I recently purchased a nice plane kit and decided to post a short building thread on the kit.

The Classic by Checkerboard Air.

Upon opening the box I realized this plane was designed much better than most kits, had excellent wood and cutting, hardware, and clear well written instructions.

You will see as we build it, the designer put his best into this design.
I'll try and post photos so you guys can check it out as I build it.

I am not a photographer or computer expert.
I'm just a guy that loves to build and fly radio control planes.

Here goes, bear with me,
Dave


1. As with most build up kits, the Rudder is built first. A simple balsa stick framework that is skinned with 1/16 balsa sheeting.
So far so good and ready for more.

As I look deeper, it seems as this is no ordinary trainer.
Looking forward to seeing this one come together.

2. Box is laid out nicely with hardware pack separately from the wood.
Two large Die cut plywood sheets are laser cut and the kit has good quality balsa sticks and sheeting. It includes a Monocote trim sheet and quality American made hardware.

Stabilizer is built the same way as the Rudder.
Quality is excellent and the parts are building nicely.

I'll get to a wing in the next post, but will set these parts aside till later.

I bought one of these kits just recently, but haven't had the time to get started on it. When I opened up the kit box I couldn't believe how organized the kit looked. Everything is neatly organized (like you mentioned) and all the wood is seperated from the hardware and plywood, so that the balsa won't get scratched-up at all "VERY NICE". I can't wait to get started on my kit now, and this thread will be "VERY HELPFUL" to me Dave. Thank-You Very Much for sharing and giving your time to do this wonderful kit build for us, it gives me some insentive to get started on mine, I will closely be watching what you put on next about this build...... I also want to tell you how much I have enjoyed your other kit build threads that you have put here on RCU.
Sincerely,
BILLYFLYS

Thanks Bill,
I thought most guys would be bored with this one as it is a typical trainer and would not generate much interest.

Trainers are something that every guy needs and most are junk.

I started the thread because I think this may be the best top wing kit I have seen in many years.
The quality is very impressive.
Thanks for the kudos,
Dave

Wing is built the same as any kit and then joined with epoxy.

The wing is a semi symetrical airfoil that can be built with a single servo or with one in each wing half.
There are some plywood ribs in the wing half, 1 at the root, 1 at the the tip, and 2 in the wing half center for the dual servo option.

The balance of the ribs are nicely cut balsa with lightening holes.

For the way I fly and the engine going on this plane, I have opted for the dual servo placement.
I will put the plane through some tough flying and expect it to deliver. From what I see it will be very durable but good planning never hurts.

I will deviate very little from the plans, but will double up on the shear webs in the first few bays.

I'll also be sheeting the inner wing different than the plans show, and glassing the center section with 4 inch glass cloth rather than the 1 inch included in the hardware pack.

The wing panels are ready to be joined now.

This design calls for the left wing panel to be completely built first, and the joiner glued in place prior to joining the two panels.
Another set of plywood ribs meet in the center joint, and really is nice see.

The right wing is then built, sheeted, and epoxied to the half with the joiner attached.

A nice 1/4 balsa wingtip is added to each side to clean things up.

This photo is of the inboard right wing panel before joining.

Wing is joined, leading edge rounded, and the glass cloth was applied with thin CA.
I didn't have any 4" cloth, so I opted for 6".
This thing built up real nice, does not weigh much, yet feels very strong.
Still impressed with the wood selection the kit maker used.
Ailerons are next and then this can then be set aside for sanding and covering.


I'll start the fuse soon,
Bear with me a bit longer
Dave

Hi Dave,
Hey I just purchased a Classic Checkerboard also. This will be my VERY FIRST build so I will be watching often and I'm sure a question (or 2) will come up. At this point I'm flying solo on this project, and I'm excited to get started. Right now I'm still gathering parts and pieces and waiting for the snow to fly before I get going.
Happy building,
Tom

Tom,
No problem and Glad to help.
You have a real nice kit to learn with, so keep watching the build thread and feel free to chime in if you have questions.

Dave

looking good!!

Thanks JohnnyB,

Only because the kit is designed so nice and hides my building flaws well.
Thanks for looking,
Dave

Here is a photo of the excellent quality laser cut lite ply that comes in the kit.
Two huge sheets with jigs, ribs, and fuse parts.
Looking at the cutting it is a mystery how anyone could not do well building this plane.

Second photo is the Major Decals sheet made for the Classic.

I'm trying to decide on what colors of Ultracote to use.

I'm leaning towards a bright orange and white with black pinstriping, but I am open to any ideas.

I'm watching this build with great interest.
Are you considering going with a bolt-on wing, rather than the rubber band mount? It would be consistent with your beefing up the wing center with the wide fiberglas section and would certainly be nice for hard flying. I once had my Classic fuselage "depart" from the wing in a hard loop. I had forgotten to put on enough rubber bands and paid the price. The wing came down like a fluttering leaf, no damage - but the fuselage didn't do so well.

Allen,

Excellent thought....
Since I have the wing center joined and glassed, I'll still go forward with the dowel set up.
Likely increase the dowel size to 1/4" or perhaps 5/16" and discard the 3/16".

Had I thought of this sooner, I'd have placed tapered blocks in the wing center under the trailing edge sheeting and a set in the front behind the leading edge.


Thanks for your interest and happy to have you here,
Your kit is great!
Dave

Well, this thread has really lit a fire under me to get my kit down and get started on it.... As, the information that you are pouring out about it is really a golden opportunity for me to get it out of the closet and onto the table.... Thanks Alot Plumberdeluxe for all the valuable information!!!
BILLYFLYS ;-)

Thanks Bill,

I have no idea how or why a top wing plane got me so fired up.

I needed to replace an old Aerostar .40 the guys fly when they come over, plus I like tossing a top wing around sometimes myself.

This should fly circles around that poor old beast.

I have picked out a OS SF .46 pumped engine to use for this plane.

The AX 55 was my first choice, but I want the vertical performance a pumper delivers and I don't have an extra AX laying around.

Maybe a pipe too........................hmm

Goodmorning Dave,
What do you have planned for servos on this plane and what wing length have you gone with? I'm still contemplating engines also, so I'll be curious to find out your final choice.
Take care,
Tom

Tom,
I kept the wing the stock "length".
Servos will be JR ball bearing 537 throughout.

Engine is mounted on the firewall prior to firewall install.
A long mount is need for a 2 stroke application.
Distance to the prop hub is crucial as the engine is enclosed.

Fuse construction is quite unique and shows some creative thinking, planning, and constuction technique by the designer.
The more I build, the more I am pleased with what I see.

The photo shows the first construction phase of the fuselage. It fits together like a woman and a shoe sale.

I included a photo of the excellent hardware package supplied in the kit.

Kwik link rods, receiver foam, velcro, A Monocote trim sheet, Classic decals, landing gear, Sig Easy hinges, a piece of clear Monocote to view the fuel level, control horns, throttle cable, steering rods, and aileron rods.
All American made products which is very rare in any kit and a welcome site.

Fuse went together quickly and the lite ply parts fit like a glove.

It came out light, strong, and strait and didn't require much time to assemble.

There is no doubt this plane could support a .61 two stroke with no problems.

I'll leave the .46 but if I build another Classic, it will get a .61
Almost ready to start covering parts
Bear with me a bit longer,
Dave

Lookin Good Dave!!!

What is the wingspan? Does Checkerboard have a website-

Thanks Bill,

Spotter, the wing is 62.25 and there is a website. I have a link, but it does not seem to work now.
The designer is a member here on RCU and may be able to help.
www.checkerboardair.com
There are 2 versions of this plane, The tri gear Classic Trainer version and a tail dragger called the Classic Sport.
Both are excellent kits
Hope this helps and thanks for looking
Dave

The website went bad (thanks Yahoo for terrible service) and will not be reinstated since the company is inactive at this time. You may occasionally see a kit on e-bay.
Dave, you are making great progress on the model. Keep up the good work.

Allen,
Thanks for the compliment
I really like the model and it is an easy relaxing build.
You've really put out a nice kit, so I wanted to do a build thread on it.
I'll gladly buy more if they come available.

I'll start covering soon
Dave