Alex48

When Skymaster announced this model I really fancied one for myself. I hoped I'd be asked to build one so when Ali asked if I was free I jumped at it.

Firstly the quality is very good in fact I'd go as far to say this is the best Skymaster kit I've received in terms of build quality and finish. Ive gone through the whole kit and can see some little things I'll be changing but on the first run through I couldn't see any major concerns. The wings were taken to a friends late last night where we had a good look with a keyhole camera at all the internal structure, glue joints, where carbon had been used and so on... All was spot on. The wings and stabs have used composite Glass/Carbon fiber sandwich technique resulting in a light weight structure while retaining the strength. Bearing in mind this has scale flaps too which certainly wasn't the lightest option to go for. There has been some damage in transit so a few new bits will be required from SM but this should not be a problem.

The weight of the empty airframe plus gear is 29lbs 14oz which leaves 14lbs2oz for all the equipment if it's to be kept under the 20kg limit here in the UK. A tall order I think so its been registered with the LMA's over 20kg scheme and such the radio will be a PB Royal with two Spektrum 12000 receivers. The lighter the better really so the turbines will be the Merlin 140K which weigh 2.8lbs each. The less weight in the back will significantly reduce the amount of lead required to balance.

A few photos of the bits as they came out of the box.

Alex48

Length of this model is 101 inchs and just under 110inchs in span, I'm hoping the dry weight will come out at around 44 - 49lbs giving it a good chance to be a lovely flying model.

The ailerons needed sanding to clear the bottom edge as did the sides of the aileron, this is to be certain they wont catch when the speed brakes deployed. Ive just improved the flaps slightly with a few washers on the runners to reduce the lateral movement even more but to be honest they where probably ok as is. This is one are of the model I'm very impressed with as its not an easy thing to do well and Skymaster have managed to pull it off. Inside the speedbrakes will be painted and also the inside of the flap recesses as there's a massive gap once deployed. BVM EZairs will be used and 2 powerbox wing connection kits for easy rigging of the four servos a side when at the field.

Alex48

I tend to get loads of emails asking for a list of all the bits I've used during my builds so I thought I'd preempt it with a list of the main things...

2* Merlin 140's
2* UAT's
2* BVM clunk
1* BVM poly ply
2* BVM fuel tank kit
2* Aluminium tank surrounds
3 meters of large bore tygon
2* 4mm Festo shutoff valves
2* Festo Y splitters
2* 4mm Festo one way valves if using gas start

1* Airpower pro valve
2* airtronics two way valves
1* Sequencer
4* BVM air tubing, White, Grey, Black and Red
1* BVM brake tubing
10* Festo Tee pieces
1* BVM EZair kit

6* DS8711 servos
6* DS8411 servos
1* 579 servo
1* PB Royal
2* 12000 receivers
4* different length spectrum rx extensions
2* high capacity rx batteries 4amps plus
2* heavy duty powerbox MPX extensions
4* Powerbox wing connection kits

Alex48

I always like to start on the wings but before I could start whacking the servos in I had to check and correct the flaps and ailerons as they were binding. One aileron needed about 40 minutes of work to get it moving freely. The white gap seals had to be sanded back severely also the bottom of the trailing edges of the wing were sanded back with coarse paper to help the aileron move past it freely. Some 600grit flatting pads were then used wet to get a very smooth finish. Once I was happy with the movement I burnished a few lengths of flight metal on some glass then carefully applied this to the white gap seal. I applied a few panel lines and rivets matching what was on the wing so although not scale it now at least looks plausible. The flaps required about an hours work making sure they run out smoothly and don't bind.

Ali

My Feedback: (5)

Looking good Alex! like the flite metal idea. I am really looking forward to this jet now. As I was sat on the fence for so long. My fear was that it would not measure up to my Mibo. First impressions of the hog are very, very positive. The surface detail, and cleanliness of moulding were the best I have ever seen from an ARF. The gear is a work of art, and you can really feel how light, yet rigid the new composite structure makes the A-10 feel. All in all, I am delighted. On the Al scale 0f 0-10 this one scores a good solid 8
The only bummer is that it was damaged in transit... Fingers crossed that Alex can get it fixed, and that it does not slow him down too much, as I am really keen to get this Hog with air under its tyres.
Regards Al

WhoDaMan

My Feedback: (164)

ok here we go Alex. On board

Dave

Alex48

While I wait for my preferred servo horns to arrive from Fighteraces I made a start on the stab. Similar to the ailerons they required a little relief but not as much thankfully. Again Ive used a little flight metal on the white gap seal then applied rivets and panels. Skymaster suggest internal linkages on the elevators but looking at the geometry I'd much prefer external links as the ATV's would be around 25% which isn't very efficient. The molded detail is suberb so I've attached a close up of one half of the stab, I'm looking forward to bringing this model to life with some weathering.

Alex48

I'm a little annoyed that the gear isn't painted as it was supposed to be so now I have to spend hours doing it myself. On the plus side it gave me a good look at the gear while I disassembled it. I know I've said it before but its very good!! Got it all in bits degreased and ready to prime with some acid etch. A few things to note though........ some of the screws were very loose and one of the brakes had completely stuck. One tyre had no air in it and the other scared the shi*t out of me as it made a massive bang as I undid it. I now have a nice round indent on the ceiling where the hub hit it. I dread to think how much pressure was in it. The other tyre was about right.........

gonzalom

My Feedback: (1)

Alex thank you so much for your post and details about the build up! so so important!

Gonzalo
Northern California

WhoDaMan

My Feedback: (164)

Hi Alex:
Bro I know I dread having to do this on my gear, It really pissed me off when they arrived unpainted

Dave

Alex48

Onto the damaged areas then........................The Canopy frames were crushed in transit. We managed to find all the pieces bar one or two so I completed the jigsaw with some medium zap on the forward frame. It will have to reinforced with carbon tow on the inside and a large fillet of epoxy fibre slurry. Luckily SM supplied some paint so I'll be able to prime, rivet and respray. The opening canopy was in a bad way. I didn't at first think I'd be able to repair it as I needed to take the clear plastic out that had unfortunately been glued in very well! It took nearly 4 hours to carefully cut the canopy away from the damaged frame but managed it in the end. I then made a wooden jig that was the correct shape as the forward half of the frame and began rebuilding it finally glassing over the top with some light weight cloth. This now needs reinforcing and finishing to blend it in......

The canopy screws down via the opening mechanism, It works nicely with a little spring loaded cover plate which I had to pack with around 6mm of balsa to get it positioned correctly.. some of it had to be sanded for a better fit but I think that's mostly me being picky as it would have probably been ok if it was left. But it would have bugged the hell out of me....

The canopy is locked shut with two air rams so remember to get a sequencer and extra valve for the locking mechanism something which I initially over looked.

Alex48

No worries guys, glad its of use....

lol, me too........ but it did at least highlight a few areas that I might not have known about plus at least yours wasn't broken when you got it

Likai

Don't worry about how much pressure of tyre, I never measure the pressure just measure the diameter of tyre. Pump air in the tyres and make main tyres reaching 143mm of OD and nose tyre reaching 100mm of OD. Be careful not to apply paint on sliding shaft of strut and push rod of cylinder, that will damage the oil seal.

Alex48

Hi Likai, well done on making a lovely set of struts and wheels! Perhaps I should have measured the OD first then . I'll make sure I dont get paint on those bits.

Cheers, Alex

Alex48

Last job of the night was to put the airframe together to check alignment and incidences, not that there's much I can do about it if it's wrong but good to know anyhow. As I expected It all fitted perfectly. It looks good all put together, even my wife said she liked it!

Alex48

The rudder servos wouldn't fit in the hole provided which isn't much of an issue as you can cut away the lip but even then its a tight fit. Once the servo is in its fine although on one of the fins the recesses for the bottom of the servo was too small and it was a bit*ch to open up as it was buried in the fin. These reassesses don't allow for the height of the 'L' brackets and its not possible to open them out any more than I did so the solution was to cut away the little triangular section on top of the servos and mount the brackets from the top of the servo rather than behind. You can't mount the servos on the brackets before you put them in as they don't fit, the best thing to do is change the screws to M3 - 8mm cap heads and pre install the screws then slide them over while the servo is in then manipulate the servo as required to tighten them up. While I'm on the subject of screws bin all the screws provided on the brackets as they aren't long enough. They only bite about 1mm into the thread.

Ali

My Feedback: (5)

Oh.. I meant to tell you. There is a hatch on the nose that makes access a bit easier

Alex48

lol......thanks, no mention of it in any of the literature and I hadn't looked that hard [], anyway I can at least mount the switch, LCD display and charge ports there now. Its a nicely concealed hatch is all I'll say

Ali

My Feedback: (5)

What this plane needs is a nice detailed instruction manual
Is that hatch really there? I cant believe you and I missed it! As you say. Thats a really well built and neat hatch if you and Missed it while looking at the model for over an hour. [&:]

Alex48

Thanks, embarrassing isn't it. I've just spent the last 30minutes trying to get the damn hatch off. Funny thing is when I looked inside I noticed the lugs but nothing moved, I now know why.

Most of the time is spent looking at the load paths and accessing the structures suitability

WhoDaMan

My Feedback: (164)

LOL
That's funny I did not even see a hatch

Alex48

At least its not just me then

Alex48

Elevator servos are now in and the linkages made up. As I've said it's meant to be internal but seeing as this is gonna be over 20kgs (most likely) I doubt it would have passed the LMA's inspections plus its going to be on the circuit so to help me sleep at night I've gone for external linkages. Its now a tad overkill but its not going to fail and it will also have a sensible ATV on the servos rather than the 20% when actuating them internally. Ive used 30mm Carbon reinforced nylon ball linked servo arms, good quality 3mm ST studding sleeved over with carbon tube all hysoled together. The horns on the elevator are Airpower carbon horns. Two PowerBox connection kits were used with each plug hardwired into elevator and rudder alternately for security.

To get the servos to fit properly I had to be harsh with the dremel but all fitted fine after 10minutes or so...

I need to do some touching up with the airbrush and paint all the linkages accordingly which is on the to do list tonight.

Alex48

oh yeah, I've made the fins and stab removable hence the connection kits...

Alex48

The flaps used the same servo horns but this time 46mm as you need a long throw to get the movement on the flap. The flaps are Fowler so they increase the planform of the wing while increasing the camber, I hope the weight penalty was worth it.....they look nice and scale though

Again I had to dremel loads out to get the servos to fit but nothing major....Two Powerbox wing connection sets are used on both sides. The aileron linkages are external and use the same setup as the elevators but a shorter horn. Ali wanted these to be easily removable so I've used heat-shrink on the plugs for security instead of hard-wiring them in. Haven't started on the Speedbrake part of the deceleron but the servos installed inside the aieleron waiting.... Something tells me its going to be a pain so I'm putting it off...[]