Glass and Foam Spacewalker II
10-19-2012, 07:03 PM
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Glass and Foam Spacewalker II
I have not done a kit build thread in quite a while, so I thought I would post this build here. Not going to be a detailed build thread, just a few highlights, & some of the stuff that is peculiar to this kit. here's my progress so far.
Got this kit in a recent trade, and thought it would be a rather nice electric conversion. It looks to be a splash of the SIG Spacewalker II. In fact, I picked up a few scale details, and landing gear wire from SIG. It has a glass fuse, cowl, and wingtips, with foam foam wing cores. Wingspan is 84" & expected final weight will be around 11 lbs.
Been working on for a couple of weeks and here's a few pics of my progress so far. The tail feathers are scratched fron 3/8" x 1/2" balsa, with some 3/8" sheet. Cores are sheeted with 3/32" sheet and strips. Plan to power it with a Turnigy 6354-250kv on a 6s 5000mah pack.
Got this kit in a recent trade, and thought it would be a rather nice electric conversion. It looks to be a splash of the SIG Spacewalker II. In fact, I picked up a few scale details, and landing gear wire from SIG. It has a glass fuse, cowl, and wingtips, with foam foam wing cores. Wingspan is 84" & expected final weight will be around 11 lbs.
Been working on for a couple of weeks and here's a few pics of my progress so far. The tail feathers are scratched fron 3/8" x 1/2" balsa, with some 3/8" sheet. Cores are sheeted with 3/32" sheet and strips. Plan to power it with a Turnigy 6354-250kv on a 6s 5000mah pack.
10-19-2012, 07:06 PM
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RE: Glass and Foam Spacewalker II
A few more bits and pieces done so far. I have finished sheeting both wing halves now. I made a tool to grove the tip of the wing so the fiberglass cap will fit flush.
10-19-2012, 07:08 PM
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RE: Glass and Foam Spacewalker II
I have also started on the motor and battery mount. I will be able to access the battery thru the front cockpit. Lots of room to get in and secure or remove battery. I built a tray that will be held in with a thumbscrew, and the battery will be velcroed to the plate. Saw this in a thread on RCG. Works slick in this set-up.
10-20-2012, 05:26 AM
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RE: Glass and Foam Spacewalker II
I am not positive who produced the kit, as I trded for it, but I think, it may be from Qualls Aviation; http://www.ucrcs.com/qualls_aviation.htm
There is 1/4 scale Spacewalker listed on their site that seems to match this kit. The glasswork seems real nice so far. The fuse halve have a very "tight" seam, that will require very little work. Not having put any primer on yet, I can't tell about pinholes.
There is 1/4 scale Spacewalker listed on their site that seems to match this kit. The glasswork seems real nice so far. The fuse halve have a very "tight" seam, that will require very little work. Not having put any primer on yet, I can't tell about pinholes.
10-20-2012, 09:05 AM
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RE: Glass and Foam Spacewalker II
What glue have you used for the bracing formers inside the fuse? I have had some problems getting different glues to stick well. I did wash the fuse inside and out but sometimes the glue still didn't want to stick to the glass.
I agree, this is a very nice looking kit.
I agree, this is a very nice looking kit.
10-20-2012, 12:48 PM
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RE: Glass and Foam Spacewalker II
I usually just use 30 min epoxy that is thickened with micro balloons or flocking. I sand the joint area and clean it with acetone or alcohol before glueing.
10-20-2012, 06:42 PM
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RE: Glass and Foam Spacewalker II
ORIGINAL: Gray Beard
Thanks, I haven't tried using micro balloons mixed in it yet. I'll give it a shot.
Thanks, I haven't tried using micro balloons mixed in it yet. I'll give it a shot.
10-21-2012, 08:35 AM
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RE: Glass and Foam Spacewalker II
OK, mount is glued to firewall and pinned with 1/8" dowels. I then made a cowl mount bulkhead, and the glued that into the cowl at the correct location. Three screw will hold the cowl on, and will accessed thru air intake openings on the cowl.
10-26-2012, 05:13 PM
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RE: Glass and Foam Spacewalker II
Cut the ailerons from the wing and hinged them. They, and the wing cutout were faced with 1/4" and 1/8" balsa. I'm using large nylon hinges.
11-20-2012, 05:18 PM
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RE: Glass and Foam Spacewalker II
Still working on it, but mostly boring stuff, so I have not been posting. I am now starting to cover it, so I'll have more pics soon. Maybe this weekend. BTW, Coverite fabric goes right over fiberglass with no problem.
11-24-2012, 08:24 AM
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RE: Glass and Foam Spacewalker II
Now have the cowl ready for paint. Lots of pinholes, lots........ Prime fill pinholes, sand, prime, fill pinholes, sand, prime, fill pinholes, sand,etc. Did mention a lot of pinholes. Since I suspect the fuse had the same pinhole issue, I decided that I would see if, as I had read, you could cover glass with Coverite. The answer is, yes, with quite good results. Should finish covering the wing this weekend, and then on to finish work.
I think I will paint with a scheme I would use, if I had a full scale SpaceWalker. I really like the red/yellow scheme, but there are just too many done that way. I am going to use the same pattern, but I think I will use a cream base color, and a medium blue for trim. Maybe a green or orange pinstripe between colors. I am also going to checkerboard the bottom, I think.
I think I will paint with a scheme I would use, if I had a full scale SpaceWalker. I really like the red/yellow scheme, but there are just too many done that way. I am going to use the same pattern, but I think I will use a cream base color, and a medium blue for trim. Maybe a green or orange pinstripe between colors. I am also going to checkerboard the bottom, I think.
11-26-2012, 07:26 PM
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RE: Glass and Foam Spacewalker II
Decided to do a bit of detail, so I am putting some rib stitching on. It's not exact scale, but the "look" is there. I put some chart tape on coverite , then cut 3/16 wide strip and iron it down on the rib. Next I cut 3/8" strips and ironed it over the first strip. It's not "pinked", but scale pinking would barely show anyhow.
01-26-2013, 01:45 PM
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RE: Glass and Foam Spacewalker II
OK, it's been a while since I updated, but the weather has been so cold and windy, that I have not been able to paint. I have finally in the last couple of weeks, managed to get all the base color, Krylon Ivory, on the airframe. I spent a couple of evenings this week laying out the trim scheme on the wing and masking. I was able to paint the wing today with Rustolium Real Orange, and I am pretty happy with the way it turned out. I ponied up the bucks for some 1/8" 3-M Fineline tape to to mask the pattern. I used it for the straight lines, and cut circles of Frisket Paper for tight bends. The fine line tape leave a beautiful crisp line, and seal really well, as can be seen in the close-up of the paint on the rib-stitching.
01-29-2013, 05:01 PM
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RE: Glass and Foam Spacewalker II
My kingdom to be able to paint worth a darn!!!!!!! What I did notice was when you covered the fuse I spotted that they molded in the stringers. Very high class!! I like the idea of going electric for a lot of reasons but being able to use the paint of your choice is one of the big ones!!!
01-30-2013, 04:12 PM
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RE: Glass and Foam Spacewalker II
Actually, anyone can paint. It's the masking that is a bi#ch. If you use the right masking materials (fineline tape, masking paper etc) and take you time (I usually don't), your paint job will turn out excellant. I spent about 4+ hours masking the fuse, and making sure that all areas not to be painted were covered, and vice-versa. Then making sure all the tape was down tight, so there was no over or under spray. Then you got to leave it alone until the paint won't fingerprint, before unmasking. That's the hardest part.
02-03-2013, 05:28 PM
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RE: Glass and Foam Spacewalker II
OK, after another week of masking and painting, I think I have all the major paint work done. Just some detailing and touch-up left to go.