AHHHHH. I had forgotten how enjoyable sanding can be. What you see here is two days progress. About 9 hours total build time. The fuselage is taking shape, but is nowhere near final. The canopy section is going to be fun trying to figure out.

I have the sheeting on the stab foam cores sitting overnight. I use Gorilla Glue.

A really satisfying and fun project so far.

Go to your plans and make some templates from the bulkhead sections. They will help determine how much material to remove in curving the top side. It's quite a bit as you can see in this picture. The top will wind up virtually round.

That pic is a big help! I couldnt figure out how the canopy area was to work.

OK, tonight I made some pretty good progress. I figured out what I wanted to do with the canopy area and finished that (balsa filler is my friend). I also rounded the fuselage as "stripes" suggested (thanks). I trimmed up the stabs and they are gluing together as we speak. Should be able to cap them tomorrow. Lastly, I made my fin. I'm not sure I will have the dorsal run all the way to the canopy as the plans suggest as this plane is stretched and we are working with an unknown. Besides, more chance for me to screw up! hehe

So far so good!

Dave

Well yesterday I finished the nose section and got the stabilizer almost finished. I'll do some final shaping after I cut the elevators. The engine is angled so the tuned pipe will run down the belly of the plane. The fin and dorsal are done but not mounted. Rudder still remains to be shaped. I won't be able to avoid the wings much longer!

Dave

Sorry for the lack of progress. I've been getting ready for the Las Vegas IMAC contest. I'll pick up the pace when I get back.

Thought I would let you see where I stand also. Getting closer all the time.

Well, back to work I go... Got the foam cores out today and cut the servo wells. Going to use one per aileron. Big dissapointment here... I'm going to use a set of fixed gear. The retracts I have a too big and heavy for this bird.

The picture shows the wing skins being assembled. After they are dry, I'll sand them and glue them to the foam cores..

Are you sure? The last aircraft I built I used fixed gear and after flying it I was disappointed with the decision.

[sm=eek.gif]

Whoa Pardner,Stop the sanding, stop the gluing!!!!!
We gotta talk about this...

Dave, Dave Dave.....

Can you really imagine "Tony Bonnetti" flying his "TroubleMaker" with fixed gear? Can you picture in your mind a T-38 with FIXED gear? We are talking a "SLICK" pointy nosed, light little bird,which deserves the right to be as "Ballistic" as its namesake...

As one loudly crying voice out here in "Cyber Pattern", I humbly beg you to reconsider the above quoted statement.


Dave I bet there are members in your club who have some fine old Retracts just sitting around doing nuttin. I said a prayer to the R/C God of Ballistic Pattern and asked him to forgive your momentary lapse of conscienceness. [sm=wink_smile.gif]

True story, I was visiting with some members of my club just 4 days ago, casually "hanger flying" at the field. When a member mentioned he had an original "Patriot" partially built with....ahem a brand new set of Rhom Air Retracts for it. I openly admit to salivating all over the front of my shirt. I casually asked him if he would consider selling it or was he going to complete it. He said let me think about it and just yesterday we talked and I will be the new owner of the kit and my 'real' quest for the Rohm Air retracts ! So I'm sure this is not a unique situation in a club of any size with some "silver haired" old Members! Worth a Shot I promise.

WOW. Never thought I would get such a response. I just sheeted a wing, but I'm sure I can still work an install. I did find some swept pattern type gear and wheel pants, so at least the gear wouldn't be straight out.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooo........."

Ok, ok

Wow, from BPA to SPA with one flick of the ole modelling knife...
Evan.

Oh, alright. I found a mounting method in the instruction booklet for my Robart retracts that doesn't need a false rib. So, I can start cutting!

Here's what I did so far. I cut out the shape, then I'll use a hot wire to cut the wells out of the foam. The ply mounting "horse shoe" will have dowels extending through the foam and ending up against the top wing sheeting. I'll run some carbon fiber strips along the bottom wing sheeting to beef up the now weakened structure.

this thing may weigh ten pounds, but it will be a screamer, eh?

Oh yeah, doing a taildragger retract setup.

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! ! "The Boy has Seen the Light! ! ! ! !







Dave,

I'm very proud of your decision and when its all said and done, I am quite sure you will love the additional performance you will get from the "sucked up gear". And... FWIW... the "horseshoe" method of mounting the retracts with dowels for additonal support work just fine in foam wings.

I HAVE BEEN HEALED!

Here's a shot of the man himself, Tony Bonetti, with his Troublemaker development called Intrepid. Taken at the 1977 TOC where he placed tenth. Will see if I can find any Troublemaker pictures in my back issues.

Ray

This is a Field & Bench review of the Airborne Associates kit you may find interesting.

Ray

RFJ
You must have a great collection of old magazines.

tommy s

Tommy S,

Yes I have quite a few, mainly UK & US R/C magazines and books from the 60s and 70s, the period when I was most active in competition aerobatics.

I am one of those people who never throw any away so they have accumulated over the years. My wife is not so keen on them as they take up a lot of space.

I am very happy to scan and post any pictures and articles that people would find interesting or useful as I feel that is what they should be used for.

Ray

Ray,
Is there a construction article on Bonettis Intrepid or is it just
a cover shot ?

tommy s

Just to think... 24 hours ago I had given up on retracts. Well, now I have one side installed and working. Not the prettiest setup, but it works!

Now to glass the weak area around the gear well.

Thanks to all who talked me in to it. This is cool!

Awesome!! Good Stuff!!

Tony has a way with words doesn't he...he he

I feel I'm around so many "Wise Men" here...

I seriously doubt that you would ever get steered in the wrong direction...It ain't gonna happen...

Sometimes I think I just need to shut up and listen(or read)...he he

Looking Good on your project...

Have Fun...

Chuck