sahartman21

Some of the recent discussion about Scat Cat got me looking for something similar. The Scat Cat is no longer available.

I wanted a low wing model that would fit full size radio gear.

A Matney's Models "Pit Bull" short kit fit my needs fine.

The kit consists of fiberglass fuselage, foam wing cores, plans, and landing gear.

You will also want to purchase glass cloth and Skin It epoxy when ordering your model.

dhal22

i remembered this plane AFTER i purchased some wing cores and plans recently for a scat cat. that's alright though, i like to build anyway.

david

JEREMYB

My Feedback: (1)

cool.. I'm looking forward to seeing this come together.. so it gets a balsa sheeted wing?

JEREMY

Kevin Matney

My Feedback: (1)

Yes this a standard Q/500 balsa over foam wing. I have it set up with 2 way to do the LG. 1 is the MW 5/32" wire, and 2 is with a Q/40 LG

sahartman21

Begin by making 4 sections of wing skins.

Tape 1/16" thick balsa sheets until you have skins about 24" x 10 1/8".

sahartman21

I chose to use the sheet metal style landing gear.

The plans did not show the installation so I marked them up based upon discussions with Kevin.

Two pieces of half ribs are installed in front of the carbon fiber strips. They are shown approximately 4" and 5.5" from the wing center section.

sahartman21

This shows the half ribs installed in the wing cores.

Install them similarly to the other side

sahartman21

In this photo is the beginning of the vacuum bag.

It is made from a piece of 4 mil thick piece of plastic tarp.

The bag will later be sealed with latex cauking.

sahartman21

You mix about 1.5 ounces of epoxy per wing half.

The picture shows laying the fiberglass cloth on a wing half.

It is a 5" wide piece of 2 ounce fiberglass cloth that joins the top and bottom skins together.

This will later become part of the trailing edge and ailerons.

sahartman21

Here I am taping a wing half with skins between the top and bottom wing shucks.

By taping the parts are held in place until put in the vacuum bag.

sahartman21

Install the vacuum tube, rope, and paper towel prior to closing the vacuum bag.

Apply some latex caulking around the edge. Fold the tarp over to make a bag.

Turn on the vacuum pump. It should pull down to 6" of Hg vacuum and turn off.

Bill Vargas

My Feedback: (5)

Helpful suggestion,,, insure that the surface is completely flat with no bumps prior to pulling vacuum and placing weights on the "wet" cores. Placing weight on the wings during the bagging process on an uneven surface can induce warpage.


BV

Kevin Matney

My Feedback: (1)

Bill you right, I have him start with a flat surface. And then add weight and leave it on , just in case you loses the vacuum

sahartman21

In about 24 hours the epoxy is dry.

Turn off the vacuum pump and remove the skins from the shucks.

Remove the tape and get ready for the next step.

sahartman21

Align the cores until they are straight.

Mark a line flush with the edge of the cores.

The wood that overlaps will be cut off.

sahartman21

Trim off the extra wood where was marked.

Use a sanding block to true up the edge.

sahartman21

Glue on the leading edge with epoxy.

Tape on parts to hold in place until they are dry.

sahartman21

One of the reasons I chose the "Pit Bull" was because full size servos can be used in the model.

Below is a sketch showing one way to install the servos.

sahartman21

Shape the leading edge of the wing with a sharp knife.

Next use a razor plane and then finish with sanding paper.

I typically just try to get two similarly shaped leading edges.

sahartman21

The trailing edge is shaped with a razor plane first.

Next use sandpaper to achieve a uniform shaped trailing edge.

sahartman21

Use a sanding block to true the edge for joining with about 5/8" of dihedral.

sahartman21

Join wing halves with 30 minute epoxy.

I taped the joint so that resulting edge is relatively smooth and doesn't require much sanding.

sahartman21

Draw lines about 7/8" above the bottom of the fuselage.

sahartman21

Make a servo tray out of 1/8" plywood.

CA a couple balsa strips just below the line that was drawn earlier.

Test fit the servo tray and when it fits properly glue it in place using Goop or Shoe Goo.

sahartman21

I installed the servo tray near the back of the radio compartment.

A couple small holes provide access to the rear servo screws.