SPLIT S

My YA F18 single arrived today!!!!! The packaging was excellent and everything looks to be in perfect shape. I have an Extra on the building board now but hope to get to the hornet by next month. Any more tips and tricks you have, please keep them coming!!!


Dan

buddude8

My Feedback: (10)

just curious did your formers come precut and sanded. mine did not

SPLIT S

Mine neither. Most look to be on sheets that need to be finish cut from.


Dan

SPEED51J

Dan I sent you a PM.

John

SPEED51J

Started on some painting. I made a stand out of PVC and it rotates.

tomcatman

My Feedback: (2)

OK, out of curiousity, I know you prime using spray cans which evidently works very well. What are you using for paint and how are you spraying it? Very unique idea for the stand BTW...Thanks. Regards,

Richie

SPEED51J

Richie, I was going to use PPG but it just cost to much, so I'm using duplicolor spray cans with U-pol clear coat. I warm the can in water right before spraying and it goes on really smooth, then I wait a few days and wet sand the paint and spray on the clear. After the clear has cured for a few days I wet sand with 2000 grit and polish. Trust me you can get an awsome finish from spray cans. Here is some pics of my servo tray.

John

tomcatman

My Feedback: (2)

I'm glad you brought this up...this is what I could never understand, maybe because I haven't done it yet. Doesn't sanding a coat of paint put streaks and scratches in it? Also, after sanding a clear coat, how exactly do you polish it? The reason I ask is because I too don't want to spend an arm and a leg on PPG and I'm actually thinking of using your methods. Thanks again for your input, also, the tray looks great. I can't wait to see it installed. Regards,

Richie

SPLIT S

Hi Richie,

After sanding with 2000 grit the finish already has a semi-polished surface. Removing those sand scratches and bringing the finish to full gloss isn't difficult at all. Be careful though when using spray cans, the millage on the finish is much less than if it were applied with a gun so try your best to get it on as smooth as possible. The less sanding you have to do to level the surface, the less chance you have of sanding ( or polishing ) through.

Hi John,

Looking good. I'm so anxious to get started on mine. BTW, using PPG Shop Line urethane base, blue, yellow, reducer, clear and catalyst should run right about $100.00. I know, I'm a PPG distributor. Keep up the work, it looks great. Can't wait to see it finished.

Dan

SPEED51J

Richie, Dan is right, you have to be careful when wet sanding, stay away from the edges also I don't apply alot of pressure. I just let the paper do the work. Sand a little and dry it off. This way you wont go through the clear coat. When I spray on the color I only use enough to cover the surface evenly. I spray the clear on thin also. remember you want to keep it as light as possible. ( paint is very heavy ).

John

SPEED51J

Dan, check it out.

http://www.aeroloft.com/

SPLIT S

They look great. That's going to make for one fine Angel.

Dan

bidrseed2

My Feedback: (2)

Firstly let me say im really pleased to see someone finally do a build thread on one of these. Ive had my eye on one for a while, but good construction photos have been lacking.( until now)

Just wondered however, F18s look so much better with nose gear doors, IMHO. But ive yet to see a yellow single with them. Can anyone see a reason why you couldnt do it, is space really at a premium at the front end?

PS i do have some video footage of e GDF flight, which i downloaded from this forum at some time. If anyone knows how to post it somewhere, ill happily do that. Its 8.9MB.

tomcatman

My Feedback: (2)

Try www.youtube.com for the dload. I too have wondered about gear doors on the single. Regards,

Richie

PS...Actually, go to www.rcuvideos.com for the dload.

SPEED51J

[quote]ORIGINAL: bidrseed2
I'm sure you could put some gear doors on. There is plenty of room in the nose. You might have a problem fitting them on the mains. Also I'm trying to keep her as light as I can.

John

Just wondered however, F18s look so much better with nose gear doors, IMHO. But ive yet to see a yellow single with them. Can anyone see a reason why you couldnt do it, is space really at a premium at the front end?

bidrseed2

My Feedback: (2)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7n4Ibc4DAuY

Just registered with youtube, hope the link works. Not my jet however in case anyone asks!

buddude8

My Feedback: (10)

link doesnt work, video not found

Terry Holston

My Feedback: (1)

Worked for me, Try it again..............

SPLIT S

Looks like a pretty long take-off roll. It was hard to see how much the flaps were extended, anyone have a guess? As far as speed goes, that's plenty for me.

Dan

SPEED51J

Video worked for me too. That was not a very long runway they were using. Looks like they were using full flaps for take off.

SPEED51J

I did a little more painting over the weekend. I masked off the fuse so I would not get paint on the inside.

SPLIT S

Looking good!!!!!

Dan

tomcatman

My Feedback: (2)

Speed, are the vertical stabs going to be removable? The reason I ask is because the area where the stab meets the fuse is painted. If the vertical stabs are going to be attached permanently, wouldn't this area on the fuse have to be sanded down to ensure a bond with the vertical stab? Same for the wings, will they be removable? If any of these will be permanently attached, can you please elaborate a bit on your method of bonding these? Regards,

Richie

Bob_B

My Feedback: (11)

Great looking project, I bet the new Gold 44 would fly this very nicely!

SPEED51J

Richie, There is tape on the fuse where the vertical stab and wing meet. I wont remove it until I put on the decals and apply the clear coat.

John