[Max]

Its amazing how the addition of graphics transforms a model entirely!

Looks great

[mwavesdave]

It does indeed. Hopefully another week, and I'll have the P-39 ready for a maiden.

[mwavesdave]

Back onto getting the P-39 done, completed fuel system installation, got the throttle servo installed and hooked up. Main gear is done, and finishing off the wheel wells. Just have to get the nose gear hooked up, and a bit more finishing work done, and she'll be ready for final checks, CG and lateral balance check, and then the maiden.

[mwavesdave]

I haven't abandoned the P-39, just sidetracked on projects for others. Took some time tonight to paint the wheel wells, and do some touch up, just have to install the nose steering servo, then do the weight and balance, and position the battery, a coat of clear matte, and she'll be ready to fly!

[mwavesdave]

"Evelyn " is all done, and awaiting engine run ups, and first flight. The OS 75 AX comes from my GP F-4 Phantom, and is nicely broken in, so tuning will be quick. Hope to maiden this weekend if weather cooperates.

[mwavesdave]

Maiden done. Great having a well proven and broken in engine, that made life a lot easier. Temporary nose gear steering I installed until I get the right EFlite parts, wasn't at all great, but worked just well enough for today. In spite of lateral balance being bang on, a ton of right aileron trim was required, and almost caused me to cut the flight short. Once it was trimmed out though, flew really well, the colour scheme is wicked, no issues with orientation. Flaps were not used, but she almost hovered into a landing. A very smooth and predictable flyer, almost pattern like.

[mwavesdave]

A shot of the P-39, on the flight line.

[CF105]

Congrats! She looks good sitting on the ramp.

[mwavesdave]

Thanks!

[mwavesdave]

So, while we're not exactly certain of what caused it, the 1/16th upper sheeting was starting to separate from the ribs, and along all the sheeting seams. The aircraft was stored in a garage for a couple of years, prior to my taking possession once again. The wing was fully sheeted at the time, but not glassed, so I might have trapped some moisture. All ribs had nice lines from the CA, so wasn't a lack of glue. One wing also had far less washout than the other one, so I stripped all the top sheeting, clamped the wings in position with proper washout, did a bit of reinforcing, went over all the bottom sheeting glue joints, and then re-sheeted the top of the wing, but this time with 3/32"balsa. Got that all done, then fibreglassed the wing, and today, got 2 coats of primer applied. She'll be re-painted, and re-test flown next weekend.