LT-40 Build
 

Ok, I've finally started building. It took a while to get started. I had an old closet door I'm using for the base and had a replacement ceiling tile to put above it. I have a copy of RCKen's LT-40 build to reference as well. THAT has been a great help thus far. I want this to go right, so I"m taking my time building. I built the weight bags (my wife is impressed with my sewing on the bags) from an old pair of jeans and some BBs I got. I got an L-shaped extruded aluminum bar (1" x 2") I'm going to cut up and use as braces during the build to make sure parts stay perpendicular to the board (I'll drill small holes in the aluminum pieces to pin to the board and to the piece).

I have all the pieces removed from the box and labeled (that took a few days). The build is starting with the Left wing panel. As Ken suggested, I'm using Wood glue instead of CA for the majority of the build, to give me more time to place pieces as well as avoiding the fumes.

When my wife asked why I was going so slow, I just told her that I wanted to do this right. Yes I want to see the end result, but I want to be proud of the end result, and that is going to take time. I suppose that is another good reason to use the wood glue, it forces you to slow down a bit, since you can't just glue and go. Don't know when I'll get done, the build is in the basement, and I don't do stairs very well (bad knees), but it'll be fun!

I want to really thank RCKen for posting his LT-40 build. It's really great to be able to be able to benefit from someone else's experience (things like the weight bags and braces) to help ensure a successful build!

RE: LT-40 Build
 

An easy way to make weight bags is to fill a sock with uncooked rice and tie a knot in the end. An added bonus to this is that if you have a sore muscle, you can throw the sock in the microwave for a few seconds and it makes a dandy heat pack :D

If you're interested, Ken and I have started a website devoted to getting people off the ground for the first time. It's called [link=http://www.gettingairborne.com/index.html]GettingAirborne.com[/link]

Stop on in and take a peek

RE: LT-40 Build
 

Things are moving along. I just finished the left wing panel and have started constructing the right wing. This is fun! I had some trouble trying to hold the wingtip in place while the glue dried, so I ended up using Duct tape to hold it against the rib. It worked great! It didn't leave any residue behind and held it tight. As I mentioned earlier, I'm using wood glue for the majority of this build instead of CA (except for the high-stress points where I'll use epoxy).

Michael (Madmoe) Moe

RE: LT-40 Build
 

Mike, you DID use the hardwood for the spars???!!! MANY first time builders of LT 40's accidentally use balsa for the wing spars. Guess what. They still fly just fine!

Wish I could be your instructor for your first flight


Tom Oklahoma City

RE: LT-40 Build
 

I checked, and then double checked to make sure I used the hardwood for the main spar. It took awhile to make the small changes in each rib to get the top piece of the main spar to fit snug against the shear webs. RCKen had suggested using an emery board for that kind of light sanding, and it worked wonderfully! The emery board fit into the slot the spar fits into so I could sand the bottom of the slot without widening it.

Michael (Madmoe) Moe

RE: LT-40 Build
 

Hey MadMoe, hows your build going? I am looking at building a LT40 this winter.

RE: LT-40 Build
 

Hey Minnflyer isn't it hard to lay on the plane when you have the rice sock on your sore neck?

RE: LT-40 Build
 

Slow, but steady. I have almost finished the right wing. Have to install the wingtip and sand it. Then I get to attach the halves to have a 'real' wing! My build area is in the basement, and I don't do stairs very well (knees), so I don't get to go down very often...If I can figure out how, I'll post some pictures. (does someone know how?)

RE: LT-40 Build
 

In RCKen's "Pay it Forward" thread, he mentions using an epoxy brush to apply the epoxy for joining the wings. Is there something special about these brushes? I checked my local hobby store and they don't carry those, just normal brushes. I know I can purchase them from Tower Hobbies, but would rather not if there is no real difference.

RE: LT-40 Build
 

The best (and cheapist) place I have found to buy them is at an electrical or plumbing supply house. Just ask for acid brushes. They are a LOT cheaper than buying them from your LHS or ordering from Tower or Horizon.

Ken

RE: LT-40 Build
 

Harbor freight cheap!!!!

RE: LT-40 Build
 

Would that be the same as a flux brush, the type used in plumbing?

RE: LT-40 Build
 

That's exactly what it is. Same thing.


Ken

RE: LT-40 Build
 

Seeing this is the LT-40 build we are getting ready to start our build for the high school kids. We had the LT-40 donated, a six channel futaba tx, and two Hi-tec servos. We still need a RX and two more servos. All of the kids will be joining AMA- and our club as 4 instructors that will assist with their flying when the project is finished. We will post pictures along the way and hopefully a video of the maiden flight. What engine would you all suggest for this LT-40.

RE: LT-40 Build
 

Goirish,
On the LT-40 I build in my build thread I powered it with a 50 2-stroke engine and it was almost overpowered. A 46 AX would be great for this plane.

Ken

RE: LT-40 Build
 

Thanks RCKenwe will put that on our wish list. The TX is a futaba 6exap again it was donated. Hope the kids stay motivated during the build.

RE: LT-40 Build
 

What are the weight bags that he described used for? Thanks! Wanting to possibly start a build over the next winter and want to know as much as possible before I start.

RE: LT-40 Build
 

The weight bags are probably something that I use more than just about anything else. I am always using them to hold down parts and keep them in place. I have two sizes, 3 pound and 1 pound weights. I made them from scrap material that I had (actually cut up my old army uniforms for the material) and used BB's for the weight, and sewed them shut. Weight bags can be made on the cheap by simply putting sand in ziplock bags, but I wanted something a bit more permenant.

Ken

RE: LT-40 Build
 

madmoe

One of the things I regretted about build my LT40 was to use the dihedral angle the instruction suggest.
Makes it rather difficult to fly upside down.
Now am thinking about cutting my wings and redo in less angle.
Love my LT40 with all its battle scars

RE: LT-40 Build
 

I just crashed my LT40[:o]
Pretty bunged up, almost to the trash can level. BUT I had built it custom with 1/2 the dihedral and rounded the tail feather shape
(same area except a little extra on the rudder) and it is a tail dragger. I also installed several LEDs for night flying but it was my first experience with lighting a plane and the LED location was less than optimal. It was do for a recover this winter any how.
Sooo now I can rebuild, relocate the LEDs and recover. A little 1/2 ounce to the square yard fiberglass and a little glue. one new landing gear and the new covering. presto brand new LT 40. Now don't ask me how I know but this really isn't a bad crash and It will rebuild quite easily. The trick is pick up EVERY little piece! This is the reason a trash bag is standard equipment.:) I won't bore everyone with repair pics but I will add a couple when it is ready to cover and when I get it covered and ready to fly.[sm=spinnyeyes.gif]

I think I'll put this in the crash forum.

RE: LT-40 Build
 

Ok, I've got my new Slot Machine in the mail yesterday and have started practicing with it. I took a look at the hinges that came with the LT-40 kit and was wondering if they are the same thing as the CA Hinges RCKen talked about in his Pay it Forward thread. They look similar, but not the same. The CA hinges I have seen pictures of have beveled edges, and these have square edges and appear to be made of made of some kind of foam or such material.

Thanks!

RE: LT-40 Build
 

Madmoe,
Yes, they are the same thing. The beveled corners make it a little easier to insert the hinge into the cut slot. I can snip off each corner of the hinge to get this. Or you can install it like they are. They'll work fine.

Ken

RE: LT-40 Build
 

My LT40, which is an acronym for Little Tank :D, is presently hanging from a plant hanger from my ceiling as decor. This winter I will be refurbishing it with new covering, wing bolts instead of rubber bands, taildragger conversion, and a bigger engine for float flying. I have seen RCKen's build thread and it is extremely thorough. Just to let you know, I was not even close to that prepared for building this plane and it went off without a hitch (my first kit), but it really helps to have everything you need tool wise sorted out before starting a build.

Madmoe, this is one of the easiest planes to build ever, and the LT40 is an amazingly stout plane. Mine is battle scarred, but it actually took more of a beating in transportation than from my few training crashes.

I had a Super Tigre GS40 ringed motor on mine and it flew great, but I will be putting a GS45 ABC with a tuned muffler (old Italian) on it this winter. Good luck man.

Paul

RE: LT-40 Build
 

Thanks for the responses! I'm having a blast doing this build. I printed off RCKen's build post in Word to make it easier to follow (had to edit out the non-build related posts) and it has been great to have that. I told my wife that the best thing about it is that I can build like I had more experience than I really have, thanks to RCKen. I did find that applying heat to epoxy to help brushing it as a fuel proofer worked great! Since I don't have a heat gun yet, I used a hair dryer I got at a garage sale for 50 cents and it works like a charm, just have to be careful about how long I run it to keep it from having a thermal shutdown. I can't thank RCKen and this community enough for being willing to share their experience with a newbie like me and being patient with the "stupid" questions!

RE: LT-40 Build
 

Be prepared to get ruined Mad, but in a good way. I started watching a Sig Four Star build late last winter. Of course I bought a kit myself after the first few pages of reading and haven't regretted it since. I don't even browse ARF's anymore and actually sold the Hanger 9 P40 ARF i had still sitting wrapped up in it's box, never touched it. After the Sig was finished I was itching to build again, I really loved the building process, and the added benefit of building experience for any future repairs is great. Unfortunately the market seems to be swinging to the ARF side since we're living in the "I want it now with minimal effort" generation. I won't be buying anymore ARFs, kit built or nothing. Right now I'm on the downhill leg of a F4U Corsair build and plan on building the Top Flite P-47D Razorback this winter. But there seems to be hope for kit building since Hobbico (Great Planes, Top Flite, etc.) seem to be listening to us (they keep an eye on RCU forums) and started re-releasing some kits they'd discontinued. Right now I'm a big fan of the WW2 warbirds, hopefully Top Flite or Great Planes will re-release some of those discontinued kits (Bring back the German birds!)