Larry - what do you think the Gyro will do for you? May consider the same thing. I'm gonna make my choke a rod, keeping it rather simple. Work that Trojan canopy issue out, are you going to make it move by servo? Chic

Chic, besides helping keep the plane straight and level it should help me with my flying as I don't do enough stick time to keep my nerves steady :(
Now that I have finally convinced work to cut my hours to 15 hours/week I should be able to get to fly once or twice a week (not weekends way too crowded)
Too much hassle to make the canopy move as it would need to be done by a screw drive and with the problem I'm having with attaching the canopy with the rails and brass attachment points... ARGHHHH
I will take your advice and change the choke from a servo to a straight rod... too many switches to memorize and since I'm not Old but feeble as well, you get the point :)
My kids bought me a Bavarian Demon Cortex 2 Xmas's ago so we will see how that works out

What a great Xmas present - may need to mention that to Shirley, Smile. I will have my pilot's canopy permanently open but on simulated rails as if it could slide close. Of course, I am still watching the progress on the Trojan. Enjoy the extra time off from work. Stay Well and Stay Safe. Chic

Progress has slowed - seems that I must have put tooooo much hardener in my West Systems mixture. Several spots are taking longer to completely dry than others. So, I have to bid my time. The spots (3 of them) are not damp but slightly tacky. Looks like one more day may allow a full cure. Would of been the day for primer, but we're getting there. Chic

Hate when that happens...

"roger that"

Interesting dilemma - when I wet sanded the fuse, the 3M fine grit 220 paper gum's up badly, when I dry sand, the same 220 grit paper barely collects a speck, as shown. The photo shows the shiny un-sanded side vs the sanded side. The 220 paper cuts evenly. The high and low spots clearly show and level out after the sanding. I am pleased with dry sanding the Avenger. I will move on. Chic

Avenger Build
 

Photos: Clogged/Gummed Up 3M 220 fine grit sandpaper (Wet) vs Clean 3M 220 fine grit sandpaper (Dry). Photo: Shiny unsanded side vs. Sanded side. Chic

Chic,

I expect the maiden to be done by this summer. BTW it's looking good.

Boyd.

Boyd - You are tooooo funny. Must be the mid-west threat of snow. Summer is gone my brother, so let us talk "SPRING" for sure. Thanks Boyd for staying in touch. Chic

Oh the joys of sanding the glass, all that wonderful dust that you invariably track into the house and then listen to 2 hours of "who's gonna clean this, I just vacuumed" LOL
Keep at it brother.
Hope to post pix of the reset T28 canopies by tomorrow, it would have been much easier to just glue the whole thing to the lane after all was done, WHO KNEW :)

Larry

That is why we do this hobby - Cutting the canopy to be positioned like "YOU" want it to be. I "TOO" have been screamed at for tracking balsa, dust, metal fillings, etc. back into the house from the shop. Again, thanks for hanging in there with me. I look forward to viewing those pictures. Chic

Thought i’d post some picture of my avenger progress. One of my club members who is an outstading builder is doing the detail work on the avenger for me. She will be my pro am entry for topgun 2018.

Hey Navy, looking good, I am about to apply primer on mine. How did your detail person lay down the rivets? Glad to see that Avengers will be campaigned at contests across the United States in 2018 - Yours at Top Gun. Mine - At the 2018 AMA Nats. . Well Alright. Chic

Stew,
Nice work, very impressed with the rivet detail

Larry

Chic,
Here's a shot of the Avenger front canopy slide, back is attached with screws no slide. It wasn't terribly hard in case you decide you want to do it.

Chic, he is using glue for the raised rivets and he has a special tool he found the he uses for the flush rivets. I still have to decide what power plant i want to use.

Hey Guys, a tip to put in your shop bag. A friend of mine who has never built an arf and I were talking this morning. I told him I was sanding on a West Systems Epoxy glassed model and the sandpaper was being eaten up by the wax left over by the epoxy. He told me no problem - get some Corn Starch and sprinkle a little on the area you are sanding. WOW, what a change. I can not believe how easy it sanded through the wax using 220 dry. All I can say is WOW. I was told the controline guys have been doing this for years. Trust me guys, it works GREAT. Chic

Here is a few more picture of my avengers progress.

Chic

Chic, I didn't see a private message. Try re-sending it.

Delete

Stew excellent work, awesome, Chic thanks for the info on the cornstartch

Larry

Larry - Can't believe how great it works. You doing alright out there? Chic

Thing are good here, hoping to get to the field Thursday.. almost done with the front canopy mounting blocks then on to the rear.
Can't get motivated to work on the Avenger....bummer
Stay warm

Larry