RE: Regal Eagle - A Journey
 

Good stuff, donnie...thanks.

Question, though...

Why is that any different from a flat piece of plastic?? The problems I'm having involve the compound curves necessary to go from a round opening at one end to a rectangle at the other...it doesn't seem to me that a flat piece of fiberglass is going to be any easier to bend to that shape than any other flat material, is it?

RE: Regal Eagle - A Journey
 

if you build one out of glass glue(or clamp it if you have enough clamps you will need about 10) the bottom center of the exaust cone mount to the center of the glass(this should work with bobs thrust tube also)square it up to the end of the sheet (keep it in about 2 inches from the edge) wrap the other end around your fan shroud use a clamp(dont glue it because it needs to pivot at the clamp) to hold it measure the thrust tube to make sure it is the correct length (it will look funny)start at the bottom center and start working your way around both sides equaly if your using glue just use tacks so you can pop it apart if something is wrong using glass is a little harder because you cant make a crese in it like the plastic using a heat gun carefully will help mold the plastic in the corners also i would try bobs plastic first and if you screw it up let me know i can tell you where to get more really cheap if not free

RE: Regal Eagle - A Journey
 

Good information, Donnie...and something I'll file away for future reference. :)

As it is, however, some conversation with Mike produced an idea along a different track that we're going to try.

I've picked up a rather sizeable block of foam to use as a one time use plug, and we're going to try to mold a fiberglass thrust tube around it. The basic idea is to grind the foam down to shape, then use a couple layers of light glass cloth to build a thrust tube around it...the thinking being it should be fairly light, stiff enough to hold its shape, but flexible enough to be worked into the mounting area in the fuse. :)

Here's a pic of the block in its very (VERY) rough starting shape...more to come as I progress toward the right shape.

RE: Regal Eagle - A Journey
 

Yup, I think the foam/glass idea is a good one. Can't wait to see the result.

RE: Regal Eagle - A Journey
 

Uuuuuh... That is.... errrrr..... I "say" Giant Scale cuase the wingspan is 95", bit it's more or less a Senior Telemaster... not an ultra-cool scale ship. BUT!!!! It wll be dropping bombs! LOL

RE: Regal Eagle - A Journey
 

Well, that went quicker than I expected. :)

RE: Regal Eagle - A Journey
 

that will work also good thinking how will you get the plug out?? are you going to just butcher it out or what
what weight glass are you going to use?? curious minds want to know

RE: Regal Eagle - A Journey
 

gboulton:

The reason creating it out of fiberglass allows for the compound curves with no issue is that it is not a hard shape when you start. You are thinking from the viewpoint of the end product. You start with the fiberglass cloth which is pliable and can be stretched around parts to most any shape. THEN the stiffening , the resin is added. Got some cheesecloth in your shop? take a piece a lay it around a rounded wing tip on a plane. See the difference compared to say some monocoat before shrinking? No wrinkles, just a smooth lay. Some weaves of glass cloth and some materieals do it much easier than others. But in the real light weight cloths we use it really does not mater the weave. And in the duct you are not looking for any strength at all. Just the shape and having it sealed from air passage. One or two coats of resin over a simple mold like we see above and its done. And it weighs next to nothing.

bob branch

RE: Regal Eagle - A Journey
 

Depending on the foam, laquer thinner will disolve many foams instantly. We used to do a similar system to this in control line aerobatic planes to creat ultralight weight turtle decks without much framing. Create it in foam, then we'd sheet it in 4lb per cubic foot or less balsa (upper weight limit on any wood we used) about 1/32 in thick soaked in water a few hours. It was very flexible. We'd have a bulkead at each end and just wrap it with an ace bandage and let it dry. Guess we did glue to bulkheads to the sheeting. After it dried pour in the thinner and instantly foam gone, ultra light turtle deck. Needless to say, crashing a competition stunter was 100% contraindicated.

bob branch

RE: Regal Eagle - A Journey
 

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RE: Regal Eagle - A Journey
 

Well, end result of the plug is foam, covered with masking tape, then "glassed" with dress liner and thinned epoxy. Last thing we'll do is paint some PVA on it, and sand everything smooth. Once the actual thrust tube has cured on it, some alcohol or acetone poured on the end should desolve the foam nicely, and the shell of the plug will be flexible enough to reach in and wad it up for removal.

As for the weight of the cloth, not sure...Mike said he's got the cloth and is bringing it by tomorrow. i SUSPECT we'll do an innerAs layer of lightweight stuff for a smooth surface, than a slightly stronger/heavier outer layer. I'll let ya know. :) Mike's laid up a few zillion glass fuses in his life, so I'm kinda just trusting him here.

RE: Regal Eagle - A Journey
 

Alright! Looking good Gordon. Another hurdle overcome.

Thought I'd post a photo of my current project for you instead of leaving it a mystery. These are photos of the fuselage nearly complete. The kit is a Hobby Shack "Sky Rider" which is essentially a rip off of a Senior Telemaster. I haven't started the wings yet, but when complete it'll have a 95" wingspan. The tail span is 36". I especially like my little eagle "decal" on the side of the fuse. I drew it and cut it out of yellow monocote. The overall scheme is, obviously, pre WWII. Still have much to do on the fuse before I can set it aside and start the big azz wings. The whole project was started so that I could satisfy 2 objectives: 1. to have something to fly at our club giant scale events, and 2. to have a platform from the bomb dropping mechanism I've dreampt up. The bombing mechanism will drop 3 bombs in succession using only 1 servo on the retract switch. The bombs will be hacky sack balls. (I wanted 3 shots before having to land and reload). And the bombing mechanism can be easily configured to drop 1 large bomb by simply popping off 2 ball links. The whole bombing mechanism fits inside the fuse but can be removed by depressing 2 spring latches (for easy reloading). Although not pictured here, the bomb mechanism is complete. I worked on it before starting the plane. I got TONS done this weekend and finally feel like I have enough to show. I intend to stick my grumpy old OS .91 Surpass 4-stroke on the front. With a fairly big props, should be able to putter around nearly at idle! :)

oops/// first I gotta figure out how to post photos here. :)

[img][/img][img][/img]

RE: Regal Eagle - A Journey
 

aaaannnnd

RE: Regal Eagle - A Journey
 

That really doesn't sound as fun as you're describing it, Tom. ;)

Seriously, that's sweet lookin man. :) You ought to do the wings up at PAC, now that I've vacated the build table. :)

Got some work of my own done this weekend...1 side each of both wings, and both horiz. stabs are now finished with painting...just need to buff em out, and then set them aside to wait for assembly, trim paint, and clear coat.

Also, Mike and I (well, Mike) layed up the thrust tube yesterday, and I seperated it this morning...the thing fits like a glove. :) I'll still need to do some touch up work on the inside to smooth it out a bit, and will have to seal it (probably with clear coat or thinned epoxy) but casting a fiberglass thrust tube is DEFINITELY the way to go with this aircraft.

Donnie,

In answer to your earlier questions...the plug came out without TOO much hassle. Essentially, I just poured some acetone in the end, which took the foam out and then, as I mentioned earlier, was able to peel the "liner" (masking tape and dress liner) out, thanks to the PVA. We DID bondo a few low spots before glassing, to smooth things ut, and the bondo proved to be a bit tough to get out...however, whacking the outside of the shell with a ruler released most of it.

The tube itself was layed up with a layer of 1.5oz glass cloth, followed by a layer of 10oz glass cloth...the former making the inside nice and smooth, the latter adding some strngth and rigidity. The entire thing, now that it's off the mold, is easily flexible enough to work into the plane, but holds its shape well. Once attached at each end, and given a final coat to seal it, it should work quite well.

I'll post some pictures later.

In other news, according to Bob the pipe is on its way via UPS, and the retracts will be shipped straight from the manufacturer in WV (leading me to believe they're B&D's)...so, hopefully, all the necessary components will be in place next weekend, and assembly can begin! :) :)

RE: Regal Eagle - A Journey
 

Great news on the RE! I'll race ya' when we're both done ~LOL

So what did Donnie decide to do to correct his retract issue? Are you using the same retracts as he?

RE: Regal Eagle - A Journey
 

I'm not sure what retracts donnie has, actually. I definitely plan on investigating mine before installation though, and seeing if I can find a way to avoid the same problem, if it exists.

RE: Regal Eagle - A Journey
 

They say a picture is worth a thousand words....soooooooo

Guess what I did today. :)

RE: Regal Eagle - A Journey
 

gboulton

Ok, the fitting with the springs that go around the cylinder head that holds the pipe to the header... What is it and where do you get it?

bob branch

RE: Regal Eagle - A Journey
 

It's a secret, Bob...I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you. [X(]

Actually, I have NO idea. If you'll recall a few posts ago, I mentioned that BP was sending me a used JMP pipe he had....it arrived today, and that fitting was on it. No clue where he got it (though it APPEARS as though he may have made it himself...not sure). I'll be sure and ask him next time we speak, though, and let you know.

RE: Regal Eagle - A Journey
 

Houston, WE HAVE PIPE!!! Very cool!

RE: Regal Eagle - A Journey
 

First you're popping off ball links, and now you're excited about my pipe...Tom, I'm starting to worry about you. ;)

RE: Regal Eagle - A Journey
 

You say "Journey", and "waggle waggle woop woop wah wah" and you're worried about ME? :D

Sooooo... don't leave me hanging.... what does a .91 with a tuned pipe turning in excess of 20 grand sound like? Did you run it up that high?

RE: Regal Eagle - A Journey
 

Just for the record, _I_ didn't say "waggle waggle woop woop wah wah" ;)

Don't know yet...we're still in the earliest part of break in, so it's gagging on roughly 9,398 times the fuel it needs to run. :) I doubt we got more than 6-7k out of it last night.

RE: Regal Eagle - A Journey
 

What fuel are you guys using in the OS91DF

RE: Regal Eagle - A Journey
 

I'm running Cool Power synthetic with 10% nitro during the break-in, per OS's reccomendation.

=========

FWIW, on the last run, the motor's just getting lean enough to get into a solid 2 cycle mode, and holy cow...the thing PULLS MY BUILD TABLE ACRPSS THE FLOOR. Now, this is a 36" solid core wood door on a 2x6 frame...not exactly light. And this with a 13x8 prop cut down to 10x8, and SEVERAL thousand more RPM left in the motor.

[X(][X(][X(]

I don't think I'll be needing any more nitro. :)

Tom, you've GOT to get by the house this weekend, dude. :)