RE: 1:3.7 Pilatus PC21 turboprop build
 

few more..

RE: 1:3.7 Pilatus PC21 turboprop build
 

Have added the kero start to the SPT5 and routed the fuel feed, and tidyed up the airline routing.
With so many airlines as always seems the way, called upon the services of 'Rich' who willingly as ever was happy to make a few items required. First off was a decent clunk, I had one enormous felt covered joby which looked like an oil barrel in disguise which would not fit through the sealing ring so a nice new brass one took shape. Second was a small 'manifold' to which all the air lines could terminate in one place, waiting for some M3 push fit 'T' and M3 nipples to complete but this little unit will look a treat and keep everything tidy;)
Big thanks to Rich who always helps out [sm=thumbs_up.gif]

Started fitting the front cockpit section, the fit is very tight on the canopy especially around the HUD unit so a little more work to establish the correct lie and will then secure. Originally the cockpit deck came complete with both seat sections together in one long strip, unfortunately the fuel tank, being a little oversized (my fault!) would not allow the rear section to sit low enough to clear the rear canopy section, so chopped the two in half and will mount the second section slightly lower.

A few pics for the album....

marcs

RE: 1:3.7 Pilatus PC21 turboprop build
 

more..

RE: 1:3.7 Pilatus PC21 turboprop build
 

Been working on the cockpit units, making a suitable and simple fixing system. As the unit is now in two pieces, front and back the front was tackled first. The nose section of the cockpit moulding has a contour which matches the nose wheel tunnel, so this section just sat on top of the tunnel, a small plate spaced off the tunnel surface prevented the unit from lifting. At the back end I made a lightened former which screwed to the ply plate already fitted to the wing tube, this in turn was shaped to slot into the profile of the rear section of the front cockpit unit. A small ply plate was glued in to allow a screw fixing.
The rear cockpit unit took some more thought but eventually I cut two channels in the base lite ply, glued in two glass fibre rods so their ends stuck out at each end of the unit. I made a provision for two holes in the former supporting the rear of the front section into which slide the front section of the rear cockpit (two collets acted as stops). The rear section used a square section hardwood former which had a retaining slide fixed to it so that the two rods were 'clamped' in place when dropped in. To release the unit is a simple pull against a spring which holds the unit in the closed position.

Next in the main panel installation......

marcs

RE: 1:3.7 Pilatus PC21 turboprop build
 

marcs,

Been following along and you work is top notch and very clean install. I do have one question for you if you don't mind. What do you use to cut the G10 and get the great results with compound curves? Thanks for your time. Please let me know your next project so I can follow along. I have watched this thread along with the eurosport. Most excellent work. Take care.

RE: 1:3.7 Pilatus PC21 turboprop build
 

JRS, hi, good the hear your following the thread. Regards the G10 or FR4 board shaping, I tend to cut the straight edges with a carbide circular cutter on a dremmel close to the actual line, stopping short in the corners by say 10mm or so. I then remove the cut panel by cutting accross the corners leaving a triangular piece, then I simply use a round file or similar and file back into the corner until I just meet up with the lines for the side markings, tidy up the straight edges with a permagrit flat carbide sander and job done. I also find that to do a radiussed corner the best way is to sand a flat across the corner first and then shape the curve to this.

Next project I think is a Skygate Hawk, it will get posted no doubt ;) Other builds and thread links are on my web site under gallery (www.gbrjet.com)

A little progress on the PC21, installed the main equipment tray now (pics later) and added the twin nose leg light. Again 'rich' sorted the machining (cheers again!) and made a small aluminium mount which clamped round the nose leg and then had the twin lights mounted to it. Routed the wires down a small section of aluminium tube until out of eye shot.

Off the Jetpower in a days time so looking forward to meeting some fellow 'threaders' and putting faces to names etc.

marcs

RE: 1:3.7 Pilatus PC21 turboprop build
 

Since being back from jetpower time has flown, had a few non model related tasks to do but now not far away from completion. Spent two days crimping and terminating servo leads and light wiring, jeez never seen so many wires! Done the light module, installed the two Rx's and Powerbox ready to drop in and be hooked up.
Prop back today from the painters, looks so much better than the original colours, spinner is now clear coated and finishes off the nose look.
Been held up on some air connectors for the final air system hook up but these should be here by the weekend.
Incorporated the two low battery warning LED's from the powerbox into the rear cockpit panel, so should spot these if things are not they should be in the volts section.
A few more small items to do and should be off to Ali next week with a bit of luck.

marcs

RE: 1:3.7 Pilatus PC21 turboprop build
 

couple more..

RE: 1:3.7 Pilatus PC21 turboprop build
 

i can say only WOW what a plane ut has become

i really hop he keeps this at LEAST one time from now to october next year...

RE: 1:3.7 Pilatus PC21 turboprop build
 

Me too :eek:

RE: 1:3.7 Pilatus PC21 turboprop build
 

Super BOMB!!![sm=spinnyeyes.gif]

RE: 1:3.7 Pilatus PC21 turboprop build
 

Sweet ride Marc..... Can we get a pic of the entire bird??

Thanks

Doug

RE: 1:3.7 Pilatus PC21 turboprop build
 

Beautiful job Marc, as usual.
Do you use the Ahslocks for the servo connections as well ?

RE: 1:3.7 Pilatus PC21 turboprop build
 

Doug hope to get that done over the next few days, I cannot get both wings on in my workshop :-(

Oliver, use to but found the quality was not that good on the servo pins and cases, now sourced German made gold connectors and cases which are superb. Still use Ashloks on lighting connections etc.

marcs

RE: 1:3.7 Pilatus PC21 turboprop build
 

How many ways do you get on these German connectors ?

RE: 1:3.7 Pilatus PC21 turboprop build
 

Oliver, sorry my response was a bit vague. The Ashlok servo connectors (3 pin only) I found to be not that good a quality so have sourced a German made product (3 pin servo plug & socket) which are far better. I still use the Ashloks on lighting wiring etc as you can see in the picture.
Hope that clears it up ;)

marcs

RE: 1:3.7 Pilatus PC21 turboprop build
 

Thank you Marc.

RE: 1:3.7 Pilatus PC21 turboprop build
 

Marc,
Fantastic work on your PC-21. Have you been able to run the lights yet? You proably mentioned it earlier, but where did you source the lights themselves? I'm especially interested in the landing lights on the wheels...I have to do something similar so any suggestions appretiated. What power are you suppling to the lights?

RE: 1:3.7 Pilatus PC21 turboprop build
 

Sean,
Hi, the lights are all from Hajo via [link]http://[email protected][/link] really nice guy and very helpful. They have a good range and are adding to it all the time.
The PC21 is a little bit of a tricky one, there are 16 lights in total, the control board is only 8 channel which is fine for most, so what we have done here is wire two lights up in series on each port of the controller, then rather than use 4.8v to drive it as normal we are using a 2s lipo, it was Hajo who suggested the set-up as we did not want to use another controller and therefor another channel on the Rx.

I have not tested all the lights yet but fingers crossed they should all be fine.

The nose ligths come as a twin unit with lenses.

Hope that helps.

Marc.

RE: 1:3.7 Pilatus PC21 turboprop build
 

Marc,
That is helpful thanks. Are the lights for navigation and position, including beacons of LED type or are they the high intensity xenon type? If the landing lights come as a pair that's ideal as I need one on each main gear strut (you have 2 on the nose, mine are on the mains). I also need green and red nav lights in the wing tips, a clear position light in each tip, 2 red beacons (one on the fuse one on the fin), and a clear nav at the fin leading edge and rear of fuse. All total, thats 10 lights.

RE: 1:3.7 Pilatus PC21 turboprop build
 

Yes, there are 6 landing lights, two on the nose wheel and two in each wing leading edge, then three flashing beacons on the fuselage, two red and one white, then one flasher in white on each wing tip, red and green nav lights on the wings and a white rear facing, then two fin lights mounted on the stab strakes, the final light is a HUD green LED.
Hajo is the man, email him your requirements and he will suggest the best system and combo of lights. All are high power and have heat sinks built in.
The wiring was a little complex (well for me anyway!)

RE: 1:3.7 Pilatus PC21 turboprop build
 

Very cool. Thanks again Marc....and thanks for generously sharing this build with the rest of us. i learn something new every time I tune in, and your plumbing discipline is setting a good example. [8D]

RE: 1:3.7 Pilatus PC21 turboprop build
 

Finally got the fittings for the air manifold sorted, pressure tested the whole thing and installed it in the fuselage. Some times you do a job and think that was a good fix, well this has worked out really well, its location between the wing supply points is ideal and as it acts as the main distribution point for all air services and should be easy to service etc, if I have room on subsequent builds this is a definate must, machining up a manifold is the only real time consuming item, so might even make a few up and have them available for you guys via my web site.

Painted two panels down each side of the fuselage to blend with the cockpit side panels, which are about to be sprayed grey and have decals applied.

Not much more now to do so best I get on ;)

marcs

RE: 1:3.7 Pilatus PC21 turboprop build
 

All the main equipment is in now, tank is resting in place and will be connected up last thing.
Had a 2s lipo cell go down on a new pack, so was good to have spotted this before fitting all the cockpit and tank in, first bad cell ever on a lipo!
Fitted the stab retaining system, a piece of beech made round on a lathe and glued into the hollow carbon tube, M3 tapped for a CS bolt.
Once the weather improves will get the PC outside to fit both wings together - I only have room in my garage to get one on at a time - then some fully assembled pics will follow.

marcs

RE: 1:3.7 Pilatus PC21 turboprop build
 

Its ready for collection which is next Friday so managed to get a few shots before she goes flying :D

marcs