F4u5

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OK...stab is glued in to tail section and secured. Added 3/16 balsa saddle glued to the fuse and stab bottom side, with 6 oz. glass cloth applied to the top side to lock it to the fuse. Tail wheel former is all set up and installed as well. IF you have not tried it, get some methacrylate glue from Wayne Seiwert at Aertotech Modles. This is the best stuff in the world for gluing things to fiberglass. ZAP has some pretty good stuff too, but I find the methacylate to be better. You do not need to scuff sand at all. the glue will etch any surface. I will be starting the wing tonight. Dave is finishing up his tail feathers now. Just got me a new 4.2 for the nose of this beast.

F4u5

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Left wing panel framed up with spars on...taking shape

keystrash

Is that a big FW-190 wing in your way in post 19? If it is in your way, I will buy it. Looks like sanding dust on it.

CaptainHook

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Good stuff Jeff......I'm watching with excitement!

F4u5

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Keystrash....Indeed, that is the big FW190 wing in the background...good eye. I jsut finished that plane a couple months ago...it is just waiting for summer for it's first flight.

Hi Carey...how ya been? Haven't heard from ya lately...I'll have to give you a ring to check in. How is your 109 coming?

F4u5

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One wing panel completed....second now 1/3 built.

F4u5

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Close up of gear mounts for Shindin gear.

F4u5

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Here is one wing panel all sparred and sheeted top side, except for aileron/flaps. Ready to add bottom spars and bottom sheeting.

Note: must always keep toilet paper roll handy for wiping off glue from fingers.

F4u5

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Here, the other wing panel is all sheeted...well, as far as I can go before joining wing panels. This is the top view. Sheeting is left off for getting clamps in to holw wing together while glue is drying. Gap in wing is to cut flaps and aileron loose and then they will be capped with 1/2 inch balsa. This methos also allows me to work on gear mouting before closing off.

F4u5

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Bottom view of completed panel. Read marking is for servo hatch cutout. Also, I inserted 1/64 ply between the sheeting of the trailing edge to protect agains hangar rash...hate getting those V's from dinging the wing into door and car corners.

F4u5

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Both wing panels are now sheeted and the aileron and outer flaps have been cut off. The trailing edge of the wing and the leading edge of the flap and aileron have been capped with 1/2 inch balsa. Leading edge of flight control radiused for scale hinge line.

F4u5

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Here, the trailing edge, full length, are capped top and bottom with 1/4 triangle balsa stock. This will create a gap seal.

F4u5

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Here is the result of the gap seal.

F4u5

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Plans called for solid balsa block tip. This tip is 7 inches wide, with a 13+ inch chord and 1.75 inches thick. To save myself a lot of carving, coughing and sanding, I decided to build up the wingtips with a 1/8 balsa core and 1/8 fake ribs, and then sheeted with 1/8 balsa. The result:

F4u5

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Sneak PeeK: If thise testbed is a success...this will be my next skunkworks project. A twin Me109 "zwilling" at 125 inch span. Powered by a pair of G38's or Zenoah 45's

tubig

looks very good!

F4u5

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Indeed, not forgotten. I received my Me109 gear from Shindin and Glennis wheels back in April. OVer the summer, I have made progress, and the plane is ready for test flight, less paint. I did some modifying to the AE fuse back to give it a more rounded shape. Following are pics of the progress.

F4u5

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More of wing and plane assembled

F4u5

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I wanted to add that the tail wheel is from Sierra. this is a scale, lightweight unit for about $30. I recommend it, cheap and looks better than a wire. Can be made to fit long or short, depending on the version you want.

Nickrc3

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Jeff, show us a picture of that $30 Sierra tailwheel?

Thanks.

F4u5

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OK Nick, I'll take a picture tongiht when I get home.

F4u5

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Well...great news. Today, I test flew the first Me109 "Frankenschmidt". It flew in mainly primer for these test flights. I had 5 successful flights. The plane tracked good on the ground and with a touch of down elevator the tail was flying. I lifted off in about 50-75 feet in to a gnetle climb. Rudder was plenty effective to control the plane on the ground and thru takeoff. Plane indicated good stability in high winds. Once the winds subsided, the plane flew very gently. The first flight was a quick circuit around the field a few times and then landed for a look-over. Then, 4 successive flights with gear up and down, loops, rolls and low and slow passes. With half flaps, the plane tended to float across the runway, but with full flaps (about 70 degrees) the plane dropped in very slow and stable. There is a good amount of pitch change with the flaps down that I had to trim out. I will have to dial in some flap/elevator mixing, but nothing bad. Dave flew a few laps on the plane, so he is pumped to finish his off now. So, it is off to the paint and trim shop for the Me109.

jetster

Congrats, Jeff on your maiden, should have my 109G done soon. will post a pic when painted Rich

F4u5

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Hi Rich, thx. I'd like to see yours. That was a nice looking bird.

Jeff

F4u5

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Well..it is starting to get cold here, but i was able to get the wing painted and clearcoated