Do we not like aluminum scale planes?
#1
Thread Starter
Do we not like aluminum scale planes?
I couldn't find any aluminum scale plane, except one website that sells them at very high prices comparing to balsa. Is it because I'm the only one who likes aluminum planes? or they must be too expensive to produce??
#3
My Feedback: (43)
That an ease of construction. If I need to carve a wing tip from wood, I grab a block, cut it to shape and then start planing, sanding, carving etc until it looks like I want it. It takes about 20 minutes.
If I wanted to make a wingtip out of aluminum, I have to get the aluminum, anneal it, build a form, get out my metal working hammers and spoons. I may need an english wheel too. Then half way, I have to reanneal since it has work hardened. Oh crap, the aluminum split...break out the tig welder fix the tear, hammer and file the weld, then back to shaping, stretching, shrinking, heating, etc etc. Three days later I have wing tip!
If I wanted to make a wingtip out of aluminum, I have to get the aluminum, anneal it, build a form, get out my metal working hammers and spoons. I may need an english wheel too. Then half way, I have to reanneal since it has work hardened. Oh crap, the aluminum split...break out the tig welder fix the tear, hammer and file the weld, then back to shaping, stretching, shrinking, heating, etc etc. Three days later I have wing tip!
#5
Here's a 40% DH2 Beaver built just like the rear aircraft.
http://mhm-scale-aircraft.com/menue02.php
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yST3_...K7MSq0xNI-FICw
http://vimeo.com/32361382
John M,
http://mhm-scale-aircraft.com/menue02.php
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yST3_...K7MSq0xNI-FICw
http://vimeo.com/32361382
John M,
Last edited by John_M_; 03-16-2014 at 07:48 AM.
#6
My Feedback: (29)
That an ease of construction. If I need to carve a wing tip from wood, I grab a block, cut it to shape and then start planing, sanding, carving etc until it looks like I want it. It takes about 20 minutes.
If I wanted to make a wingtip out of aluminum, I have to get the aluminum, anneal it, build a form, get out my metal working hammers and spoons. I may need an english wheel too. Then half way, I have to reanneal since it has work hardened. Oh crap, the aluminum split...break out the tig welder fix the tear, hammer and file the weld, then back to shaping, stretching, shrinking, heating, etc etc. Three days later I have wing tip!
If I wanted to make a wingtip out of aluminum, I have to get the aluminum, anneal it, build a form, get out my metal working hammers and spoons. I may need an english wheel too. Then half way, I have to reanneal since it has work hardened. Oh crap, the aluminum split...break out the tig welder fix the tear, hammer and file the weld, then back to shaping, stretching, shrinking, heating, etc etc. Three days later I have wing tip!
Last edited by speedracerntrixie; 03-16-2014 at 08:31 AM.
#7
Thread Starter
Here's a 40% DH2 Beaver built just like the rear aircraft.
http://mhm-scale-aircraft.com/menue02.php
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yST3_...K7MSq0xNI-FICw
http://vimeo.com/32361382
John M,
http://mhm-scale-aircraft.com/menue02.php
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yST3_...K7MSq0xNI-FICw
http://vimeo.com/32361382
John M,
#8
Thread Starter
Mr Carlos of the Allmetalplane said a small size all metal plane would be too heavy. I wonder if this P-51 is not too heavy to fly well.
#10
LoL... not on my retirement check...
If you click on the media link and scroll down to the bottom left corner of the page, all the build photos showing the different stages of development... a lot of time and money went into developing it that's for sure... sure is a nice model though.
John M,
If you click on the media link and scroll down to the bottom left corner of the page, all the build photos showing the different stages of development... a lot of time and money went into developing it that's for sure... sure is a nice model though.
John M,
#12
My Feedback: (29)
The name Aerotech has been used many times. This particular one is not to be confused with JK Aerotech. The outfit I am thinking about was in Minneapolis and folded in the early/mid '90's. Then again this is from memory so the name may be wrong but there was an outfit in MN doing an all aluminum P-51. Obviously wasn't very popular.
#13
My Feedback: (2)
Wayne Seiwart lived in Mn. and made a P-51 and a P-47 and a Ki 84 and another plane. He went under the name Aerotech and to my knowledge was the most noteable having competed in Top Guy, Scale Masters etc with his models. None were Metal.. There was a guy many years ago who scammed people by partially making an all Metal P-51 and took advanced $ in orders. The plane was never produced and the guy skipped town leaving the stake holders holding the proverberal bag.
#15
My Feedback: (2)
Yes and as far as I know the guy who was the thief was never caught. There were pictures of his Mustang in the scale Mags. He had 3 or 4 OS 120 coupled together for power. The object lesson learned, by me at least, is never buy something in the hobby that isn't available and proven!
#18
My Feedback: (14)
If you could be guaranteed that you will sell 10,000 kits you could produce aluminum kits for a very reasonable price. Once you have the proper CNC mills, water jet cutters, hydroforming presses, and such, the actual cost of materials is peanuts. You can buy a kit for a full size aluminum plane for around $13,000 with most of the parts laser cut, bent to shape, and with rivet holes pre-punched. The same sort of kit done to 1/4 scale could easily be under $1000.
http://www.sonexaircraft.com/kits/about.html
http://www.sonexaircraft.com/kits/about.html
#21
My Feedback: (29)
I would tend to think that the design work and tooling for such an aircraft would not be much more then tooling for an all composite giant scale. I envision someone that already has a machine shop that wants to expand into his hobby. Many R/C businesses have stared this way. I remember saying the very same thing about those really expensive aluminum spinners and funny shaped grey plastic props never catching on.
#22
Thread Starter
is it difficult to sell 10,000 kits of a same model whether it is balsa or aluminum, if they both have reasonably priced?
if the price and the weight of an aluminum plane model is the same as that of a traditional balsa model, will you buy one?
i don't know about this business, but I don't see how the production and raw material costs are higher in aluminum than balsa.
if the price and the weight of an aluminum plane model is the same as that of a traditional balsa model, will you buy one?
i don't know about this business, but I don't see how the production and raw material costs are higher in aluminum than balsa.
#24
My Feedback: (29)
There are a ton of guys willing to pay 3K to 5K for an airframe. Just look over at the jet forum, heck some of these guys are sending 3K deposits offshore to a manufacturer that is known not to deliver and if they di deliver it is well below expectations. I would think that a company that does 85" span war birds for 6K with retracts and cockpit detail here in the US and delivers on an 8 to 10 week time frame would do well. That is if they can demonstrate the aluminum construction has no adverse effect on our radio systems.
#25
My Feedback: (2)
Is there a practical reason to have an aluminum plane? lots of warbirds are painted over the metal.. Some aren't of course but a person of industry can supply convincing paint or flight skin or similar material.
To have metal ribs, skin, spars etc. isn't all that great.. Most metal planes are mechanically (rivets) assembled. A Big departure from our traditional methods..
To have metal ribs, skin, spars etc. isn't all that great.. Most metal planes are mechanically (rivets) assembled. A Big departure from our traditional methods..