D_wilbur

My Feedback: (8)

Hello Kram
I wish I was in that stage of the build. I would like to know what happend to Dwaynes wing tip panel as to it failing. I plan on using aluminum tubes to plug them in simmilar to the plans. I was able to install some of the formers for the right side last night.

kram

My Feedback: (7)

D:

He showed me the break-down about a year ago and I've forgotten the exact details. I'll ask next time I'm out there.

Basically, there was inadequate reinforcement around the wing joining tube and it allowed the wing tip to flex up on the inboard wing, jamming the Lt aileron up at a critical time (landing approach)



mt

D_wilbur

My Feedback: (8)

I will look into a larger dia wing tube. The plans call for 7/8" tube witch is the size I have. I will see if I can fit a 1-1/4" tube.

LargeScale88

Coming along nicely.

Jason

talob

My Feedback: (1)

Hi, just found the thread and subcribed, your being watched!

aerowoof

subscribed ahve the b-17 short kit and plans .let us know how you are doing the ruder linkage not much detail in the plans looks like a torgue rod type setup.

D_wilbur

My Feedback: (8)

I got stuck buying 8 rolls of aluminum tape 6" wide by 50 yards long 2mil thick. Would any body be interested in some I would like to sell 4 rolls $35 a roll shipped. I orered it to cover the B-29 after glassing it.

D_wilbur

My Feedback: (8)

Hello aerowoof
My plans with the rudder is to use a pull pull arrangement with a single Futaba 9252 servo with the torque rod. I have used this set up before and it eliminates the slop from the torque rod.

kram

My Feedback: (7)

NEED MOTIVATION??

Here are some amateur shots of Dwayne's 14 ft-er flying in the summer of 2009

Hard to be sure 'cause the markings on his 12 ft-er are exactly the same.

There is some pro-shot video of his 12 ft-er flying on www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhTlvc5nT00

Dwayne and Frank also hosted "Bomber School 101" for those of us less accomplished last year: 3 hours of invaluable guidance on everything from setting up surface incidence to flying technique. I've got that on video, also, but it's low quality.

The incidence relationships of fuse, wing root, wing tip and horizontal stab are CRITICAL for these birds to fly well (see video) and what's on the plans is not necessarily best for real world.


mt

D_wilbur

My Feedback: (8)

I have been building last week end with rain on Sunday. Finished installing all the formers and stringers. Installed the nose gear blocks and had to add a layer of plywood to gain the correct thickness. Installed the rudder servo in the tail just in front of the stab. started sheeting the 2nd half.

D_wilbur

My Feedback: (8)

The rest of the week ends work.

D_wilbur

My Feedback: (8)

Work was slow the last 2 days. I trimmed out the wing seat area on the fuse Monday. To day I built the fin and rudder. I decided to build the rudder scale and added 8 more ribs so I can cover it with fabric. I still have to complete the hinges and shape the block of balsa atop the fin.

D_wilbur

My Feedback: (8)

I worked on the stab and elevators today and have them rough out I wish I did not have to work I can get a lot done with some time off work. I forgot to order some balsa triangle stock so I will have to finish the hinge area later. I picket up some .090 fiberglass sheet at a friend’s house last night to make the rudder hinges. I was going to work on the wing today but I'm missing ribs 7,8.9 and 17 there should be 4 of them with spar notching in different locations 2 to match up with the flaps and 2 that match up with the ailerons. I have a call into Laser Lizards to see if I can get replacement parts. Does any one know the proper incidents for the wing stab? The drawings show 2.5 degrees on wing the stab is 0 degrees with centerline of fuse and the engines look like they are 0 with the fuse.

D_wilbur

My Feedback: (8)

After calling Laser Lizards for the last 3 days I decided to make the missing ribs my self. I went down to Kinko’s and made a copy of the drawings to cut up for the templates. The copy only cost $2.54 Cheep. I had enough scrap light ply to make ribs 7,8,9 and two different #17 ribs. I picked up some more 2mil visqueen to cover the wing plan cut and installed the main spar over the drawings. Then cut out the spacer for the trailing edge that holds the ribs at the correct angle. While checking the fit of the main and rear spar I found out the rear spar notches are 5/16X5/16 and not 1/4X1/4, which is called out on the drawings. The fuse spar notches matched the notes on the drawings. More delays with the wing construction. I will pick up some wood Saturday and make spars that fit the ribs. The only bummer is it has been raining most of today and they call for rain over the weekend. My shop is too small to set up the table saw in the garage.

Edwin

My Feedback: (2)

At least you seem to be dealing with the delays and disappointments ok. The progress looks good.
Edwin

Warbird Man

My Feedback: (95)

Yep, The wing is full of suprises.

D_wilbur

My Feedback: (8)

After making several changes I finally was able to get started on the wing construction. I set up the table saw out side under an EZ up tent and cut some rear spar material and wing tip main spar material. Set up main spar and rear spar on work bench installed the first 5 rib with the dihedral brace for layout and glued them in place then continued with ribs 6 through 12 witch brings me out to the 2nd nacelle. Started to install the main crutch for the nacelle and was not able to fit the crutch is below the bottom of the wing. So I removed the wing from the table and turned it around so the crutch would hang off the table. That did not work. I removed the wing for the 2nd time and added 1/2" shim under the main and rear spar set up the wing and it was still not enough room to fit the 4 crutches. I added another 1/2" shim totaling 1" above the table and this gave me a 1/4" clear to fit the 4 crutch formers for the 2 nacelles on the left wing. I had to make some adjustments to the spar notches in some of the ribs for correct fit. Finally I'm on my way to building the wing. Rib #3 was a bit over sized just behind the main spar so I cut the notch deeper and sanded the top of the rib to fit the profile in-between rib #2 and 4. I have a problem with my Robart landing gear not fitting inside nacelle former #6 I will have to make them about 3/8 wider to fit. The plans show Century Jet gear and they are smaller in size.

I-fly-any-and-all

My Feedback: (1)

coming along nicely

D_wilbur

My Feedback: (8)

It's been a while from my last post. I had to go back to work and it's interfering with building. I did finish the hard point on the elevator and Rudder. prepped the fin for glassing and glassed the stab last week. I ordered the wrong servos for the elevators and will exchange them next week. I have spent the last few days getting ready for South bay soaring society scale sailplane meet this coming week end. The typical repairs from flying on Sunday.

Warbird Man

My Feedback: (95)

I had all sorts of trouble with the nacells and crutches also and made them wider to fit the retracts. (using Centry Jets) I don't think the crutches were designed properly. As a matter of fact I made alot of new parts to make things work out correctly.

I assume the 14' B-29 is just a blown up version of the 12' and will have all the same issues.

I believe the plans were prototypical and were never revised and or had corrections made to the mistakes in them.

D_wilbur

My Feedback: (8)

Hello Warbird Man
I agree with you, if I make new parts and widen the nacelle crutch I will have to make new cowls to fit. As is I had to cut an 1/8" off the dia of former 1 so the cowl will fit. The Glennis wheels and breaks I have on the mains don't help either. With some machine work I can make it fit. The main Bottom spar will have to be cut out for the wheels to retract. I was able to barrow a step drill to drill out the holes for the wing tubes I enlarged them to 1". I should have weighted until I received the tubes before building the first half of the wing it would have been much easer to drill them on the drill press. I will be able to spend more time on the B-29 after this week end and move forward on the wing.

Warbird Man

My Feedback: (95)

I don't know if I would go as far as to make new cowls, That would be alot of work. I just made wider formers in the mid section of the nacelles were the wheels retract in. Sorta has a bit of a slight coke bottle look to it but I dont think anyone will see it from underneath. I really beefed up and boxed out the retract mounts as I also had to cut out the lower main and rear spars. The centry jet retracts extended back into the flaps which also had to be modified and beefed up to clear them as well.

D_wilbur

My Feedback: (8)

I Missed that detail nacelle former #6 is behind the rear spar and it will be cut out as well. what did you do to beef up the spar area. Have you flowen yours

Warbird Man

My Feedback: (95)

Mine is still under construction. I'm just alittle farther ahead in the build. I used ply around the mounts and spars. I'll post a pic when I get a chance as it would probably be easier than to explain. I have a build thread started in the warbird forum that might show some of the modifications thus far. If interested, search for "B-29 Superfortress Build"

D_wilbur

My Feedback: (8)

I checked out your build and I wish I was as far along. Would you have any pics of the main gear retracted I would like to see how it fits. I subscribed to your thread. Thanks