vlr

Alistar, please could you check at Gary ´s plan what is the position of COG? I calculated for my plane 101mm from the leading edge of upper wing (15% reserve) respectively 123mm (10% reserve). Thanks a lot.

Alistair

Got the plan on my phone, took multiple pictures as a good way to study the plan at odd moments (and still miss important info)

I can measure the actual distance from leading edge tonight

vlr

Ok. Thanks.

Alistair

C of G is around 78mm from leading edge


Cut out engine plate ready for engine and trial fitted

abufletcher

I've always liked the idea of the mounting plate vs. a firewall. Not sure why. How do the Sunderland plans deal with the nose "cowling?"

Alistair

It's blocks of balsa, glued together and sanded too shape

geezeraviation

My Feedback: (3)

Just looking at the small bit of the plan you show there it seems that these drawings may be a bit vague in some areas.
Doc

Alistair

The magazine article does show a few useful pictures, but otherwise 'vague' is a good description.

The Ethos seems to be :

This is what it should end up like, how you get there is down to you.

Possibly a factor in why I was unable to find any online builds using this plan.

abufletcher

I'd say the drawings look pretty typical with a mix of building suggestions and "suggested scale features" (like the position of the tachometer or the "slots" in the nose cowl). Dave Boddington plans look pretty much the same. Certainly, none of these were ever intended as "build-by-numbers" models.

Alistair

i've probably been spoilt by balsa USA photo instruction booklets. I don't recall any problems building the Boddington CI or the Vimy for that matter. Not really criticising the 'vagueness' as such, it's quite satisfying to solve the problems. But i think you can see what is ' obvious' to one builder is not to the other. I'm enjoying making the rear gun using the instruction on the plan. Yet 'double brass bell crank' is shown for elevator. I've never done one of these so would have liked some more info (similar to how to make the gun) Thinking using carbon fibre rod and blue and big epoxy horn on (rather than brass to save weight aft)

geezeraviation

My Feedback: (3)

Clear as mud! I don't wonder you don't see a lot of these (or others they've drawn) around the fly ins. I've built a lot (a lot) of models and many from plans without written or photographic instruction and like to feel like I kind of know what I'm doing. What I can see of these leads me to think I'd pass on this, but one never knows till one tries. lol
Doc

Alistair

Almost finished my 'lash up' of a 'double brass bell crank'. except mines not brass. Some sort of epoxy board I think (some stuff I had lying around). Used a 6mm carbon fibre rod as hinge and glued 'crank' to it using JB weld. Crossboard as per plan of 5mm ply with some supports also of ply. Felt the need to reinforce with balsa.

Where the plan says 'double' i'm assuming it's referring to two attachments top and two attachments bottom for the elevators.

OK it aint pretty, but nobody will see it.

Alistair

In position but not glued yet. seems to work well

Alistair

Started on the pylons. Seems very flimsy with rods of such small diameter but hardword will then beef it all up.

for some reason pics upload inverted !

Alistair

found £1.56 aluminium louvres in Homebase (UK D.I.Y. store) bit big but easily cut down

geezeraviation

My Feedback: (3)

Wow, cool

Alistair

Pylons are glued in. Now faffing around to get the centre piece soldered on as well as mounting lugs for wing rods

Alistair

Dials arrived from Czechoslovakia. Plastic but once painted I think they will be ok. I only need three for the CIII dashboard and a compass on the wing

Alistair

Just run in the engine. if you are building using the Super Tigre G4500 (45cc two stroke glow engine) and have (like me) a new 'un-run' engine. Be prepared to run some two gallons of fuel through itl. !
It is really loud until it beds in some, then starts to settle down.. On the good side now it's run in, it seems better than expected on fuel. A 32oz tank looks to easily run 30-45 minutes. so i may use a smaller tank. The advantages are its quite heavy, ideal for this model. (Gary says he needed this engine plus 1kg ballast) . The other advantage is these engines are relatively cheap to pickup even 'un-run' from previous owners.

vlr

Any progress Alistar? I'm finalising the model to first flight. Can you tell me what are recommended elevator and aileron throws?

Alistair

No progress of late as I'm bogged down in home DIY (knocking walls down to make a bigger kitchen and more !)

I'll check the throws on the plan and come back to you

vlr

Thanks. By the way it is the same everywhere. I had construction in our house in past two months.

Telemaster Sales UK

...and me!

Alistair

I can't actually find the throws on the plan, possibly on the magazine article? I'll get back to you

vlr

Ok. Can you scan this article?