Balsa USA northstar
 

Anyone want to see this thing built? Every time I start one of these it gets bought right off the table. This time I want to keep one for myself. If anyone knows Carl Wilson from Las Vegas let him know I’m building his plane he bought in Feb. 1993…

Highlights of 1993 were….... Bill Clinton was inaugurated, Jurassic Park was the big movie, Bacon was $1.19 per pound, gas was $1.26 per gallon, an ounce of gold was $391.75, Cowboys won the Super Bowl, Blue Jays won the World Series, and Andre the Giant died. There was no Utube, Facebook, or Twitter… Hard to say why Carl never built his plane.
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I built one of its sister kits, the Force One, it's a great airplane. it's worth the effort to move the aileron servos out into the wing.

Think about what your suggesting, the Northstar flies off water:D

Along for the ride (build)
 

Cool, Never seen one of these in person either...

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30 years later this bad boy will cost you $224.93

Nice to see you Rick, this one will be fun, every other Northstar I build gets bought off the table but this one is mine, so figure on bright colors and toss that abs cowl in the trash. Got a bit done on the wing, lotsa little angles to contend with on deltas. I’ve done several of each Enforcers, Northstars, and Force ones, all were fun to fly and build…….
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Holy Crap!
 

Went flying today and here is what happened 1st flight right after takeoff. I was about 300 ft in the air, pulled Immelmann and ripped the top covering off the right wing. I have 2 planes that were built by someone else, and this is one of them. Holy Crap all lift was gone and landing was nose first. I broke a prop and the engine mount but the plane is fine. I already stripped and recovered the wing……What a rush that was!
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Here is the bottom of the wing coming along nicely. Did a utube search of Northstars flying off water and it’s got me pumped up to get this going. I have several nice lakes to fly it off of…..
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Wing is ready to be pulled off the table for now and begin the fuselage. Northstar builds the fuse and wing separate, then combines them into 1 assembly which cannot be taken apart once completed. Being straight and square matter during assembly for this or any plane to fly correctly. All good so far, thinking about different colors I may choose for a unique look.
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Here is some fuse parts laid out ready to start the sides. It seems one small die cut sheet was missing so I had to cut a few pieces.
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will this thing be getting fiberglass (or at least resin) and paint since the plan is to fly it from water?

I'll use ultracote and seal the seams on the bottom. All the other ones I've done were same with no issues. The fuse bottom sets about an inch in the water as well as the wing tip floats and are the areas that need sealed up.

Here is the basic fuse framed up. I ordered some 4 ft braided cables for control surfaces and they will need installed before wing can be joined. I’ll start sheeting the fuse and hope they come today.
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Fuse bottom is now sheeted and as far as I can go on the top is sheeted. Rods didn’t come today so wing cannot be mounted yet. I did remove the leading edge point so the wing can be set in place. This thing is an absolute blast, can’t wait to fly it…….
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On board
 

Just saw this and need to see if finished I scratched one and it flew great years ago. I came across another and hard to get it from another club member.
You will enjoy it .
What motor will you use?
I have seen 60 used but a good 45 is all you need..

I just started it a few days ago but yes I will finish it. I have either OS 55 AX or Thunder Tiger Pro .46 for it.
Settle in and check it out. Won't take me too long to finish................Thanks!

And some wing sheeting…….
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YOu are moving along at a good pace.

Without a doubt, that is one interesting craft.....

Man, I sure wish I could get to the building table....

Today my rods are supposed to come so I have been doing things that aren’t affected by the wing not being installed. Here are the tip floats attached, notice the pile of scrap. Not much wood left in the box. Once the rods come I can get the tail and engine compartment all framed up.
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Rods came today and this is the basic routing that must be done before wing is glued on. I’ll double check everything and glue the outers in place and mount the wing.
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Plane is now starting to take shape. Wing, ailerons, top sheeting, and canopy are installed. Only area left to build is the tail feathers and engine pod area…….
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It's coming along nicely Dave. What servos are you going to use?

I have several to choose from but safe to say nothing too fancy will go in this. Probably ball bearing standard servos........

Here it the rudder in place…….
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