Jim Messer

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My 1/3 scale Piper J4-E now has over 1000 flights, and still looks like brand new. I like it so well that about a month ago I decided to build the same model at 40% - that's just 20% larger.

I am about 50% done with the construction, and took the first photos of it today when I hung the wings to the fuselage. As you can see, the wing spars are aluminum tubing, (as are all the spars on all my planes), and they plug into fiberglass sockets. These sockets are cut in the center to allow for the dihedral, then the joint is fiberglassed to make the tube solid once again. Next I will fiberglass the tube to the framework, and when that is dry, the wings come off to be completed, and the fuselage top side can be built.

This plane will be powered by a 100cc engine, and should weigh in at approx. 45#.

I will post additional pictures in a week or two, as the building progresses.

Jim Messer

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Today I fitted the wings to the fuselage so that the top side of the fuselage could be finished. Plywood on the top side covers the wing joint so that the joint isn't visible when the finished plane is assembled. Wing tips are now on, and the ailerons are visible but not yet completed.

Elevator and Rudder servos are in. The blended covering at the front of the rudder is complete, and one coat of color has been done.

Wingspan is 14 ft. 4 inches.

Bass1

Looks great Jim. I assume you scaled up your 33% plans to 40% . Which 33% kit/plans did you use as your reference?

Jim Messer

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To Bass1:

You are correct. I scaled up the 33% plans to get to 40%. Everything is 20% bigger. These are my own plans, but are still available thru Reid's Quality Model Products. The 33% flies like a bird, and is at home amongst them. See photo below.

Bass1

Very nice! Ya don't see many/ if any J4s around. I believe the "e" model had the big beefy 75hp engine At first glance I thought it was a Colt but what the heck do I know.

Jim Messer

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Time for an up-date on the 40% scale Piper J4-E. About 95% finished at this point. Need to put on a balance stand and locate the batteries. Then see if the new Fox 5.8 engine will run, and within the next month it should be off to the flying field. Three photos show progress to date.

mrbigg

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Looks pretty nice Jim. I ordered some of that aluminum that you recommended for my landing gear. Your right about it being hard to bend. I had to take a sledge hammer to it!

Bass1

Gorgeous!!

DMichael

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Nice! Very nice! Please keep the pictures and info comming.

TomCrump

Very nice, Jim !!!

Jim Messer

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Thanks guys for all the compliments. I am sure that the J4 will fly as good as it looks. Still need to balance, adapt a spinner, apply trim paint to the wheel pants, and lock the batteries in place. Flying is still a couple of weeks away, but will keep you informed.

My 40% J-3 flies absolutely flawless. This one should be no different.

Jim Messer

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For those of you that have been following this build thread, following are some photos of the J4 on the balance stand. I always balance at 27.5% which is on the centerline of the spar (I design it this way), with a full tank of fuel, and the stabalizer at zero degrees. An incidence meter on the wing shows 1.5 deg. positive which is what it should be.

In order to balance, all three batteries had to be located just forward of the firewall, inside the motor mount box. That's good - they are out of the way, and easy to get to. Also required 8 oz. of lead in the very forward section of the cowl.

The J4 is now ready for flight testing. Will keep you informed when time permits.

Selleri

Excellent choice on the scheme Jim, always a pleasure seeing your models [8D]

Jim Messer

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Thanks Selleri - always nice to hear from you. I haven't flown the J4 yet, and probably won't now until later this year. Will be going to NY to attend the STARS Scale Rally in July, and will be flying the 40% J-3 there. I have a difficult time getting to the field because I have to take care of my wife who suffered a stroke, so I am housebound. But that isn't all bad - because it gives me time to build. My latest project is a 40% scale Stinson 108 (big tail version).

Champ-RCU

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Jim,

Very visible and eye catching paint scheme. Love it!

One question on Reids Quality Models. Is there a problem with his web site? I don't get anything when I try to log on to his site.

Thanks,

Mark

Jim Messer

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Mark: Glad that you like the J4. Yes - there must be a problem with the Reid QMP web-site. I couldn't get there either. You can E-mail Dave at: [email protected]

Jim

CliffordH

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Jim,

You have said something before about aluminum tube spars and I noticed you used them in the J-4 also. Could you tell us a little about the spars? What size tubes are you using, type of tubing? Are you using tubing to join them at the center section of a fiberglass tube.

Thanks!
Cliff

Jim Messer

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Clifford:

Answers to your questions about aluminum tube spars. I have used them now for several years, and they make building a wing straight - true - and very easy to build washout. I build about a half degree washout in all my wings, simply by raising the trailing edge of the rear spar by about 3/16" - but that varies depending on the wing chord.

Aluminum tube spars aren't cheap - but in my opinion, it is the only way to build a wing. They are 6061-T6, .035 wall. Most front spars are 1 1/4" dia. and for the rear I use either 3/4" or 1" - again depending on the size of the wings. I buy them from Aircraft Spruce & Specialties.

These spars extend about 6" from the inside rib, and fit into fiberglass sockets in the fuselage. I make the fiberglass sockets simply by wrapping wax paper around the spar material, so that there are 3-4 layers of wrap. Fiberglass around it, and it very easily is removed. All my airplanes have dihedral, so I cut the fiberglass socket about 3/4 through at the center, then hang the wings, and when everything is in place, I then fiberglass over the center joint. Let it dry, and pull the wings - they will always go back in the same position.

Attached are some photos of the J-3 wing, to show the spars, and the sockets in the wings.

CliffordH

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Thanks Jim! I was wondering what tubing you used and where you got it. The J-4 is beautiful but that goes without saying as your models are always beautiful!

Cliff

Jim Messer

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I dug this out of the past because I now have some nice photos of the J4 completely finished, ready to fly. It hasn't been flown yet, but when that happens, it will not disappoint.

CliffordH

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GREAT JIM!!!!!

SunShyne

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wow that thing is GORGEOUS sir. Well done, so when you sell it pm me and ill come get it

good luck on the maiden

matt

jperkinstrades

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Jim,
Just wondering if you have had a chance to fly the J-4E yet

Jim Messer

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No - I have been flying my Stinson and J-3 most of the summer. Now that cooler weather is coming to Florida, the J4 will see the air probably within a couple of weeks. Will post photos when that happens.

dhal22

jim, i have an extra .40 size engine laying around for your next build should you need it[X(].

david