Have built Top Flt Stinson , 100", The wing bolts are inside cabin , they are s.h.cap screws , I use a ball driver to put them in . Problem is that my arm is over top of the plastic seats , touching them a lot , they won't last long at that rate . anyone got a better idea for the bolts going in ? Maybe a quick way to take seats out & back in at field , or fly without seats eh?

How about a longer hex driver with a magnetized tip?

John

Hey John , thanks for reply . The ball driver I am using is way long , & the screw does not fall off the end when putting it in . Prob is that even after getting screws started ones arm is pushing around on top of the seats , risking damage . If you had a similar set up you would probably see what i mean . Thanks again

I do have a similar situation with a 1/5th scale PA 11 from I'kon N'West. The wings mount exactly the same on this model as they do on yours. In fact, the cabin is even smaller.

How are your hands rubbing on the seat tops if the handle for the ball driver is outside the cabin?

John

Hi John , The ball drvr is completely inside the fuse , the 2 doors hinge from front of cockpit , so not lot of room , also the wing struts are in the way , so my arm goes in & over top of seats to get at the ball drvr . if seats not there its ok . thought of making a quick way of taking seats in & out . If one has a table at field it helps , but not every club has table & laying on the ground is even worse .

I totally understand, that's why I suggested a loooooooooonger ball driver. If you can't find one commercially, you could make one by cutting the shank off of another driver and soldering it to your current driver using a brass tube as a sleeve for strength. This would net you a driver that's twice as long as your current one.

John

John , that sounds a good idea , I will get the Stinson out , its away for the winter, & give it a try , get back to you in the morning . AL

Good morning John , Tried your idea of long b/drvr . It is feasable , but the sizes are - fuse is 11" wide, screw is 4 +1/2"back from door post . need 13" shank on driver , and it is at roughly 25 degrees angle to screw . the b/drvr does'nt get a good purchase on the hex of screw . Have another thought ! If I put a nice 1/4" hole opposite the far screw under the wing , won't even see it , I canput a long b/drvr across fuse & get nearly dead in line to tighten , make the hole pretty too . Front screw can get in line thru door opening . Thanks for interest AL

I have a 1/4 scale J-3. and avoided the problem by building a bottom hatch for access with looooong driver.

Al, you are welcome. Glad I could help.

You hit the nail on the head with the additional hole for straight access to the rear bolt. I thought about that last night. My cub doesn't have that problem as the wing is much narrower and I can hit both bolts through the aileron lead holes.

BTW, I looked at the instruction manual for the Reliant last night. I have wanted this kit since it released, until I saw what's entailed to build it. Hmmm, I think I'm either going to pass it up, or get up a lot of ambition to attack that big boy! I respect anyone's building abilities who takes on this project AND finishes it!

John

Hi Charles , thanks for the reply . I had to go in across the fuse to get those screws in , not the normal from top or bottom, John & I seemed to have solved prob; now , thanks . Al

SR9 is a fantastic kit. I have built two. (unfortunately, both are in RC heaven) I made a simple modification to the top of the fuselage at the base of wing mounts. I formed a balsa "hatch cover" aprox. 2" wide on top of each side of fuse. Hinged to front and either velcro, or small screw to hold down at back. Just swing it open and the mounting screws are right there. Properly done you don't lose any structural strength, and it can be nearly invisible if you are patient and exacting. Good luck.

Sandy from Plano TX

Hey Sandy , That is a good idea you have there , I will see how the holes across from each screw works , if not will try that idea .
Did you secure both ends of the wing struts , or just the end that screws to underside of wing ? I wanted to do aerobatics , so I made a brkt on the undercarriage to also support that end , else 1 end is free . How could you bang up 2 of the SR9 ? If it was an Extra or such maybe . AL

Hi Al,

I screwed strut to wing and let it float free at base. No fancy flying for me. My first one was trashed after radio failure and came straight in from about 200 feet. Saved the motor, (Moki 1.80) and tail feathers. I was about to move to Texas from Oregon at the time, and it saved a major moving hassle. The second one was at the grand opening of our new field north of Dallas, with about 150 spectators. Most embarrassing. My best guess is structural failure due to old epoxy. The top of the fuselage structure just broke away and allowed the wings to float to earth unscratched. Everything else was toothpicks.
Fortunately I enjoy building. Just finishing the trim on my third Great Planes Super Skybolt. Hope I learn to fly some day.

Sandy

Hi Sandy,

I too am working on the trim for a GP Skybolt. Would be interested in seeing some pics of your planes if you have a chance.
I've got a web page started on my build progress if your interested click on my WWW button.

Thanks,
-Fitz.

Hi Fitz,

Great pics. I'm trimming my Skybolt just like the picture on the box. It takes time, but what the heck, I'm retired and enjoy it.

I haven't figured out how to get my digital pics on line, so can't show you what it looks like.

Sandy

Hi Sandy,

I really like the Skybolt box scheme, only I think it would have been beyond my covering capabilities. Of course I may have bitten off more than I can chew with this yellow/black scheme I am attempting.
Now if only I could figure out how to retire at age 37 with two boys ready for college in 10yrs....I occasionally play the lottery.

Take care,
-Fitz.

Hi Fitz,

I've spent the best part of three days on covering, and have the top wing top, and fuselage and cowl ready. Now for wing bottoms, etc. I had the tail feathers already covered and ready to go from the previous Skybolt that was destroyed in a horrendous crash.

Sandy