Ron

I am putting two jet cats in mine and am waiting for them to arrive,. also we are going to make some changes to convert it to 425 .

Cheers
Reza

Nose gear unit installed with a JR 8411 servo for steering. Aeropoxy used throughout for this step.

I just received my main gear from Darrell at Sierra Precision. BEAUTIFUL !!!!!!!

I have decided to convert to the 425 at the coaxing of everyone, thus the trailing link (a bonus) gear. I will build the horizontal stab with the V dihederal and modify the nose cone .

Here are some pics of the main gear and the bottom of the nose showing the initial gear door design. I am activating the doors with servos...instead of air cylinders.

cheers,

Ron

I am glad that you also decided to convert it to 425. that would make two of us but a world apart. we must some how get together when finished.

Cheers
Reza

Nose gear door built...unit removes with 8 screws. Doors are activated by standard JR servos..connected by a JR matchbox for proper travel and direction. Nose cone has been fitted and will be removable to access the gear valves, sequencer and matchbox. Brake valve will also be located in this area...for ease of adjustments..

Fiberglass nose cone fitted and installed, nose gear door matchbox, jetronic gear sequencer and retract servo-valve installed.

looking good R.B. Its really starting to take shape

Rudder assembly underway. I used 7/64" piano wire inside large nyrod...laminated between the balsa sheet leading edge..... for the hinge. The rudder is removable by simply pulling the wire out.
The stand-off posts aeropoxied to the vertical fin are cut from C/F and have a brass tubing epoxied inside the hinge point. This does take some time to set up, but worth it in the long run.

Rudder assembly ready for sheeting. Dual 8611's mounted on a removable rail. Rudder sheeted and ready for glass......Dorsal fin built and ready for glass.

Rudder assembly sheeted and rough sanded. Servo cover plate fitted. JR Spektrum Tx for size comparison.

In the words of my middle-school son, that rudder is "gi-normous"

Horizontal stabilizer and elevator framework next. I will have to build a center spar to provide the dihederal that the 425 has.

I laid up the spar last evening. It is made from 1/32 ply laminated with 1/8 balsa sheet using Gorilla glue. Stab has been cut and the spar aeropoxied into place.

Elevator will be actuated by a pair of 8611's on a SWB tray located up front. The actuator is made from brass tubing and the arms are silver soldered. A carbon fiber pushrod will connect the tray to the horn. In the event of a servo falure, the plane will still have EQUAL elevator control on both control surfaces, at a lower throw rate. The radio will be programmed so that the plane will fly on mid rate, and then if one servo is lost, hi rate can be used to land the plane. The flap system will use the same principle.

Horizontal stab sheeted, and fitted, rear fillet roughed in. Rudder fitted and shimmed.
The elevators are next.....

Stab and elevators completed, ready for final sanding and glassing. I will install gap seals made from 1/32 ply at the hinge line prior to finishing.

hi Ron, I have a 24% 421 which I cut all the parts myself, but the interesting thing is that I am laying mine out on an old guy chart frame rack. The laser cut looks awsome. good luck with your project. Ralph.

Final fitting of the tail componets, foam fairing roughed in, windshield & side glass frames started.

Windshield track assy underway, the first fitting of the glass.

Merry Christmas, everyone!!

Fuse sheeting progressing. I have found that ammonia Windex does a great job of wetting the wood for those curves. The windows will be cut out after the wood has been glassed....to help avoid cracking.

Side sheeting now completed....1/2 ounce glass cloth laid at window areas using Westons system. The windows will be cut before top & bottom sheeting are installed so that there is better access. First fillet made around windshield using Aeropoxy.

Windshield frame assembly now underway, using 1/32 ply laminated and formed around the curve of a wastebasket....

After much discussion with Roger at Wren.....I have decided to install the new Wren 44 turboprop motors...which will be available late this year. This will save on weight, fuel consumption and will simplify installation due to the newer case design.

Windshield frame now ready for finishing....instrument panel completed.....nose gear door assembly painted and assembled. I used aluminum tape to finish the inside of the doors.

dual garmin 530's....nice panel!!!!!!

Uh oh, forgot the hobbs. hehe. Nice job so far. Can't wait to see more.