Build an Ashley MM
 

A couple months ago I was wondering what to build this winter. Bruce Coffey came through with one of the early Ashley designs. He had the fuselage mold for the Carl Silva Ashley and was willing to send it to Kevin Matney of Matney's Models for a future short kit.

Here are a few pictures of the original Silva Ashley:

Build an Ashley MM
 

The Ashley MM is based upon the original fuselage but the final model is an update of the original design. These include:

• Gary James providing updated wing airfoils for reduced drag
• Kevin Matney increasing the horizontal stabilizer area by increasing the span from 14" to 15"
• Going to a 2" spinner instead of a 1 3/4" spinner (on at least one prototype)

So what do you get when you purchase a Matney's Model kit?

• Epoxy glass fuselage and belly pan
• Wing cores
• Sketch of the stabilizer
• Landing gear blanks

http://www.matneymodels.com/index.html

You can order the "Ashley MM" now by selecting one Kevin's QM40 size models. Add in the comments to send the "Ashley MM" instead. You can call Kevin if you have any questions.

The pictures are of my two kits:

The weight of the fuse are 8.0 oz for the 2 fuse I have done.

Hi Scott, or Kevin,

This looks interesting. I looked on the Q40 approved designs. I would guess this is an approved design. Does it show up under another name than those given in this thread, or is the NMPRA site not updated yet?

Cheers
Doug S.

Build an Ashley MM
 

The model is a Silva Ashley and was approved in 1998.

Great, thank you.

Scott, What does the belly pan look like on this version?

Build an Ashley MM
 

Here are some pictures of the belly pan.

Build an Ashley MM
 

2/18/16 Update: The nose cone from the original mold was found to have down thrust. The nose must be aligned to the wing first before beginning the process of installing the firewall and engine.

I began by reviewing previous installations to identify key dimensions. It is approximately 3 3/4" from the back of the spinner to the firewall.

Build an Ashley MM
 

I used the cutout from my Napier as the basis for this model. The Ashley is canted more so take this into consideration.

Build an Ashley MM
 

There was no pattern for the firewall so a template was sized based upon the outside dimension of the fuselage.

An end section from the shipping box was used. Begin by approximating the size and adjust the hole until the template fits the area associated with the front of the firewall.

Build an Ashley MM
 

Trace the shape on a 3/8" thick section of aircraft plywood.

Cut out the firewall using your favorite method.

Fit the firewall by sanding or grinding away from the high spots.

Build an Ashley MM
 

The motor mount is slid into the fuselage and the engine is attached.

Continue to fit areas around the needle valve, venturi, and spray bar.

Build an Ashley MM
 

Test fit the engine and tape it in place.

Build an Ashley MM
 

Temporarily install the firewall and insure it fits snug by tapping it in place.

Tack the motor mount to the firewall with medium CA.

Remove the engine and drill the holes for the motor mount screws.

Build an Ashley MM
 

Remove the engine and firewall from the model.

I use a piece of tubing for the engine kill. The ID of the tubing is approximately 1/4".

A hole is drilled for the tubing.

The engine mount holes are enlarged to fit the blind nuts and they are installed.

The engine kill tube was installed.

Build an Ashley MM
 

Some Vaseline was used to plug the ends of the engine kill tube. This is being done to help keep epoxy out of the tube during gluing.

Build an Ashley MM
 

A Dremel was used to roughen up the surface of the fiberglass fuselage where the firewall attaches.

Build an Ashley MM
 

About 1/2 ounce of finishing epoxy was mixed. A small amount was applied to the front of the firewall.


The engine, motor mount, and firewall were reinstalled.

The spacer and spinner were installed and taped in place. The muffler was installed and taped in place.

Build an Ashley MM
 

Some cotton flock was added to the remaining finishing epoxy.

The mix was pored onto the back side of the firewall joints. A piece of balsa was used to spread out the mix around the joints.

Clean up any mess on the fuselage and set it out of the way to dry.

Well you've been busy today looks good Scott

Build an Ashley MM
 

The engine was removed and some front motor mount supports were added.

Begin by sanding the surface in front of the mount to allow for good glue contact.

Cover the engine mount holes with Vaseline. Spread Vaseline over two screws and attach them in front of the mount.

Cut up some pieces of fiberglass cloth.

Mix about 1/2 ounce of 6-minute epoxy. Add the cloth until thick.

Dab the mixture over the screws and contact the side wall. In about two minutes wet your fingers and form the epoxy in front of the mount.

Build an Ashley MM
 

Some finishing epoxy was mixed and applied to the fuselage and firewall joint.

The fuselage was set out of the way to dry.

Build an Ashley MM
 

The next few pictures shows the location of the wing spars. The primary function of these are to support the landing gear blocks.

A friend of mine uses his radial arm saw to cut the 1/8" slots for the spars.

Others cut the slots with a thin hand saw.

Note: This first picture should have shown 6 3/8" from Axle to TE.

Build an Ashley MM
 

2/18/16 Update: The nose cone from the original mold was found to have down thrust. The nose must be aligned to the wing first before beginning the process of installing the firewall and engine.

The newer generation of Ashley designs have a shorter nose this one. I am going to build my Ashley with a shorter nose (about 0.7") than the original design to review the impacts. This version will not be as short (6") as the BC Ashley or Two Sweet, but the length (6.75") should be within about 3/4" of those designs. These changes will increase the spinner size to 2".

Begin by marking the cut line about 3/4" from the front of the nose.

Next was cutting off the nose with a Dremel tool.

The shape was trued using a sanding block with 220 grit sandpaper.

A Dremel was later used to roughen the inside surface of the nose (to allow the epoxy to later stick).

Build an Ashley MM
 

A piece of 3/32" plywood was cut out and tacked on to the nose.

A couple drops of medium CA was used to tack the wood to the fiberglass.

Build an Ashley MM
 

The engine cutout was marked and cut out like was done earlier in this thread (for the fuselage with the 1 3/4" spinner).

Build an Ashley MM
 

The hole size on the plywood was increased to better fit the spinner.

Build an Ashley MM
 

Some carbon tow was added at the joint.

A mixture of finishing epoxy, cabosel, and cotton flox was prepared and dabbed around the joint.

The fuselage was set out of the way to dry.

Build an Ashley MM
 

The plywood was trimmed and shaped with a Dremel tool. A sanding block with 220 grit paper was used for the final shaping.

The last picture shows the two different nose lengths.

Looking GOOOD !

Build an Ashley MM
 

Jim Allen just sent approval for the shorter nosed version.

Both versions are now approved. :o

Build an Ashley MM
 

Fitting the firewall (for the 2" spinner) follows the same steps as shown earlier:

1. Make a pattern that will fit the associated area of the fuselage (front side of the firewall).
2. Cut out a firewall from 3/8" thick plywood.
3. Grind and sand the front of the firewall to allow it to slide in place.
4. Continue to sand the edges as required to fit in the fuselage.

Build an Ashley MM
 

The attachment contains sketches of the firewalls on both versions of the model.

Build an Ashley MM
 

The firewall for this version was attached similarly to the other installation.

Here are a few pictures showing the process:

Build an Ashley MM
 

More pictures:

Build an Ashley MM
 

Holes were drilled for the blind nuts and the kill tube.

The kill tube was filled with Vaseline to keep epoxy out while gluing in place.

Build an Ashley MM
 

The firewall was coated with finishing epoxy.

Some Cotton Flock was added to the remaining epoxy to thicken it.

The mix was applied to the back of the firewall joints and spread as required.

The fuselage was set inside out of the way to dry.

Build an Ashley MM
 

Here are a few pictures of the cutting out the 1/4" thick balsa horizontal tail surfaces. I cut out three as it is generally just as easy to cut out more than one at a time.

Build an Ashley MM
 

Some 1/4" wide by pieces of 1/64" plywood were cut into strips.

Slots were cut into the balsa sheets using my slot jig. It is made by placing an exacto blade between pieces of plywood. Parts are held together with a couple screws and nuts.

The plywood strips were placed into the slots.

Some thin CA is used to glue in the strips.

A sanding block was then used to true up the edges and remove any excess hardened CA.