Potensky Cobra EPP building notes, Still in progress
03-13-2003 | 01:10 PM
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From: GA
Potensky Cobra EPP building notes, Still in progress
Working on Cobra project, assembly notes.
All of my experiences on plane assembly are with foamy aircraft, most of it with GWS kits.
This kit is superior to GWS, as it should be because GWS kits are less expensive. The EPP foam is flexible and many times more durable than the styro used in the GWS kits. The Cobra kit is a bit easier than GWS kits due the the precutting. All the servo housing holes are precut. The motor hole is marked by a smaller hole that you only need to enlarge.
You need to cut a nice little slit from the mid section to tail section of fuse, both sides of aircraft, to insert carbon rods from the outside. This is easy to do and glue. The same will be done to the aerofoil, both above and below, to make it very rigid. I have yet to get to the aerofoil. I did however make the slit to join the the halves of the elevator together. It too uses the lightweight epoxy/glass board.
No cheap plastic parts! All the mounts are fabricated with fiberglass/epoxy type boards, the type that printed circuits are on. Very light and very strong. Also very easy to cut and sand/file.
You join 3 rectangle shapes of epoxy/glass that make up the landing gear connection point to the fuse; which is also pre-cut from the bottom. The landing gear utilize a very stiff and thick pre-bent wire to compose the landing gear. Medium size lightweight foam wheels are included. Its designed to have your landing gear snapped in or out very quickly. Would make it easy to change from wheels to floats.
I am impressed with the included carbon fiber rods that are used to strengthen the mid to tail section on fuse, and the wing. Other companies would have thrown in wood dowels, or plastic pick-up-sticks for this job.
This is a well thought out kit, and at first feel, it appears lighter then my last J3 GWS fuse cub did open assembly.
There is a carbor fiber rod under that oozing glue. It looks sloppy but I am using probond and it expands as it dries. It will be cured in 24 hours, I will then trim it with a razor blade and sand it to invisiblity. Anything yellow can be hidden with a black sharpie, as I made my cutting marks with one and they where near impossible to follow.
Picture of the epoxy/glass motor mount that must be glued to the front of fuse. That cute little girl is my daughter. Sorry, they are not included in the box.
Blurry picture, sorry, of steerable tail wheel. You need to cut a slit and insert the mount with glue into the foam.
Blurry picture, sorry, this is part of the landing gear assembly, 3 piece [sandwhich style] that must be inserted and glued into its precut home at the bottom of lthe anding gear. Predrilled holes and included toothpicks ensure perfect alignment.
Blurry picture, sorry, of sturdy landing gear. On occassion I am cruel to landing gear. I believe this design will be able to handle nearly anything thrown its way.
All of my experiences on plane assembly are with foamy aircraft, most of it with GWS kits.
This kit is superior to GWS, as it should be because GWS kits are less expensive. The EPP foam is flexible and many times more durable than the styro used in the GWS kits. The Cobra kit is a bit easier than GWS kits due the the precutting. All the servo housing holes are precut. The motor hole is marked by a smaller hole that you only need to enlarge.
You need to cut a nice little slit from the mid section to tail section of fuse, both sides of aircraft, to insert carbon rods from the outside. This is easy to do and glue. The same will be done to the aerofoil, both above and below, to make it very rigid. I have yet to get to the aerofoil. I did however make the slit to join the the halves of the elevator together. It too uses the lightweight epoxy/glass board.
No cheap plastic parts! All the mounts are fabricated with fiberglass/epoxy type boards, the type that printed circuits are on. Very light and very strong. Also very easy to cut and sand/file.
You join 3 rectangle shapes of epoxy/glass that make up the landing gear connection point to the fuse; which is also pre-cut from the bottom. The landing gear utilize a very stiff and thick pre-bent wire to compose the landing gear. Medium size lightweight foam wheels are included. Its designed to have your landing gear snapped in or out very quickly. Would make it easy to change from wheels to floats.
I am impressed with the included carbon fiber rods that are used to strengthen the mid to tail section on fuse, and the wing. Other companies would have thrown in wood dowels, or plastic pick-up-sticks for this job.
This is a well thought out kit, and at first feel, it appears lighter then my last J3 GWS fuse cub did open assembly.
There is a carbor fiber rod under that oozing glue. It looks sloppy but I am using probond and it expands as it dries. It will be cured in 24 hours, I will then trim it with a razor blade and sand it to invisiblity. Anything yellow can be hidden with a black sharpie, as I made my cutting marks with one and they where near impossible to follow.
Picture of the epoxy/glass motor mount that must be glued to the front of fuse. That cute little girl is my daughter. Sorry, they are not included in the box.
Blurry picture, sorry, of steerable tail wheel. You need to cut a slit and insert the mount with glue into the foam.
Blurry picture, sorry, this is part of the landing gear assembly, 3 piece [sandwhich style] that must be inserted and glued into its precut home at the bottom of lthe anding gear. Predrilled holes and included toothpicks ensure perfect alignment.
Blurry picture, sorry, of sturdy landing gear. On occassion I am cruel to landing gear. I believe this design will be able to handle nearly anything thrown its way.
