tuwood

That's good.

I cut the hole for my switch/charge jack first & then had one of those "oh #$&*" moments when I tried to install it. Fortunately it fit upside down & I didn't have to cut another hole.

richx1

Working forward on the progress. Currently in the process of constructing the hatch. Nothing special to report. I should be sheeting the turtle deck soon... I'll post a good set of pictures for that.

richx1

Started sheeting the turtledeck. So far all I have done was join some 1/16th thick sheeting together to make a large enough piece to cover the deck. I have then wet and formed it to the target surface. To make room for the sheeting I took out the razor plane and took off 1/16th inch of meat from the stringers to make space for the sheeting.

Test005

After cutting the sheeting to fit you should trace the outline on a piece of covering.
Then you have the shape ready when it's time to cover, just add some to allow the cover to reach down on the fuselage.

richx1

Okay. Turtledeck sheeting is in place... so I thought while Iwas working on the long lines of the fuselage I should start the cowling. I started with a rough build of what I want to create... but find myself asking questions.

how to attach it? shaping? Materials to use? etc, etc, etc. I've decided on balsa for material, but unsure what sizes to work with. Thus if anyone now has anything to chime in regarding the cowling, please feel free. I appreciate input.

krossk

My Feedback: (27)

I built mine entirely out of 1/8" balsa. I used 2 pieces laminated around the stoc cheeks to produce the same thickness as the fuse. Then I used a single thickness for the top/bottom to create the box and define the front profile. The engine cut-out was made and the engine mounted in the fuse for the correct placement. Then the last piece was cut with the nose ring laminated in place and formed around the front. After removing the engine, attach the front piece to the cowl. Finally, I shaped and finished the overall shape and cut the lower cowl away from the fuse. I'm sure I've posted detailed pics in one or more of these SSE build threads - I just can't remember which one.

yel914

I think you need to decide what the final shape will be close to the prop spinner. If you want the nose to butt up to the spinner completely round, then it might be easier to use something like 1/2" thick balsa to shape the transition from square fusalage to round spinner. Excess balsa can be removed from the inside engine cavity after final outside shape is made. Although I have a fiber glass cowl on mine, the initial mold for the cowl was done with 1/2" balsa blocking. It worked very well. Nice build so far, thanks for sharing.

richx1

You actually sent them to me awhile back. I just wasn't sure what sort of materials you might have used.


Did you use any triangle or other stock to reinforce the interior joints?

richx1

I had considdered doing a rounded front, but decided against it and think I'll go with a cowling that more resembles one on the funtana or edge or extra. A rounded rectangle in front with a taper to the firewall. I built a proto type last night to see how I would feel about it and I think I like it best.

krossk

My Feedback: (27)

I thought I might have, but I've sent pix offline to several people.

Yes, there is triangle internally - mainly to insure I didn't sand through the joints while finishing the outer shape.

richx1

Okay. I've managed to get together the raw form I plan to use to make the cowling.

I tell ya... even with glasses and a dust mask... if I inhale any more balsa dust I'll be spitting 1/4 inch balsa out ready to use. [sm=bananahead.gif]

krossk

My Feedback: (27)

Wow - you've made more progress in one day than I made in 2 weeks on mine! That looks great!

richx1

Well... I just sat down and got rather determined about it. I really need to figure out the final shape. I've been thinking a traditional line such as the ones shown below, courtesy of Great Planes.

krossk

My Feedback: (27)

That was sort of what I had in my mind when I started. But the more I got into it, the more I headed towards something with its own identity. So I didn't worry so much about where I was going with it, but worked until I got something that I liked - then declared it done.

richx1

I only fear that I'll go a bit too far and wind up having to make a new one... I have a bad habbit of letting my creativity and excitement take me too far too fast.

krossk

My Feedback: (27)

It's only balsa - you can always glue more on and sand it off again[sm=spinnyeyes.gif]

yel914

If you go too far in the sanding, go a bit further and then square off the cowl where you need to add more material. Glue on a bit more balsa and try again. As stated-"It's only balsa".

richx1

Yes. It is only balsa .


So I did some preliminary shaping and filling. I took some picture more so I could scrutinize the shape and make sure it's going where I want it to go... but since I took em... doesn't hurt to share em. You can barely see the trace outline of the aluminum hub plate from the nosecone spinner I'll be using. I'll do some more sanding tomorrow with a finer grit and make sure all the joints are tight. After that comes the cutout for the engine cyliner and carb.

Edit: Glad I took the pictures too... helps a ton to see the ever slight differences in the sides. Picture 2 makes it look a lot worse than it is, but it's about 1mm outside of what the other side is. Yippie! I get to have more fun with the balsa dust cloud!

yel914

Hey, you're almost there! Now wasn't that easy?

krossk

My Feedback: (27)

Lookin' good! Have you thought about how you are going to mount it yet?

richx1

Well... I installed a full line of 1/4 x 3/8 stock inside against the firewall and was thinking of just using screws to mount it. Seems the most conventional way to do it. Please feel free to show me any other way to go about it.

richx1

Dremmeled out the cowling to fit the engine. Plan to add some permanent cowling pieces to the fuse to fill in the gaps between the engine and the fuse.

ChrisK7

My Feedback: (14)

Make sure you leave some venting ducts/holes somewhere to help with cooling.

richx1

With as much of the cylinder head that will be on the outside of this airframe is cooling really an issue?

tuwood

looking good richx. you'll be covering soon. :-)