Just bought a well used Phoenix 8 from an old friend. It's heavy and the wing is a write-off so I'll strip her down and build a new wing. I might as well build a new stab and rudder while I'm at it and try to get her down to a decent weight ready to fly. Power will be electric with a Scorpion S4020-8T/6S set-up, retracts will be Spring-Air. I'll likely finish it using the same Auto-Air water based finish that is on my electric Aurora.

I'd post photos of how the aircraft looks now but for some reason, I can't seem to upload pics to RCU. I get a server error message every time. I've tried messing with browser and anti-virus settings but no luck. Anyone else out there having the same issues?

2 questions:

1) anyone out there cut high quality cores for this aircraft? The Eureka site shows cores but the advertised stats are incorrect (ex: 1200+ sq in wing area) which makes me leary. A built up wing would be fine as well....anyone out there cutting ribs?

2) I could do another build thread of there is interest. I'll concurrently be building my Fliteglass Saturn so I could include that one as well.

Jeff

Frequent Flyer here on RCU is selling replica P-8's.  He can set you up with everything you need to restore yours.  Check for the hreads "making molds..."


Rob

Yes!! Do a build thread with lots of pictures!!

Gene

Here's the link to the thread.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_10101410/tm.htm


Rob

Jeff,

good to see you active on the forum again!

Seeing your electric classic builds will be most interesting as always. Don can provide you with a nice set of wing/stab cores.

What will the Saturn be powered with?

Oh, and yes, RCU has the image upload function broken again along with some other code too...

David.

Good timing as I will be painting a P-8 in the very near future. Jeff, I intended to revisit your Aurora build thread for info on the Auto Air paint. Maybe I will just learn here.............

David, thanks for the insight on the RCU website problems. Anyhow, here's a pic of the model in it's present state.

Jeff,

I'd be very interested in your Saturn build!. I picked up a kit a couple of years ago that someone had started. IIRC, the fuse is untouched and the wing panels have been sheeted and joined.

FB

Free Bird, I'll be starting my Saturn soon.

Back to my Phoenix, I pulled the stab and all the old wood and hardware from the fuselage. It's amazing how much plywood was used, some of it 1/4"! Anyhow, a fair bit of weight will be saved when I'm done although the original glasswork is quite heavy, certainly overkill for an electric setup. And I'm presently liaising with Frequent Flyer about getting cores to build a new wing and stab.

Stripping the old ~25 year paint is posing a problem. The Circa 1850 brand paint remover I'm using is not very effective. While it softens the paint a bit, it's certainly not bubbling it and I'm left having to scrape with a hobby knife....even then, the paint is tenacious as hell. Any suggestions other than Citristrip (not available in Canada supposedly)? The photo shows the progress so far, about 2 hours of work.



Jeff

Jeff,

My 2 cents is I would just wet sand it with 80 or 100 grit wettil the primer than use dry sand paper to remove what you need to get it where you want. A little more work this way but you'll know every defect by touch when your ready to the repaint.

Bryan

http://www.wmbarr.com/product.aspx?catid=82&prodid=136 try a little of this

That blue on red paint scheme is striking. Hope you reuse it, it is classic for a Classic.
Chris...

If I'm correct the fuselage is fiberglass made and this product clearly states

" Do not use on plastic, fiberglass, or other synthetic materials "

This one can be used:

http://www.wmbarr.com/product.aspx?catid=82&prodid=113

but it also states : KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN, DO NOT USE ON AIRCRAFT

Folks, thanks for the suggestions. Unfortunately, much like Citra-Strip, Klean Strip is not available here in Canada.

No big deal really, it's only labour. In the meantime, I've progressed somewhat and the stripping of the fuse is about 2/3 done. For the tight areas, I'll probably do as Roguedog suggested and pull out the heavy duty sandpaper.

What's wrong with Citri-Strip to not be available in Canada?

How's your P8 coming along Jeff? BTW - I just picked a NIB AeroComposites P8! It should ship in the next couple of days.

FB

Hi Rick,
I think you'll be happy with it.

I know that I will. Thanks Jeff!

FB