Atlanta 60

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I'm splashing a Classic Pattern Aircraft called Atlanta...I thought I'd do a little thread in case some of you would like to follow along?? Who knows I may even learn a thing or two before it's all over!!

This is a "Dream" Aircraft of mine so I'm kinda hoping she'll be able to survive the process?? We'll see...I understand the risks and have accepted the fact that I may damage or destroy this fuselage in this process...I hope not though..

The fuse is really very rigid from the factory...This is nice because it saved me allot of work stiffening it up in order to splash...You hear me use the phrase "Splash" rather than "Mold"...My plan of attack is to first make a semi lightweight fiberglass transfer (aka: Splash) off this fuse...Then I will use the splash to make a "Master Model" or "Plug"...Finally I will make the actual Tools (Molds) off that Master...

Since I've elected to use fiberglass for my "splash" instead of plaster or something else...The process won't really be that much different than making a mold...However...I do have a few little hurdles to overcome which may be kinda interesting??

I'll start by posting a few pictures of the Airplane and then setting up the split line (parting line)...This is probably a little overkill...But I have more plans for this set-up and I'm hoping to re-use it if possible...I also wanted the fuse to "Stay Put"...It seems to be working out pretty well so far...Hopefully she'll be still through out the splash...

As you all know...There are several different "ways to get there" ...I normally like to choose the hard way...

Have Fun...

Chuck

COPYCAT

THOSE PIC BRING BACK VERY GOOD MEMORIES THE LAST I FLEW AN ATLANTA I WAS 18 I AM NOW 48 KEEP THE PICS COMING
I WOULD LOVE TO SEE HOW THE FINISHED PLANE LOOKS.IT WAS AND STILL IS A VERY NICE LOOKING PATTERN PLANE,

TeamSeacats

stupid question; why make two plugs? Why not finish this plug and make the final mold off it instead of investing in an entire second process?

Atlanta 60

My Feedback: (18)

COPYCAT...Thanks for the kind words...The Atlanta has been one of my dream aircraft for several years...It's my 2nd all time favorite..The Aurora is my first...I'll be getting to that one after I finish this...I'm just having a tough time accepting that these planes are fading away...I'm hoping to help preserve that a little...

If you get a chance you ought to stop by the Classic Pattern Forum..There are a couple of guys who are currently flying Atlanta's and boy are they sharp!!

Thanks Again..



Not a stupid question at all!! But my explanation probably won't make any sense to ya'...

I want to do the best I can to keep this Aircraft original...My "intent" is to not damage it during this process in hopes that it will fly again...I'm going through some extra pains that will hopefully help preserve the Aircraft...We shall see??

Second...I don't want to remove the Horizontal from the Aircraft (In hopes it will fly again..he he) and I didn't want to have to re-work or patch the final tooling in that area...Also..In order to try to reduce some stress on the fuse while I de-mold...I'm going to break it up in a few sections...Then I will make the final molds as one piece...I know that doesn't make too much sense to most of you all...But I'm weird...

Then there are some areas I want to re-work from a fit and finish standpoint...Having a "Master Model" will allow me to do that without altering the Aircraft from it's factory state...

I guess in *My* mind I'm looking at the model you see in the pics as "My Airplane" and not a "Plug"...

See..Told you it wouldn't make any sense...

Have Fun...

Chuck

Atlanta 60

My Feedback: (18)

I know allot of you fellows are experienced mold makers so I don't want to go into too many minor details...But for the fellows who are just getting started I thought you may like to see this??

When the split line was first established my board was just rough cut to outline the fuse...Now I have used bondo to seal the gap between the rough cut and the fuselage for a nice mate which will require very little if any clay work prior to laying up...The way "I got there" was to first wax the fuse a few times...Then I used teflon tape wrapped around the fuse to give me a little relief (not so tight) and to ensure the bondo wouldn't stick to the fuse...

I'm also in the process of using sanding sealer on my wood so that is why it may look shiny and rough in a few pics...I also use sanding sealer over the bondo work I did on the fuse...All that will be sanded smooth with 220g paper before the final prep...(choosing a different material for your parting board will save you allot of finishing work that I'm having to do...Plywood isn't the ultimate!! I already had it on hand and didn't wanna go buy something else...Created myself some extra work...he he...But it'll be OK!! )

I'm going to be splitting this splash into a few pieces...I have some back-draft in the wing saddle area...And I'm going to split the aft portion of the fuse because of some detail and a little less "stress" while pulling the mold off the part later...Hopefully I'll be able to show that in a later today or tomorrow...

Anyhow here are some pics of the split line...Hopefully they make some sense??

dhal22

hey chuck, followed you over here, from classic pattern of course, i am fascinated by your work here. i should make a pilgrimage to your shop someday and check this project out.

david

Nathan King

No kidding, it looks great so far. I'm no composites wizard, but your plan does make sense as far as preserving the original. A wise choice despite the extra work.

I can't wait to see and read more. Don't let all of us rush you though.

Respectfully,
Nathan King

dhal22

i live 30-40 miles from this project so i am serious about checking this out (i'm not inviting myself though). and i have to throw out a 'boomer sooner' to anyone in the state of nebraska (i was born in ok).

david

Atlanta 60

My Feedback: (18)

Hi Yall!!

David...It's defiantly not as glamorous as it may seem .. But you welcome anytime..

I'd say I stand very little chance of pulling this off with the Aircraft completely unscathed...I just hope I don't destroy it...I will be sad...I know I said "I understand the risks involved and accept...yada yada"...But I think I fibbed a little...I will be sad...But it's for the good of all mankind..he he...Or at least the handful of guys who would still like an Atlanta...

This is not a super quick process...Then add to that I'm really slowwww...But we'll try and stay consistently working on it and go from there...

Thanks...

Chuck

dhal22

oh, i'm not standing around breathlessly waiting for an invite, but i would love to stop in and say hi sometime. i don't get to cartersville often though.

david

Atlanta 60

My Feedback: (18)

Let me get a little further along and it should be more interesting...Probably after the Master is made and while setting up for the molds would be a decent time...There would be some more stuff to see...Right now it's kinda like..Yawn [sm=redface.gif]

Hopefully by then I'll be working on the Aurora Master Model also...It will be a template/foam set up allot like this guys thread...But different..he he:
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_6529495/tm.htm

Have Fun...

Chuck

MHester

My Feedback: (1)

Hurry Chuck I want one!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LOL

-Mike

PS I'm over in woodstock, let me know if you need any help/advice/etc. Looks like you have it under control though!

thodrex

Does anybody know where I can get plans of the classics?

dreadnaut

My Feedback: (5)

I did something like this once, but it came about by accident. The first mold I ever made was a set of wheel pants, and I finished the plug with spray enamel, and Turtle Wax. (Someone told me this would be no problem ) The plug and mold were ruined, but the mold WAS usable as a ''splash''. The end result was pretty good.

Atlanta 60

My Feedback: (18)

MHester:
Yeah...I want one too...

So I take it you didn't get the one from FLA either?? I thought that sucker looked pretty nice...

thodrex:
Have you checked out the Classic Pattern Forums??
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/forumid_379/tt.htm

dreadnaut:
I'm hoping it will all work out as planned... [8D] ...I will be very happy if I can save my Airplane...We'll see how it goes...

Have Fun...

Chuck

MHester

My Feedback: (1)

Nope I missed it.

but I want a kit....so I can put my "touch" on it. Err well just personalize it a bit.

-M

Fxrs_tim

Hey Chuck,

Any progress? There are a bunch of us out here waiting for the first production run!!

Tim

hrrcflyer

Hey Chuck,

How are you coming along with your Atlanta? I don't need to come down there and start cracking the whip do I?
Just kidding, I was just curious of any progress (and I wanted to put the thread back on the front page to remind you not to forget about us faithfull thread followers)

Atlanta 60

My Feedback: (18)

Well Dang..This is all I have got so far but here is a little update:

So as I''m *hoping* to save my original Atlanta I''m breaking the splash up into pieces...A couple of reasons are to reduce the stress while de-molding and because of a couple of back draft areas that concerned me...All in all I''m trying to be as gentle as I can at this point...Just means allot more work (which I knew going in)...

These pictures may not make allot of sense right now?? It''s like a puzzle and will make a little more sense as time goes on...

Atlanta 60

My Feedback: (18)

Yippie!! Now SSDD...

Yeah!! Damage to Aircraft = ZERO!!

I'm Very Happy...

Stage one complete...

Fxrs_tim

Looking good Chuck!!

dhal22

now you're getting somewhere.

david

Rick W

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OUTSTANDING

Rick

Atlanta 60

My Feedback: (18)

Thanks for the Comments Guys!!

MHester

My Feedback: (1)

You got my fuselage pulled yet? [8D]

LOL just kidding. I can't wait to see it!

-Mike