Yep, that looks just like what you had planned, and a good job of it too! [sm=thumbup.gif]

I was kidding about the age thing, see I'm only 10....



...for the third time.

Age is a state of mind, the body is just a container.

Getting near the end. Don't burn the carpet with the iron. [:@] You can start stuffing things into the fuselage now.

Hmm - ya don't supose he hasn't glued the canopy on until he finds out if Maggie will fit, do ya? [sm=bananahead.gif]

The wife would kill him.[:@]

I read this before we went out to see Maggie this morning.

The attached picture is the result of your post.





She's already too big, by the way.

Seems like she likes planes. She must be a keeper!

Patrick

Every good builder needs a shop manager. 'Course now that you're a builder with a manager - you need a shop!

I'm hoping when we finally buy a house I can get a shop... maybe we can have enough back yard that I'll be able to build a workshop.

I can dream. [8D]



Anywho, I've been working on a freelance website but hopefully tomorrow I'll be able to get some of the wing starburst down. Maybe I can move on to final assembly by Monday!!

Actually... I don't need the wing covered to start installing things. I'm thinking I might go ahead and put some stuff in her tomorrow!

I'm interested to see how she looks with the engine and gear mounted.

I wanna see where you put all the extra fuel tubing . Where's my hat?!?

Looks excellent by the way!

Patrick

I was thinking I'd just wrap it around the nose of the plane a few times before attaching to the engine.

[sm=bananahead.gif]


By the way, I'm thinking about using the extra money from my freelance web designing to upgrade my radio. My current radio is a 5-channel JR XF421. That's okay, but it doesn't have expo or dual rates. Both of those are things I want for my SSE. So, I'm thinking I'll get the JR SPORT SX600 (link: http://www.horizonhobby.com/Shop/ByC...dID=JSP16000** ). What do you guys think?

Dual rates and expo definitely comes in handy on the SE. The JR Sport looks like a great radio. I have the equivalent type by Futaba and it has worked great for me. The only thing I'm missing on mine, that I wish I had, is dual rates on the rudder.
When I fly my Venus 40, the amount of throw on the rudder needed for knife edge flight is too much for correcting up-lines etc.

Can't wait to hear how the maiden flight goes. I know you will love this plane.

-tychoc

So, I decided to do a little work on her today. I have glued all the control surface hinges, installed main and tail gear, installed the engine mounts, mounted the engine, removed the fuel tank and altered it so I can access it in the future, re-installed the fuel tank, and altered the nose cheeks to give better spacing around the high end needle.

The only thing I seem to be missing is the way you make the spinner attach to the engine shaft.... I seem to be missing a part that would let the spinner bolt attach. If anyone knows what that might be called, let me know so I don't sound like a dolt when I go to the LHS tomorrow to get one.

I think you can just call it a spinner nut. Some might call it a spinner adapter, but that's what I usually call the little rings that center the backplate over the prop shaft.

I fly my SSE on a Futaba 6YG, which has dual rates but no expo. The plane is really stable at low speeds, and I'm not sure you need it. Mine just floats in like it's on rails. I might tap the rudder once or twice. No roll coupling, so the wings are rock solid.

Oddly, I've got about 30 flights on my SSE and I've never used the high rates. Never even tried them. The plane is so quick and responsive on low rates (rolls like you won't believe), I can't see much use yet for the highs.

Okay, so maybe I'll wait on the new radio for a little while.

And thanks for the name options for that part. I think I'll be safe calling it either a spinner nut or adapter. I guess I'll find out when I go to the LHS tomorrow night.



On a different note: I want to get that starburst pattern on the wing so I when I finish up all the electronics and control rod installation she'll actually be done. Maybe I'll be able to get going on the last pattern tomorrow afternoon. I hope so.

Don't forget the flying wires on the tail.

I finally got to start on the covering for mine last night. I just got started on the hatch cover. I'll post progress pics as soon as I get the hatch finished. I really like the color of the Ultracote Metallic purple - definitely not like any furniture I have![sm=bananahead.gif]

On a tangentially related note, my covering progress may be pretty slow as I'm starting a new assignment with another client today, so I have no idea how much "cheap" time (nothing is ever free) I'll get this week.

Oh yeah. That's probably going to take a little while too, as soldering is not exactly a strong point of mine.

I'll get through it. It's an optional addition to the plane, but I have to do it because I've already cleared the covering from the hardpoints the flying wires will attach to.

A small pencil torch and a Sta-Brite silver solder kit will make very short work of the soldering. I found the torch at my local hardware store for $3 and it's refillable with canned butane used for lighters. You just clean the parts with scotch-brite/steel wool, put a drop of liquid flux on the parts, assemble the parts and secure in position, touch the flame to the joint area untill it's hot enough to melt the solder. When the solder melts, it will flow into the joint all the way through. Let it cool and wash the flux off. You can then use the scotch-brite/steel wool to polish up the joint. I'll see if I can get a pic of my torch posted shortly.

OK - Here's the torch.

You may want something like this.
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXB958&P=7
You need to get the correct one for your crankshaft threads and spinner type.

What engine and spinner brand are you using?

Engine is Tower Hobbies .46 BB ABC. Spinner is... ummm... hang on. Okay, I found it: Dave Brown Spinner 2-1/4" Standard 2-Blade Aluminum.

How will I know which adapter to get at the LHS?


EDIT: Okay, in looking at the TH website, it looks like I need this one: http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXB952&P=M That seem right to you guys?

Here's my covering progress - it's not much, but it's a start. I'm sure the purple film looks a lot more blue in the photo. Maybe I can get something in the sunlight if the new work schedule permits.

That looks a lot smoother than mine did. How much practice have you had at covering?

So... I got the adapter nut at the LHS. For $3.71 (not $5.69 like at TH); my LHS has great prices.

He didn't have graphite lubricant, or a hand drill though. The hand drill's not a biggie, I can always use my Dremel. But I wanted the graphite to lubricate the pushrods. And my tailwheel, 'cause it squeaks.

I also went to Lowe's, but they were sold out. They said they should have more tomorrow, because it was scheduled to be in then. Maybe I'll go back then, maybe I'll just wait on it until the weekend (I may do some final assembly at the in-laws while we're visiting).

Anywho, that's the updates for now. Hopefully, I'll get that starburst on the wing soon. I just seem to have lost interest in covering after having done so much of it.

My "Tigger 2" is the only thing I've covered previously. I think the difference is in using Ultracote. It shrinks/stretches a LOT better and at lower temperatures than Monokote, so it's much easier to work around compound curves. I have about 2 hours in the hatch cover, so it's not a fast process by any means. I was really impressed with the color - it was pretty neat in the plastic, but it's much nicer unwrapped. It should look really flashy with the white and neon orange.

Everything is just looking great. I really like the way you did the fuse with the green and everything.

It's all looking incredible. I'm just going to ask for a SE kit for Xmas. Should get it. It's only 80 bucks, but I have other stuff that I asked for from "Santa" lol, so I dunno.

Let's add up everything that I will need other than the electronics, that I already have. OK:

$80 - Kit
$40-50 - covering
Having the ablility to actually walk and build the Somethin' Extra: PRICELESS (I broke my back August 8th. Luckily I'm not paralized)

But really, what would I expect to have to get after the kit. I already have a heat gun (there's $25) and an iron (there's $20). I have some clamps from Lowe's (had to get some for my Funtana crash HEHE). What all have you experienced you needed kiswa up until covering. Sandbags, t-pins, etc. My dad was saying something like double the kit price after you get everything up to covering and everything.

Thanks

~Michael~