nhk750
Aviation Enthusiast
Nice, I'm interested in this one too. Retracts would really make it an interesting scale build.
2017/2018 Balsa Build Along!
- Thread starter Joker 53150
- Start date
Nice, I'm interested in this one too. Retracts would really make it an interesting scale build.
CheapSunglasses
Member
Count me in! This will be my first balsa build so I’m going with the Mountain Models Dandy. I’m a procrastinator so joining this build along will hopefully help me by having a date to start and a date to finish. I have the Dandy Trainer kit and also have the Sport and GT wings. I will definitely work on completing the trainer for the build along but the goal will be to finish all the wings and have three planes in one.
Awesome!! Glad to have more first time balsa builder in here! And I think you've got a great kit with the MM Dandy - I've built the MM EVA and absolutely love it - I'm pretty sure there are lots of similar building techniques between the two of them, so feel free to check out my build thread for that model and let me know if you have any questions. I did a pretty good step-by-step documentation on that one.
I did a build-thread on the Dandy a few years ago. It's a very easy build, HOWEVER... keep in mind that it's designed around a stick-mounted motor, which was much more common years ago. You could change the design and add a firewall to mount a more common motor to, but I've found that the stick-mounted motors Hobby King sells for about $8 are a perfect fit without any modification needed. I don't care much for the prop mounting, but they work fine and have tons of power for this airframe. I run mine with a 3 cell 1000mAh for 6-8 minute flights.
https://hobbyking.com/en_us/ax-2306n-1300kv-brushless-bell-motor.html
https://hobbyking.com/en_us/ax-2306n-1300kv-brushless-bell-motor.html
This build-along is giving me a headache! I'm still (probably) going to do an autogyro, but am having second thoughts that I really have to suppress. Yesterday I went to a swap meet held on the EAA grounds and picked up a couple new projects. Both are raw fiberglass fuselage kits, which I've never done. The first is a BF-109 with an 84" wingspan, designed for approx. 35-40cc gas engines. The fuselage looks great, and the wings are built-up balsa construction. The other plane is a P-80/F-80/T-33 Shooting Star designed for a big EDF. It's probably 75" wingspan or so I'm guessing, with foam-core wings that would be sheeted with balsa. I'd really like to do the Shooting Star, but the more I look at it, the more I think it'll be a bad choice for my field conditions, not to mention the cost of a 90mm or larger EDF, big retracts, etc. Either way, it'd be a fun project. All that makes a little autogyro look like a FANTASTIC idea!
Doh! I forgot about the swap meet.
Probably for the best, I need to start ordering parts for my CNC machine anyway.
Doh! I forgot about the swap meet.
Probably for the best, I need to start ordering parts for my CNC machine anyway.
It wasn't a huge event, more sellers than buyers. My buddy scored a nice Hangar 9 Cub, and there were plenty of good deals. I'm looking forward to the Waukesha meet! There is also a swap meet in Manitowoc on the 29th, which is usually pretty good.
When is the Waukesha meet?
I haven't heard for sure yet, but am guessing some time during Q1 of 2018. Here's what I found online so far:
The Milwaukee RC Assn. Swap Meet for 2018 location
has been under discussion due to the cost of holding it
Waukesha Expo. The Serb Hall was under consideration
however lacked access, parking and table space. Several
members looked at the Washington Co Fair Ground.
There was an opening on Sunday, Jan 28, 2018. Some of
the board members looked at the facility which was about
$1,400 cheaper than Waukesha and a decision was made
to hold the event there. It was noted that no motion, resolution
or vote from the board members involved in the
action.
I’d like to officially change my build subject. I’m going to build my Herr Cub kit with floats. I was able to pick this up at the Lebanon swap meet last year on the cheap and I really want to build it. Since I crashed my EVA I’m gonna try to finish my Four Star quick before the build off so that plane can do drivers test duty when I join my local club.
I’d say it depends on your flying skill and how big of plane you want to have. SIG kits are more of a classic style build. A lot of the guys one here are partial to the new style laser cut kits. I like them both but I prefer the old school style. They are a bit more work but are a blast to build. Another option is a stick and tissue. They are a lot less time consuming to build because of the size but covering can be pretty intimidating and sometimes frustrating the first few times.
Fixed wing flying skill is more of a race to the ground. The build will remain uncovered as a wall hanger in my garage probably. Sorry if that is balsa blasphemy, but they look so cool and super fun to build!
There is nothing wrong with building for static display as far as I’m concerned.
In that case I would go with maybe a Herr or Dumas stick and tissue model. The framework is beautiful. Only change I would make if I were building to leave uncovered would be to build out any cowling or plastics pieces with balsa.
In that case I would go with maybe a Herr or Dumas stick and tissue model. The framework is beautiful. Only change I would make if I were building to leave uncovered would be to build out any cowling or plastics pieces with balsa.
TexMechsRobot
Posted a thousand or more times
Guillows makes a few kits that are designed for display and not flying. I'd do one of those if display is your intended purpose. Plus, Guillows kits tend to go together well for the first time builder. They call them "Build 'n Show" so look for that on the box.
Here are a few.
PBY Catalina
Military Jets
Wright Flyer
DC-3
In general, laser cut kits will give you a better first time experience than die-cut. None of the links above are laser cut.
Here are a few.
PBY Catalina
Military Jets
Wright Flyer
DC-3
In general, laser cut kits will give you a better first time experience than die-cut. None of the links above are laser cut.
Turbojoe
Elite member
Do you already have the floats? If not I have a NIB float kit that I've had for years. Not a lot of places close for me to fly off water. No reason why I bought the things. These are for the 48" HRR505 kit not the smaller rubber powered kit. If you need 'em I'll send them out to you. Let me know. I've got that Herr Cub (being converted to Tr-Pacer) so it'll stay a ground based plane so no need for floats.
Joe
Yeah I have the float set already, appreciate the offer though. There aren’t a whole lot of places around me to fly off of water either. I’m fortunate enough to have a very nice spring fed limestone creek that passes through my front yard as well as a decent sized spring fed pond that goes into the stream. I’m hoping that the pond is big enough to fly off of, it’ll be tight. I’m not sure if you are allowed to fly off of our local reservoir but that is where I will most likely test fly it. I figure it’s easier to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission in that case, lol.
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