Balsa bashing

[pgerts]

Not so much balsa in the pictures today.
The motor and esc was to pic up at the local minimarket.

Loosen the 2 axle lock screws at the front and take away the lock washer at the back - the washer will shoot away - newer to be found again....

Take off the bell to protect the ball bearings when you gently press the motor axle all way in and tighten the stop screws.

Back is now front - the locking washer is not needed - the motor is ready to mount inside the motor bay - on Saturday if any time is free for playing with the toys.

 

[colorex]

Awesome idea, pgerts! I assume this is to keep the motor on the inside of the plane?

 

[pgerts]

It is about 40 years since last time i covered a plane with silk.
It is not at all the same as the iron on cover used today.
The "smell" of dope is recognized by many seniors.

 

[pgerts]

Some pictures.
The covering started on the 21st of february.

Today was time to think of the hinges - naturally in "old school" Esaki Silk.
The Falcon will get the hinges in dark blue but the Viking will get more hidden in same color.

 

[colorex]

Can you post pictures of before - after covering it with dope?

 

[pgerts]

I use dope to glue the silk on to the balsa. Stretching the silk and fastening it with needles as shown.
The silk is thigh from the beginning.
On the first picture one half of the wing is just glued and not doped at all.

When dry (glued) i "paint" with 50% dope and 50% thinner. Remember to "paint" upper and bottom together not to get it screwed up.

2nd "paint" is with thicker dope and just fast not to wet the silk to much.

I know there are many ways to do it. Many people wet the silk before they apply it.

 

[pgerts]

Almost to good weather to build - but it has to be done.

 

[bicyclemonkey]

This is a great looking kit! MORE PICS!!!!

 

[pgerts]

The rudders and ailerons are on and today it is time to make horns and pushrods. 2 mm ply and 1,5 mm pianowire. The V-bend is for adjustment and servo protection.

 

[colorex]

Beautiful! Can't wait to see it fly!

 

[Mike oxbig]

It's absolutely amazing to see someone with enough patience and skill to turn a bunch of sticks into a finely crafted flying machine. I especially like your use of silk covering. I hope they fly as good as they look.

 

[pgerts]

The Viking and the Falcon 56 are assembled and the installation is checked. They are now in the queue for paint job.

Another disaster happened to me.
An old play friend from +40 years back told med that he had bought an old control line model from me. One that we flew in our garden with 7 m (23') lines - compared to the recommended 12m (40') and with a Fox 15 (2,5 cc) enginge compared to the recommended 1 - 1,5 cc.
I was curious and visited him to find the model fragile as egg shells....

A bad statement - i might build a copy if the motor is still OK - and there we are.......

 

[colorex]

HAHAHA I knew you would rebuild that thing

 

[pgerts]

 

[colorex]

Control line? I'd like to see a video of that thing flying!

 

[pgerts]

The balsa has got one coat of dope and the silk is soon to be on.

Andre - it is not easy to video yourself when you are flying :-( See if someone will help with a camera when we are flying this summer.

 

[SkySlayer]

Some parts for the fuselages.

Well - it is not to become a "banana" if anyone says so.....

I love those circles with needles in them, my Ouma(Grandmother) has over 30 full and I like putting them on a stick and spinning them. Then you get hypnotized by all the moving colours.

 

[pgerts]

.. and spinning them. Then you get hypnotized .

It seems that you would love spinning around with a control line plane.

 

[Foam Addict]

I loved the part where the lines get tangled: you let go, turn around... And wham!
Did the plane survive? It seemed to just bounce!

 

[Tritium]

Control line Aircraft and the Insanely High cost of Radio Remote controlled craft is what kept me out of the field for 40 years.
Cheap Chinese RC is what resurrected my interest and reentry into the RC field only a little over a year ago.

Thurmond