Top-Flite T-34
12-15-2002, 03:52 AM
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Top-Flite T-34
I started a T-34 on Thanksgiving weekend. Really nice kit so far. The die-cutting and wood quality is great. Putting an ASP .91 in it for power. Going to build it as an A model instead of a B. Will use markings of the first production T-34A. Will post progress photos as I go.
This first photo is the horizontal going together:
This first photo is the horizontal going together:
12-18-2002, 03:54 AM
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BIG Slow Down
Well, I really got slowed down on the T-34 project. I was splitting firewood this afternoon with a log splitter and smashed my left ring fingertip off. Spent three hours in the ER getting it sewed back on (eleven stitches). The only good thing about it is I didn't do it in a model airplane propellor. Guess it will be awhile before I can do much building or work for that matter.
Jerry
Jerry
12-18-2002, 02:27 PM
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Re: BIG Slow Down
Originally posted by PT21Flyer
Well, I really got slowed down on the T-34 project. I was splitting firewood this afternoon with a log splitter and smashed my left ring fingertip off. Spent three hours in the ER getting it sewed back on (eleven stitches). The only good thing about it is I didn't do it in a model airplane propellor. Guess it will be awhile before I can do much building or work for that matter.
Jerry
Well, I really got slowed down on the T-34 project. I was splitting firewood this afternoon with a log splitter and smashed my left ring fingertip off. Spent three hours in the ER getting it sewed back on (eleven stitches). The only good thing about it is I didn't do it in a model airplane propellor. Guess it will be awhile before I can do much building or work for that matter.
Jerry
Owie, owie, owie, hope it heals o.k.
12-18-2002, 03:44 PM
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Thanks
Thanks Guys. So far it's not too bad. I really didn't feel anything until it came to last night. It only hurts when I think about it. It's a good thing I use Hunt and peck so I can still enjoy RCU. Later,........
Jerry
Jerry
12-19-2002, 01:27 AM
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Top-Flite T-34
Sorry about your accident I,ve been quite interested in your building thread, looks like your doing a great job hope your recovery is quick Dave.
12-19-2002, 06:42 AM
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Top-Flite T-34
Sorry to hear about the finger but glad to get reports on your project. I have always loved the T 34 ,owning serveral of the Ace kits. I just bought the kit but will not start on it for awhile. I have a YS 1.20 which I plan to use for power. How do you plan to finish yours? With all that sheeting I think it needs to be glassed.
Ken
Ken
12-19-2002, 01:58 PM
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Finishing
KenR,
The picture in post #7 is how I will finish the T-34. It's a picture of the first production T-34A. I will glass it and use Flite-Metal to cover it. The controls and the horiz. and vert. stabs will be painted silver because they were magnesium on the full scale. I bought a special retract control valve so the inboard gear doors will cycle just like the full scale.
Jerry
The picture in post #7 is how I will finish the T-34. It's a picture of the first production T-34A. I will glass it and use Flite-Metal to cover it. The controls and the horiz. and vert. stabs will be painted silver because they were magnesium on the full scale. I bought a special retract control valve so the inboard gear doors will cycle just like the full scale.
Jerry
12-25-2002, 07:30 PM
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Top-Flite T-34
You and I need to hook up at some time. Just got the kit for Christmas (after dropping 962 hints). I plan on starting the build in late Jan. I'm also thinking of doing the A instead of the B.
12-26-2002, 01:55 AM
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Some Progress
I've made a little progress over the holidays. My finger is doing pretty good. Got to go back to real work tomorrow. I got the center section built and sheeted on top. Also got an order the day before Xmas with wheels, spinner, air system, and other goodies. Had to get some skinnier wheels so they would fit inside the wing when retracted. Will try to post more pictures soon.
Hope everyone got all they wished for for Xmas. Have a Happy and safe New Year!!!!
Jerry
Hope everyone got all they wished for for Xmas. Have a Happy and safe New Year!!!!
Jerry
12-28-2002, 05:50 AM
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Top-Flite T-34
PT21flyer,I've also just started the build on this kit.Finished the horiz. so far.I would check your elevator torque wire,I had to bend mine a little to get the elevators to line up and the solder joint failed,no big deal just re-soldered but I'm glad I caught it.It took almost no pressure to break.Anyway,I'm in the process of deciding whether or not I want to do the gear doors on this and just how involved I want to get.I was thinking of just using the outer doors until I read that your planning on going the whole route.I'd like to know what retract valve your going to use and what air-cylinders for the doors on the main gear.Also,how do you plan on actuating the nose gear doors.Sorry for all the questions,but this is the first plane I'd like to do fully functioning doors on.
12-28-2002, 02:48 PM
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Answer Questions
cubflipper02,
The retract valve I got was from Ultra-Precision in Canada. I also got one air cyl. from them and will actuate both doors with it through a bellcrank. I plan on laminating the doors out of 1/64" ply on both sides of 1/16" balsa over the wing before I cut out the sheeting for the wheel wells. I outlined the wells with balsa and after they are cut out I will line the edge with 1/16" square for the doors to close on. Thanks for the heads up on the elev. horn. I'll check mine before installing. I'm using robart pinned hinges embedded into the control leading edges with rounded leading edges for a more scale look. I haven't decided how to do the nose gear doors yet. It'll come to me when I get there. I'll probably just hinge them and spring load them open and pull them shut with a cable when the gear retracts. I'm going to change the nose some by taking out the right thrust and centering the nose gear to make things easier.
Jerry
Oh yea, Ultra-Precision's web site is: www.up-1.com
The retract valve I got was from Ultra-Precision in Canada. I also got one air cyl. from them and will actuate both doors with it through a bellcrank. I plan on laminating the doors out of 1/64" ply on both sides of 1/16" balsa over the wing before I cut out the sheeting for the wheel wells. I outlined the wells with balsa and after they are cut out I will line the edge with 1/16" square for the doors to close on. Thanks for the heads up on the elev. horn. I'll check mine before installing. I'm using robart pinned hinges embedded into the control leading edges with rounded leading edges for a more scale look. I haven't decided how to do the nose gear doors yet. It'll come to me when I get there. I'll probably just hinge them and spring load them open and pull them shut with a cable when the gear retracts. I'm going to change the nose some by taking out the right thrust and centering the nose gear to make things easier.
Jerry
Oh yea, Ultra-Precision's web site is: www.up-1.com
12-28-2002, 09:21 PM
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Top-Flite T-34
Thanks for the info.I've finished the horiz and vertical,skipping ahead to the fuse since I dont have my retracts yet(still on backorder at tower).If you could please,definitley keep us updated on your progress,especially with the gear door setup.Hopefully your finger is healing as well. 
12-29-2002, 04:37 PM
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Top-Flite T-34
{I haven't decided how to do the nose gear doors yet. It'll come to me when I get there. I'll probably just hinge them and spring load them open and pull them shut with a cable when the gear retracts. I'm going to change the nose some by taking out the right thrust and centering the nose gear to make things easier.}
PT21 Flyer just as an aside, I've worked on a few Beech Bonanzas (V35 F33 A36 to name a few). The T-34 is simply a militarized Bonanza. and just for trivia LOL The 1 to 1 scale bonanza's use a similar nose gear door setup except they use steel tube instead of cable. It works well on the full size.
Good Luck with your T-34
PT21 Flyer just as an aside, I've worked on a few Beech Bonanzas (V35 F33 A36 to name a few). The T-34 is simply a militarized Bonanza. and just for trivia LOL The 1 to 1 scale bonanza's use a similar nose gear door setup except they use steel tube instead of cable. It works well on the full size.
Good Luck with your T-34
01-01-2003, 06:22 PM
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Wing Fitting
Here is a picture when I was fitting the wing panels to the center section. It's ready to sheet the bottom of the wings now.
Jerry
Jerry
01-02-2003, 01:06 AM
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Top-Flite T-34
Jerry it is really awesome of you to post pics of your progress! Did you use the robart gear set for this plane? ARe you speaking of taking right thrust out of the firewall?
Ken
Ken
01-02-2003, 03:00 AM
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Gear and Right Thrust
KenR,
Yes, I am using robart's Bonanza gear. I'm taking the right thrust out of the firewall because the full scale doesn't have it. I've really never seen any need to put right thrust in my models. They can be trimmed out with the radio.
Jerry
Yes, I am using robart's Bonanza gear. I'm taking the right thrust out of the firewall because the full scale doesn't have it. I've really never seen any need to put right thrust in my models. They can be trimmed out with the radio.
Jerry
01-02-2003, 05:08 AM
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Top-Flite T-34
Wow Jerry, I am going to dig out my plans and look at the right thrust for sure. Not so sure I would be eager to take it out. I am sure Top Flite flew a few prototypes and have the right thrust in there for a reason. If you ended up needing it later, that would effect your cowl set up and everything. I understand about the full scale not having it but things end up different sometimes in R/C.
Ken
Ken
