MHester, that's good news, can't wait to see it

It was very encouraging to hear in your earlier post how well the Typhoon flies the knife edge. Just what I was hoping for.

One of many fine details in this design is the curve between the cowl and canopy. So instead of using foam here, I will use balsa. To help preserve the curve I temporarily will use a balsa stick to bend the top longeron upwards and I hope the curve will not flatten out when sheeted.

To hold the frame I will just be using hardwood dowels and a socket head screw at the back.

Sig, to preserve the curve in the front end the only thing I have found to work well is install an extra former behind the firewall. Everything else tends to suck down no matter what. just a heads up, cuz you have time to do it if you do it now. Otherwise, I told you so

-Mike

Finally finished painting my Patriot 3D. I used Nelson paints since I was spraying in the house. The finish is not as nice as PPG, but is adequate and much safer to use.

Rodney.,

Did you not used to live in Florida?

AW

Allrighty boys, here's a sneak peek.

It's fresh out of clear coat, and just stuck together. But I wanted to show yaz what it looks like. It's neat when you can scroll back through this thread and see original parts laying on the table, various construction slices, etc. This one is almost 2 years in the making. Actual building time was less than 3 months though. I got motivated

This is the Tempest rev 1 prototype, which means I haven't yet made major modifications to the fuse and cowl. Everything else is very close to a Typhoon 2000. This design is pretty aggressive, so it may have some issues in flight. Then again, it may be the golden bird, I'll know in a couple of weeks. I want to get the wings and tail (moments, locations, areas and sweep angles etc) just right before I make a huge change to the fuse. Actually it won't be TOO huge, it'll be wider with a different nose and possibly a carbon canopy. Maybe, I don't know yet. It's definitely a labor of love folks.

Anyway enough rambling, here's a sneak peek...many detail pics to follow over the next week or so.. Enjoy [8D]

-Mike

MHester your Tempest is gorgeous ! Absolutely beautiful.
Your color scheme is striking and really suits the character of the plane, kind of makes it even more aggressive especially the wings. Wow .Congratulations, work well done.

The canopy frame is almost finished.

Thanks for the tip MHester I think you are right.
I used water to bend it but it wants to slowly sink back again.
It's kind of funny, now I have use for the warped balsa sticks that was impossible to get straight and were discarded from earlier kits I have built [sm=tired.gif]

<<One of many fine details in this design is the curve between the cowl and canopy. So instead of using foam here, I will use balsa. To help preserve the curve I temporarily will use a balsa stick to bend the top longeron upwards and I hope the curve will not flatten out when sheeted. >>



Why not cut a shaped stringer from 1/4" sheet? I wish I had thought of this when I built mine!

Nope Bokuda, I tried that. What will happen is the top will follow the curve just fine, then the sides will suck in and look funky. It's not terrible, but it's bad enough. A former about 2.5" behind the firewall works best.

-Mike

If the front part is made of 6 mm (1/4 ") wide sticks with slight taper in ends, like Sigk has done with the canopy frame, it will work even without a former.
That is more work of course and requires more finishing, but end result will be better, too. Been there, done that

If you are going to use balsa sheet it will obey rules of physics just like Mike has explained in previous posts.

ini

No, never lived there. Moved to Mexico from England 20 odd years back. Work takes me to Miami every now and then and Pattern has taken me to Pensacola, for the World Champs :-) As a spectator I hasten to add!!

Mike, congratulations, the Tempest is a work of art! What is the target weight?
As you say: "Those who cannot build will always be at the mercy of those who can". I am one of those who cannot!!!

Congrats Mike, that is Sweet looking plane.
Tom

Thanks guys. Target weight is just under 10 lbs. With the 170 in the nose, weight won't be much of an issue. I find that around here, heavier planes tend to penetrate better. Well, a wing loading of about 1 lb per 100 square inches. This wing is about 930, not counting fuse area between. So a little under 10 lbs would be about right. I didn't spare the paint like I usually do, I put the coats to it. It shows.

Honestly, this thing has to be seen in person to be believed. pictures just don't do it justice. (Yeah, so I'm braggin). Hehe.

-Mike

Mike,

I am in awe! I can't wait to hear how it flies!

Cheers,

Andre

The next thing to do is to connect the throttle. Then there is one more former to do and sheet the front.
Then the fuselage should start to look good.
MHester, great idea, adding one more former, not only for the curve but to make it stronger. This is where I usually put my hand to hold the model when starting the engine.

Hi MHester,

Fantastic paint job. Wha paints did you use? Will you flat and polish the clearcoat or do you leave it as painted.

I am just about to start on my Typhoon 2000. Would be great if you can give us feadback on how the mods perform in the air.

Regards
Attie

Attie, the paint is PPG concept acrylic urethane. It's extremely toxic, but some of the best paint there is.

I will polish the clear coat in about a month, I need to let the paint FULLY cure before I use a silicone polish. I dunno though, this thing shines like a mirror now

I'll let you all know how the mods perform in about a week or so.

-Mike

Okay guys I'm completly hooked on the Typhoon2000 can you all let me know where or how to get holda a set of those beautiful Typhoon2000 plans!!

[8D]

you could also buy the nomex version......go to gatorrc.com for both.

Allright boys, Tempest pics galore.

It's ready to fly, if the engine runs today.

It came out at 10 lbs 1 ounce. Darn, I was shooting for 10....I'll have to do better next time

Enjoy...

-Mike

More...

And that's about every angle I care to get

I'll let you know how it flies.

-Mike

Awesome, Mike, Awesome!!!!!!!!!