szempruw

Yes it is a carbon rod for the flaps.

I'm putting in build log progress on adding features to the wing before I glass it. I put in the shell ejectors. I also wanted to be able to remove the Hangar 9 drop tanks I bought so I had to figure out how to attach them. I may or may not fly with them. I couldn't find any fore aft location dimensions on the internet. A fellow modeler who had a kit gave me dimensions for a 1/5 scale kit relative to the leading edge. Pylon 40 mm back and tank forward of the edge 67 mm. I'll adjust height, and level tank when I drill attachment holes. The issue here is how to attach and be able to remove the tank. I needed to secure them if I flew with them. I made a blade and pocket in the pylon which is just a vacuum formed ABS part.

I used 1/16 G10 to make a blade that would fit the tank to the pylon.


I made a pocket and glued it to a base that fit inside the ther****rm pylon that came with the Pica kit.


The blades locked in place and slid into the pocket.


I filled the void with lightweight epoxy putty.


This fitment shows where I will drill and tap screws.


The excess balsa was shaved and fitted to the wing at a location 40 mm back from the leading edge.


I epoxied the pylons onto the wing.


I checked the fitment. I'll have to drill holes and level the tanks out relative to the wing.


I smoothed out the gap between the pylon and the wing. I wish Pica curved it to match the airfoil.

PREDHEAD

Thanks for posting your great work I am using your information. I just started on my stab and elevator, I will post my progress. Thanks David

szempruw

Since you are just starting, I suggest you do everything possible to remove as much weight from the tail end as possible. You will avoid having to add weight. The tail wheel alone adds a lot.

szempruw

I kept track of the weight increase as I applied the .73 oz. / sq. yd fiberglass. Always curious of the weight gain of finishes.

The estimate of area excludes the ailerons and flaps and is about 2505 sq. in.

Same procedure on both sides; fiberglass then sand edges, second coat then prime and sand all the primer off.

Spot fill and then make it smooth as a baby's butt!

g oz.
Start 2670 g 94.18 oz
After 1st Bottom Resin 2780 g 98.06 oz
After 1st Top Sanded 2915 g 102.82 oz
After 2nd Bottom Resin Sanded 2925 g 103.17 oz


After 2nd Top Resin Sanded 2935 g 103.53 oz
After primer/fill/sanding 2941 g 103.74 o


oz. oz / sq. in.
Increase 9.56 0.003816

PREDHEAD

Thanks so much for your help keep up the great job

szempruw

I'm counting about 54 panels between the top and bottom wing surfaces. I'm working about 4 hours at a time and have about 13 done.

After a lot of internet research, the proud panel lines for cutting out the panel shapes were not consistent. There were slight differences on each panel line drawing. My pictures of the full size at my local airport were incomplete so I just made a best judgement.

This is a tedious job, but I'm not going to race through it. So far my surface prep seems good. The only blemishes I get seem to be from the foil itself which I know will sand out. I'm not getting any "orange peel" looks so far like I did in spots on the fuselage. I'm guessing a scotch pad treatment will work good enough. We'll soon see.

The first foil panels wrap around the leading edge. The wing tips are the toughest to do. These compound surfaces always wrinkle. Some experts can stretch this stuff a little. Unfortunately, I'm no expert. Perhaps my second plane will be better. It does take some experience to work with foil but you gain it quickly.
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