WacoNut

Charlie,
Can you take some closeup pics of your 4-stroke installation in your Contender? Looks like it going to be a real tight fit.
Thanks!!
Anthony

WacoNut

I have the engine mounted and the throttle push rod hooked up.
I found the inner rod for the throttle push rod was missing from the kit, The excess from this rod is what also acts as bearings for the rest of the solid wire pushrods. [:@][:@][:@] I had another pushrod for the throttle in my stock but unfortunately I had already glued in the outer rods for the elevator and rudder and I need the missing rod to complete that installation. Looks like I will be making a phone call tomorrow to get a replacement sent out.
I will be able to contniue on the build since I was able to get the throttle connection completed.
Later!!
Anthony

karolh

Wow, you certainly are motoring along with this build, good job.

Karol

Charlie P.

Not tight. Just right.

Any bigger engine I'd have needed a bigger airframe . . . perfect!

WacoNut

Thanks for the pics Charlie,

I called Tower today and they directed me to the parts department and I have the missing manual and the inner control rod tube on it's way. I had a club meeting tonight so I didn't get any work completed on the Contender.
Later!!
Anthony

WacoNut

I have made some good progress on the fuse.
The cowl has been shaped and sanded. Next up is to work on the wing mounting. If all goes well I should be starting to cover the plane this evening.
Later!!
Anthony

WacoNut

I am also tinting the canopy. It is currently soaking in black Rit dye. I warmed the water to 115deg and will let the canopy soak until the water cools off to room temp. I will post some pics of the canopy after it has been tinted and rinsed and dryed.
Anthony

WacoNut

Here is a pic of the tinted canopy. I am happy with how it turned out.

skyraider71

Very cool build! I'm thinking about this one, but wonder how it would fly on an AX .55.

WacoNut

Should fly really good on that engine.
I flew one with a .46AX and it really flew it well.

I am wrapping up the last few items and covering will begin.
Anthony

WacoNut

Covering has been started.
It has been years since I have used Monokote. The fuse will be the hardest thing to cover so I figured I would get it out of the way. So far it is turning out pretty good. Going to call it a night and get back on it tomorrow.
Later!!
Anthony

OldScaleGuy

My Feedback: (2)

Looking great Anthony. The canopy tint will set off your color scheme.

skyraider71

Nice work, I diggin' that scheme. Tinting the canopy was a great idea.

WacoNut

Thanks Guys,
I really dislike film covering. But it does have it's advantages.

As you will see from thew pics the plane is almost covered. I will be adding some white stars to the blue bands on the wings. It should be easy to tell the top from the bottom in the air. The plane is mostly blue from the bottom and red from the top. I plan on having the plane ready for the maiden next weekend.
Here are a few pics of how it is looking so far.
Anthony

acerc

Just came across this thread. Really Anthony, 10 days. If you build any faster everyone would miss everything. LOL 
Look's great. I bet it's going to be a rocket.

WacoNut

I am slipping a bit, it should be flight ready right now
I have always liked the looks of the Contender and wanted one. I think this will be a great plane to have in the hangar for Fun-Fly events at the club.
Later!!
Anthony

RICKSTUBBZ

Anthony,
You have outdone yourself once again......I fell a sleep for six days and you have about finished the thing.
I have not tried the acetone yet for applying trim. I have successfully used monokote trim solvent for doing narrow strips of monokote to form trim around the windows of a Decathlon. It even worked around the windshield. But I had to cut the pieces curve to fit - obviously since I was not using heat to stretch and shrink. I have had some success using the Windex trick for larger trim pieces. But heat is still need to keep the stuff on. even with the Windex to squeegee out the air I still ended up with those pesky little bubbles that needed poked with a pin.
Anyway...your plane is looking as good as I figured it would. Looks like you got the covering stretched around the lower nose well.

WacoNut

Hi Rick,
I am using Windex to put the stars down and I will test acetone tomorrow for sealing.

It took alot of heat and stretching to get the nose and the wing tips covered.
Later!!
Anthony

WacoNut

I think I am done with the covering.
I do need to cut out the slots for the landing gear wires and seal them down. I am happy with how the covering job turned out. I will go over the stars and some of the trim pieces tomorrow with acetone and heat if necessary.

I think the stars add a nice touch.
Anthony

Smashmaster

This recipe works very well for applying Monocoat trim.
I don't remember just where I got it. But I have used it many times.


Not sure why it came out one long line. It was a paragraph when I uploaded it.
Fred

WacoNut

Thanks for the tip on the trim. I will have to try that on my next build.

OldScaleGuy

My Feedback: (2)

Do you know if that will work using Ultracote?

WacoNut

I have all the servo's installed in the plane and the fuel tank is installed and plumbed.
I am still waiting on the missing inner control rod, I called them today and they said it shipped yesterday so hopefully tomorrow it will arrive.

The landing gear has been mounted and the plane is now sitting up on it's legs. I also painted the cockpit and I am in the process of painting the pilot. I will finish up the painting tomorrow and glue the pilot in place and glue the canopy in place.

Should be on pace for putting the maiden flight in this weekend.
Anthony

WacoNut

The control rod did not arrive so I worked on adding some decals to the plane. My wife said the white areas were too plain. I also added a 1/8" pinstripe to the blue bands on the wings.

I have to say I have enjoyed building and finishing this kit. I am usually a scale plane builder and flyer but I will be proud to show up at the field with this plane.
Anthony

acerc

That is much better Anthony. The pinstripe's really set it off. Nice!