lz-23

Front top and bottom of the fuse is sheeted. Stab fit in fuse as it should.

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Few more shots of the stabilizer.

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Here is the top rear part of the fuse sheeted, and some balsa added to tail section of the fuse.

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A little more balsa scrap and sanding in tail section.

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Here is first setup of pull-pull cables. I had to enlarge pilot holes for cables.

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Now is time for rudder controls. Again I use regular heavy duty servo horns with 2 ball bearings. Will be attached to plywood holder that will be glued to the fuse. Servo is attached to plywood plate witch have 2 basswood mounting blocks cut from 3/8 square stock. After that entire plate will be attached to the fuse via 2 ply holders that are enforced by 1/4 square bass sticks. All connections use heavy duty ball links and 4/40 push rods.

petronio

Looks very nice. I'm just a bit concerned about the final weight, I have the impression the construction is somewhat heavy, too much plywood or too little lightening holes, how do see this about the weight?

lz-23

Well, AUW supposed to be 13-14 lb. As is right now the fuse with all things on it is at 3.5lb. To that I have to add couple sheets of 3/32 balsa, filler and paint. I'm expecting around 5 lb for finished weight of the fuse + tail section. In any case I'm not happy with current weight of the fuse... Horizontal stab is 2 oz, and fin is 3/4 oz. Form current prospective, I think that lite ply will be better for most of the ply parts. May be next model from this plans can be done much lighter. In any case, having almost 4HP power, I'm not too concerned at this point.

petronio

Well, it certainly looks very nice but you know if you can get a light plane the better . Thanks for the info, will continue to follow your post.

lz-23

Always lighter is better. In this particular project I was more concerned about enough strength and after that weight. Let's hope that will be light enough.

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Now I start on second cockpit. Have to add both sides and later will attach the internal structure of fuse frame. Later, after the fuse is fully sheeted this will be impossible.

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I had a little fun with dashboards. Bigger one is for front cockpit, the smallest - for second one. Pictures are very bad, but when I finish the dashboards, will take better ones.

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Here is a little more form second cockpit.

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Here is a progress up to this moment. Weight is 1670 gr (3.68 lb)

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More sheeting on the fuse. Last few pieces of sheeting will have to go after I attach the top wing struts and top parts of the landing gear.

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A little more from dashboards.

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Now is time to hide a voltage indicator for flight batteries. The placing spot was a bit questionable, considering that on most places will look completely out of place. At the end we decide to go for indicator mounted under pilot's dash board. Below dash board will be visible only small row of LED's. So I cut 3 layer of 3/32 balsa in shape of the dash board, glue them together, cut opening for the indicator and glue the dash board on top of it. In this way, the indicator can be replaced without much hassle if necessary. It is not the best scale solution, but at least won't spoil the scale look too much.

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Now a few levers and is time to close top sheeting of second cockpit. There will be more detailing, but all can be added later.

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Here we go. Top sheeting is done, fuse finally begin to take recognizable shape.

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Here is just glimpse of what should be when I actually start building the wings. Seems to me not bad for starter - 256gr (9 oz) for one wing. This include all materials minus glue and covering. I hope to keep them within 350gr (12.3 oz) at the end - around 3lb for all 4 wings. I think won't be bad, considering that fuse is 1780gr (3.92 Lb) at the moment and projected AUW must be below 13.7 lb.

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little progress on the wings. Bottom wing will have 2 joiners cut from 1/4" dural. First will go between the spars, second have separate plywood enforced area.

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Here is one wing half done. I add a paper tube to guide a aileron servo wiring. Total weight at this point is 298gr (10.5 oz). There is shaping of the leading edge and wing tips left to be done, one more rib and little sheeting to be added later. Still have hope that will be within the range of 12.3 oz at the end.

lz-23

Few more pics of the proggress

petronio

Looks nice so far, looking forward to see soon some color hehe byee

lz-23

Thanks man! Is way too early for colors. Have to make 2 more wings first, then lots of shaping, covering and so on...