scalebirdman

My Feedback: (6)

Experienced technical difficulty with the wing, so had to start over. When I made a root and tip rib template, I failed to notice the outter rib reflects the rounding that begins just inboard of that rib, so in effect I created a wing with more taper than it should have. My solution was to junk the outter rib, and re-space the remaining ribs. So my ribs are now 4" apart in stead of 3.5". That's on the far side, but should be ok. I decided to leave in the fiberglass pushrod alignment rods. They serve several purposes: As spars they stiffen the wing structure, and supplement the 1 main spar. They serve as alignment and anti-rotation pins when attaching the wing panels to the body. If I choose to add working nav lights, they will provide a conduit for the wires. I plan to fully sheet the wing before cutting away the full span ailerons. The aileron servos will be in the nacells and a square tube in tube will provide the connection to the ailerons when the wing is plugged in, providing hidden linkage. No need for hatches in the wing or un-scale control horns. Servo access will be through the main gear bay.

Iron Dog

I've spaced my ribs 3" apart on only a 50" WS Gold class warbird racer, built in the same manner (jigged with carbon fiber tubes glued to rib and left in). Powered by a YS 110, flying 165 m.p.h. and yanking tightly around a pylon course, this wing took more G's than your electric Moonbat should have to take.

. . . So, for what it's worth, I think that 4" apart on a 110" wing under more "normal" loads, it'll likely be strong enough, too.

Good luck. I hope to continue to hear more about your progress. The Moonbat has long been on my "must model" list.

zippytoall

My Feedback: (2)

I just got my short kit in for the 100" Moonbat and will be starting the build within the week. Planning on running twin Rcv 120's on it.

scalebirdman

My Feedback: (6)

Excellent!
Other activities have slowed my progress on the bat, but I have the outter wing panels sheeted; ready to trim, then I need to jig them up and mate to the fuse section. Then the fun begins with re-doing the rear nacell/fuse area to make it scale.

zippytoall

My Feedback: (2)

I didn't want to hi-jack this thread so I asked if it was ok to post my build here so we could keep them together so here goes.......

Shout out too Micheal up in Canada for the plans www.cmsmithplans.com and also to Eddie at Lazer Works for doing a super job on cutting the short kit for me.

Here's some pics of the kit on arrival...

zippytoall

My Feedback: (2)

The only problem I had was I went to 5 different places and couldn't find the rods it called for so i went with wood dowels, yes a little sagging in the center. Measure 10 times, level and then glue.

Pic of the dry set-up:


The wing being built:



Motor mount and tank compartment:

left side



right side

zippytoall

My Feedback: (2)

Several posts because i"m trying to get caught up where I'm at in the build. This plane just requires a lot of measurements being taken from everything before anything is glued. I ran into a little trouble with how the wings were going to line up so I called in a friend to have a look, had me stumped.[]

So the wings were dry hung to see how it was going to line up with the plans. The plans state a 5 15/16" rise from the bottom of fuse to the root of the r10 spar so this is what I went with. This should give me my 6 degree I'm looking for.

Dry fit wing



Front view to-date



Rear view to date




I don't consider my self an expert builder so if any of you guys see something that i might of missed, please make a comment...Thanks

corsair-wb

this is a good looking bird I will be following the thread

Thankyou for the link for the plans I will be getting them

I do not remember seeing a price for the shor kit is it possible to give the price?

THank you

zippytoall

My Feedback: (2)

The short kit was from Eddie at Lazer Works [email protected]

This was for the 100" wingspan. The cost was between $250 and $300. After seeing the detail Eddie put into the cut and the amount of ply used I thought this was a great deal.

So far on the wood I have use 3/4x(?) inch balsa, 4-3/8x3/8 balsa sticks(wings), 4- 3/8x3/16 balsa sticks(wings). Then the hardwood for the engine compartment support. I'm looking at maybe using the most, 10 more 3/8 x 3/16 balsa(36") for the fuse. I'll try and keep a running total as a build list. The only down side is the whole fuse will be 1/8 balsa planking.[] Also the jigsaw cuts in the formers will be re-enforced,I'm pulling toward a fiberglass strip right now.

As i mention before my first choice on engines are the RCV 120(turning a scale 4 blade prop) with a removal cowling. I would like to build this plane as sleek as possible. I'm not going with the curved rod for the elevator or the long rod for the rudder, these servos will be mounted in the tail section in the back. I think with the cg on this plane and the engines being so far forward that its going to build front heavy. Another item that I will have to dig into is the retracts for the plane.[]

scalebirdman

My Feedback: (6)

Zippy,
Glad to share the thread. I'll be getting back on mine soon. Don't sweat the retracts. I plan to use a pretty much stock unit from Robart, and I've worked out the geometery for the mains, which can be built without any fancy tools.

zippytoall

My Feedback: (2)

Thanks scalebirdman. You thinking of air or mech retracts? The front doesn't look like a problem but with the 124 degree on the main might be. Have you estimated total weight for yours yet, I think mine might be pushing 25lbs in the end(if not more)[]. Another thing I notice on the plans is that the fuel tanks will be in front of the cg, figuring it will be really front heavy on take off.

zippytoall

My Feedback: (2)

Just did some fuse stringers today, bought out hobby lobby on the 3/8 x 3/16 balsa sticks ( a whole 6 pieces). Ran short so I see a trip to the Hobby store in the near future. I wanted to try something for the first time that a member at our club informed us of some time back. Making the rod holder I used plastic wrap around the rod and place fiberglass over and coat with z-poxy. Have to wait for it to dry to see how it came out.


Also some more pics of the short kit(still trying to figure out what everything is)

Notice the wing tip base plate.(big help)






Also a quick check to see if the back fuse is level going to the tail section.

scalebirdman

My Feedback: (6)

Don't have a clue what mine will weigh. I'm guessing around 30#. I wouldn't assume the ship will be nose heavy; there's a lot of structure behind the cg. Nose gear will be stock robart unit in mine with the exception of the yoke for the nose wheel. Once I figured out the geometry of the mains it's just a matter of cutting and fitting of aluminum and an off the shelf air cylinder.

zippytoall

My Feedback: (2)

Well hope everyone had a Great Christmas and a good start to the New Year.

While debating what style hinges i was going to use on the plane, I went ahead and started planking the top of the plane.[] This was a little harder then I had thought it would be. Going to be a ton of sanding. I also built up the v-stab and the h-stab and I'm now in the process of building the rudder and elevators.

scalebirdman

My Feedback: (6)

Greay progress Zip. I sure am envious of your laser cut parts.

zippytoall

My Feedback: (2)

Well after the long debate on what style hinges to use(few trails and errors[X(], long discussions with fellow builders) I've decided to go with a more scale like hinge. A picture of the wing and aileron and also the wing tip rough cut. This won't be sanded and rounded till final construction of the wing. Still debating if I should over hang the top sheeting to cover the gap, from all the pictures that I have seen it shows the gap so more then likely I'll leave the gap in. Same style will be used on the elevators and rudder. I'll be moving to finish off the h-stab and v-stab next, hopefully have this in a couple of days.

Thaskins

Hey zippy,
Progress looks good since the last time I saw it. I like the planking...... Thought you would have done the hinge mounts with lite ply?...Now I'm going back to the Dewoitine.

Zero

My Feedback: (42)

Hello zippytoall. I just subscribed to the thread. Work to date looks great. See you at the field in the morning? 36 degrees! Maybe coffee and hanger flying.

at-6 texan

Hi guys spulciando tra le immagini di Google sono riuscito a trovare queste immagini inedite ..

zippytoall

My Feedback: (2)

Well after some slow progress, things are coming together. Nice pics at-6 texan, I still have a positive outlook on this one.

I got the v-stab mounted and a rough shape for the rudder, also got the h-stab with the elevators on(minus one tip), I'm going to have to do a little trimming on the left side for some reason it came out longer then the right side.[X(] I'm going to try to finish these up so I can mount the h-stab and figure out how/where to place the servos in the back section. I'll be running one servo per control surface, should be plenty of room.

at-6 texan

Hi zippytoall SLOW but good!...i see good the your buld project!.

WhoDaMan

My Feedback: (164)

I am so glad the your doing this zippy,,, awesome plane

zippytoall

My Feedback: (2)

Well after some sanding[sm=cry_smile.gif]and sanding[sm=cry_smile.gif], I got the v-stab and elevators done some what. Still going to have to go back and do some minor trimming because the rudder on this girl is one big monster. It doesn't have much movement in it right now(less then 1/2 inch) so this will be worked out in the final stages of sanding. I wonder if the rudder being so large that it would need much movement?????[sm=confused.gif]

Some pics of the rear end in place(temp) and the work so far. Just to give you guys some frame on how large this girl is, its sitting on a 4x8 table.

scalebirdman

My Feedback: (6)

Zippy, you are going to shame me into getting back on track with mine. BTW you can never have enough rudder throw on a twin (for an engine out)

zippytoall

My Feedback: (2)

Not trying to shame you birdman, maybe light a fire under you.

Well got the h-stab and v-stab mounted and sheeted, had to sheet the h-stab after the v-stab was installed and attached, just have to round off the leading edge. I'm going to build some side mount servo plates in the open part so I can mount the 2 elevator servos. I'm pulling toward making a pull-pull for the rudder. I have about 90% of the top planked, will finish up on this once the wings are mounted and set, also have to route the wiring for the pull-pull. I was hoping to get it planked and fiberglass for our Easter Big Bird event, doesn't look like I'm going to make it.[]