ramcfarland

My Feedback: (44)

Thanks Jeff others posting on this thread makes taking pictures and posting worth my time. Currently finishing up a repair;then will be back to my posting the building progress of my Top Flite Stinson build;I continue to encourage others to post their build experiences on this thread.

Heres a photo that shows the root of the leading edge being 'pre formed ' before Zapping it...

The other shows the product I use for those more difficult bends seeminly requiring more than razor saw cuts and moistening the balsa with water...

jaaron01

Thanks for the photo's.
Looks exactly like mine on the bench. That's always a good thing.

ramcfarland

My Feedback: (44)

GREAT then we are either both right or both wrong

added the wing tip (remember you must 'bevel' the bottom of the wing tip to accomadate the leading edge sheeting.

Per step 19 epoxied the wing joiner box in place at the same time ADDING the 'card board wing joiner tube in place---

I consider myself an experienced builder that being said:"I can not over empathize the importance of throughly reading the instructions on this kit project!!


The next panel will go MUCH faster now that I know what I'm doing

jaaron01

I got a little ahead of myself after deciding that my LE was good to go, and went ahead an epoxied the Joiner Box in last night. Now I'm finishing off the wing-tip, and will put some sheeting on the top tonight.

jaaron01

Thanks for posting to photo's. I'll be glad to have the left wing behind me, and start on the right one. I'm sure the Right one will go much quicker now that I know what to expect.

ramcfarland

My Feedback: (44)

Got some more done on the left wing panel,during the process I have been doing any sub assemblies that I could do on the right panel... Will be doing the top sheeting Friday on the left panel pictured.

jaaron01

Got the top and bottom sheeted, cut off the jig tab's, and added the Servo rails, and cap strips. Placed the last 1/16 main spar supports on each side and epoxied the bottom area of the support rails for the tube. I did my epoxy last, so everything could set up and dry overnight. So hopefully by the end of the weekend I'll have the left wing completed, along with the aileron, and flaps with everything hinged.

I will be so glad to have the left wing done, so I can start on the right one. I'm sure the right one will be twice as fast, now that I've got an idea of what I'm dealing with. Hopefully I'll get my camera up and running and post a few photo's.

ramcfarland

My Feedback: (44)

WOOPS I[8D] must REMOVE the wing from the board after completing step#28 Daaaa


BTW attached is a new product called "Pink it."
For those interested go to www.getstencils.com

jaaron01

Yeap, Wing has been removed from the building board this morning, and I built the aileron. If you haven't built the aileron yet, ensure that once you place the aileron core in and glue the ends, that before you glue the middle area into place ,look down the trailing edge and ensure it looks straight. I say this because, once i got everything glued in place the aileron trailing edge has a little bit of a bow in it. I've been able to get it out, and covering will take care of the rest, but I'll diffinately keep and eye on the right wing aileron while I'm glueing it.

I decided to completed the entire left wing before starting on the right one, mainly because I'm really tired of the left wing. As for the pink-it tape, I've seen that before. Unfortunaly I'm using 21st Century Fabric, and the guy's machine won't but that fabric due to thickness. However I've been talking with a couple of guys, and they have said to order a pair of hobby scissors (I've got the Part Number) and they say you can cut it with them. It'll add about 16 pinks to the inch, which looks about right on the wing. I'll just have to ensure I've had plenty of coffee prior to making my cuts nice and straight.

jaaron01

As for removing the wing from the building board, you'll have to remove it in order to build the Aileron or the Flap.

ramcfarland

My Feedback: (44)

Thanks

jman12

My Feedback: (13)

Ok guys I finaly have some pics to share of my Stinson building project. As you can see I'm fairly along in the process. I'm currently airbrushing the wheel pants, engine cowl and cabin ceiling. I hope to start on working on the wing struts later this week.

ramcfarland

My Feedback: (44)

looking good [8D]

Well here I'm STILL constructing the left wing panel...
Pictures show page 21: step 22 completed & step 23 underway I KNOW ammonia weakens balsa but nothing beats the technique in my book when it comes to laying down a compound complex as is the case of the wing tip sheeting (step 23 once dry I will Zap it in place *had to go slow on step 22 blending the spars to the wings ribs.

jaaron01

Well the left wing is completed, and I'm thankful for that. My camera I used for the photo's isn't the best, but will have to do. Flap and Aileron servo's have been installed, minus the actual hook-up. I'm taking tonight off, and cleaning up everything, so I can start on the right wing.

jimcork1

My Feedback: (4)

Ok,, my stinson had the engine run today with saito 1.8 turning 18x6 prop classic series, 9400 max rpm and an unbelievable 1400 rpm at idle. I used a extension on the muffler to get the exhaust out of the cowl.

NOTE if you use servos as listed the lead will not be long enough. Consider cutting and soldering extensions directly on each servo used in the wing to have the connector reach the receiver. Also plan where you want the receiver. I put my rec and bat pack under the fuel tank. The on off switch in hidden in the stripe on the side. Just could not see kneeling down and opening the door to turn the rec on.

All I have left is extend servo leads and to get longer 6x32 screws that attach the wing. Warning use something to add friction to the screws so they don't back out in flight. Also you will need an extended ball socket to reach them. Don't use screws with slots you will never be able to reach and tighten them.

Jim

ramcfarland

My Feedback: (44)

Nice shots of the wing I will use them as reference-

Jim : the 4/C is for me too I think and considering the new O.S. 200 4/C,while glow is messy with the exhaust residue I've found my other 4/C to start quickly and idle WAY down. still considering gas as well however.

I've been 'lost' in a rather dramatic war time aviation paper back... the last couple days but will be back in the shop Thursday and see what I can get accomplished.

I'm glad this thread seems to be taking off I enjoy the exchange of ideas not to mention pictures...


If it has wings and a radial engine count me in[8D]

jaaron01

Have you started on the Aileron or Flap yet? I'm curious as to what you think after building those two areas. I'll tell you this plane has tested my patiences on so many levels, an I enjoy building as much a flying. It's fun, don't get me wrong, but finishing off that left wing provided great joy and relief.

CrateCruncher

My Feedback: (1)

For everyone building the TopFlite Stinson, the two piece landing gear design provided in the kit is total CRAP! I heard the only reason they did a two piece is so they could get everything to fit in the box.

Failure occurs as a result of the bending moment exerted on the mounts causing them to break out the first time you land that big girl hard. Even a review article linked on the TopFlite website mentions "some gear damage" on their maiden flight! TNT makes a one piece gear for $55 or you could have the gear halves from your kit welded together or bolted together with an aluminum plate. I'd also recommend beefing up the mounting points in the fuse to spread the load out.

jimcork1

My Feedback: (4)

I have looked at the gear and do think you are correct. But given I was given the bird with fuse gear completed I plan to let nature deal the blow and remove the gear so I won't have to .. It is now ready to fly and remove gear on first landing. But I will get pics before the first flight. If it self removes I will find another option. Possibly the replacement,, but I do have a "few" gears around. Might test fly tomorrow. My landings have been very soft one wheeler's rolling to a stop. So let's see what it takes to remove "built by plan" gear. Then we can respond direct to TF with photos.

Jim

ramcfarland

My Feedback: (44)

Funny I was thinking that this morning while adding the leading edge sheeting to the left panel;then I think ..heck I have been building since 1962 twas a Berkeley Aeronca C-3 a piece of cake compared to this 'builders kit.' Reading and re-reading the instructions has worked for me thus far though-

CrateCruncher: I read about the gear thing check out this picture from the old Wylan drawings showing the "full scales" shock absorbing gear set up. Looks like I will go with a one piece or join the left and right struts one way or another.

ramcfarland

My Feedback: (44)

More Kaos I mean progress :glued the wing tip sheeting in place and then made up and Slow Zapped the leading edge sheeting to the leading edge ONLY as instructed...once dry 'wet' the sheeting and weighted and clamped AND pined portions in place.Will glue the leading edge sheeting down later.

jaaron01

As for the landing gear, I'm still undecided on what to do, but I'm leaning towards the 1 piece gear from TNT. Also will beef up the landing gear area as well with a solid piece of 1/4 ply across there as well. I've heard stories as well about severe landing gear failure, and with a G-38 in the nose and all that weight, somethings bound to give on a tough landing. I'm a firm believer in not adding weight to an aircraft, but this one area the needs special attention on this airframe.

Fast Richard, I'm still eager to hear your report on building the aileron and flaps.

ramcfarland

My Feedback: (44)

Hey jaaron01 I'm just turning to page #24 now and will start them over the weekend-

I apologize for not responding sooner.[8D]

ramcfarland

My Feedback: (44)

Woops wasn't supposed to post quite yet. Anyway proceeded to page 22 and have made the decision to NOT remove the wing panel from the board (which Top Flite gives as an option) and will instead proceed to build the flaps and ailerons with the wing still pinned to the building board for alignment purposes-

jaaron01

I will be curious to see how that works out for you ( not removing from the building board ). How will you sand the bottom Aileron/Flap Ribs down for the 1/16 cap strips? Keep us posted. As for not responding sooner, I know how that goes, no worries.

I've got the ribs for the Right wing glued together and now I need to fit each of them to the main spar ( sand the angle on them ).

Jim