-JC-

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Hi,

I am working on my AV8R today and will be posting the different construction steps here. My kit is from the first batch of the new quick building, super inexpencive ($329) turbine trainer from PCM models. www.flypcm.com

The kit arrives in a compact 36 x 17 x 6 box with all the parts arranged nicely. The wood looks to be of very good quality, and is laser cut.

I started out with fusleage construction at 8AM and will post the different steps as they are done.

-JC-

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At 8:15 the fuselage sides where assembled. The structure goes together before gluing the parts in a jig lock construction. The manual is good with lots of photos

-JC-

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Its 11:50 here, so I will be posting all the steps I have done so far before lunch

At 9:15 all the fuselage parts are final glued, which includes landing gear, wing and engine mounts as well as the platform for all turbine related stuff. The bottom of the fuse is sheated with 3/32 balsa.

1:15 minutes and the fuselage is as shown. (The joy of ZAP glue and laser cut parts that fit)

Everything so far has been glued with Zap A Gap

-JC-

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At 10 AM the wing skins / tail skins where glued together and sanded. They are now glued to the wing with 30 minute Z-Poxy and under pressure till after lunch

-JC-

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The wings are now sheeted and the plywood formers glued in. Triangle stock is glued to the fuselage for the last sheeting.

Next step will be to join the wing halves

Time is 1:50 PM

-JC-

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Wing halves joined and aligned. Spar is glued with 30 Z-poxy

-JC-

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Retractable nose gear installed (this is optional, fixed gear is fine) I used a mechanical BVM unit. Wings and horizontal stab aligned with fuse. Holes drilled for wing dowels

-JC-

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Wing TE and LE glued and block sanded. Wing is 90% done. (Servos needs to be installed and ailerons/flaps needs to be trimmed)

Time is 6:25PM

-JC-

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I've had enough balsa dust today, but the plane is done and ready for monocote. 12 Hour building time minus a couple of breaks, so it really goes together fast. The parts fit very well, and the most time consuming work is the fanding of the wings which took about one hour.

Vic Patterson

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Hi John,
I am a little bit ahead of you ,but I have 25 hours or so into mine I also am making a few mods,like a bottom hatch so I can access the batteries.I am waiting for my wheel pants and nose cone and main wheels then I can start covering with ultracoat.This has been a fun project and I am looking forward to flying it.

Heavybird

J Chris,

Not really sure from the photos as to what size model this is. What kind of feild do you fly from, I am looking for something simple enough to fly out of a basic 450 x 50 foot low cut grass field. Will this model come outa there? Did you have to wait a long time to get your kit? Also let us know how it flies. Thanks.

-JC-

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Hi Vic,

Good idea with the battery hatch. I will concider that. Right now I am sliding the batteries throught the cutout in the nosegear former.

Heavybird, The plane is designed for a 12 Lb turbine. I have flown the PCM prototype AV8R a number of times doing short take offs and landings. It will fly of your grass field with no problem. The prototype is powered by a RAM 500.
John

-JC-

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AV8R on it's gear and monocoated. ready for turbine and gear installation.

A little too red for my taste. Will add some stripes and decals.

Woketman

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John, what goes over the center of the wing? A hatch or canopy or something?

-JC-

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Hi Mark,

A piece of plastic or G10. I made mine out of thin G10 and glued it on with Thin ZAP. A canopy will be fitted also. I am trying to see if I can shape a spare F-18 canopy from a Yellow twin.

But, PCM is including a canopy with the kit also, but the nice thing with a sport jet is that you can be as creative as you feel like. No 3-view to worry about

John

.......Frankie T just finished his also. I will post some pictures tomorrow

FTE

Here is Frank's AV8R. Ready for first flight this weekend. I believe this is the first AV8R ready to fly since PCM released the kit 4 weeks ago.

It really builds FAST

John C

FTE

AV8R

Jackjet

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FTE,

how do you get the C/G right since the nose is so short and the turbine is so far back-how much nose weight is needed ?


Jackjet

JohnVH

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Looks good! give us the report. Sure wish he made that for the larger engines still

FTE

Jack,

The CG was right on the money with the receiver and turbine battery packs mounted all the way forward in the nose. Plane weighs 12 3/4 Lbs dry.

John

Jackjet

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FTE,
thanks,makes since to me.

Jackjet

fly109

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Hey guys just a few thoughts here. I actually designed the wing to have an open bay in the wing for two reasons. First of all it allows you more room to either stack and additional tank such as a hopper, or smoke tank on top of the main fuel cell, or you can place another component there such as the reciever in the Prototype. In this way there are almost no extensions needed for the models servos. The second reason was to allow you to put a clear plastic window in place over the main fuel cell to visually see what your fuel load is if you cared to do so.

As for the CG question I think most guys will be able to build the model without the need for much (if any) nose weight. Mine weighs in at just barely over twelve pounds and has no need for nose weight at all.

Jchris - hope you will make it to Superman with the model and I am really leaning on FT to bring his too. Vic, You're gonna be there I know with yours.

JohnVH - I hear you:-)

rcjetflyr

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I'm with JohnVH **one for bigger turbine**

Jack