Wow from the title I thought this was another ARF so called "build" thread, I had no idea the high level of modelling going on. Looks beautiful, thanks for posting.

Was this your first time using aluminum tape? I would love to try it someday, maybe on a trip piece or something, it is very intimidating to me.

Again thanks for posting.

Thanks everybody!

Mr_Matt: I realized shortly after starting the thread that I probably could've named it something a little better.. oh well.
This is not my first attempt at Flite Metal. I did a giant Top Flite P-47 two years ago as my first try. It does have a learning curve and takes a little while to get used to, but once you get the hang of it, it's not too bad.

All set for the Toledo Expo!
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=2208311

I see two winners in this picture. Superb workmen ship. You've got my vote

K.O.

Here's a few pictures of the inside of the plane:
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=2209064 http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=2209065

I did get the T-33 to the RC Expo in Toledo. Finished 2nd place in the Jet Category and won the People's Choice Award!
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=2209072 http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=2209073 http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=2209074

Congratulations

Well done.

Jordan
Absolutly beautiful!
Saw your jet at Toledo. It was my favorite one. Quick question, how did you prep the surface for painting and what paint did you use and also primer for the bare metal. Did you put wax on at all. I have done flite metal before, just curious of your procedure.
Have you flown the T-33 yet. What turbine. Sorry for so many questions
Chris

Hi Chris- thanks for the compliments!

There are a few different ways to prep the flite metal for paint. The best way is to start with a really good cleaning. I use Simple Green as it does a great job of deep cleaning the aluminum. From there, it's probably best to use a self etching primer followed by a surface primer, which you can then sand smooth before paint. The T-33 has PPG base coat paint followed by a gloss clear. I did not prime this plane, but the result is that some of the paint chips off with the masking tape- this is an easy way to get a weathered paint look if that's what you're looking for. I didn't polish the T-33: I just sanded it with a few different grits of sandpaper and left it. I've used Cape Cod metal polish in the past and that works out really well.

The T-33 hasn't flown just yet. I'm waiting on a fitting for the oleo strut from China- if I get it in time, the maiden flight will be next weekend. It's powered by a JetCat 180 RXI

hi
 

Where do I get these decals from this painting?

Jordan

Thanks for the quick response. Good luck on the maiden.

Thanks
Chris

Successfully completed the T-33 maiden flight this weekend!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-Wx...ature=youtu.be

Jordan
Congratulations on your maiden. Hope you enjoy it for years. Beautiful in the air.

Chris

Beautiful T-33!!!

T-33
 

The results of teamwork. Be proud of a job well done.http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/images/icons/icon7.gif

K.O.

congrats!! nothing nicer looking in the air than a Tbird :)
Vin...

Congratulations 👍
 

Hi Jordan,

congratulations on your maiden 👍 You have build one beautyful model with passion and lot of attention to detail!

And the scheme you have choosen is one of the nicest i have seen. Thats why i have choosen this scheme for the Scale-Jets.nl T33 which i will build for my friend; starting around Christmas this year.

Best regards

Thomas

Thanks everybody! It's been a fun project and it's great to finally see it flying :)

Running the light wires in the wing ?
 

Hello-
Regarding the lighting wires that had to be run from wing tip to wing root, were you able to run the wires down the middle of the wing, or did you have to run them down the trailing edge ?
If you would be kind enough to explain what method you used to get the wires from outboard to the wing root, I would very much appreciate it.
Thanks-Mike O.

The light wires had to be run down the trailing edge of the wing along with the servo wires- I would have preferred them to exit at the front of the wing, but I would've had to break through the spar to do that.. There was a clear path through the wing already along the back side except for the area in the servo box, which needed to be cut for the aileron wires anyway. The hardest part I had was getting the light wires from the tank to the wing.

To get the wires out, I have a small flexible piano wire that's about 40" long. I attach a long string to the end (looks like a fishing pole) and push them both through the wing. The wire helps to get the string through without getting caught on anything. When I can see the piano wire at the wing tip, I remove the string from it and tie it to the end of the servo/light wire. Then you can just pull the string back through the wing. Works for me and saves a lot of frustration.

Jordan,

How did you attach the tip tanks? The manual calls for silicon. I'd rather find less permanent method but haven't thought of a decent way to accomplish this.

Thanks

I used silicone glue on mine, but in my pre-build search I did come across one build thread where they used blind nuts and bolts to attach the tanks so they were removable.

FlyingJ664,
I tried to post a story about the P-80 at Selfridge Field, MI but it was too many characters. Do you have another address I can write to?
Don Brann (pilotdb09)

First scale jet
 

This will be my first scale jet? How does this jet handle grass? Is it easy to maneuver on grass?

The T-33 flies well and handles grass no problem with the large wheels. You do have to concentrate on the landings though- the narrow gear makes it easy to tip onto the wing tanks, and crosswind landings can be tricky