Transavia PL-12 (Airtruk) build
 

I am posting this build for those whom are/may be interested in "unusual" aircraft and/or crop dusters.

The Airtruk was/is an Australian designed and built bi-plane crop duster that also saw duty as a passenger plane. With the spray bar and hoppers removed it could carry up to 4 passengers and the pilot.

The plans for this plane were drawn by Frank J. Marcie Jr. [email protected] from a 3 view, and except for the airfoil, the plane is scale and a 40 size plane.

I have the wing set up in it's jigs (to provide stability and proper dihedrahl ) and have it "framed" up. Note the pushrod tubes CAed to the "booms".

The next photos are of the sheeting of the top wing and the booms. I wet some 1/16" balsa and wrapped them around a broom stick to dry. Once they had dried, I cut and fit the top half of the sheeting to the booms. Note the 3M tape to hold the sheeting in place while the TiteBond dries.
The last photo is of the front part of the boom where it fairs into the sheeting. Once everything is dried I will be removing the wing from the jigs so I can trim the sheeting and put some lightweight filler around the nose pieces of the booms to fair them in.

RE: Transavia PL-12 (Airtruk) build
 

Hello Campy,

I too have 1 of these on the table at 118 inch span from NZAP plans.
Power 32cc gas.
current weight 20lbs.
I picked this as it is an unusual aircraft and is rare.
Enjoy the build, I will follow your progress with interest.

Gary

RE: Transavia PL-12 (Airtruk) build
 

I now have the servos (and spaghetti ) installed in the wing. There are 3 servos in each half (total of 6 ), 2 for the rudder, 2 for the elevator and 2 for the ailerons. Note the CF reenforcement for the main spar (balsa spar ) and on both the horizontal and vertical pieces of the booms. I definitely wanted to insure the booms would not "flex" under a load. The booms are reenforced with 1/8" CF on both sides. (Those puppies are not going to even think about flexing :D ) The main boom/rib is also reenforced with CF inside the wing.

This is a thin wing and the best fit I can get are "Blue Bird" servos. They are micro servos which put out 37 oz - 56 oz (these are the 37 oz ones ) each. I found out about this brand when I did a couple of my electrics. They work very well and are as durable as HiTec or Futaba.

The bottom is sheeted with access panel holes cut out. The bottom of the booms are also sheeted - again, they are wrapped with 3M blue masking tape to hold the sheeting in position until the TiteBond dries.

This is a close up of the aileron strip linkage that will be operating the flaps. The linkage is going to be recessed into the leading edge of the flaps. Since the photos I have inletted the opening in the rib tip to allow the linkage to "float a little".

Here is a close up of the servos. Note the homemade servo mounts. The servo mounts are made from spruce and work quite well. They are attached to a 3/16" lite ply plate CA to the sheeting and front and rear spars. This setup I have also used in other planes and have had no problems.

The last photo is of the "stub" wing. I have the landging gear blocks installed along with the wing bolt plates.

Now for the fun - "Mudding" up (using the light weight filler ) on the seams and dings and all the associated sanding.

Still trying to decide if I want to cover the plane in Ultracote or glass it and paint. I don't like the weight increase with the glassing, but the aggravation of putting the raised panel joints on after covering is also a mighty concern.

Oh well, I still have plenty of time to decide which way to go.

RE: Transavia PL-12 (Airtruk) build
 

OK, finally got around to doing a little more work on the plane.

Got the vertical and horizontal stabs attached and the areas from the rear or the booms feathered into the vertical stab.

Sheeted the rear of the fuselage and planked the front part. I decided to plank it since I am dealing with 3/32" balsa and some of the compound curves (especially the bottom ) would be a little difficult for sheeting.

Once I get the "mud" sanded I will soak and fit the bottom framework for the canopy. Again, I have some curves to deal with and need the base of the canopy to fit properly.

I also need to decide HOW and WHERE to attach the canopy. The canopy has to be removeable so I can get at the wingbolts. Unfortunately I didn't have enough room to put the wingbolts outside of the canopy.


Tankie, got any suggestions on securing the canopy ? This is only a 59" span plane (will be powered by an OS 46FX ), however I am rapidly becomming very proficient :eek: with dealing with tight spaces.

RE: Transavia PL-12 (Airtruk) build
 

Here's a few pics of mine but I have plug in wings and a removable cowl.
I would suggest building the upper fuz structure and have the entire thing removable for access to wing bolts and other internals.
Obviously you have no functioning hopper installed to get in the way of this.
Perhaps a dowel at the front or rear of the the upper fuz locating into former with a simple latch or bolt system at the opposing end (ala wing mounting principle) would work for you.
The other option is to have a removable pilot and a door that opens but this makes things more complicated and fragile to my mind.
The first option makes for easy transport and less to knock around and would seem to be lighter.
As you can see my pilot is a double amputee and has half his butt missing in order to fit....[:@]
He's dedicated!

Glad to be of help,

Gary.

RE: Transavia PL-12 (Airtruk) build
 

It is a little late for the plug in wings.

The top half of the cowl is going to be removeable. I had planned on using some basswood 1/8"x3/4" on the inside of the cowl for securing it. Half of the width would be CA to the permanent part of the cowl with 3/8" left ticking above. Then I can secure the cowl with some #2 socket head screws into the basswood.

Do you think a similar setup will hold the canopy in place or will I need to go to 4-40 bolts and blind nuts ?

RE: Transavia PL-12 (Airtruk) build
 

I would think something light and simple is all that is required to hold this bit on.
It doesnt seem to be a load bearing structure so I wouldnt over engineer it.
I try to keep screws etc to minimum so I spent less time assembling and more time flying.

Gary

RE: Transavia PL-12 (Airtruk) build
 

OK, decided to secure the canopy with four 4-40 bolts. I hate the "extra parts", but I really don't see any other way, especially since the high speed needle exits through the canopy edge.

Onto the build.

I have the framework for the canopy set up (One heckuva bend in that thing ).

The framework was sheeted, windows cut out and covered. I decided to go with Ultracote instead of glassing and painting.

You can see the curve in the bottom half of the fuselage that I was talking about. Put the nose block on and have the fuselage pretty well on it's way to looking proper.

I have temporarily installed the motor mount and engine so that I can "fine tune" the fit of the cowl with the engine in place. You can also see the rear windows for the passenger compartment.

I am covering the plane in white with orange trim (saw a photo of one of them in this scheme ). I am thinking of naming it the "Creamsicle" since it reminds me of the ice cream.

Comments on the name ?

RE: Transavia PL-12 (Airtruk) build
 

OK, she is finished. It is covered in Ultracote (Orange and White ) and the sheet metal is simultaed with "Plastruct" 1/16" T material glued in place (That was a PAIN. Over 400 of those pieces had to be cut and glued in position.) Total weight is 6 1/2 lbs dry.

I had to use 3 muffler extensions to clear the fuselage and had to add 4 1/2 oz to the nose to balance it.

RE: Transavia PL-12 (Airtruk) build
 

Here are a couple of detail shots.

RE: Transavia PL-12 (Airtruk) build
 

It SURE looks fantastic. keep us posted on flight status. and I thought that I was the only one to build something different-- not out of the box. Keep it up. dick

RE: Transavia PL-12 (Airtruk) build
 

Thanks for the nice comments.

As soon as the wife is feeling a little better (so she can be alone for awhile ) and the weather co-operates I will maiden her (along with another plane I haven't had time to get to yet. )

RE: Transavia PL-12 (Airtruk) build
 

Any flight pics yet Campy?;)

RE: Transavia PL-12 (Airtruk) build
 

Some Airtruck Pic's mfor ya Awl.:D;)

Yes any flight reports as yet. Be mindful this was a VERY AGILE machine so be ready on the sticks. [8D]

RE: Transavia PL-12 (Airtruk) build
 

Ditto:eek:

RE: Transavia PL-12 (Airtruk) build
 

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RE: Transavia PL-12 (Airtruk) build
 

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RE: Transavia PL-12 (Airtruk) build
 

and again...

RE: Transavia PL-12 (Airtruk) build
 

....:D

RE: Transavia PL-12 (Airtruk) build
 

......[>:]

RE: Transavia PL-12 (Airtruk) build
 

[&:] Enough to be going on with.......;)

RE: Transavia PL-12 (Airtruk) build
 

These photos are FANTASTIC. I surely do wish I had them when I built mine. The photos from the web are not bad, however, they do lack a lot of detail that I wish I had had.

Thanks again

RE: Transavia PL-12 (Airtruk) build
 

No Sweat thought as it's a thread on the Airtruck might as well have some decent pic's[8D]

This particular machine will probably never fly again it's been outside for a while and the guy wants $40000.00 NZ for it I think he's dreaming. I happened to spot it whilst out at Airfield in Auckland (Northern NZ) the Airfield is Ardmore and this where the NZ Warbirds are based. Also a whole heap of other interesting Aircraft even spotted a Wilga as well but only got two shots of that as me Memory card was full mostly of Airtruck.[8D]:D

RE: Transavia PL-12 (Airtruk) build
 

Where can I get the plans for this aircraft? I wouls love the challenge to build this one.

RE: Transavia PL-12 (Airtruk) build
 

Campy,

How did yours fly? My buddy just painted his - as soon as he get servos and install he will fly it. Thanks.

Dan