom and made my reenforcements. Added the Cub Yellow and it's a perfect match. The rest of the roll I'll use for patches or some other project.

Full Throttle,

Thanks for getting back to me about the decals. I think they'll look great once I'm done.

I am following the instructions and seem to be having some problems. The decals seem to instantly adhere to the backing once placed in the warm water ... and I can't get them off the paper.

They seem pretty sticky as is (once the backing has been removed) ... do they even need to be placed in the warm water?

Thanks in advance.
Damaso

I didnt use any water applying the decals. You might try spraying windex on the plane where the decal goes, then peel and place. This allows you to align and center the decal. The windex will evaporate naturally, then the adhesive goes ahead and cures. For added protection from fuel and other elements of flying, spray with monocaot clear coat paint over the decal. Be careful, it gives the surface a nice luster and one can get carried away. Kinda looks like the clear coat on your new car. Its even safe enough for your covering such as monocoat, ultracoat and 21st century.

later,
chris

Hey guys I have a few questions....

On my kit the axles for the landing gear wheels are about 1/8 inch too long. they hit the other side of the wheel pant. did anyone have this problem?

Are people using bigger screws to secure the wheel pants than the included ones in the kit? (the two that go on left and right of the axel)

Is there any need to fiberglass the wing center section?

Do you recommend extra epoxy on the mounting blocks in the fuse where the gear bolts go?

thanks alot!

Knowing what I was going to put my Shoe through I fiberglass the wing section all the way around and I also had to cut off for the the pants, anytime I mix up epoxy i usually have some left over so not to waste it I then use the rest on areas that I feel could use a little extra such as wing hold down areas, firewalls any place to use thew rest of the epoxy.
Great Plane, no pun intended!

The axles will be too long, it tells you in the instructions to take I believe 1/8 inch off.

I used the included screws to secure the wheel pants, what I did do was to make the plywood mounts LONGER, This will prevent the pant from cracking, or at least prolong it, I read this recommendation many places. Another good idea that I still may do is to glass the inside of the pant using fiberglass cloth, this should strengthen it up a bit too.

Fiberglass the wing section? never hurts, especially if you put a powerhouse up front.

And last I went through and put epoxy on all the major stress points. For the landing gear mounts I put some fiberglass cloth down. It covers the bottom and sides of the landing gear mount, I let the glass dry, then mounted the landing gear, it's not going anywhere. If it breaks the it will let go at the belly, to the mount.

Now: take everything I say with a grin of salt; as I have not maidened my shostring yet, waiting for NICE WEATHER
but rest assure all the mods I made were fairly common for this plane.

Good luck!

Thanks for the replies guys. I did use the suggestions and have now got the gear good and solid and the wing center glassed.

Now, on to the cowl. I am using the 61 FX with Bisson muffler. Do any of you have pics of the bottom of the cowl and where you cut it out? It seems a little difficult to get the cowl on with the high speed needle extender and stuff. Any good tips on cowl mounting?

Thanks again. Can't wait to fly her.

I just cut a large half circle an inch in from the back cowl forward about 3". This made it easy to install over the pipes and gave enough room for heat to escape. To install the high end need wire I just reached in from the hole in the front of the cowl with a hex driver.

has anyone put any down or right thrust on there shoestring. im puting a sato 91 , on its side. anyone got PIC. thanks,, eddie

I mounted my 100 as stock as it gets. Mounted it inverted.

No right or down unless it was built into the plane.
RORO

I have a OS 91fx with a bisson pitts muffler ...apc13-8 ...In mine ...The plane flies great ......an os 61fx and 91fx are the same weight 19.4 0z....the 61 has 1.9bhp@16000rpm the 91 has 2.8bhp@15000rpm and they are the same physical size ......So as far as wing load there is no differance os 61fx v os 91fx ....Mo power = mo fun & speed........OOOOOOOOya give me A 91fx Please.....sorry geebeejim