Well I have decided on my winter build Projects. The first project is to build a place to build my planes. The second is a pair of Hindsight. There is a hindsight build tread in e-pattern; but mine will be glow powered. I use OS1.40RXs since I do not get along with engines all that well. So I am starting a new build thread in the main pattern forum.

The Hindsight is a Mark Hunt update to his Insight design. His plans and cutting lay outs are absolutely top notch like his prior work. So why am I building Hindsight? My choice of power plant has a lot to do with this. The OS1.40RX lacks some power when it is pulling my 10.5 pound Focus 2 over the top of vertical maneuvers. So I desire something that has a got chance of coming in lighter that my Focus. Many Insights came in around 10 lbs. Secondly having a Fuselage that has less drag than the really wide body of other modern designs is desirable. Thirdly I want to build something even though I have limited scratch building experience. The build a box and surround it with foam parts seems like a straight forward build. And finally I like the way it LOOKS. Remember that beauty is in the eye of the BEER holder and it appears I may have had one too many Newcastle Brown Ales.

The first step in the plane building process was to get a quote from some kit cutters. I sent the parts layout file to a few laser kit cutters. The cutters had no problem with Mark's file. One had to reorganize the parts as they use a laser with a 3 foot bed. They needed to use more than 2 parts for the fuse. Four days later I have quotes back from the cutters. I am very surprised by how reasonable the price quotes are. At the price of these quotes I do not see why anyone would cut their own parts anymore. It would surely take more than 2 hours to hand cut a kit.

In fact I am seriously thinking of ordering three kits. Really the only thing I am a bit concerned about is that this is a prototype build. The original charter member of Team Hindsight has had to place his build on hold. So I may be the first to actually get one flying. I will be building at least two planes. The first will be a learning experience for me. I ain't cut foam before so first plane is practice. This plane will become my test mule. I will place a Hyde universal mount up front so I can test out and break-in engines. I will be testing any new electronics with it first.

The second plane will be the real prototype and if things work out my contest plane for next season. While I may not be the best choice for the pilot to provide feedback to Mark; there are several very good pilots in the Northern VA area that can. One goes by the name of Don and has a son Joseph. Unfortunately I can not watch them while they evaluate a plane. I get a little nervous watching them fly maneuvers I have no idea how to fly lower than I consider one mistake high.[X(]

cool

can't wait to see more Randy.



Bill

Well I am waiting for the laser shop to return my email so I can pay for the two kits. There is no way I could order the wood and cut a kit for less than the quoted price. I do not see why anyone would cut kits ever again unless you are really into cutting your own kits for grins. So while this project is waiting on parts it is own to the workshop project.

I have a two car garage that is still full of stuff from my last move. The slot for one car is still full of boxes and piles. We don't live forever and are getting older; so it is time to organize the mess while I am younger enough to do it. The garage goes all the way across the house so it is deeper than the length of a car. This leaves room for a workshop and storage shelves at one end. The plan is for two sets of shelves, a general purpose workbench and a model building table. I am using 2x4bascs products to build these. Here is my workshop plan.

edit.

Randy,

Can you list the cutters you contacted , with there email / website info..

Thank you,

scott

Here you go.

[link]http://www.rc-airplanes-simplified.com/model-airplane-parts.html[/link]

[link]http://ak-models.com/lasercutservices.htm[/link]

[link]http://www.charlotteaircraftmodeling.com/info.html[/link]

Well the kits have arrived. It can take a bit to work your way thought the queue. So plan ahead.

They are outstanding The little plan note like doubler start here shown up readable on the wood. As far as I am concerned having the fuse side cut out already with the hole for all the wing parts and the note on the fuse side makes this a much easier build. This will really cut down on the measure, double measure and hope you are right.

Randy,

Who did you end up getting the laser cutting done by? and is this going to be a file that I could order from Mark?

Bill

I went with the AK-Models. I have no idea if they are better than the others, since I only ordered from one cutter.

So far two of us have talked Mark into letting us buy the plans and DWG files for the laser cutting. My guess is that it is not on his web site because we are talking about the prototypes for a model that has not flown yet. Still I am having a hard time waiting for the kit for my second work bench (MY BUILD TABLE) to show up on friday, so I can really start the building.

It looks like I will have lots of time to work on the Hindsight if the gov shutdown happens.

Looking at the plans and parts kit it is going to be like building an Insight. The only differences are that the wood kit should be a lot easier to put together and the foam parts are a different shape. Keeping the fuse straight should be a lot easier. The rounded foam parts will probably be a little harder to skin.

Now getting the foam parts will be interesting. I was going to try cutting them myself. I have not been able to find a good source of foam yet. The local hardware stores do not have large enough blocks. Any suggestions.

Hi Randy,

Im glad that you will have time to build but sad because you will not be working. I hope everything works out.

Bill

Randy,

I though that Mark recommended Bob Hunt for the cores. Take a look at InsightRC's website, I believe he has the contact information listed there. I ahve also noticed that he has quite a bit of information which he is giving away for free. I have been thinking about building an Insight but he has discontinued the kits and hence why the information is freely available. I would not mind paying for it however, I am pretty sure that he spent quite a bit of time developing the plane.

Good luck,

Teo

www.foambymail.com
They have 1 pound density virgin foam for sale.... shipping charges are very reasonable too.

Well the build has started if 3 months late.

The only difference in the box build so far is that you get fus sides instead of measuring and cutting your own. I found this to be the hardest part of the insight i attempted to build. Having every already measured and laser cut make this an easy and faster build.

fuse parts
See how each side is cut differently. Makes it hard to get them wrong

Next add the laser cut doubler and then proceed just as the insight build thread shows. Aligning the doubler is easy when all the cut outs line up and the etched lines shows where to place them.