Found another pilot figure, this helps filling up the large canopy area, still have add a 1" block to the pilot.

Not a lot of progress so far this weekend. Did get the exhaust fitted to the cowl and shortened the pipes about 1". These are the after market DLE smoke mufflers that i purchased for the GT-80, so with the change to the DLE-111 these mufflers fit perfect. Any advice on how the baffles and exhaust air outlet configuration should be done would be greatly appreciated. Please post any pictures you have the same or similar set up.

Bouncing around a bit on unfinished items over the past couple of days. Fitting the vertical stab is taking some time but it close to complete. The pilot now has a 1" block to get a more appropriate height. I used .040 white plastic sheet to form the floor and rear of the cockpit. More to follow on that as well. Nearing time to order the covering and paint.

After another week off from traveling due to a family medical issue i have gotten some work done yesterday and today. The most significant deviation so far from the kit design is the attachment of the canopy. Instead of gluing the canopy to the floor, i have added screws for attaching it to bass rails and a machine screw and blind nut with a piece of 1/8" ply to the inside of the fuse to attach the entire assembly. The 1" block is also finished adding height to the pilot.

My experience with similar canopy installation as your is the canopy cracks in the screws that receive vibration from the frame. My solution has been to reinforce the interior of the canopy with packing tape. The type of tape that has nylon fibers. Of course, it is not nice but it works in preventing more cracks.

In your experience, how do you avoid that problem?

Good point. I have not assembled one of this size before. On my Goldberg Extra it has not been an issue. I will add the tape, the outer portion of the canopy frame will be painted hiding the tape on the inside. Thanks for the heads up.

Cockpit insert is complete. The heat wave is allowing a bit more time to be spent in the workshop.

Hard to believe it has been nearly a month since the last update. This one is finally ready to cover. It has been a lot of fun building.

Excellent job... Its almost ashame to cover them when they look like a very fine peice of furniture, the better they look at this stage though, the better they look when complete.

You've definately got skills man..

After a break to build a 30cc stik, and an ARF (barf), I'm ready to get back into my Extra. I have tail surfaces, a wing, and an aileron. Have you roughly balanced yours yet? I was going with the DLE also. Got any covering shots?

No, i haven't made any attempts to balance it just yet. It is fully ready to cover but since we have had some decent flying weather i have not started. Based on the weather forecast for our area this weekend though, it looks like it may be a chance to get started.

Have you assess what final weight would she be?

Looks good BTW.

No, i haven't but that is a good question. Will do that this weekend and let you know.

Hi Steve,
Have you had a chance to run the engine for the Smith Mini-Plane?


Mike

Hi Mike, the 3W-150 for the Smith Miniplane is finally running great. Maiden flight coming soon. Thanks for asking.

Remember, Scalemasters will be here before you know it!!

I just about got my D7 repaired after my mishap at Columbus


Mike

OSG, I looked through this for the first time today. Excellent work!

Getting the Stearman ready for the Scale Masters. Sure was hoping to take the Smith Miniplane. Good to hear your D7 is about ready to go again.
Thank you carrellh.
With the weather we are having covering the 330L will begin today.

After weighing the frame up today, then allowing 2 pounds for covering (may be a bit too much) and 3 pounds for radio equipment, sounds a bit heavy too but it will have a smoke system and 4 battery packs. The frame up with the DLE-111 comes in at 21 pounds 14 ounces. So, the estimated total weight is ~27 pounds. Did start covering one of the elevators today.

Both elevators are now covered and control horns installed. It is a start..... It has been nearly 3 years since my last film covered plane so I had to do bit of re-training.

Horizontal stabilizers are now covered. A little color adds a lot.

Wow!.. I have no idea what its going to look like.. but I already love it.. this is going to be good.

Here is my progress so far. Wings and stab alignment looks good. Got some gaps at the trailing edges of both stabs and one wing, will probably throw microballoons and epoxy at it. Yes, my shop-room is a disaster area. Bought a used DA-100 for power, and I've got a lot of carbon on the way (gear and tubes).

Looks great. You have made a lot of progress. I had the small gap too and the rear of the stabs, i sanded the root rib with a large sanding block to eliminate the gap. I plan to glue the rear stabs in place once the covering is complete. Also taking a quick step back on the wing panels to bring the attachment bolts from the bottom of the wing. It will be a bit more of a hassle at the field but i think it will look better in the end. I discussed with my son (2 times Scale Nationals winner) last weekend when he visited for the Scale Masters contest. He agreed that would be a good change. I will post some pictures soon, one wing panel is nearly complete. In the instruction manual there is a mention of the wing panels gapping to the fuse, mine do too. However, the outer fuse sheeting will eliminate the need to make any changes to that. The weather has been very good here lately so work on the 330 is progressing slowly.