[Sparkfarmer]

A few months ago I purchased a Peak 50CC MXS-R from a fellow member. Included in the deal was an extra fuse with damage to the vertical stab. Aparently a customs official had a hate on for the model and wasn't careful pile driving the fuse back into the box. Here is a video of the damage:

http://qik.ly/CUB9vCk6kQavSs9zRQIF6kg

Seeing as weather has not been cooperating to do any flying, I thought I'd try to repair the damage. This is my first repair job on something this big. Also I want to make sure the repair looks good. Past repairs I've done were on old second hand planes that I hadn't spent more than $80 to put in the air, so looks wasn't high on the priority list!

Anyway feel free to post up any ideas/suggestions. I have a plan in my head of how to proceed but am open to draw from the experience of others!

[Sparkfarmer]

I contacted Trevor Brum of BBT services (I'm sure he needs no introduction). As alot of you have probably done, I've followed a few of his threads. He does amazing work and I thought I'd run this by him real quick for his opinion. He was quick to respond and was very helpfull. Thanks Trev!!!!

[Sparkfarmer]

So armed with a few Ideas I went about removing the damaged pieces.

[Sparkfarmer]

So basically the vertical stab is glued on top of a built up balsa fillet, which is glued onto a plywood platform on the aft fuse. Most of the damage seems to be on the fillet itself, so I'll rebuild that. The vert stab came off the fillet pretty easily since it was almost broken off anyway. The rest of the fillet I had to carve away from the fuse.

[Sparkfarmer]

So after removing the stab and fillet, I also noticed one of the top fuse formers was broken. I'll have to make another one. Maybe I can finally use the contour jig I bought from princess auto that my GF said I'd never use!!!!

[Sparkfarmer]

So looks like the fillet is just a few pieces of 1/2" balsa making up the sides, then a balsa block to make up the top. All glued together and sanded into shape. Well back into the shop. Need to get as much done as I can because tomorrow I leave for work and won't be back until the 22nd

[Sparkfarmer]

Few more pics

[TBrum]

Congrats on getting into the repair!! Great plan to tear it open and check it out!!

Watching with interest!!

Cheers

Trevor

[Sparkfarmer]

Thanks Trevor!!

Last bit of progress before I leave the province for 3 weeks

I centered everything and sanded my former into shape. I decided to keep it a solid piece for added strenght back there. That way the fillet will have more to attach to. I was able to grind away some foam from the top of the fuse, and sneak my former in behind what remained of the bottom portion of the original piece (where my finger is pointing on photo 0775). I inspected the rest of the internals of the fuse and everything looks good. I also glued a doubler to the new former to bring it flush with the skin. It all looks solid to me. Next will be putting together, andnsanding the fillet, and re-attaching the rear stab support piece.....somehow. I really don't want to rip that apart and make a new one. I would like to maybe add 2 support posts on either side of the hinge hole. Maybe use a couple pieces of old pushrod I have laying around?

[Sparkfarmer]

The finished product....