JACK STAFFORD Models Aircoupe's
#1

Thread Starter

Hi Guys,
I am going to do a build thread on the Jack Stafford Models Aircoupe, I have ordered 2 kits and I will be building them both at the same time. I am building one for me and one for a good friend of mine. Both planes will be 4-stroke powered, mine with a .61 and the other with a .70 . The kits are ordered and should arrive by mid week.
I plan on glassing the fuse and covering the flying surfaces with Sig Koverall and useing either Latex or Nelson's Hobby Specialties paint. If anyone has any suggestions or comments on this plane lets hear it.
Later!
Anthony
I am going to do a build thread on the Jack Stafford Models Aircoupe, I have ordered 2 kits and I will be building them both at the same time. I am building one for me and one for a good friend of mine. Both planes will be 4-stroke powered, mine with a .61 and the other with a .70 . The kits are ordered and should arrive by mid week.
I plan on glassing the fuse and covering the flying surfaces with Sig Koverall and useing either Latex or Nelson's Hobby Specialties paint. If anyone has any suggestions or comments on this plane lets hear it.
Later!
Anthony
#2
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I built two years ago. OS 48 four strokes powered mine. I too painted mine but I would go the Monokote route if I built another. Its a good flyer and not to difficult to build. Sheeting the fus is a lot like wrapping with aluminum, plenty of round formers to cover.
#3

Thread Starter

ORIGINAL: Stormovic
I built two years ago. OS 48 four strokes powered mine. I too painted mine but I would go the Monokote route if I built another. Its a good flyer and not to difficult to build. Sheeting the fus is a lot like wrapping with aluminum, plenty of round formers to cover.
I built two years ago. OS 48 four strokes powered mine. I too painted mine but I would go the Monokote route if I built another. Its a good flyer and not to difficult to build. Sheeting the fus is a lot like wrapping with aluminum, plenty of round formers to cover.
I will try to keep the builds light, I hate Monokote or any plastic iron on covering. I used to cover all my planes with Monokote but after useing the Sig Koverall on my Cub I just can't bring myself to use Monokote again.
Anthony
#4

Thread Starter

The Kits arrived yesterday,
The 1st impressions of the kits are good. The wood quality and machineing appear to be of very good quality. The instructions are very basic and it is very clear that this is not a beginners kit(exactly what I expected). I will begin construction this weekend and I will start a detailed thread.
Later!!
Anthony
The 1st impressions of the kits are good. The wood quality and machineing appear to be of very good quality. The instructions are very basic and it is very clear that this is not a beginners kit(exactly what I expected). I will begin construction this weekend and I will start a detailed thread.
Later!!
Anthony
#5

Thread Starter

Building has commenced
I have framed the left wing panel and it is ready to add the top sheeting. I deviated from the instructions slightly and made the cutouts in the inboard ribs for the landing blocks and also cut holes for the aileron sevo leads. I will be installing a servo for each aileron instead of a center mounted aileron servo and push rods. I will also add some reinforcement around the center section, it probably isn't necessary but it looks a little weak to me.
I layed the OS .61 4-stroke over the plans and it looks like I will have to move the firewall back around an inch, not sure how I will accomplish this just yet as the firewall sets the shape for the forward end of the fuse. I may have to make a new firewall????
As I said before the quality of the wood and the cutting of the kit is excellent, I am sure this will make a very nice looking plane when finished.
Later!!
Anthony

I have framed the left wing panel and it is ready to add the top sheeting. I deviated from the instructions slightly and made the cutouts in the inboard ribs for the landing blocks and also cut holes for the aileron sevo leads. I will be installing a servo for each aileron instead of a center mounted aileron servo and push rods. I will also add some reinforcement around the center section, it probably isn't necessary but it looks a little weak to me.
I layed the OS .61 4-stroke over the plans and it looks like I will have to move the firewall back around an inch, not sure how I will accomplish this just yet as the firewall sets the shape for the forward end of the fuse. I may have to make a new firewall????
As I said before the quality of the wood and the cutting of the kit is excellent, I am sure this will make a very nice looking plane when finished.
Later!!
Anthony
#6

Thread Starter

The top of the wing panel is sheeted and the landing gear block is epoxied into place. I added some 3/8 balsa to the inside of the T/E spar to accept the Robart hinges I will be useing. Building the wing as described in the instructions worked very well. the panel is very straight and light. I am now ready to sheet the bottom of the panel as soon as I get rid of my headache[
]
Anthony

Anthony
#7

Thread Starter

Left wing panel is now finished, the right panel builds the same way. You block up the opposite wing panel 8" and build the panel on to it. As soon as I get the wing completed I will build the wing for the 2nd Aircoupe.
Anthony
Anthony
#8

Thread Starter

The 2nd wing panel is almost finished, I am waiting for the epoxy to dry on the landing gear mounting block and the spar doubler before sheeting the bottom of the wing. The wing actually builds very fast. I should have no problem gettiing the 1st panel of the 2nd wing built today.
Later!
Anthony
Later!
Anthony
#9

Thread Starter

The 1st wing is finished,
I am happy with how the wing came out and it is very strong and light. I will work on finishing the 2nd wing over the next couple of days and move on to constructing the fuselages.
Later!!
Anthony
I am happy with how the wing came out and it is very strong and light. I will work on finishing the 2nd wing over the next couple of days and move on to constructing the fuselages.
Later!!
Anthony
#10

Thread Starter

The 2nd wing is comeing along,
I have the right wing panel framed and the top sheeting installed. I shoudl have both wings finsihed before the weekend and then I will start building the fuse.
Anthony
I have the right wing panel framed and the top sheeting installed. I shoudl have both wings finsihed before the weekend and then I will start building the fuse.
Anthony
#11
Senior Member

I am very interested in this post. I am in the middle of building one of these. I agree that with wing built fairly easily. The fuselage is an adventure. It was mating the wing to the fuselage that became such a difficult alignment that I put it aside and may get back to it some day. I'll be watching to see how it goes for you. Maybe you can show me a method that will get my coupe finished. I came up with a linkage that works very well. Let me know when you get to the rudder linkages and I will post the pictures.
Bassman
Bassman
#12

Thread Starter

Hi Bassman,
I am working on finishing up the 2nd wing. I took a break lastnight and spent the evening with the wife
I will completely build the fuse for the 1st coupe before staring the 2nd and hopefully learn from any mistakes and correct them on the 2nd one. I am taking alot of pics of the build and taking notes as I go. I will be more than glad to help you get beyond your stopping point if I can. I have read your post and I have seen what you have done with the rudder set-up, it looks like it should work good. Did that modification add too much weight in the tail?? to me it looks a little heavy. That probably would not be an issue with the engines I will be useing in the planes anyhow.
Here are a couple of pics of the right wing panel with the sheeting applied and the wing tip rough sanded, these wings are very strong and light when finshed.
Later!!
Anthony
I am working on finishing up the 2nd wing. I took a break lastnight and spent the evening with the wife

Here are a couple of pics of the right wing panel with the sheeting applied and the wing tip rough sanded, these wings are very strong and light when finshed.
Later!!
Anthony
#15

Thread Starter

I had to work this past weekend and didn't get to work on the Aircoupe's. I finally got back on them tonight, I framed up the left wing panel on to the right panel. This is alot easier than it looks and makes a very nice straight wing. The wing has alot of dihedral, the right wing panel is blocked up 8" at the tip then the left panel is framed onto it. I will let the framework dry and sheet the wing tomorrow.
Later!!
Anthony
Later!!
Anthony
#16

Thread Starter

I finally got back to working on the planes again,
I have one fuselage 75% complete, I need to add the control rods and the bottom sheeting. I also need to decide where to mount the servo's. I will do a thorough post on the build of the 2nd fuselage, I am basically useing the 1st plane to figure out what needs to be done for the 2nd one. I couldn't resist setting the fuse on the wing and attaching the tail surfaces to see how it looks. As you can see from the pics I still need to roung up the leading edge of the wing.
Later!!
Anthony
I have one fuselage 75% complete, I need to add the control rods and the bottom sheeting. I also need to decide where to mount the servo's. I will do a thorough post on the build of the 2nd fuselage, I am basically useing the 1st plane to figure out what needs to be done for the 2nd one. I couldn't resist setting the fuse on the wing and attaching the tail surfaces to see how it looks. As you can see from the pics I still need to roung up the leading edge of the wing.
Later!!
Anthony
#17
Senior Member

This is great info. I am very interested in seeing how you mount the interior radio gear, especially servo placement. I am at about the same point as you are but stalled out. I turned to a couple of ARF's I had hanging around. If I want the coupe for spring I have to get moving on it again.
Bassman
Bassman
#19

Thread Starter

I wish I could help you out but too many projects of my own to do. I have a nice 22.5% Ziroli Stearman all framed up just begging to be finished. Besides you couldn't afford me
Later!!
Anthony

Later!!
Anthony
#21

Thread Starter

I have aileron's cut out as well as the servo pockets, the aileron's have been trimmed to size and the L/E has been capped. I sanded the L/E of the wing to shape and I have installed the 1/2" dowell that holds the L/E of the wing to the fuse. I am now searching for my lost 1/4-20 tap so I can drill and tap the wing hold down bolts
I will work on the Servo Pocket covers and hooking up the aileron servo's while I ponder the location of my Tap.
I will be working into the night and all day tomorrow on the plane and I will post some pics tomorrow.
Later!!
Anthony

I will be working into the night and all day tomorrow on the plane and I will post some pics tomorrow.
Later!!
Anthony
#22

My Feedback: (20)

Here is the interior shot of mine
From top to bottom:
Throttle
Rudders and nose gear (I embedded the flex cables in the horizontal stabs instead of using the bellcrank)
Elevator
Don
From top to bottom:
Throttle
Rudders and nose gear (I embedded the flex cables in the horizontal stabs instead of using the bellcrank)
Elevator
Don
ORIGINAL: bassman
This is great info. I am very interested in seeing how you mount the interior radio gear, especially servo placement. I am at about the same point as you are but stalled out. I turned to a couple of ARF's I had hanging around. If I want the coupe for spring I have to get moving on it again.
Bassman
This is great info. I am very interested in seeing how you mount the interior radio gear, especially servo placement. I am at about the same point as you are but stalled out. I turned to a couple of ARF's I had hanging around. If I want the coupe for spring I have to get moving on it again.
Bassman
#24

Thread Starter

Made a bit more progress today,
I still need to run the control cables and sheet the fuse. The aileron servo's are installed and hooked up.
Here are a few pics.
Anthony
I still need to run the control cables and sheet the fuse. The aileron servo's are installed and hooked up.
Here are a few pics.
Anthony
#25

Thread Starter

I have the conrols installed and everything is working great. The engine is mounted and with a 11x7 prop I have 1-3/4" grond clearance. A little closer than I like but it should work.
I have decided to stop work on plane #1 and get plane #2 to the same point, with the bottom sheeting off of plane #1 I can use it as referance to build plane #2.
I use Sullivan Golden Rods for all the fuselage controls, the outer cases are braced good and there is zero flex or slop.
Here are a couple pics.
Later!!
Anthony
I have decided to stop work on plane #1 and get plane #2 to the same point, with the bottom sheeting off of plane #1 I can use it as referance to build plane #2.
I use Sullivan Golden Rods for all the fuselage controls, the outer cases are braced good and there is zero flex or slop.
Here are a couple pics.
Later!!
Anthony