Hey guys,

I thought I would try my first build thread on RCU

For a while I was very keen on a DC10 mainly because it could be run using 1 engine in the rear, well I got in touch with Butch and he sent me a plan which helped but was unfortunately too unclear to make good use of it to convert into CAD, long story short, I modified an old 3 view and blew it up on the printer ready to cut out on foam to make a complete fuse which I will then make a mould of for improved weight etc!
Anyway, here's a few pics of the build soo far!

Don't comment on the messy room! We have a 5 bedroom cottage and seem to just throw junk everywhere, including a useless sofa that the cats like to have a play with (claws, teeth, you get the idea!)

I hope to have a fully made fuse by close of play tomorrow evening. It's designed in 3 pieces for ease of transport! I'll hopefully start making it as a kit in the near future

Maybe I should have posted this in a build thread?

I love airliners. Looks cool! btw, thats a hell of a kit string holder you got there.

Are these the one's I sent you? If they weren't clear lets try something else.

That's the one Butch!

I'll be using your plan for the wing ribs as the other plan I made didn't have much detail (had to load it into autocad and modify everything)

As you can all see, I've been quite busy today seeing as the weather was pretty rubbish here!!!

I'm using Knauf space board which is the same structure as Dow styrofoam but cheaper! At this rate I should be done in a week, the hardest part is the sanding! I'll be adding the rivet and panel lines hopefully next weekend if I'm keeping at the same speed.

I literally have everything ready to go, I'm using some Towerpro 18KG servos all round just incase as this bird is big, although it will be light, I just don't want any weaknesses! With regard to hinges, I'm not sure whether to use robart pencil hinges or make my own using carbon rods with guides made from ply. Landing gear is ready to go, the only thing I haven't used is brakes this time but that's because I'm going to build a reverse thrust bucket for the rear, will have to make a few prototypes from Titanium as that will have the nice heat patterned marks etc!!

Quik build dc10..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGALf...e_gdata_player

Your getting on well, always wanted an airliner and also like the idea of the ones suitable for a single turbine L1011 (tristar in uk) and 727 etc.
I was going down the all wood route, formers/ribs not a problem on my CNC but didnt fancy the planking so didnt get further than a few drawings!

Ply hinges with the carbon rod would work well

Hi
if any one is interested I have a PCM models tri-star in primer sitting in my loft waiting to be finished, for 80size turbine, has Robart retracts fitted.
Any one interested, I may be open to offers at the right price. will have to find the sd card as i have photos of model assembled somewhere.
james

James, You should definately load some photos on here as I bet it will sell quickly!

Seamus, thanks for the comment, at the moment I have too many warbirds and not enough jets! I know airliners aren't everyone's cup of tea but I think they're fantastic! When I was doing my PPL I had the joy of co-piloting in a friend's 737 (he didn't own it but the company let me join in) and I've been hooked ever since!

I'm tempted to go for a Laser at some point (funds permitting - permission from 'er indoors')

I can send you the plans for the DC10, I think you should give it a try! There's pretty much nothing in the UK apart from the occasional LMA build and I think that's quite bad, we're soo far behind compared to our cousins in the US!

If I can make the molds perfect then I'll definately be doing a run of kits in the UK! a bird of this size will cost around £100 to ship after talking to a friend at TNT! I've made sure that the engine bay can handle a P180 size but this thing will fly on 18lbs+ (possibly lower due to the AUW and fuel)

I'm not sure whether to make my own fuel tank or just use a cola bottle in the fuse, 2 litres on a Falcon 100 might be too small so we'll see on that one!

The nose will be molded all in one while the rest will be 2 part, this is because the nose can be pulled out like a bucket as it needs no joins or accessories added / hatches etc. The tricky bit will be the rear but looking at the joins I don't think it will get caught when pulling the end product out of the mold, We'll just have to wait and see! I need the weather to warm up a little as the garage has too many holes and usually sits around 5c at the moment so I can't use resin in there as it just won't cure correctly! (plus the air is too moist)

It's now the weekend for me! Early finish today so I can crack on with the build, Ideally will have it laminated and in primer by sunday evening!

What will be the dimensions of your DC-10?
Same size as Norbert Rauch's DC-10/MD-11?

[link=http://rauch-airliner.com/DC-10E.htm]rauch-airliner.com/DC-10E.htm[/link]
[link=http://rauch-airliner.com/MD-11E.htm]rauch-airliner.com/MD-11E.htm[/link]

Butch, Sean and i would love a KC-10 bro ;-)

Put me on that list as a fourth for a KC-10

I'd be very interested in the thrust reverser.

The guys from the Netwaffe have a set going for EDF, may give you some ideas:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tpw52j5IjLs

John.

KC-10 first flight:

[link=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFOP42fPbXw]www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFOP42fPbXw[/link]

It seems that the guy had built the plane with the smaller MD-11 stabilizer.
During go-around this small elevator gives not enough control to counteract the nose-down tendency of the tail mounted turbine.

The last thing anyone wants to do is put an MD-11 stabilizer on a model airplane! If anything, an ever so slightly larger than scale DC-10 stabilizer is in order. Looking forward to more DC-10 news.

PS, that KC-10 approach on the video wasn't due to the stabilizer, I think she will be able to fly well!! But I am not judging, it was a maiden after all. From a well removed "youtube jockey" position, it did not look to be unstable in setup except for maybe the profile flown. Seemed like a little bit of an over controlled approach - some pilot induced oscillation and not really being lined up with the runway... as wide as it was and all. but I'm sure after the gear and airframe repairs she'll do well. We've all been there on occasion. It looked like a beautifully built aircraft.

Thanks for the responses guys!

More work to follow this week coming, I got made redundant on thursday with immediate effect so I'm free to do modelling full time for a few weeks while looking for another job etc! I'll be happy to ship the kits worldwide, Just don't have a clue how much to charge for them?!

Slow progress soo far but I'm sanding this beauty down as we speak!
The center fuse has been laminated with 3mm depron so the finish is perfect and will only require a coat of epoxy and cloth to then add the panel lines etc!

The family have commented soo far and they say it reminds them of a 5'10 dong