Im just about to build my first ARTF Kit...Sukhoi SU 31
IVe built plenty but am new to these prefabricated things

Question.......The Dihederal brace/ Wing joiner is a good tight fit against the fore and aft faces of its slot but there is considerable movement in the vertical. Is this normal to allow for wing alignment or should I pack out the gaps.

Is epoxy best for the wing joining job.

The marks on the firewall for the engine bearers are pre marked but off set....is this to allow for engine downthrust / sidethrust....or is it just poor marking out.

The kit is sold in the UK as a Black Horse Lit for 46 size engines

Thanks for any ideas.

STTally,

"Question.......The Sidereal brace/ Wing joiner is a good tight fit against the fore and aft faces of its slot but there is considerable movement in the vertical. Is this normal to allow for wing alignment or should I pack out the gaps. " Pack out the gaps but allow enough gap so that the epoxy can fill the joiner.

Is epoxy best for the wing joining job. Yes. Use 30 minute - gives you more time and is stronger than 6 minute.

"The marks on the firewall for the engine bearers are pre marked but off set....is this to allow for engine downthrust / sidethrust....or is it just poor marking out. "
Probably for down thrust. I would temporarily mount the motor using a couple of dabs of CA and the install the cowl with tape. Looking at the end, the motor shaft should be centered. That should be an easy check.

Later,
John

I use 60-min for critical joints. More time and less stress (mental ) for nice fitting and alignment, and higher strength. Often the epoxy viscosity starts to increase before 60-min depending on external temperature...

Tally:

The off-center markings for the engine mount are to make the propellor end up centered in the cowl with the thrust line pointing to the right. If you check with a square you'll find the firewall is not at a right angle to the fuselage center line, it's probably enough to see when you look down from the top. If the engine mount were centered where it attaches to the firewall the prop would be stuck off to the right.

And you don't "Build" an ARF, it's built when you get it. You just assemble it.

And then enjoy it sooner, with the hard stuff already done for you.

Bill.

Bill, I just finished building a kit, and it is so soothing and therapeutic to just read this sentence, as I wait for the arrival of my arfs. LOL !

Rajul:

Wish I had an empty building table.

Current:
- Twin engine piston:
Twin-Air 15, about 1/2 done
Twin-Air 45, piddly stuff left
Duellist 2/15, scratch prototype, about 1/2 done
Duellist 2/40 (third one) little more than started
Duellist 2/60 waiting, just got here
Bridi F7F Tigercat scale, maybe 1/3 done.
- Twin motor, electric:
PT-E twin bash, finish wiring
- Single engine piston:
RCM Trainer 40 (ARF) wing joining.

Right. That's EIGHT in process. Will I ever get my head above water again? Tune in tomorrow, same time, same station!

Bill.

Bill, I am definitely not as prolific as you, but I will be "profilic" when I complete my extreme 330 arf......

Rajul:

That list is the ones NOT ready to fly. I wont try to list the ones ready to go, many single engined piston, some piston twins, five electrics, two helicopters, and three R/C boats - two piston and one electric. No R/C cars, thank goodness.

To be honest, I get as much pleasure from building as I do from flying. And I'm running out of room.

Bill.

Yeah, I know what you mean. The feeling of flying a kit is beyond words. But crashing a kit is beyond tears Crashing or damaging an arf is less painful although it's more $$. It's the painstaking time and effort in building a kit. So, I have both kits and arfs to balance my time and effort.......

Hey STTally, sorry for swaying from the original topic, but I hope you have you questions answered .....