RE: LT40 Build thread
 

Looking good!:) Your 'bout done with the toughest part. The fuse is gravy.

RE: LT40 Build thread
 

Here is a picture of my son's LT40. It was built as a taildragger and has a servo in each wing. We used a Saito 56 on the front.

RE: LT40 Build thread
 

That LT40 looks like a winner.

I've found the Saito 50, 56, & 62 engines to be easier to adjust than the OS 52 Surpass.

RE: LT40 Build thread
 

That LT40 looks great Rvator. Thanks Mrbigg. I glued the fibreglass strip with epoxy thinned with alcohol. Then I glued the servo plate on with epoxy also. I'll be using epoxy on the fuse. I just hate the ca glue. I marked the lines and put the motormounts on the firewall. I turned the blind nuts backwards to hold the motormounts while I fitted the engine. Then turned them around one by one pulling them into the plywood. It says to drill the engine holes and gives you a measurement. I'll leave that till last. The weight and balance will be different since it's going to be a taildragger. I also glued the blind nuts on the back of the firewall. I put some tape over the holes so I wouldn't get any glue in the holes.

RE: LT40 Build thread
 

I finished putting the stiffeners on the sides. I used a couple of drill bits in the holes where the dowels go to make sure they lined up.

RE: LT40 Build thread
 

I finished the fuselage. I used epoxy in the first 2 formers. Then as much as I hate it, I used ca on the rest on the sides and bottoms, just to keep everything tight together. Then I used alpetic glue for the top piece. I put some weight on the front too keep the bottom tight.

RE: LT40 Build thread
 

I made up a plate to put inside to support the landing gear. I used epoxy and tightened it all down installing the landing gear temporarily. I put the gussets in for the firewall.

RE: LT40 Build thread
 

I fuel proofed that area where the fuel tank goes. I thinned down epoxy with some alcohol. The part the tank sits on is pretty flimsy and it only sits on a small shelf at each end so I glued a couple stiffeners on it and that will make it more solid on the sides. I glued the windshield in and the piece that the wing sits over ahead of the 3rd former.

RE: LT40 Build thread
 

I just finished up the horizontal stabilizer, and the vertical fin.

RE: LT40 Build thread
 

I cut the slots for the hinges. I put some filler near the spars then sanded the wings. Also did a sanding on the fuselage. I'll do a bit more sanding before I cover.

RE: LT40 Build thread
 

I installed the pushrods, and put extra support in. There seemed to be a lot of sag. On the servo tray I glued some wood supports so the screws would hold better. I sanded the stabilizer the other day and didn't post the pics, also the horizontal fin. I bent a tail wheel bracket, it was duplicated from the sig fourstar. i put a sullivan tailwheel on it. I'll put a tube through the fuselage and the horizontal stabilizer then bend it at right angle to fit the rudder onto it.

RE: LT40 Build thread
 

You are doing good work

RE: LT40 Build thread
 

Thanks w8ye. I haven't posted lately, I have some more pics. I put some strips on the servo tray to give the screws more to bite into. Finished the fuel tank. Then put the servos in the tray. I started to put a tailwheel with a wire up through the bottom, then I thought i would bend a right angle after to go into rudder, but it's so hard to bend, and I have to go between the hinge and the control horn, so I put in another push rod, crossed it over and will run it off the other side of the servo. I didn't get a pic of that. I finished the covering the horizontal stab.

RE: LT40 Build thread
 

I managed to bend my 1/16" tail wire 90 degrees OK with two pairs of pliers. I had to think about that for a little bit before I did it. Wasn't too hard

RE: LT40 Build thread
 

w8ye, I bent the tailwheel bottom, and it was pretty hard, but it was ok. But I thought, if I slipped bending it for the rudder, over top of the elevator, I could do damage. So i went the other route. I finished covering now, used 3 rolls of ultracote. I will also post a pic of my four star 60, the one I did last year. The wings are in the background. I like the Sig kits.

RE: LT40 Build thread
 

Those look nice

RE: LT40 Build thread
 

Most of my planes are Sig kits love em! Last two pics are Sig Hog Bipes I enlarged 16% for Ryobi gas engine. I think I should enlarge LT-40 WAY BIG for the Ryobi gasser and start a build thread on that hmmm fun fun.

RE: LT40 Build thread
 

Nice looking planes sticktickler. Here is the wing all covered.

RE: LT40 Build thread
 

You are doing a nice covering job looking at the edges and corners

RE: LT40 Build thread
 

Thanks w8ye, I took an upholstery course one time, and learned how to tuck corners, but when i built my other plane a friend showed me a few techniques. He didn't do any of it for me, but he showed me a lot and it helps. Just like the forums here. Before I built my first airplane, I read 3 other threads on guys that built the same aircraft. I have't been as detailed this time, as i was with my other one when posting. I have to apoligize for that. RcKen has a thread on the LT40, and I have referred to his build many times. Anyways, a bit more done, I glued the horizontal stab. Then painted the landing gear. Then I glued on the dorsal fin.

RE: LT40 Build thread
 

I put the control surfaces on today. I used the dubro hinges and used epoxy. Before installing them I heated some vaseline, then dipped just the hinges in and let them cool and dry. It works good, the epoxy doesn't get in the hinges. I used a strip of credit card, it seemed the right thickness to push the epoxy into the slots, then put morre epoxy on the hinges. I then used 99% isopropal acohol to clean the excess epoxy off after installing them. It's starting to look like an airplane now.

RE: LT40 Build thread
 

With today's economic times that is the best use of a credit card I can think of.

Spreading epoxy . . . .

RE: LT40 Build thread
 

Your right w8ye. I don't use credit card anymore than necessary, When I do, I pay it off right away, the interest they charge is same as loan sharking. Anyways, they are good for spreading epoxy, and I cut a strip to push glue in where the hinges go. I have some more pics to post. I put the decals on. Then installe the horns on the rudder and elevator and got them working. Then I hooked up a rod to the other side of the rudder servo, it crosses over and pulls on a horn I soldered on the tailwheel when the other side pushes the rudder. It seems to be working ok. Won't be long now.

RE: LT40 Build thread
 

Here is some more pics.

RE: LT40 Build thread
 

Those decals really go well with the yellow. I believe they look better with yellow than white.