bigE

My Feedback: (25)

So last update I trial fitted the wing but I had an extra inch of wing droop even though I enlarged the holes in the outer panel for some adjustment. I needed more. So I used a flexible extension for my dremel tool and enlarged the tube holes in ribs W-8 and 6 in the center section. I left W-7 as is so it would act as a pivot point. The "donuts" are pretty easy to make with a 1" hole saw and then use the outer sleeve to mark how much material needs to be removed for a perfect snug fit.
That did the trick. Now I have just enough adjustment to achieve the 1/4" droop.
Glad I took the time to ensure W-8 was perfectly straight and square- My reward is nearly zero gap all the way around the inner and outer wing joint. Using a little wax paper between the joint, I glued the aft spars and 1/4" leading edge to W-9. Next I'll finally glue the wing tube and donuts into place with epoxy, clamp her all up and let it dry.
Hopefully the opposite side goes just as smooth.

tevans55

BigE-

Great work! This will help a lot when I build mine. My question is do you think the cardboard tube needs to be coated with anything to keep it from delaminating over time?

Thanks,
Tim

bigE

My Feedback: (25)

Tim,
Thanks for the compliment. If you have never worked with these tubes before, they are allot more heavy duty than your average paper towel cardboard tube. when cutting them with the band saw they feel almost like you are going through a fiberglass tube. Besides, the critical areas where they pass through the ribs will be coated with epoxy. I've used them quite a bit before in other planes and never had a problem.

bigE

My Feedback: (25)

One other note for anyone thinking of building this plane- Resist temptation to build up the nacelles before fitting the wing panels! Glad I didnt because being able to secure the center section flat to the work bench at this stage makes it alot easier!
Also, the wing tube comes as one 24" piece. To make the two 12" sections, I just used an old fashioned copper pipe cutter. Made a perfect cut. If you have never used one before, let me know and I will snap a picture of it.

bigE

My Feedback: (25)

Henrik-
I'm glad your answering questions here! Most are all questions I have, but just haven't asked yet! So thank you!

OldScaleGuy

My Feedback: (2)

Ed, you are coming along great. Mine was built as a one piece wing. Is 12" per panel enough? Just checking.....

bigE

My Feedback: (25)

Steve- I wondered about that too. But the plans call for a 12" tube.. and with the ply rib doublers tying it all in to the main spars , I think it will be fine. If it were a foam wing I'd be nervous.

MarvinLoomis

My Feedback: (20)

Ed, enjoying your build! I bought mine partially built, so if I build another I know how to do it! Here is what I started with, major construction pretty well done, but only had fixed gear and no flaps. Had quite a time refurbishing for retracts and adding the flaps but got it done and turned out great! Thanks for your kind comments earlier in the thread.

Prekin

My Feedback: (19)

Marvin, you have nice paint- scheme. What engines do you have in your B-25.

bigE, can you show some more pictures, in which you build the wing?

bigE

My Feedback: (25)

Work is cutting into my build time! Not much to update... Over the last couple days I finished joining the starboard wing panel, and now I'm working on the port side. its really amazing to finally see how large this wing is! My goal is to finish cutting the donuts for the tubes and epoxy everything in place tomorrow on the port side. The wing panels are very flimsy and fragile right now so I think I'll concentrate on them this weekend by getting the aileron and flap servo mounts in and sheet at least one side of each.
Also including a pretty awesome picture I found on the internet of the North American assembly line.

bigE

My Feedback: (25)

So far I have posted all the pictures I have taken. Is there something in particular you want me to take pictures of?

All Day Dan

My Feedback: (5)

bigE, great picture of the B-25 assemby line but where are all the workers? Dan.

flyme2moon

My Feedback: (1)

I counted 6 ......Must be between shifts, or a sunday morning, very early

fabfal

Hi BigE
I'm going to order a complete kit from National Balsa. And contemporarily I'm ordering Plan and other accessories from Ziroli. Two questions. The first is about the 1X24 " aluminum tube that Ziroli sells for the wings. Is it enough 1 piece for both the half wings??
The second regards the gear doors. In the accessories list they indicate a multiway pneumatic valve that has to be used with pneumatic cylinders for opening and closing the doors. I usually use mini servo with an electronic sequencer to permorm this. What are you going to do or have you some suggestion about?All these questions because I want to be sure before ordering to Ziroli and avoid another orders that means other shipment and other costs ( I live in Italy!!!).
Thanks and many compliments again, I'll certainly follow this thread till the end.
Fabrizio

bigE

My Feedback: (25)

Fabrizio-
For the tube- If you build it as per the plan, the 24' tube cut in half is good for both sides. Thats what I did. You could however extend the tube through an additional rib in both the outer and center panel. in that case you would need two.
As for the Gear doors.... Although I have had planes with retracts, I have never built one with sequenced doors. I'm considering going with Robarts new electric retracts. If I go this route I will use servos with electronic sequencer. I just haven't decided yet!

bigE

My Feedback: (25)

Ok I finally wrapped up aligning both outer panels with the center section and have both tubes and guide pins glued in place.
Next up is to finish the outer panels. First I pinned the panel back down over the plan on the 1/4" sq with a little weight on the trailing edge to hold it flat, and glued the 1/8x3/4 leading edge on. (the inner piece of the two..) I'm hoping that this might add a bit more rigidity to the panel until its sheeted.

fabfal

Thank you Ed.
I have already built models both with pneumatic and electrical retracts. In this case I spoke with Mike from Ziroli about the special valve they sell, because I never used pneumatic cylinders for gear doors ( only servos). About electrical gears the only ones I used are the Sonic ones. I installed them on a Cessna Citation Royal but they are mechanically delicate and if you do not land on a very flat surface they usually fail. But I do not know the robarts ones. I have ordered the pneumatic system by Ziroli. The problem of all pneumatic systems is the reserve of air. If you use the same air to open and close doors I fear that it becomes unsufficient for the flight. When you install brakes, infact, everybody suggests to install 2 air tanks, separed. That's what I've done, for example, on my last model ( f14 tomcat 1/9 scale from philip avonds plan). I do not know what suggesting for the gears. If the electric device is an add on to the standars retract and substitutes only the pneumatic cylinder it could be a good solution. Take in account to install a separed battery for it and gear door servos.

Prekin

My Feedback: (19)

The picture with the B-25s is very interesting. Where is the factory? I didn´t know, that still exist something like this factory.
This company is for maintenance or for the production?

Termites Dream

My Feedback: (11)

Prekin, the photo is from 1942 in Kansas City, Missouri; here is a link with more information. The picture is about half way down the page

http://www.airfields-freeman.com/KS/Airfields_KS_E.htm

OldScaleGuy

My Feedback: (2)

Mr. Ziroli knows what he is doing, i don't believe you will have anything to worry about.

bigE

My Feedback: (25)

Gluing that 1/8" leading edge on stiffened the wing up quite a bit. Next I added some scrap balsa around the wing tip edge and between the upper and lower spar to get it ready to add some sheeting.

bigE

My Feedback: (25)

Before adding servo mounts and flipping the panel over to sheet the bottom, I made a skin for the top to go from the spar to the leading edge and glued it on with the panel weighted and sitting squarely on the main spar and the 1/4" stock pinned to the plan to add washout. I guess I'm paranoid that I will inadvertently warp the wing when i sheet the bottom.

Prekin

My Feedback: (19)

[quote][Prekin, the photo is from 1942 in Kansas City, Missouri; here is a link with more information. The picture is about half way down the page

http://www.airfields-freeman.com/KS/Airfields_KS_E.htm
]

I can´t believe, that this picture is so old! Without the link I was convinced, that it is from 70´ or 80´ years.

Prekin

My Feedback: (19)

Oh, a little problem with a quote. The reaction is in the last row.
Sorry, it was my first using of a "quote" []

kwblake

Hey Prekin. The photo, is that good, that it is difficult to tell the "era".<script id="overlay_tmpl" type="text/html"><div id="" class="_mp3rocket_overlay_style" style="left: ; top: ; width: ; height: ">