Captain_YAK

Hi All! Well I finally decided to build a Yak-3 (Scratch build ). Reason I selected the Yak3 is that it really looks "Cool" = IMHO and that there are realy not that many around on the felds any way.
I have been working on it now for 5 weeks a few hours ever night and have finished the Tail and most of the surfaces. The specs I selected are the following.

Span 67 inch (About 1.54 scale)
Estimated final Weight 6.5 - 8 Kg - (12 lbs - 18 lbs)
Power plant used will be a SAITO 120 4s

I attach the following picture of the frame work in progress.

Any comments, suggestions are appreciated

Regards

Erick!

SVX

Thanks for the pic, It looks like you decided to go with mechanical retracts. What brand are they? I look forward to following your progress. SVX

Captain_YAK

Hi SVX. I am using JRs however I am thinking in changing them to Air activated as the servo I selected (JR 513) is for Retracts ........ however I works hard....... and after a few landings I do not see it lasting long. But will see how the Fuselage ends up (weight that is).

Will post next pic this weekend.

Regards
Erick

foxx

My Feedback: (2)

Erick I would stay with mechanical. It should work fine , if you go with Air there are too many parts and problems to deal with. JR513 works fine for me.

Captain_YAK

Thanks for the info foxx. I tryied out the Servo today and found that If I add a small spring at the inner side of the retracts it actualy helps lift the wheels in the wing. I am using Dubro 3.25 inch. However I will try to use lighter wheels and see how I go.

Started work on the stab and elevator - will finish by the end of the week.

Regards

Erick.

Captain_YAK

Just finished the Tail and stab. Good thing about the Yak3 stab is that you can use the tabs to add counter weights to balance for "Flutter' effects.

I am using body filler as you can see on the half finished tail (this filler/ primer mix is used on cars. Prior to this I use a sealer so it will not sip in the balsa). Hve found this method to give lighter results than Plastic covering but takes more time to finishe the surface. However the end result is worth it.

Then will add primer and paint.

Erick

Captain_YAK

Tail and stab started to add Primer and filler.

Katchmarek

My Feedback: (29)

Erick, Definitely Cool!!! I'm palying around with the idea of a La-5 or 7 for my winter project. Keep those pics coming as you progress. Where is SA do you live? I used to live in Broken Hill, NSW...why I came back to the States I'll never know??? Even though I was only in Oz for a couple of years, I miss it heaps.
I'll keep watching for more pics of that Yak!
Cheers,
Rob Bailey / Pickupsticks

Captain_YAK

Hi! Pickupsticks

I Live in Adelaide. Lovely place to be!

I was intending to do a LA-5 later but O will probably do a LAGG3 if the YAK is "OK" I will make it in a Kit!

Regards

Erick!

Katchmarek

My Feedback: (29)

Erick, Adelaide is a beautiful city, I spent about a week there before I came back to the US. Aussie wine is fantastic...just now starting to gain popularity here. As for the Yak-3., keep those pics coming.
Happy flying,
Rob Bailey / Pickupsticks

Captain_YAK

Started work on the Fuselage today! Will have it finished by weeks end!

Erick

US185Damiani

Eric I went with Lightweight wheels to relieve the servo loads
Sullivan Light flites work great they're harder than Dave Browns and very much lighter than the Std Dubro wheels.

Captain_YAK

Thanks !
US185Damiani

I will look into replacing the wheels with liter ones in a few weeks when I will complete the rest of the wing.

But for now I am looking forward into completing the fuselage.

Erick!

Captain_YAK

Did some more work on the fuselage! Hope to finish 75% of the fuse, this weekend. And make the Canopy plug.



Erick

fryfly

My Feedback: (8)

can't wait to see that puppy done, I built the 91" version from Jerry Bates plans. They are a beautiful aircraft and completely differen't from all the p-51's out there fw 190's and everything else flying around. It's nice to see someone else like myself that is building out of the norm for warbirds. If your curious look in my photo album you'll see my yak-3 before I weathered it. I will put one in here after the weathering. Keep the pics coming.

Captain_YAK

Fryfly!
You have a superb Aircraft inded! My congrats on it ! I was lookin in building from the same designer but due to the size of the design (It is too big for our flying feeld) I desided to do design it myself.

Yes you are correct I too am looking for other Non standard worbirds like the Mustangs and spits.

If all go's well ........... next project is a LAGG-3 (have already started the 2-D design work).

Any way ....... have monday off work and since the weather here is not Flyable!!! Will try to finish off the wing.

Regards

Erick!

EVOL

My Feedback: (2)

the yak 3 will get a lot of attention because it is not a P-51. the yak looks beautiful and i bet its a ton of fun to fly. if you have any information on odd/not popular kits like a LA-7......IL2........ I-16........ect. please post it. im trying to get my building skills up so i can atempt the BH Fi-56 Storch. i think im about 2-3 planes away from that one though. EVOut

Captain_YAK

Well tha last 3 day's we have had bad weather, rain, hail wind (Just ideal for building... he,he).

Finished off the fuselage minus the wing flairs which will come when I get stuck into the wing.

Here is a shot of the fuselage ............ the grey stuff you see a sealer that I am using ........ it seals off the Balsa and preps for the the 1st hand of Primer/filler.

Erick

LN-JET

Great little project!
My favourite Yak is the 9U, all metal version, but they all look good, even the two seaters.
I made one in 1/12 scale, and it flew nice, but the pointed wings make it prone to tip stalling. My next effort will have some sort of washout, either by twist, or by profile change.
I picture one in 1/5 scale, gas engine, and plug in wings outside the large wing fillets. Accsess to the inside via removable top of fuse from spinner, to behind canopy. I have some really nice drawings from a russian site, and think I will draw it up one day,
when I get low on projects (never?)

Lars

Captain_YAK

Started work on the Canopy! (Plug shown) intend to make a Pilot with pit and jump seat!

Hope to have it ready by weekend!

Erick

Captain_YAK

Developed some older shots for the Yak3 durring its frame work set up.

Currently I am working on the FLAPS (Boy ........... needs a lot of work adding split flaps).

Erick

US185Damiani

Last year at Reading's WW2 weekend I got to see a Full scale 1:1 ;-) YAK 9 fly. It was powered by an Allison V1710 Neat airplane and a real Hot rod same engine as a P-40 but much smaller and lighter!
Very cool!

Katchmarek

My Feedback: (29)

Erick, Still Looking Good!!! Can't wait to see this bird RTF!!!
Happy flying,
Rob Bailey / Pickupsticks

Captain_YAK

Thanks boy's ! Ever since I saw a YAK3 in NZ WANAKA Airshow I said to my self I just gota! Have one of them ........... even at 1:5 size.

Any way After adding 7 servos 2 batterie packs and a On board glow looks like the finished weight will be from 3.3 - 3.8 Kg depending on the Engine used.

I am thinking on using the ST G90 or the G75
At the same time I was looking at the SAITO 91 ........ but at almost 3 times the cost of a G90 and with about 40% lesser power I am leaning towards the G90

What do you think?

Erick

fryfly

My Feedback: (8)

If I were you I'd use the 90,this was a very fast plane!! This plane would out fly the fw 190 and the me 109 which were fast for their times. Go with the larger motor you will be alot happier plus you will be able to turn a 3 blade prop which was used on the real aircraft.