Covering A Topflite 'JUG' with Flite Metal step by step
11-30-2004, 05:32 PM
#28
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Location: Brisbane, Queensland, AUSTRALIA
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RE: Covering A Topflite 'JUG' with Flite Metal step by step
god on you Richard,
sometimes the lives of others do inspire us to all sorts of things. Not only in our hobbies. I ready a really good book by the test pilot of the F4U a few years back, can not recall the title or his name but an amazing man all the same. He even snuck out on combat missions even though he was a civvie and got a few kills!! Not bad at all.
Anyway work beckons, have to head out to the airport soon to sit a test so I can get my new airport secuirity pass. Fun and games.
cheers
Peter
sometimes the lives of others do inspire us to all sorts of things. Not only in our hobbies. I ready a really good book by the test pilot of the F4U a few years back, can not recall the title or his name but an amazing man all the same. He even snuck out on combat missions even though he was a civvie and got a few kills!! Not bad at all.
Anyway work beckons, have to head out to the airport soon to sit a test so I can get my new airport secuirity pass. Fun and games.
cheers
Peter
12-01-2004, 12:24 AM
#29
RE: Covering A Topflite 'JUG' with Flite Metal step by step
Well lets finish up on the vertical fin: I considered doing it in one piece but decided against it. I trimmed the excess using a "new" single edge blade with the Flite Metal's seam a bit 'off center to the right. I then burnished the over lap relatively flush and un detectable using the acrylic burnishing tool .(I'm starting to use a bit of heat from my Monokote heat gun,turned to the 'high' setting,which seems to soften the metal a bit .)
12-01-2004, 12:40 AM
#30
RE: Covering A Topflite 'JUG' with Flite Metal step by step
Time to finish the top of the fuselage-The next step had to be done in "one piece,"so I decided- I referred to my '3 views' and established the position of the next panel and used a marker to draw half the panel (left side of it) and proceeded to use a piece of rubber band airplane covering tissue folded in half and centered on the "spine"of the 'Razor back,'as pictured here.Lets down load some pictures of this ..
12-01-2004, 12:56 AM
#31
RE: Covering A Topflite 'JUG' with Flite Metal step by step
All right,let's "install the panel" First,as with all panels;clean the surface! Flite Metal STICKS so we need to be able to position it on the respective panel and the way to go is to (spray it first with a good shot of Windex and then proceed to 'position the metal working from it's center and burnish it down -->I find the acrylic burnishing tool works well when the Flite Metal you are slowly burnishing down wants to crease or other wise wrinkle. So far not bad
12-01-2004, 01:08 AM
#32
RE: Covering A Topflite 'JUG' with Flite Metal step by step
Pictured is the application or burnishing in place the Flite Metal panel. Well now its time to work on the right side of the fuselage again working on the fuselage/wing fairings;starting again from the rear,thus creating over lapped fairing; as on that big Jug at the new *Dulles Air and Space Museum.
*located in Northern Virginia many posts here at RCU show us a bit of whats inside---fascinating---
*located in Northern Virginia many posts here at RCU show us a bit of whats inside---fascinating---
12-01-2004, 08:45 AM
#34
My Feedback: (2)
RE: Covering A Topflite 'JUG' with Flite Metal step by step
Do the pads on dog paws work as a burnishing tool? <g>
Ram,
Was the hot air gun trick in the flight metal instructions, or was that a "on the fly" decision? The more I think about it, it looks like it wouldnt take much more time than glassing. Would that be true?
Edwin
Ram,
Was the hot air gun trick in the flight metal instructions, or was that a "on the fly" decision? The more I think about it, it looks like it wouldnt take much more time than glassing. Would that be true?
Edwin
12-01-2004, 01:22 PM
#35
RE: Covering A Topflite 'JUG' with Flite Metal step by step
No he avoids my airplanes he has seen them in action!
-->No, the heat gun is not in the instructions,rather,"on the fly," limited use sometimes helps.
-->Time to apply?probable--suggest the starter kit and a practice subject;at the moment I spend MORE time doing pictures and a bit of text,to down load.
Do not hesitate to post questions!~ some one here at RCU ,typically,has a suggested method---
-->No, the heat gun is not in the instructions,rather,"on the fly," limited use sometimes helps.
-->Time to apply?probable--suggest the starter kit and a practice subject;at the moment I spend MORE time doing pictures and a bit of text,to down load.
Do not hesitate to post questions!~ some one here at RCU ,typically,has a suggested method---
12-01-2004, 06:54 PM
#36
RE: Covering A Topflite 'JUG' with Flite Metal step by step
Next step is covering the razors center spline(or what ever be the word for the "top center,'of the Republic P-47 D-15-D-23 Thunderbolt's 'Razor back.' Again I first measured and insured equal Geometry left and right center. It was off a bit what follows are some pictures :correcting and beginning the *perimeter mask for this one piece centered panel.
12-01-2004, 07:06 PM
#37
RE: Covering A Topflite 'JUG' with Flite Metal step by step
Trimming the burnished Flite Metal was aided using a heat gun set low or high and using an xacto Matt cutting blade,which fits the Std. #11 handle. In doing so I "lifted a bit of the airframes finished surface,"no big deal a bit of spot filler(David Platt calls it by another name,which I like but can not recall-) Well thats it till the 'spot filler,' hardens and we can cover the panel being worked on.
12-02-2004, 02:30 AM
#38
RE: Covering A Topflite 'JUG' with Flite Metal step by step
Once I had feathered the spot putty, I proceeded to measure and then cut the Flite Metal "just a bit over size."---> Prior to the use of Windex sprayed on the 'prepped panel,'I needed a lot more material and that equates to waste-Back to the top of the Razor back:I again used a fine tip felt marker used this time to draw a center line down the slightly over sized panel,which I first measured and then *cut from a roll of Flite Metal. Here are pictures of the procedure.
By keeping your cutting tools dipped in mineral spirits you greatly PROLONG the sharpened edge of the xacto's your cutting the F.M. with.
By keeping your cutting tools dipped in mineral spirits you greatly PROLONG the sharpened edge of the xacto's your cutting the F.M. with.
12-02-2004, 02:54 AM
#39
RE: Covering A Topflite 'JUG' with Flite Metal step by step
After I had positioned the Flite Metal panel,to the center spine, I observed a noticeable crease in the F.M.. so using LIGHT pressure to the center of the creased F.M. with the larger blunt end of the acrylic burnishing tool, I 'lightly'pressed along the center of the creased/kinked F.M. and it was gone! I then carefully burnished the F.M. till it appeared smooth and was adhered to the panel, using the supplied larger diameter SOFT burnishing tool;typically used in the fashion pictured here.
12-02-2004, 10:46 PM
#42
RE: Covering A Topflite 'JUG' with Flite Metal step by step
Hi Richard:
You're progressing quite well. I notice you have taken a fancy to the acrylic burnishing tool over the soft 6 and 4 soft burnishing tools. I typically recommend initial application with an index finger to initially get the Flite-Metal down onto the surface, then pressed out with the soft burnishing then acrylic tool if necessary.
A couple of notes:
The curved blade Exactos drawn heel to toe are the best for cutting Flite-Metal after being dipped in mineral spirits. Also 3M's Fine Line tape provides the hardest edge to cut against. Remember stretch is something that should be kept to a minimum until required as Flite-Metal can be stretched up to 25% of its area mass.
You're doing very well with your jug. Looking forward to the finished plane gracing the screen of FM's customer projects.
You're progressing quite well. I notice you have taken a fancy to the acrylic burnishing tool over the soft 6 and 4 soft burnishing tools. I typically recommend initial application with an index finger to initially get the Flite-Metal down onto the surface, then pressed out with the soft burnishing then acrylic tool if necessary.
A couple of notes:
The curved blade Exactos drawn heel to toe are the best for cutting Flite-Metal after being dipped in mineral spirits. Also 3M's Fine Line tape provides the hardest edge to cut against. Remember stretch is something that should be kept to a minimum until required as Flite-Metal can be stretched up to 25% of its area mass.
You're doing very well with your jug. Looking forward to the finished plane gracing the screen of FM's customer projects.
12-03-2004, 11:46 AM
#44
RE: Covering A Topflite 'JUG' with Flite Metal step by step
Hi Bob:
That's an idea... What would you suggest the shirt's graphic look like and say? (Am I being brave...or what?
No, "I survived" text on it isn't appropriate
That's an idea... What would you suggest the shirt's graphic look like and say? (Am I being brave...or what?
No, "I survived" text on it isn't appropriate
12-03-2004, 03:24 PM
#45
RE: Covering A Topflite 'JUG' with Flite Metal step by step
Here is the start of the right fuselage/ wing fairings;starting at fuselage rear to achieve the correct over lapped individual fairings. Pictured (again) is a sequence of Pics.,as I applied this particular panel--> Covering the rear most wing fairing is a challenge.. one of two things that helped was to 'mark'the centered (horizontal) length of the fairing on to the area to be paneled and to mark a center line on the Flite Metal panel,using a SOFT fine line 'marker'. The result was not perfect but a bit of extra burnishing to this panel once the entire fuselage is covered in Flite Metal,should look fine.
12-03-2004, 03:44 PM
#48
RE: Covering A Topflite 'JUG' with Flite Metal step by step
Again I used Nitro sand to feather the burnished panel where it will be over lapped by the next fairing as we work forward to my "favorite area to be Flite Metaled. It's important to keep a supply of Flite Metal available so re-order more BEFORE you will need it to finish up:right?
12-03-2004, 07:37 PM
#49
RE: Covering A Topflite 'JUG' with Flite Metal step by step
ORIGINAL: Edwin
How does flite metal deal with daily hanger rash and the ocasional bumps and stuff?
Edwin
How does flite metal deal with daily hanger rash and the ocasional bumps and stuff?
Edwin
12-03-2004, 08:22 PM
#50
RE: Covering A Topflite 'JUG' with Flite Metal step by step
Pictures posted here show the application process of the 'second wing fairing,' AGAIN working from aft forward... I continue to use windex sprayed on JUST BEFORE the initial application of Flite Metal,after you have removed the F.M.'s * adhesive backing. you should find your finger works well, as you carefully begin to burnish the F.M. panel in place,following with the supplied F.M. burnishing tools. (please note:as soon as a wrinkle /crease begin to appear carefully burnish it out using the larger dia. rounded head clear acrylic tool to burnish out that "little nasty."