KC36330

Really? whom might they be? [:-]

Rocketman612

My Feedback: (85)

LOL,
Mike , Brian, Athol , Jim and of course you would have a couple of words to say [X(]

Pete

Rocketman612

My Feedback: (85)

Well now I'm getting excited

Waiting for the black paint to arrive so I went ahead and placed the 3M Trim tape on the wings. The ridge seen is the edge of the black paint and I am too chicken to try and sand it[X(] Next are the race markings and N number. I followed Cajun RC's instructions of centering the decal then place tape on the boarders then marked them with a line. Used Windex to wet the back of the decal after the backing was removed and the wing. Place on the wing and adjust to make all the lines match. Squeegee excess and let set. To remove the adhesive covering wet the surface with Windex and carefully peel the tape back using a squeegee to keep the decal down. Continue to remove bubbles and excess fluid. I had to cut out the 4 on the wing bottom to account for the servo hatch. I measured and laid out the N number then cut in in half so it would be easier to handle. I made two horizontal lines so I could match it up. Before the decal was firmly set I placed a straight edge along the bottom of the numbers and they were even.

Pete

KC36330

Good Job Pete!!!

Mein Duff

Yowsa...... This is looking wonderfull !!!

Rocketman612

My Feedback: (85)

Got the black done. Jerry Nelson has some health issues that delayed my getting paint. Laying out the fuse graphics based on photos and scale drawings. Same method as before. I set the 44 first then centered the aft graphics one at a time. The trick will be to get the other side lined up to match. I used landmarks on the fuse and took measurements so we'll see.

Pete

Rocketman612

My Feedback: (85)

I finished going over the fuse with the 000 steel wool and placed the gold pinstripe. I chose to continue using the 1/4 width instead of the 1/8 that the plans suggested. I think the wider line looks better and matches up better with the documentation I have.

Will clear coat next...

Pete

KC36330

she gonna be ready by Saturday Pete??

Rocketman612

My Feedback: (85)

KC,

No [&o] Waiting for the paint and dealing with the fly in and all the other stuff has put me in a hole. I could get her ready for a static display but she would not be "flight ready" and not qualify for the Pilot's choice award.

Pete

KC36330

i've got my pressure pot full of clear and spraying as we type, if you need me to shoot it for ya..............

Rocketman612

My Feedback: (85)

KC,

Wish it was that simple Hope to see you at the Fly in Sat. temp in low 60's with 10mph NW wind should be nice.

Pete

KC36330

After all the drama i was gonna skip out on it because Christy will to be coming up Friday night but she wants me to go, she's gonna stop by for a little while in the morning then meet her parents for the parade. we're going to the Peanut Festival early afternoon so i wont stay all day this year.

Rocketman612

My Feedback: (85)

PUT A FORK IN IT

I finished up with the graphics on the gear fairings then shot the wings, fuse, cowl and fairings wth the Nelson clear. The clear has the viscosity of a THICK milk shake and I had to do some thinning. On test board the clear wasn't flowing well so I changed over and thinned with windshield washer fluid. The finished product looks pretty good. a few imperfections but nothing that made me want to sand and give another coat. Kept any runs from forming by turning the fuse on the spit 90deg every 30 to 60 sec until the paint set.

I can't say how happy I am to get this part behind me. Final assembly should go smooth as it's now at the ARF stage.

Pete

rcfrey

My Feedback: (4)

Holy Crap Pete! It's a thing of beauty! I am really looking forward to seeing it at the field.

Rocketman612

My Feedback: (85)

Thanks Bob.

Final assembly moved ahead with all the control surfaces getting hinged. Next was the flying wires and tailwheel. I tried the springs for the tailwheel steering that Byron included but was not satisfied with the slop and their rubbing on the Rudder bottom. I used compression springs instead but still needed to clear the Rudder so I used servo arms to lower the attachment point. I epoxied a dowel in the hole the spline fits in then drilled a hole and screwed them on. Made sure there is no contact with the Rudder clevis at max deflection.

24oz fuel tank has 3 line plumbing and was mounted on it's tray with padding and zip ties. The fuel dot is also mounted .

Pete

Rocketman612

My Feedback: (85)

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Back to building...

Duralite 5200mah battery placed on tray with the Ernst charge port hidden underneath. Started to place the landing gear and was not satisfied with the ply mount with the two piece gear. We fly off asphalt and I've been known to have an occasional hard landing. I have seen problems with two piece gear splitting the mount as the stress was not distributed as you get in a one piece unit. I took a piece of 1/4 ply cut it 4x12cm and epoxied it as a doubler to the mounting plate. I would have liked it wider but it needs to clear the blind nuts for the gear. I then took a 1/8 by 1 1/2 in piece of aluminum and made a "Bridge" to better distribute stress to the gear. My goal was to beef it up some but not go overboard. the added weight here is negligible.

Pete

Rocketman612

My Feedback: (85)

Finish line in sight[8D]

Final assembly continues with the wheels, pants and strut covers. I used #2 round head socket screws to attach the covers and the canopy as they looked more scale. cut a 2 by 14.5cm strip of monokote trim, creased it and applied it to the aft edge of the strut covers. This gives a nice edge to the cover and it's removable. Finished engine install with the muffler, fuel line and throttle pushrod. Added a velocity stack to keep airflow stable in cowl as well as reducing the spatter the carb gives out.

Pilot and canopy added. Finished plane is awesome. Only need to do the CG and fiberglass the dummy engine in place. Will post final weight after doing the CG.

Pete

Mein Duff

This looks fabulous ! waiting with great anticipation the fun about to happen...great job[X(]

KC36330

Can i do the maiden???

Mein Duff

Sorry this is a MAN'S job..[>:]

KC36330

Hence the reason i asked to do the job

Rocketman612

My Feedback: (85)

LMAO


I still need to run the engine on the ground and do a "Loose nut" check. Weather will be a big factor wanting higher temps and less wind. Not sure which field is better Hunt vs Brown, wind direction would determine that. I'd like to try and maiden her myself with your help. Worst case scenario would be to wait for spring[&o]

Marked the plane for CG. Byron calls for the CG to be 3.5 to 4 in from the leading edge at the wing root. All together the plane dominates the shop[8D]


Hope RCU gets their act together regarding photo posting soon.

Pete

KC36330

she looks sweet Pete, just let me know when you're gonna give it a go and i'd be more then happy to help out. should be in town this weekend and likely not the next and then headed to B-ham during Christmas for a little vacation with Christy


Mein Duff doesn't know me huh? if it'll fly, i can fly it

Rocketman612

My Feedback: (85)

KC,
Thanks for the support and advice along the way.

Also thanks a bunch to all who followed this thread lending their comments and support. Hard to believe this project started Jan 2008. Health issues slowed me down at times but I fell prey to other projects leapfrogging the Wedell. At one point I really didn't think I would finish her and have to thank my wife for all her support and the use of a lot of her territory in the utility room during the past year. Best advice would be to push forward and not let a major build stop for any length of time.

Pete

All Day Dan

My Feedback: (5)

Pete, don't leave us now. We are all waiting for the maiden. Dan.