Fuselage reparation
 

Hello,

I crashed my Funtana X 50 on takeoff and the fuselage side crushed up.
Here are some pics.

Can anyone suggest how to repair it?

Thanks


I just managed to get the pictures now.

RE: Fuselage reparation
 

i don't see any pics[:@]try again

RE: Fuselage reparation
 

Looks like a classic case of 'CA powered jig saw puzzle' time to me. Sand your results smooth and cover it.

RE: Fuselage reparation
 

I've repaired worst. i usually just add ply on the inside, then
drill in little dowls or tooth pick . kind of like riveting it back togehter.

Just re-enforce from the inside. try to get all the ply pieces back in place first.
tack in place and try to keep the fuselage as striaght as you can.

Then build a box frame on the inside using berch sticks or tri stock.
re-infroce it on both side of the former. I'm asuuming it's seperated at or behind
the wing mount former.

the balsa looks like it's mostly for the covering or the fuselage shape.

for the deck
glue back the cracked piece into place, add a balsa piece behind it, then cut out
a piece as close as you can and glue it on top of that, then sand it into shape.
then use wood filler for the little cracks

for the side.
instead of trying to glue all those little pieces back, just replace it with another
sheet of balsa. the new fame will give a place for the new sheet to sit on.
But don't cut all of the original balsa at the former

once that's is done , give it a heathly bath of expoxy from the inside.

if you do it right the next time it seperate it'll be on the former further back.lol

RE: Fuselage reparation
 

definatly the CA jigsaw puzzle trick works well another idea is go to the LHS(local hobby shop)and get a new piece of sheeting, and a piece of 1/4 stock(small strip of balsa)and cut the sheeting back to where its not broken at a former or support.
then take your old pieces and glue them together so you have a template and make some new parts the broken area doesn't look that bad,as I recall,its been a while since I have seen a Funtanna in person there pretty lighty built so replacing the sheeting might keep the weight off.
then use the 1/4 stock to replace any broken stringers there may be more in the dammaged area but it doesn't look like it from the photos.
it sounds more involved than it is,pretty simple really and you won't have much in the way of doubled balsa and glue adding any extra weight,+ if your flying 3-D you will be fixing it more, better get used to rebuilding it:D

RE: Fuselage reparation
 

I agree with Big Tim and Flyerx just remember to balance the repaired plane at the CG and from nose to tail (laterial). The repaird side will be a little heavier so you have to take that into consideration and balance in both directions.

RE: Fuselage reparation
 

Thanks!!