The build starts Monday. My 8 year old son is going to help me. I didn't realize that the tail was one piece balsa like that, should speed up what I expect to be a fairly quick build. I'm on vacation for 2 weeks so if the weather's bad, I'll be building. I'm cutting 1 bay on each side and adding probably 1/2" to elevator, aileron and rudder surfaces and servos in the wings. Many pics to follow.

Mine arrived today as well. I already have something on the building board, so it will be a while before I get to it.

I thought the same thing when I saw the horizontal stab, hmmmm....one piece and done, that's different.

Let me know what you think of the build?

Ghostrider, were you a helicopter pilot in Nam?

No I was not.

Dropping one bay in each wing, really improves the roll rate on the 4 *'s , probably the best mod you can do. The elevator is pretty good stock , ,but I added 3/8's of a in. to mine and a 1 in to the rudder, which it did improve the knife edge . One other thing I did was reinforce the fuse. behind the wing saddle, as I have broke both my old .40 and .69 there doing hard snap rolls. I have a few pi's I can post if you like. their on the shop Laptop or I would have already. lol
Enjoy the build with your son, he's at a good age to get him hooked and the time you spend together well be pricelss. I bet he's as excited as you are.
What engine are you going to run ? Enjoy and keep us posted.

Your gonna love that plane.

I've got a Magnum .46 for it and I should love it, my 4*60 is my everyday plane for 2 years now.

I do not think a Ghost rider was the pilot. A Ghostrider was a passenger (usually local) who was not officially on the ride...often going to help medically etc

Four star 40 great plane can have a lot fun changing the look -adding winp tips and rounding the corners of

the tail make it more streamline -it can look like a totally different airplanei use a os 52 4 stroke

with 11X8 prop had nice power and good vertical and best it sipps fuel 10min flight about 4-5 oz

mine wgts 4.75 lbs. i added wing tips and ended with about 59in span-very thin ply on turtle deck

for a smooth lookbalsa cowl to cover the engine mounted on a down angle-This a Fast building

plane and very much fun to fly will do all maneuvers but 3DAbove all have fun with a great

Build

Few pics....

Right wing.

Looks good gentlemen , you guys well have her in bare bones before X-mas at this rate.
Here's a pic of of my fuse reinforcement ,I just used the scrap ply from the fuse sides..

Thanks for the heads up Insane.

Nice!

Left wing pics. This is one of the easiest planes to build I've ever built. I'm gonna order another one just to put away.

My son is a great help. It's so much easier to let him glue while I hold ribs, ect.....

The 2 wing halves are almost complete. Still have some sanding to do but it's all downhill from here on the wing.

Both my son and I were using a sanding block to get the glue off our fingers, it was great.

Yall left balsa wood dust on the carpet. Moms gonna be angry! [X(]


j/k

She's a great woman, she's been putting up with my continual balsa dust for years. I told her that making balsa dust was a disease for which there is no cure........

How bout a pic of your helper?  I dont wanna make anyone feel like this is a sob story, but my son is 11 and the last time I saw him was Dec 31st 1999.  Dont get me started on what kind of woman his mother is. 
My point is I am always a little jealous of guys who get to do this with their son/daughter and It always brings a smile to me to read about your little helpers.  I really do like the pics of the kids helpin dad out.  Your a lucky man.  And your plane looks great.  Merry Christmas!!!

Sorry to hear about that Steve. I'll try to post one later.

More pics...

Wow , moving right along! Before you install the fuse top, preinstall your tank, with the padding on the tank floor and sides, makes it easier toget the holes right. Also it's easier to drill the wing dowel if you have'nt installed the fuse bottom in front of the wing saddle. Line the wing up and tape it in place , then use a longggg 1/4 in. drill bit and drill thru the monting hole into the wing. Be sure to keep your drill level.
Also install your throttle linkage with the fuse top off, makes evey thing that much easier.
Looks like you gentlemen will have her in bare bones by X-mas, nice job guys.

Guys,

I only have a 10oz take, think that will be enough for the Magnum .46?

Is the one you are going to order my Christmas present?

Hmm, I pretty sure mine has a 12 oz. tank. Have a Satio .56 and get some fairly long flight time out of it .Once the 46 is broke-in I would think you should get at the very least 12min flights. Longer than that , if you don't fly wide open all the time.
I,m guessing a 5/8 oz burn rate per min. I have a burn rate chart somewhere, just can not find it right now. Sry .What size does the instruction call for ?