first timer covering
 

Well I thought with my experiance doing repairs (alot of repairs lol) I could get to work on covering my first completed kit. A simple series corsair. Watched the vids, read the posts, yadda,yadda, yadda. Let me tell you what I learned. Inside curves are hard. Outside curves are hard. Wingtips are hard.Covering foam is even harder.[:@]. All i can say is it's getteing easier. Let me know what you guys think.
venom

RE: first timer covering
 

And yes my building table also doubles as my kids art table.:D
venom

RE: first timer covering
 

that table looks like it has had a lot of fun on it...........lol.you did good on covering for a first time you learn as you go and only get better, corners are hard to do specially when they are compound.
that is some happy looking youngons.

RE: first timer covering
 

Boy scouts, bible study, and almost daily art projects, but they still let me use it once and a while.
venom

RE: first timer covering
 

Looks great! All that matters though is that your happy with it and if your not don't let anyone know. You must parade your model around like it's the 1st place show winner. Any one that tells you different... Say, "show me yours." You have about a 90% chance that they don't have anything that they covered themselves. Again great work and it only gets better from here.

RE: first timer covering
 

Very nice build and excellent covering job, looks good. Please post more when it is complete.

P.S: Cute kids, they seem pleased with your work.

RE: first timer covering
 

Ailerons installed. Used ca hinges, kit came with string. Waiting for engine before I cover fuse.Need to install blind nuts for mount before last piece of balsa goes on under side of fuse.Should be in tommorow. Looking for a pilot in the kids toy box.
venom
and the kids aren"t impressed, they just humor me
If you look in the first pic near the green paint can you can see a guided missle my 7 yo is making for the drop tank position.Bomb, drop tank, no, GUIDED MISSLE, LOL

RE: first timer covering
 

Few more things left to do. Fuel tank and hatch, canopy, switch, etc. Bout 72% finished.:D Came out better than I thought it would. Be nice to maiden it on sunday. Highs in the 40 degree range.
venom

RE: first timer covering
 

few pics tommorow

RE: first timer covering
 

Hi!
Looks good!
But I hope this isn't your first R/C plane...? And if so I hope you ain't going to try to fly it yourself!

RE: first timer covering
 

I don't think so --- he does mention he has a wide experience of doing repairs. This is his first kit.

RE: first timer covering
 

You mention covering foam. Is that to imply the final will be electric? If so, what covering are you using? I found Monokote is strong, but can be harder to work with, particularly around compound curves. Sig makes a product - Aerocoat- that is lighter than Monokote (not as strong), but is designed for lower temperature applications (like foam). It stretches easier around curves with lower heat. The adhesive is also not as strong as Monokote, but its designed for lightweight electrics and foam, so you might find it easier to work with on your next project (there's always a next project).

Looking good.

Brad

RE: first timer covering
 

Thats correct, 6th or 7th plane, but whos counting. The wings are foam and the kit calls for .049 to .079 engine. .10, .15 mabey. May go a little bigger.:D. I did build a little stonger for that reason. (extra braceing, longer, stiffer main spar in the wing, etc). need to go to lhs to pick up some flex control cable for the ailerons. Had a plastic cable in kit, didn't like the looks of it.
venom

RE: first timer covering
 

few more pics

RE: first timer covering
 

For your first covering job you did real good. I agree covering compound curves and such are not easy. There is a "trick" to some of it. After a while you will learn how the covering streaches and shrinks and how to pull it around and cut it so you get the finish you want. I also find covering very similar to painting. In painting the final product is only as good as your surface prep. Covering is the same way.

One other trick to a good finish it to understand what steps in the assembly process you can postpone until the parts are covered. Doing this helps eliminate how many compound curves and fillets and so forth you have to cover. Fins and stabilzers are prime for waiting to install and glue in until after they and the fuse are covered. The same goes for wing covers and so forth. Cover them and then cut away the covering where needed to epoxy them in place. Yes use epoxy. CA will fog covering.

RE: first timer covering
 

I did do the control surfaces first butnot some of the other parts that I could have. (stab, etcs) Live and learn.:eek: Just need to install engine, conect controls, fuel tank, and hatch for accses to it. Balance and ready to go.
venom
DANG IT ! one of the decals is backwards. See witch one???????
Ps thank you minnflyer I read many, many of you tips on covering although I never spoke with you directly.

RE: first timer covering
 

Just getting last of the soldering done on the cables, do a range check and off she'll go this weekend.( for better or worse lol). Balanced it out , was very nose heavy with the Magnum .15. Plans called for smaller engine.I balanced to the plans, on the main wing where it meets the angled part, inverted. Is this correct? Thanks
venom

RE: first timer covering
 

Your balancing method is correct. I have a couple little planes like this with larger than recomended engines as well. Try to get your reciever battery in the fusalage behind the wing craddel. I can't see if your build has it closed or open there or not. Any way yes I did notice which decal you had bacwards, Old Glory.

RE: first timer covering
 

Yes I had to put batt. in fuse just behind the cocpit floor.(made a hatch to access). No way cowl will fit.[&o] oh well.
venom
more pics to come

RE: first timer covering
 

IT'S DONE!!!!!!!!!!! Range check at the field on sunday after son's pinewood derby. Some minor issuses at the end but nothing major. We'll see what happens tommorrow.:D Wish me luck. Maby maiden new sig wunder if all goes well.
venom


Magnum .15
8/5 wood prop
4 oz fuel tank
futaba rx
futaba 3004 on elev.
futaba 148's throt, ailerons, rudder

RE: first timer covering
 

Wow, I just saw home down angle is on the wing center sections. Is that scale?

RE: first timer covering
 

Don't know. Is it ? Tried it the other way when I was building but then the wings where over the canopy. lol
venom

RE: first timer covering
 

Went to the field, started her up, everything checked out ok. Tossed it up, got it level, started to nose down could not get the nose back up. Cut the thottle, not quick enough. 12 hours to build for a 20 sec. flight. Total loss.What is it about this damm sport that people love????????????? [:'(] I think I'll go buy an A.R.F. Just kidding,got another kit on the shelf.
venom
Got to go to oldests pinewood derby. I hope his car dosen't come flying off the track and hurt someone. ( I put the wheels on)

RE: first timer covering
 

[:@] Ouch. I'm really sorry that happened. I know how you feel though, it does stink.

Ken

RE: first timer covering
 

Venom,

Bummer. Been there, done that - just toss it in a corner and forget about it for a while. It may not be as bad as it looks right now, and in a few months or next winter it may look very rebuildable. From what I see in the pictures its not as bad as it looks - I've rebuilt from worse than that.

Hogflyer