[NEW222]

SO not sure why I did not do a reconstruction thread on this, but will do a short and quick little one here now. A few weeks ago I had met a gentleman to pick up something and while talking, somehow this came up. And from there, I cannot honestly remember how we got onto teh subject, but it was mentioned that it was in the trash can. And that it was. Well, I was looking for a challenge, and I got myself one. This was my first real crash rebuild. I have fixed up another, but it had minor damage, and wouldn't even put it in the same league as this. So anyway, it took me approximately a month here and there, but is now almost complete. As I do not do larger electrics, nor do I gas engines, I figured since 10cc, I would drop a Webra Speed 61 on the nose for power. Some of the repairs were not as pretty as I had wanted, but it is strong, and I had also reinforced some of the weak joints I found while rebuilding the other side. Firewall was also completely missing, so did my best to recreate it the best I could with a picture online. One thing that I did not do that I had wanted to is to just run a single sheet of 1/16" balsa as a doubler along the side from nost to rear of wing cutout. Not really for strength, but rather for looks. And as for looks, well, most of the repairs will remain visable as i had used doculam / document laminate to cover it with. I have it here, and had nothing to do late last night. So covered, firewall got a coat of epoxy to seal, engine and mount installed. Next will be to slowly install the servos and start hooking things up (the part I hate most of building). Also gotta mark the firewall for the throttle pushrod I gotta make and install as well. Also gotta make a set of flap pushrods as the one thing missing was one of the four. Once all set up and ready, I will probably add some color to the clear for reference. I wont put up all the pictures, but will post some. Overall, this was a great experience overall, and the most rewarding part will be to see it fly again!

Front hatch not shown as it is currently drying from a minor repair.

[NEW222]

And the biggest hiccup I had along the way was with the wing. When I glued the LE block back in place, it looked good and I was happy. And the wing went together relatively well. So never thought of anything. I wish I would have known earlier as I did have the dowels both in slightly different plains. So as I was done, I just drilled it out carefully, prepped a new dowel, put epoxy in the hole as well as on teh dowel itself, inserted it into place and then screwed the wing down in place so that it set up in the correct spot. As well, the main spar/crutch appeared to look nice together, so glued and reinforced it with epoxy and fish plated with plywood. Only to realize after that it had a warp in it. D'oh! So with recommendation from a friend, I had re-cut the main spar/crutch and made sure it was now straight. CA'd in a small balsa wedge to hold in place, then added plywood braces again to it to secure. It is solid there now, and no moving. The Landing gear also need a bit of straightning, which I am hoping to get to tomorrow..... Not looking forward to balancing, should be interesting to see how much weight I will need to add to the least damaged side to balance the wing repairs.

Side note. The repair below looks like a dogs lunch, but it worked and is strong.

[NEW222]

And here today it is standing on its own feet! I just tossed the servos in place, threw an 8 oz tank in the nose along with a 5 cell NiMh battery pack just to get a feeling of the AUW. So sitting with all the afforementioned parts, it is as 6 lbs 10.5 oz. All that I require yet that would add weight is a 2.4 receiver, the throttle pushrod, 1 flap pushrod, all servo mounting hardware and horns, and fuel line. Did a quick balance and it is nose heavy by a bit, so will be able to move the battery back some I am sure, but will do that when all is finally done. As well, I will have to do a left and right balance at that time as well.

[Mike Sebastien]

It will fly. Take the paint off the prop, it will just screw up the prop balance.

[NEW222]

Not much else new to report, other than making the missing control rod for the flap. The original is made in one piece of steel rod threaded on both ends, and I believe 4-40 thread. So I was going to have to make a new set just so they would be and act similar. Then I got to thinking.... I have a couple old threaded inserts for ny-rods I just saw the other day, and I was hoping I had some brass tubing that would fit. I have more than enough 3/32" brass tubing, but was too small. But I had a small piece of 1/8" brass tubing that was in all honesty just perfect in length. So I fluxed teh inside of both ends and filled them with solder. When hot, I inserted one of the ny-rod inserts in each end. Did my best to have them stick out equally and match the original. So overall, I now have the flap rod constructed. I also weighed both. The original was .148 oz, and the new homemade one is .122 oz.

[NEW222]

Originally Posted by Mike Sebastien

It will fly. Take the paint off the prop, it will just screw up the prop balance.

Oh no. Please say it ain't so. I just painted all of the tips on all of my props that I just got. I guess I'll be getting some new props then for my engines. Probably easier than sanding off the paint as they will possibily be out of balance when the paint is removed. D'oh, live and learn.

[Max]

Originally Posted by NEW222

Oh no. Please say it ain't so. I just painted all of the tips on all of my props that I just got. I guess I'll be getting some new props then for my engines. Probably easier than sanding off the paint as they will possibily be out of balance when the paint is removed. D'oh, live and learn.

Mike is just joking.

If you aren't painting your tips, you should!

Mind you, every prop needs balancing. The trick is to balance it first and THEN paint it.

Lots of folks I meet at the field NEVER balance their props and their planes/engines might vibrate a touch but it doesn't seem to affect their perception of performance. The more experienced and discerning modeller can, but your average Sunday flier won't notice a thing.

If you want to balance the prop now, go for it. Otherwise leave it alone

[NEW222]

Ok, thank you. I unfortunately did not balance the propeller before painting the tips, this also goes for the other two I picked up for it. But I guess better late than never. I will balance it before running the engine on the bench, but not sure of actually using the APC propeller pictured as it is an 11 x 4, and was told it was not good for my engine, so I bought 2 11 x 7 propellers for it. However, after mounting the landing gear, I see teh 12 x 6 I originally wanted will still fit with plenty of room to spare, so will probably grab it too one day. Thank you.