Jeepindog

A squirt of flat white spray paint will make that landing gear look right.

Jeepindog

And some plastic angle stock from a hobby shop that sells trains can be trimmed and attached to the right landing gear leg like a step, just like the big ones have. I have the piece cut but keep forgetting to glue it up. I may actually use some tiny threaded rod to bolt it on so it won't keep falling off on this airplane. My E-Flite Super Cub 25E kept losing its step so I finally gave up and stopped trying to glue it on.

iflyfloats

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that's a good idea, I think my best bet is to stay on task and finish up and get my maiden done and then make changes to personalize it.
I epoxied my mount with the throttle servo in tonight, I'll hook it up in the morning and make any adjustments needed, then finish the interior
and windows. reading about making a Vanessa rig to do the balancing, do you balance it with the gas tank full or empty ?

Mustang314

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do you balance it with the gas tank full or empty?
With the fuel tank located ahead of the CG, always balance with the tank empty. As fuel burns off during the flight the CG will be moving further aft and when the tank is empty it will be the furthest back during the flight.

REMEMBER, A PLANE WITH A CG THAT IS TOO FAR FORWARD FLIES POORLY, BUT WITH THE CG TOO FAR AFT FLIES ONCE.

bikerbc

I Built a Vanessa Rig and it is great for balancing but on my PA18 I found it easier to put a little 1/4" rod in made from a piece of alu arrow shaft with a dowl shoved inside it . I put that in on the C of G with two screws .. One from each side .. It is just slightly aft of the wing tube in the hatch opening . All you need too do is pick it up and you can instantly tell how you are balanced ... I can Take a pic if anyone is interested ..

iflyfloats

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Ken please do, it sounds like a good idea that way it could be checked periodically

bikerbc

I hope these pics turn out okay .. My wife loaded them for us this morning .

iflyfloats

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Making some progress, finally got my throttle servo mounted! and it works!
Doing a little painting in the cockpit.

Jeepindog

Nice job on the servo throttle mount. Great location, short throw, pretty well hidden. Don't forget to paint the wing roots so the bare wood doesn't show when the wings are attached. And I hope you painted the "slot" for the horizontal stabilizer trim on the fuselage sides.... You *DID* paint that area black, didn't you?

iflyfloats

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I didn't think about the wing root area, the horizontal stablilizer trim slot is on my list though. Thanks for the complement, that blasted servo gave me fits!

Jeepindog

I have actually thought about putting a small piece of trim covering over the larger open bay of the wing root, not where the servo leads come through the cabin. I think you might know what I mean. It's really the only open area you can see when the wings are mounted on the fuselage. Cover it up, paint it to match the cabin, and it would look even better!

iflyfloats

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I know what you mean. got my windows glued in today, I'll take a picture when I remove the tape, I think it looks really good with the interior painted black. I'm really getting excited now for the maiden hope the fall winds won't make me wait to long. yesterday the winds where between 20 and 36 mph, I don't care how many people say they fly their models in wind like that I don't like flying the full scale PA-11 or Super Cub in those winds, or our C185 for that matter.

Jeepindog

Yeah, winds that will ground FS planes are sometimes the best conditions for flying r/c, though... I grew up in the Adirondacks, back yard bordered a grass airstrip. Parents still live there. 172s, J-3s, Champs, Citabrias, a few homebuilts.

iflyfloats

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Where about in the Adirondacks? I'm from Inlet, my family has a seaplane service doing scenic rides and hunting and fishing trips.

Jeepindog

North Creek. Inlet? No kidding? Cool! I might have to hit up your service for some flying next Summer when we're there again!!! I worked a few summers in Blue Mountain Lake, went to college at Potsdam.

iflyfloats

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Small world. Not very warm in my garage with heater off so canopy glue not completely dry have to wait till weekend for pictures. In the 20's with a couple inches of snow last night. Not ready for winter yet, maybe by march !! ha ha

iflyfloats

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took a couple of the interior anyway. like the looks of the black versus the gray.

BarracudaHockey

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That looks sharp

bikerbc

Yes the black and grey contrast looks great .. I like that . What paint did you use ?

Jeepindog

He used black paint.

iflyfloats

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I used Createx airbrush paint and applied it with a brush so that I didn't have to do a lot of masking.

bikerbc

Thanks Bob .. It sure looks nice... We had a pretty nice day last Sunday so a Buddy and I got together and spent the afternoon flying.. I had the chance to try out the repair job on my PA18 . The first flight went great , I did a few touch and goes to test the gear and it stood up fine . After I landed I refuled and then helped my buddy with his Rascal . This took a while but we finally got it sorted out and he took it up for a fly .. After he came down I went to fly my Cub again but discovered I had left my transmitter on and it was indicating less than 50% charge .. I didn't want to risk my plane so I was done flying that for the day .. I was so disappointed ..

iflyfloats

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I hate it when that happens!

Jeepindog

I decided to do some preventive maintenance today and discovered that one of my engine mounting bolts and standoff were missing! Engine still right with three bolts, but it sure gave me a little jolt to see that! Well, grounded til the new set if standoffs show up since I couldn't find one- had to buy a whole set. Figured what the heck, I'll buy better bolts and use locknuts instead of blind nuts, with washers on the back side of the firewall.

bikerbc

I put a plywood block on mine in place of the standoffs . It is close to 1/2" thick .. I drilled the center out for the gas lines and electrical etc . I felt the firewall was a little on the light side anyway . . The block is about 4 inches square and 1/2 " thick .. I ran it through the thickness planer to get the exact thickness I needed ..Its a lot stronger than standoffs ..I think I used Baltic birch .. (hard stuff )