Take a look at the Black Magic VF3 build thread for tips on glassing.

Cheers,
Jason.

Jason,
Thank you for sending me in the right direction on glassing a fuselage. The Black Magic thread has all the information I need, products, how to and pictures. Thanks again. Terry

First, I think Jeff has designed and built a wonderful pattern airplane in the Lightning. I hope to build one this Winter.

As a different way to build these complex shapes out of balsa, a friend of mine does it as follows: First, he makes a full sized foam plug for the fuse, making it out of blue foam. He wets the balsa and places it on the plug, and wraps it tightly with ACE bandages until the wood dries. When dry, he unwraps the bandages, and places the sheeting on the fuse structure and glues it in place, trimming as he goes along. Now this is a very simple description of his process, and his results are amazing. His name is Jim Hiller, and the airplane he builds this way is his design, and is called the Option 160.

The use of the ACE bandage may be another way to build the Lightning, and safe a few roles of masking and electrical tape. Not only does the bandage hold the balsa firmly to the plug, or structure, it also helps drawing out some of the moisture from the wood. I know Jim could do a much better job of describing these techniques, but I hope I may have added a few thoughts.

Larry Fitch<br type="_moz" />

Larry,

I will have to give the bandages a try on my next airplane. I have considered the foam plug technique for the turtle deck, but since it is has compound curves, making the plug seemed like more work than to just form over the fuselage. A straight hotwired turtle deck would certainly get you in the ball park.

Jeff

I have started the Lightning build based on the plans posted on the plans posted on the [link=http://www.eurekaaircraft.com/plan_kits/lightning.htm]Eureka Aircraft site[/link]. Somehow, I can't seem to find the pattern for fuselage rib F1 (firewall).
The plans include sheet 6A, but there is no 6B... Can someone tell me where this pattern is located?

I also noticed that the Eureka site no longer has the Lightning plans available for download. I'm glad I downloaded them when I did!


thanks,

John

John,

I sent you a PM. There is only one sheet 6. There sould not be a sheet 6a and 6b. I still have the plans if anyone needs them.

Jeff

It has been almost a year since I had a midair with my Lightning. Today, it finally got to slip the surly bonds once again. It still flies great!

The midair repair consisted of new wings, repairing minor structural fuselage damage, repairing three major gouges in the fuselage and canopy, repairing some superficial dents and dings in the fuselage, and repairing gouges in the stabilizer leading edge. The fuselage was sanded down and received an all new paint job.

All landing today were 100% better than its last one in South Carolina!

Looks great Jeff.

Arizona is the only place that I have seen bowling balls as yard art!

Way to go Jeff! It looks great.

Joe Dunnaway

Looks great Jeff. Let me guess, you were able to take out another 100 grams somewhere too....lol Your building skills are awesome. Hope to see you guys soon,

Arch

Joe, Thank you again for the wing cores, they worked out perfect!

Arch, unfortunately she gained a bit in the reconstruction process. I was unable to get wing sheeting as light as I had originally, and repainting added a bit as well. I guess I will have to build a new airplane to win the battle at the scale. I am planning on Muncie next summer, so I will see you then. By the way, the Vols are looking better this year.

Jeff

Well, we were until Saturday...but I do see improvement, we just need depth. Your Beavers have been playing well also.

Arch

See Jeff, you Jinx'd yourself when you said during the original painting of the fuse..you meantioned not your best paint job, but "It will do for now.."

Hallo Jeff!
Thank you for your lightning. Iamon my way to start the fuselage.I am interested if someone has realisted the lightning with a q80 motor. The Space between F1 and F2 seemt to me a little bit to small.? Have you thought of adding a cannalizer to the fuselage?

Arnold

Arnold,

I'm in the process of building the fuse myself. I had to move F2 back in order to fit my larger Turnigy G-160 motor. Due to the slope between F1 and F3, I had to create a new F2 with a 1/4 inch larger radius.

Jeffs plans, combined with this thread, are great!

John

What is a cannalizer ?

Arnold,

I don't have the Q-80 measurements,but for the C50, the tail ring attaches to F3

I do not plan on a cannalizer for my airplane. If you try it, please let me know how it works.

Jeff

a canalizer like that.....

the new q80....

Arnold

Hello Jeff, how are you doing?

While reading this entire thread and I really like your model, I´m a huge fan of F3A models of this dimension and I really like to build this one from plans because I don´t have money to buy an expensive molded fiberglass model.

Could you please send to me the plans to my email: [email protected]

Thanks and best regards

Erico

Erico,

Check your email, they should be in your inbox.

Jeff

Hello Jeff,

I received the plans.

Thank you very much!!!

Regards

Jeff, In [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10265001]Post 46[/link] you put in cross bracing, but I couldn't get good perspective on the picture.

Where are these cross braces stretching from/to? Is that diagonally parallel with the center line of the fuselage?
I'm at this step, and confused :-)

John,

The cross bracing is in the same plane as the top, as well as the bottom of the 1/8" balsa fuselage side. The red highlights show this plane for the bottom cross bracing. Each brace connects at the intersection of the former and the fuselage side.

Jeff

Jeff, thanks, that's exactly what I needed to see.

Would it be possible to get a copy of the plans? Email is kingconsulting @ mac.com (without the spaces).

I just started getting in to pattern with a 3dhs 47" pattern plane. Having a blast with it and hope to enter some sportsman category contests this coming year. I got the smaller one to see if I would actually like it but now wish I got the bigger one. I love building but couldn't find much in the way of plans out there until I came across this one. Love the way it looks and even love the color scheme (Probably the only Oregon State fan here).

So hoping to build this one during next year and use it for the following year contests.

Robert<br type="_moz" />