Hi,

That MK Champion looks great. I have searched high and low for one but they seems to have disappeared. Probably not many left and even fewer in flying condition. I guess there was no real drawings made of this almost ready to fly plane? It has some sort of "nylon" plastic fuselage that is suppose to be very strong. I remember when I saw an ad for MK Champion in a catalog back in middle 1970th and I really wanted one but did not have enough money then (at age 13-14). Then I forgot about that plane but now when I see this picture I remember how much I wanted one. As far as I remember it had fixed landing gear and seems to be very sturdy. By the way, MKmade a sport model"Cherry-40" (wingspan 53 inch) that MK painted in same color scheme as the MK Champion (that wasavailable as Champion 40 and 60).

/Bo

Classic Fundamentals...Dave Guerin building Blue Angel!

Thank you for all of the nice comments!

The Wega/Sunshine Blue Angel is getting closer based on the work of Dave Guerin.

Ready for the clear- Mr. Guerin is a very fine painter, minimal material, excellent coverage, symmetry, schemes "fit" the airplanes well and have been very durable which verifies his preparation. It is important to remember that these things are supposed to fly and are not "hangar queens". I will ask Dave the order the colors were layed down...my favorite detail are his shaded canopies and the 3/32" pin stripe is just awesome.

Graphics- BadBrad has come through again with the our request for changes. The partial "7" has been saved and be added to the Monokoted. As a long time Chip Hyde fan, I have added my name...BIG...like he first did on his Dr. Jeckyll.

Rusty Dose
Team Futaba

Are wings, stabs and rudder going to be covered?

If so, what MK colours is the paint matched to?

David.

Classic Fundamentals...Blue Angel wing/stab covering!

The Blue Angel will have MonoKote flying surfaces:

Metallic Blue
Red
Cub Yellow
White
Cream
Black stripes 3/32"

Dave gave me an update this afternoon and said that the wing is basically completed excluding the 3/32" black pin striping. Dave creates card stock templates (always keeps them!) and cuts out the covering on a large piece of glass. Each color is attached, in the case of the Blue Angel, there was no over lap of the colors. The 3/32" black pinstripe will cover all of the seams.

The final photos of the model will be posted next week completed w/o equipment installed. Based on how nice the model has turned out, Dave's incredible work and the growing interest in classic pattern...I am considering taking the model to Toledo in early April. If nothing else would be "different" and attract some attention to our special interest.

Rusty Dose
Team Futaba

That's a very interesting approach to a multi-colored iron-on finish. Can't wait to see the BA in all its glory!

FB

Rusty..Your Blue Angel sure is beautiful!!

yeah, makes me wish mine was progressing a little faster. [&o]

Classic Fundamentals...control system design, aileron flap test model!

The Zlin project had the following goals:

1. Test the aileron/flap combinations as used by Prettner and Matt and aileron location vs. stabilizer.
2. The new Great Planes Zlin 526 ARF was selected. Build (2) wings. Wing # 1 stock with best quality servo and linkage. Wing #2 has seperate aileron/flaps, top quality servo and linkage with same or lower weight as wing #1.

Results:

Wing #1 1020 grams RTF
Wing #2 982 grams RTF...saved over 38 grams with weight reduction efforts!

Wing #2 Control linkage-

- Identical throw begins with proper/identical geometry.
- Each servo arm is 90 degrees to center of control horn.
- Each ball bearing control horn clevis is same distance from surface center-line.
- Each servo dual axis ball end is the same distance from center of servo.
- The linkage was tested for 20 - 22 degrees of deflection with ATV @ 120% (typical goal).
- Servos have NO subtrim to proper geometry by using different arms on the Futaba arms...position 1, 2,3 4.
- The custom pushrods are glued with the radio system on, surfaces centered and all components pre-fit...very tedious!

Covering:

Yep, even though I have every color of the rainbow, I actually grabbed the WRONG color of blue when covering wing #2!!! Did I look across the shop at the fuse or wing #1...no, I am an idiot.

Solution: I added a few contasting stripes of correct blue. light blue and a little yellow...it looks kind of cool?

Landing gear for wing #2:

The landing gear for wing #2 was shortened 1" , still allowing tons of ground clearance, used terribly expensive aluminum wheels (Central Hobbies about $20 each). The new landing gear was bent using my big-honking wire bender which mounts in a vice (a picture on page one of this thread). The trick is determining where the apex of the bend is with a sample. The axles are aluminum from Central Hobbies. The results saved weight and reduced the drag profile...looks more like a patern airplane as well.

Final details:

- Program the radio with a bunch of conditions and a "call sheet" to remind the pilot of what does what, when.
- Write down and publish the results.
- Chicago temperature is 9 degrees...no flying today!

Rusty Dose
Team Futaba

Classic Fundamentals...Blue Angel Monokoting!

The Wega/Sunshine Blue Angel project by Dave Guerin.

The photos show the various stages of Monokoting. The design is drawn on the surface to be covered. Colors are applied using (2) Monokote irons, one with a sock one without. The material is pressed directly to the wood, Dave's stuff has proven to not bubble, look great for years and years. A heat gun is used for tips by heating and stretching over surface.

The colors (metallic blue, creme and red) for this model do not overlap. The black pin striping is cut with a long straight edge and a #11 blade in xacto handle. The clear has been applied.

Rusty Dose
Team Futaba

Nice stuff Rusty.

How will Dave deal with the wing center section?

David.

Classic Fundamentals...Monokoting the Dan DeLuca way!

Using lots of little pieces to cover in Monokote? Dan DeLuca, the original "Mr. Monokote" (Fay Stilley, bad spelling, is the current Mr. Monokote) used lots of teeny, tiny pieces, strips, slivers of Monokote to cover a model.

The Blue Angel center section? Dave will cut a metallic blue piece with about a 1/8" overlap. I expect the final photos for the Blue Angel sometime today...

Rusty Dose
Team Futaba

Here's a pic of the man himself Dan DeLuca and some examples of his MonoKote work. The model is his Pathfinder and the desgn was published in MAN May 1973 IIRC.

FB

.... kinda like the pattern of the sofa cover fabric.... sorry for that, hope I am not disqualifying myself in that thread!

But indeed, awesome work with Monokote, sharp knives, iron and heat gun. I have always liked if somebody pays major attention to his plane finish.

The white and purple model is still around today. While I'm not fond of the trim scheme, I am in awe of the talent needed to produce and implement such an intricate design done with just an iron-on film. I wonder if Dan is still around and what he's up to?

FB

Check out the detail on this Carden 300. This is ALL HAND CUT MONOKOTE. No vinyl cutter or trims here. It is all done by hand. I believe the cowl and wheel pants are also Monokoted. I do not remember that, but i know of others that this builder has done, he has used Monokote on the cowl and wheel pants. I saw this plane at Toledo a few years ago and was in AWE. All of Faye Stilley's work still amazes me. The amount of patience it takes to complete things like this is astounding.

Arch

oooo

Classic Fundamentals...a tutorial...Blue Angel...completed!

The Wega/Sunshine Blue Angel, built by Dave Guerin is now complete...I am absolutely thrilled!

Finish:

Fuselage- PPG base coat with a catalized urethane clear.
Wing/stab/rudder- Metallic blue, true red, cub yellow, black, cream and Monokote.
Graphics- BadBrad custom graphics.

I will add my AMA number to the left wing and "Yoshioka" per the original on the right wing.

Rusty Dose
Team Futaba
YS Parts and Service

Very, very nice Rusty! When is the maiden planned?

FB

Classic Fundamentals...a tutorial...Blue Angel...completed!

Meet Dave Guerin...I am absolutely thrilled!

Finish:

Fuselage- PPG base coat with a catalized urethane clear.
Wing/stab/rudder- Metallic blue, true red, cub yellow, black, cream and Monokote.
Graphics- BadBrad custom graphics.

I will add my AMA number to the left wing and "Yoshioka" per the original on the right wing.

First flight: Generally, I "maiden" models beginning in April...the Chicago weather rarely cooperates!

Rusty Dose
Team Futaba
YS Parts and Service

I'm way beyond impressed!!! Spectacular workmanship. Wish I could do that.

Greg

that is very nice.

I think I need to send Mr Dave Guerin a plane to build.
Awesome job on the finish, was the PPG paint color matched to the Monocote ?
The plane really looks great, using the cream on the flying surfaces and what I assume is a bright white for the z stripe , what a vision.
I have always been able to duplicate a scheme but never artistic enough to put something like this together.

Can anyone refer me to a good thread about using plain-ol rattle cans to paint fuselages and fiberglass parts? I'm doing a Tiger Tail restoration and due to available equipment, cost and time constraints I'll be using Lustrekote red and Krylon black and white. I have had luck using rattle-can clear coat from the auto parts store as well. I'm looking for info on sanding, priming, etc... I know it wont be the best finish, but it's the best I can do right now.

Thanks!

8178 used lustercoat in his BA build. you can find rattle can clear coating videos on youtube.

Thanks!