8178

My Feedback: (17)

I had originally planned to use the standard 1500 MAH battery pack that comes with the Futaba digital servo radios shown below. The pack is quite small (1 11/16” X 2 5/8”) for a 1500 MAH pack and using ¼” foam padding it would fit in the upper fuselage just behind former F5 that is located at wing tailing edge. After checking the balance I decided I would order a custom made 1500 MHA battery pack from Batteries America http://www.batteriesamerica.com/ that will be two sticks of two batteries. The custom pack will have the same Sanyo batteries as the Futaba pack but will be long and narrow allowing the back to be placed all the way back to F6. I’ve used Batteries America for a number of radios with good results. The new pack should be shipped Friday.

To be continued…

8178

My Feedback: (17)

Started work on the installation of the servos starting with the rudder and nose gear steering. I’m using digital servos on the control surfaces, a ball bearing servo on the throttle and a plain servo for the retract control valve. The rudder and elevator servos are located in the back of the servo mounts and the throttle and retract servo are in front of them.

To be continued…

dhal22

the word sterile comes to mind when i look at the photos of the inside of the fuse. nice

david

8178

My Feedback: (17)

Thanks David! I try to keep it neat.

8178

My Feedback: (17)

Continued the pushrod installation work with the installation of the throttle cable. Received the new battery pack that will make it easier to locate the battery aft of the wing.

To be continued…

8178

My Feedback: (17)

Competed some work on the installation of the pushrods guides and the control surface arms. I covered the installation of the control surface arms in the Kwik Fli III and Cold Duck build including how strong they are. Gives a nice clean look as well.

To be continued…

dhal22

that's where i saw that method!! i knew somewhere i had seen that and it will work perfect for my king kobra build which will have concealed control arms on the rudder and elevator. i also want to use this idea on the ailerons.

thx, david

8178

My Feedback: (17)

Yes, I came up with the idea in the mid 90s when I was building my Tiporare. The plans showed dowels inserted in the control surfaces with 4/40 studs threaded into them. I did the rudder and elevators per the plans but when I got to the ailerons I left out the dowels and used epoxy. Works very well and makes it easier to precisely position the control arm eye on the hinge line.

8178

My Feedback: (17)

The Blue Angel plans show the rudder pushrod above the elevator pushrod. It is apparently mi****wn because the control arms would interfere with each other. I installed the push rods (and fuselage cutouts) like I normally do with the rudder below the elevators.

To be continued…

8178

My Feedback: (17)

I glued the Du-Bro hinges in with 30 minute epoxy and taped the elevators in place while the epoxy set. I showed how I make zero gap control surfaces in my Kwik Fli III and Cold duck build threads. I prefer counter sinking the hinges to achieve the zero gap rather than sealing the gap with tape or MonoKote. It just looks cleaner to me. I’m not going to glue the rudder hinges in until I’m completed with the CG balance so I have access to the back end of the fuselage to insert ballast.

To be continued…

Nathan King

I actually took your gapless hinge advice and used it on one of my models shortly after the Cold Duck build. It works really well and looks great.

Thanks

tychoc

I didn't follow your Kwik Fli thread. Could you give a link to it. Seems like another must-read thread!

The attention to details that you do is amazing. Looks great[sm=thumbup.gif]

-tychoc

8178

My Feedback: (17)

Glad that worked out well for you! Another clean machine.

8178

My Feedback: (17)

Glad you are enjoying the build. All the links to my builds are listed in post #1 of this Blue Angel thread.

8178

My Feedback: (17)

Received some great news in the mail today from the wonderful folks at Spring Air! I contacted Spring Air last week to see if they had any of their older air fill valves left that use the push in probe rather than the new type that use the screw on fitting. They said that they would take a look and see. Today I received what looks like a custom made version of the new valve that uses the old push in probe. I need the push in probe type so I can mount the valve in the front wheel well along with the push-pull lever for the radio off/on switch. There is not enough room in the wheel well to get your fingers in to turn the screw in valve but the push in works great with two fingers while the aircraft is sitting on the ground. So there will be no antenna, air fill valve or off/on switch visible on the outside!! Thank you Spring Air!

To be continued…

hrrcflyer

8178,

I have FINALLY had time to finish reading through your build thread. I don't know what made me start reading it, but all I can say is I'm certainly glad I did. Very early in the thread it became aparent that you take utmost pride in what you do and the results certainly prove that point. Your attention to details is far beyond anything I've ever seen. You've said repeatedly that "pictures make it look better than it really is". From what I've seen, simple pictures do no do justice for a plane, the quality of yours. At this point, I am not experienced enough to attempt to build a plane like the Blue Angel, but your thread is certainly motivation to get building and learn whatever I can about the process. Like so many others have said, I would like to "borrow" some of your techniques when I start building my second kit, but my first "classic pattern" kit which will be a Dirty Birdy 60, I just hope I'm not getting in over my head.

I think what impresses me most is that people like yourself and all of the other builders, here on RCUniverse that have the skills to pull off a thread like this is that you are so willing to take the time to do a build thread of this length and quality to inspire and teach us less experienced builders some of your tricks and techniques. It's just one of those things about the people I've come across in this hobby that make the hobby what it is today. Thank you for taking so much of your valuable time to do this thread.

Keep up the outstanding work. I can't wait to see it finished!!

Nathan King

I find it refreshing because most people nowadays simply don't take pride in their work (and it shows). When you build a product you attach a piece of yourself to it.

I remember my first job, pulling big heavy commercial antennas off of roofs and installing new stuff on hot, sunny summer days. It was miserable and tedious work, but if somebody asked me which jobs I did I proudly told them because I did the best and cleanest darn install possible. I was proud to have my name stuck to the work. I can tell you take pride in everything you do (it shows bigtime). Congratulations on an awesome airplane!

I guess we're a dying breed. [] (not that I'm on par with your building or anything)

8178

My Feedback: (17)

Thanks for the nice comments guys!

8178

My Feedback: (17)

Help me, help me! I think I’m addicted!

Nathan King

Sorry, you're beyond all help. If you want relief we'll have to put you down.

dhal22

that's why i have a hard time finding them, you keep buying them up before i can get my hands on one. man i missed a nice package last week. original nib OS header, nib OS pipe and nib 61 SF - pump. email snafus allowed the deal to go to someone else.

david

k9rwt

If you're interested I happen to have a little used bridge that I would sell at a quite reasonable price!!!

It's lookin good - any idea how soon till the maiden?

dhal22

my guess is unless that unless your little bridge is NIB and has OS .61 SF-P written on the side Mike isn't interested.[sm=tongue_smile.gif][sm=tongue_smile.gif]

david

k9rwt

Just my luck, it does have just a slight amount of rust on it. I do have a couple of .61's but probably no where near the number of them that Mike has. I was planning on putting one of them in a Dirty Birdy that I have had around for about 10 years and was planning on building last fall till a little medical issue hung me out to dry for about 6 months.

8178

My Feedback: (17)

Not sure when it will fly but the “to do” list is getting very short.