Started my first kit build
 

I recently began building a kit which I have never done before. I have always loved airplanes and even flew the shadow UAV in the Army for 5 1/2 years. I started flying RC about a year ago with the Rochester Aero Modeling Society (RAMS) and decided it was time to try my hand and building. I picked up an older kit from a sale at the RAMS fly in last summer. It is a Killer Vee .40 which may not be the easiest build but we will see how it goes.

So far I have a good portion of the first wing half completed. It has been a challenge to identify all of the parts referenced in the instructions but I think I am making good progress. I will post a couple pictures of what I have so far and will keep an eye out for any comments!

RE: Started my first kit build
 

Welcome to RCU and the wonderful world of building.
You must be very very careful, building airplanes can be very addictive;). Before you know it you will be building more than flying.
Enjoy the experience and ask for help when needed. You will get all the help you need here.
Anthony

RE: Started my first kit build
 

I second that welcome, and ditto, building gets in the blood. Oh, neat looking plane there. Look forward to more of your build.

RE: Started my first kit build
 

Looks good. Here's an article you might find interesting:

[link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/article_display.cfm?article_id=1196]Kit Building 101[/link]

RE: Started my first kit build
 

You got an awesome kit and very desirable kit. GMP kits where right there with Airtronics & MK as far as quality goes. Take your time and you'll be greatly rewarded with a fantastic flyer. And post lots of pictures too! :D

Hogflyer

RE: Started my first kit build
 

NICE!!! Keep on posting 'em pix!!!!!

RE: Started my first kit build
 

That is a cool looking plane. I would love to have something unique like that to build.

RE: Started my first kit build
 

Cool airplane!

RE: Started my first kit build
 

Thanks everyone for the positive comments. I am truly enjoying the build so far, working through the challenges and learning the process. I have made some more progress and have installed the leading edge, top spar, dihedral braces, and sheeting between the top and bottom spars in between each rib.

I am now on hold until I can get to the store and get some epoxy, the stuff I had went bad and harden within a couple minutes of mixing it. I need to epoxy the leading edge to the bottom sheeting and also the dihedral braces.

I think I am using too much thin CA as you can probably see from the pictures. It comes out really fast even when I’m trying to just add a couple drops. Any suggestions?

RE: Started my first kit build
 

I see you have a midwest trainer under that table. I have the midwest 20 size which I soloed with. Love it.

RE: Started my first kit build
 

Your build is coming along just fine, good job!

Thin CA will flow like water, don't worry about it. Just make sure the parts are pressed together thightly before the CA dries.
Joints must be thight in order to be strong.

Keep the picture comming!

-Brad

RE: Started my first kit build
 

Yeah I got the Midwest .40 from one of the other club members at a good price. Had some issues when I was training last year with it. The .40 size engine was plenty of power when in the air but had trouble getting enough ground speed to get in the air with it. Twice when we were trying to get off the ground the plane just wouldn’t lift off and tip stalled close to the ground. The last time the plane cart wheeled and the nose broke off at the firewall and it has been sitting like that waiting for me to repair it.

I actually moved on to an eflight t-34 mentor for the rest of my training. The plane was converted from electric to glow before I bought it but it flies great. I did some training on it and then had my first solo ever on it in Aug of last year. It’s currently my plane of choice when I go to the field and continue to fly solo and learn on it. I can loop and roll the plane fairly well and have even flown inverted and have completed some hammerhead turns as well.

This is part of the reason I am building this kit. I am looking for something sportier to fly than the mentor and I think this plane will do it. I do plane on completing the repair on the Midwest at some point, just keeping it on the to-do list!

RE: Started my first kit build
 

Go to the hobby store and get some of these CA applicator tips. They come in several different brands and make glue application much more precise.

RE: Started my first kit build
 

I applied the epoxy on the places called for in the instructions last night and will let it sit all day. What is the best way to apply epoxy to joints?

I used a popsicle stick and used that to maneuver it around but I am curious what every else does. Tonight I should be able to add the top sheeting to the leading and trail edges and will pretty much have a wing at that point. I am pretty excited because once these last couple of steps are completed on this wing I can start the other and it should go much faster. I have the hunting and picking down for which piece is the one to use and I think I can knock it out in a couple nights.

Once I have the sheeting in place tonight I will get some more pics and post them!

RE: Started my first kit build
 

Building is addictive. Some enjoy it as much or more than flying [8D]. As far as applying epoxy is concerned, a popsicle stick is as good a way as any. If you would like to smooth it out after dobbing it on, hit it with a heat gun and it will flow like water. If you don't have a heat gun, you will likely want to pick one up somewhere along the line if you are going to use any heat shrink covering at all.

Good looking plane, by the way. But then, they all look good to me.

RE: Started my first kit build
 

I use acid brushes to apply apoxy. But popsicle stick works too. Toothpicks are good for working it into small holes.

RE: Started my first kit build
 

Welcome to the building forum. Here is something you may want to try for your thin CA. I have them and they really help control the application.

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...idProduct=8466

RE: Started my first kit build
 

So I now have one wing panel complete and the other started. There are still steps in the instructions coming up for installing the wing tips and shaping them, ailerons, and other gear. But once I have the second wing panel created I will have to join them together with fiberglass tape and epoxy. That should be a fun step!

I have a couple more pictures showing the completed wing panel and the start on the other one. The second wing panel should go together much faster now that I have “figured” everything out on the first one.

Again I appreciate everyone’s comments and tips, I will keep posting and looking out for what everyone has to say.

RE: Started my first kit build
 

Be sure not to build two of the same side wing panels. Easily done by mistake.

I just finished my first kit, a Sig 1/5 scale Cub. I enjoyed the build but wishI'd have gone with a trainer style kit or something a tad easier. I got it all done but took me a while because I got burned out about 3/4 of the way through it. My next build I think I'm going with a Sig 4*40. I have an OS.52 four stroke lying around that should work nicely in that airplane.

Good luck.

RE: Started my first kit build
 

Mac

Looks nice and true; keep up the nice work.

RE: Started my first kit build
 

Looks like you did a great job on that Cub! I knew the kit I am building maybe not the best choice for a first build and I perhaps should have gone with something more like a trainer. But I didn’t have much use for another trainer so once I built it I wouldn’t want to fly it as much. I like the sportier aspect of the kit I am working on and am looking forward to flying it at some point.

I had some great movement on the second wing panel (not the same side as the one I already built)! Quick trip to the craft store on my lunch break today for some more balsa sheeting and I can keep going tonight. Hope to have this wing panel completed at least by the end of this weekend.

RE: Started my first kit build
 

BigMac,

It looks like you picked a great kit for a first build.. Nice flat-bottom wing makes things go pretty quick and straight. It will probably also fly a bit more docile for your 2nd/3rd plane..

I wanted to suggest the Peel-Ply method when it comes time to glass the center of your wing. I have tried several different techniques and did this the first time during my last build with a Global Skyraider kit.

Take a look Here: [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_7276786/mpage_3/key_/tm.htm]Global Skyraider Build[/link] on posts numbers 62 and 68.

This technique was very easy to learn and gave me a great smooth surface over the fiberglass. I have tried several techniques of thinning epoxy, layering Saran Wrap over the fiberglass and glue, even using masking tape to smooth down the finish... The Peel Ply technique worked GREAT.

Also, I had often fought with the folded fiberglass or nylon tape provided in the kit wanting to leave fold marks in the center. I did some experiments with ironing the material and reported it on the King Kobra Build, post # 68. It really helped keep things flat.. BTW, the Peel-Ply technique was used over the entire plane in this thread: [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_6496478/tm.htm]King Cobra Build[/link] I think Mikes use of Peel Ply starts on Post #49.

Just something to check into when you are getting ready for the next steps of building..

Keep up the great work.

RE: Started my first kit build
 

I’m making great progress on the second wing panel. I have the bottom sheeting, spar, and ribs in place. I will be adding the top sheeting this evening and possibly adding the epoxy on the landing gear block. At this point I hope to work on joining the wing halves this weekend!

RE: Started my first kit build
 

I now have both wing panels completed except for the tips. I started last night shaping one and have a photo of my progress. I didn’t know the best way to do it so I am doing it by hand with sand paper and a block but I think it is going well so far. Mostly matching up the thickest part of the wing to the tip and shaping from there.

Also started on the elerudders, have them glued together and have to shape them like the wing tips and then measure the angle, sand the joint to match and glue that.

I didn’t get as far as I wanted this past holiday weekend with all the good weather, BBQ’s, and flying. As you can see from the picture the weekend of flying didn’t end so well. Best we can tell the receiver battery went bad or developed a memory and died mid flight causing full loss of control.

I had just completed a roll and was starting a right roll for a turn at the end of the runway when it happened. The plane rolled upside down and then dove nose first into the ground at full throttle. It buried the engine a good 6-8 inches deep and about ¾ of the fuselage is now toothpicks. Wings might be salvageable but the fuse is shot.

This means I don’t have anything to fly right now and will have to either finish this or repair the trainer I have to at least get something flying again. Keep the comments coming, they have been fun to read and the tips have been great.

Anyone have a spare plane to lone me? haha

RE: Started my first kit build
 

Keep up the good work.  We are almost neighbors, I'm in Lancaster NY and belong to the RC Pulsers of Western New York.  I have never been to your events but several of our club members visit.