A Baron but not as we know him...

[CarolineTyler]

Captive nut arrived, now the wing fitting is built. I have a nice chunky M4 aluminium thumbscrew on order, currently on a slow boat , to replace the standard bolt and washer.

 

[cranialrectosis]

I love your builds @CarolineTyler. You take good photos, lots of them, with color commentary that makes sense.

Can't wait for the maiden voyage!

 

[CarolineTyler]

I love your builds @CarolineTyler. You take good photos, lots of them, with color commentary that makes sense.

Can't wait for the maiden voyage!

I'm hoping the covering comes tomorrow, if it does I'll try and fly it on Friday. I have this week off work and making the best of it as safely as possible.

 

[CarolineTyler]

Oh, and I've decided to go back to the single servo for the wing. My holddown system means it won't get fowled and its a little weight saving.

 

[CarolineTyler]

Oracover turned up today, will attempt to cover this wing tonight - want to maiden this plane by Saturday at the latest!

 

[TooJung2Die]

Oracover turned up today, will attempt to cover this wing tonight - want to maiden this plane by Saturday at the latest!

Good to hear! Everyone I'm hearing from in the UK says they are not allowed to fly anywhere. May I ask how you are going to maiden the airplane?

 

[CarolineTyler]

Good to hear! Everyone I'm hearing from in the UK says they are not allowed to fly anywhere. May I ask how you are going to maiden the airplane?

Well, you know, I should not but our flying site is on private ground that means I can be way more socially distant than any parkland.
So I do.

 

[CarolineTyler]

Well, you know, I should not but our flying site is on private ground that means I can be way more socially distant than any parkland.
So I do.

And as of Wednesday, that restriction is removed. Just keep a good safe distance, I think 1/4 mile is sufficient

 

[TooJung2Die]

Good for you and your flying mates. I was just reading from a guy complaining he has 7 new airplane builds to maiden since the lock-down began. Our club is on private property also, we haven't had any trouble. Good luck with the maiden!

 

[CarolineTyler]

Not perfect but way better than my first attempt. The leading corners were particularly difficult. Think it will be good enough to fly.

Need some 5 minute epoxy to attach the top decking, super glue is just a bit too fast. Could I buy any at the supermarket? Nope! So ordered some from Amazon for delivery on Wednesday.

 

[TooJung2Die]

That's your first attempt at covering? That's darn good. Since that awful tape job covering they did in the video flew great your Balsa Baron will be awesome.

Hint: When heat shrinking wingtips leave a generous amount of film hanging over the edge. Pull on the extra film while heating the film to shrink it. Do a small section at a time and pull out the wrinkles that don't shrink out. Hold tension on the film until the film cools. Move on to the next section. After you have it all smooth then trim the excess and seal the edge with the iron.

 

[BATTLEAXE]

That's your first attempt at covering? That's darn good. Since that awful tape job covering they did in the video flew great your Balsa Baron will be awesome.

Hint: When heat shrinking wingtips leave a generous amount of film hanging over the edge. Pull on the extra film while heating the film to shrink it. Do a small section at a time and pull out the wrinkles that don't shrink out. Hold tension on the film until the film cools. Move on to the next section. After you have it all smooth then trim the excess and seal the edge with the iron.

Quality tip bro, thanks

 

[daxian]

@CarolineTyler ...poundland has epoxy and is open here ! also wilco is open here !! one in one out though ..so que's for miles (sic)...all part of the fun lol...never tried the poundland stuff ,but might work in a pinch .

 

[CarolineTyler]

@CarolineTyler ...poundland has epoxy and is open here ! also wilco is open here !! one in one out though ..so que's for miles (sic)...all part of the fun lol...never tried the poundland stuff ,but might work in a pinch .

My Poundland had none, nor B&M, nor Asda or Morrisons.....lol!!!!

 

[TooJung2Die]

A picture is worth ... a lot more than my explanation. Here are a couple of wingtips in the process of getting covered using the shrink and stretch method. The clear stuff is document laminating film. It doesn't shrink nearly as much as normal film. No way I could cover that wing tip without crow's feet wrinkles unless the film was heated and stretched.

 

[CarolineTyler]

I flew it today....just managed not to crash it. My elevator and rudder throws were WAY too high. I've adjusted the servo arms to reduce it by about 40% and added more expo. The model was so tail heavy, I've cut off all the bottom sheeting from the CofG back and still had to add 60gms of extra nose weight.
Since it did fly and land without becoming matchwood I've now added some stripes for orientation.

I'll video the next flight.

 

[TooJung2Die]

Congratulations on the maiden and for bringing it home in one piece. None of the combat style foamie airplanes I ever flew lasted more than a few flights. I get a little bold, lose orientation and plow them into the earth. You're brave to build and fly a Balsa Baron!

 

[CarolineTyler]

Sadly the Balsa Baron destroyed itself on launch today. The wing is snapped and splintered. I will not be repairing it. I enjoyed the build process but I was not confident in the resulting plane. I do think this wing is not strong enough and if you decide to build please take advantage of the option of adding a carbon spar.

 

[SP0NZ]

Sadly the Balsa Baron destroyed itself on launch today. The wing is snapped and splintered. I will not be repairing it. I enjoyed the build process but I was not confident in the resulting plane. I do think this wing is not strong enough and if you decide to build please take advantage of the option of adding a carbon spar.

That's a bummer.

 

[CarolineTyler]

This is an ex-baron, it has ceased to be, bereft of life it rests in piece...