Thursday, July 18, 2013

Flying Scale Models 08/2012

The tailplane and elevators are built flat over the plans using strip stock, some formed parts, and laminated leading edges. After building the structure, strip material is applied to either side of the ribs allowing sufficient thickness for sanding to a streamlined profile. Pockets are provided for aluminium tubing that will house carbon fibre rods at assembly. The plans show the carbon fibre rod attached to the fuselage during its construction, but I chose to install aluminium tubes in the fuselage that the cyano glue slid into after the fuselage finishing was completed. The fin and rudder are built in the same fashion, with the fin being fully sheeted. After shaping and smoothing everything, slots were cut for CA hinges, and the parts were ready to cover. Wing structures are typical spar-and-rib construction, with the exception of particularly wide bass trailing edge and tip pieces, which make for a very rigid wing with good attachment for the trailing edge of the ribs. The top wing is built in two pieces and joined flat at the centre section with plywood joiners. The centre section is sheeted on top, and the cut-out over the cockpit is laminated using sheet material and sanded to shape. I made a cut-out for the radiator that fits between the two spars by removing sheeting on top and boxing in the opening for reinforcement.

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