G&L Hobbies 1/5 Super Chipmunk Build (short kit)
02-19-2011, 02:18 PM
#51
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RE: G&L Hobbies 1/5 Super Chipmunk Build (short kit)
Everything looking great and moving right along. You're a fast builder!
Are you going to use an automotive spray gun and paint?
Are you going to use an automotive spray gun and paint?
02-19-2011, 02:42 PM
#52
RE: G&L Hobbies 1/5 Super Chipmunk Build (short kit)
Thanks,
I am going lo-fi on the paint job. I am using rust-olium spray can, I will wet sand with 1200 and I have an airbrush artist doing some work on the plane. I will clear coat the plane when she is done, then buff and palish it.
I am single and live alone so I spend two hours in the morning before work and a few hours when get home. If I get rained out I work all day on her and maybe a weekend if I can't fly.
I can see how it takes a year or so for some to build, I average two to three months. Estimated completion is late March!
TB
02-22-2011, 07:36 AM
#53
RE: G&L Hobbies 1/5 Super Chipmunk Build (short kit)
Progress
Stabilizers install.
I set up my incidence jigs to level the fuselage laterally and from front to back with the wing at 0. I also have the engine at 0. The stabilizer will be set to 0 also.
02-22-2011, 07:39 AM
#54
RE: G&L Hobbies 1/5 Super Chipmunk Build (short kit)
I pinned the front of the stabilizer with two 4-40 dowels. The toothpicks are to hold the stab in place while gluing. After I glued the stab in place I used evercoat to fill the gap and to build up the fairing at the front. This stuff works great and it is easy to work with, sands great too. I am so glade I covered the stab with glass and not mylar, it would have been a mess.
02-22-2011, 07:43 AM
#55
RE: G&L Hobbies 1/5 Super Chipmunk Build (short kit)
I used a spar clamp from my drum kit to make the painting jig. With my engine test stand screwed to the bench I usedtwo 3/8 carriage bolts, one attached to the ply block and the other to the stand. This gives me complete rotation and positioning for painting. I first painted it inverted, then for the second coat I flipped it upright. I added a Y stand to the back for sanding to help support the fuselage.
02-22-2011, 07:47 AM
#56
RE: G&L Hobbies 1/5 Super Chipmunk Build (short kit)
I painted the landing gear and it is ready to be installed. The gear covers came out nicely, I used 1/16 ply for these.
I decided to piece the wing in with the Ultracoat. I am going with a nominal ½ overlap. This is probably more then is needed but I want good overlap and this will help in the layout too. I used 1” blue tape to layout the starburst theme. The Ultracoat is very easy to work with compared to Monokot. I have only used Ultracaot once before as well as MK.
02-22-2011, 07:58 AM
#58
RE: G&L Hobbies 1/5 Super Chipmunk Build (short kit)
The tips came out better then I was expecting. The landing gear covers and the servo covers worked out well. The servo covers are 1/8 aircraft ply. In the picks I use allen screws but when I am all done and set it up for final I will use button screws. They strip out easily so for set up I like to use the more solid allen screws.
TB
02-22-2011, 08:06 AM
#59
RE: G&L Hobbies 1/5 Super Chipmunk Build (short kit)
The control horns need to be cut into the receiving part of the wing so they can lie in as it rotates. I am using a ¼ post to attach the landing gear to the wing and I will give it a ¼” ofstand offso that if I do (or when I do) have a rough landing hopefully the post will bend before the landing gear will rip out of the wing, we will see!
Next back to the fuselage for more painting, waiting on more covering to arrive. It takes two rolls of white and one roll each of red and blue. Being I tried to cover the stabilizer I do not have enough white and red to finish.
TB
02-22-2011, 03:57 PM
#60
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RE: G&L Hobbies 1/5 Super Chipmunk Build (short kit)
That sure is a fine covering job there Tony. your patients is starting to pay off big time. Keep up the good work.
02-22-2011, 05:57 PM
#61
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RE: G&L Hobbies 1/5 Super Chipmunk Build (short kit)
Very impressive for someone that just learned to fly last April!
I like your fuselage jig for painting. That's much better than hanging the fuse on a coat hanger.
The Ultacoat sounds like good stuff. I'll have to try some on a future build. I've always used Monokote.
I like your fuselage jig for painting. That's much better than hanging the fuse on a coat hanger.
The Ultacoat sounds like good stuff. I'll have to try some on a future build. I've always used Monokote.
02-26-2011, 08:05 AM
#62
RE: G&L Hobbies 1/5 Super Chipmunk Build (short kit)
Progress
Completion of wing, landing gear, servos, the wing is ready to mount!
Painting fuselage.
The fuselage is all primed and ready for finish paint. The combination of primer, evercoat and bondo glazing for pinholes worked really nice. It is not perfect by any means but it is 3’ beautiful. The joint where the stabilizer and fuselage come together came out very nice. Patients was needed here!
I found some fiber washers at home depot that are great for hard points on a cowl. You can epoxy them to the cowl before painting and they make a much more durable hole for your cowl screws. What I have fond is that the thin fiberglass over time and due to the vibration wallows out over time. This may eliminate that and it gives a thicker area for your button head screws, you do not need a washer, but I may use one.
TB
TB
02-26-2011, 08:09 AM
#63
RE: G&L Hobbies 1/5 Super Chipmunk Build (short kit)
The wing is all covered and I applied the vinyl stars, I may add more once the stabilizer and fuse is done if I have any left over but for now I like it. The final weight for the wing came to 7lb and 5oz ready to mount.
I also found these rubber gaskets at home depot, love the home! This will eliminate any chance of the fiberglass cutting threw the servo leads.
I glued in the ¼ dowels, they go into the wing about 4”
TB
02-26-2011, 08:15 AM
#64
RE: G&L Hobbies 1/5 Super Chipmunk Build (short kit)
The landing gear is mounted and I used a longer ¼ post for the first few flights to see how she does, not sure on the ground clearance yet with a 20x8 prop. Also I want some give if I have a dead stick in the grass. I am not using the wheel paints, I don’t like them for this plane and I don’t have them on my CG chippy, kind of use to it without them. They always get beat up anyways so not going to waist time on them. Once she is broken in and I see her handling characteristics I may use the shorter pins so the gear struts sit on the mount flush. The gear mount covers came out nicely and I have installed the smaller button screws for final set up.
TB
TB
02-26-2011, 08:18 AM
#65
RE: G&L Hobbies 1/5 Super Chipmunk Build (short kit)
The ailerons linkage I used is a H9 Titanium 4-40 link with Dubro 4-40 ball link and a 4-40 Robart horn. I also used this set up for the flaps. The covers are set with the same button screws as the LG covers. This is my preferred set up and I use it on all my planes.
I used a Sullivan tail wheel assembly. I did this same set up on my Goldberg Chippy and it has worked great for the past 6 months, I put it threw some hard test with spinning donuts on the runway in high wind cross wind landings. I do not like wheel callers so I always solder a washer on the inside and then a brass color on the outside. Much cleaner and it wont come loose. If I need to change the tier I just break it with the solder gun. I still need to clean up the solder joint.
TB
TB
02-26-2011, 08:27 AM
#66
RE: G&L Hobbies 1/5 Super Chipmunk Build (short kit)
I decided to try the metallic finish for the canopy. I want a tinted look as much as I can get and there really isn’t much choice here. I thought about using the chrome paint but decided I would try this as a base coat and see if the airbrush artist has any ideas to paint over this as some details, we will see. I thought it would be easier to paint the glass first and then mask it off and paint the fuselage and canopy frame. The frame will be the same color as the fuselage and I would rather the frame overlay the glass instead of the glass overlay the frame. Plus it will be easier to mask off the glass. On this kit the canopy has a frame detail in the fiberglass as if there is a frame bar down the middle of the canopy, kind of like the trainer canopy. On all the super chipmunks I have seen the bubble canopy does not have a bar down the middle at the top, at least what I can see and find. If I am wrong please let me know. I am not planning on painting it in at this point.
Next I will paint the base coat for the fuselage, rudder and elevators. Getting close, spring is on its way!
TB
03-08-2011, 06:36 AM
#67
RE: G&L Hobbies 1/5 Super Chipmunk Build (short kit)
Progress
Painting, wheel pants.
So progress is moving along slowly as painting is taking a while. I am waiting 48 to 72 hours between colors so the enamel can cure. I masked off the glass in the canopy with green tape and sanded with 600 grit and etched with acetone. The green tape is working well so fare. I like the way the glass came out and the base coat looks good, I did two coats on the base color. The tail feathers really came out nice, so glad I glassed it, but I am paying for it in weight. So fare the fuselage weighs in at 5 lb. That is with everything excluding engine, batteries, and servos so we will see.
TB
TB
03-08-2011, 03:17 PM
#68
RE: G&L Hobbies 1/5 Super Chipmunk Build (short kit)
The red color came out good too, although I did screw up on the color selection. When I covered the wing I picked up flame red ultracoat and was not paying attention. When I went back to get a second roll to finish a realized I wanted true red. So the color match is not perfect, but once she starts rolling down the taxi you will never tell, she is to pretty for such scrutiny!
TB
TB
03-08-2011, 03:23 PM
#70
RE: G&L Hobbies 1/5 Super Chipmunk Build (short kit)
So I changed my mind and decided to do the wheel pants. I would regret not doing them plus I do have the time while watching paint dry! Some evercoat and primer readied the pants. I used epoxy and glued some ¼ fiber washers to the outside of the pants to create a hard point and to plumb up the surface where the strut axle will rest on the pants.I fond some wheel pants brackets by Sullivan that will work great, one on each side will hold the pants firmly. I glued in some blocks, sanded them level and glassed the brackets in place.Used a ¼ dowel to hold the bracket in place.The fiber washers will work great for shimming the wheel and centering it in the pant. The washers are ½ x ¼, and you can get them at home depot!
TB
TB
03-08-2011, 03:27 PM
#71
RE: G&L Hobbies 1/5 Super Chipmunk Build (short kit)
More!
The cowl is ready for the second color, the blue will go next. The hard point fiber washer came out very well, love them!
A flying friend gave me a Sukhoi RTC kit. It has been keeping me busy while I wait on paint to dry, this has helped to keep me from rushing the paint.
03-08-2011, 05:09 PM
#72
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RE: G&L Hobbies 1/5 Super Chipmunk Build (short kit)
Holy Snap! Im on pins and needles here Tony ! Hurry up and finish !! Lol, no don't do that ! You got a fine looking plane going there. I ordered up Gregs 28% Extra 300 . Should be here soon. I plan on doing a build thread on it so keep a look out for it !
03-08-2011, 06:42 PM
#73
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RE: G&L Hobbies 1/5 Super Chipmunk Build (short kit)
Man i want this kit
i keep looking at it at the gl web page. i dont think you can beat the price. i dont know what the shipping would be for it >?
i keep looking at it at the gl web page. i dont think you can beat the price. i dont know what the shipping would be for it >?
03-08-2011, 07:11 PM
#74
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RE: G&L Hobbies 1/5 Super Chipmunk Build (short kit)
Just give Greg a call, He's a fantastic guy. His glass work is some of the finest around. Im sure you would be pleased with any of his kits .