So as mentioned on a previous build thread, I've decided against buying yet another plane to build for the 2nd Balsa Build Along, as my fleet of hoopties and projects has been growing out of control (as explained to me by my wonderful, caring, and understanding wife ). This time around I'm taking a different approach and using the Build Along as an excuse to thin the herd a bit and to also try some building techniques I haven't used before.
Two years ago I picked up a pair of Hobbico 300S planes at a swap meet - one was noticeably better than the other, and the seller said he was going to use the trashed one to fix the good one. Seemed like a great idea to me! So here's a finished shot I found online, minus the cowl. I think these kits came with covering on the wings and fuselage, but all parts I got were bare balsa.
Aaaaaand here's what I've got to make that a reality. I printed a copy of the manual, which will help quite a bit with the wing saddle design. The canopy is brittle and broken, so I'll either have to make a mold and vacuum form one or find another route. There was no cowl with my junk, um, "parts", but I found a company that makes fiberglass reproductions of it. I've also got both elevators and a rudder, although all three pieces are fairly rough and I may just build replacement pieces.
The white tray is actually the bottom center section of the wing, and the bags hold parts that may or may not have been for this kit.
The wings are an interesting part of this collection of stuff. I've got one complete wing (not in this picture) and two additional right wings. No left wings, and there is a slight difference. I could probably make them work if I had to, but since I have a complete wing I'll just use these to test out some ideas I've got for the project before throwing them away. Why not save them? Read on!
This is the better of the two spare wings. Sometime in the past this plane took some pretty heavy damage as the balsa is broken off the foam-core wing!
The ailerons are also all pretty rough, so I'll just cut new ones.
Oh, and the spare fuselage is no better than the wing. It's been broken in half at least once, and has a ton of epoxy inside holding it all together. It's also fuel-soaked. Could it be saved? Sure, but I'm drawing the line on this one!
By comparison, here's the GOOD fuselage! It's never had electronics added, so it should provide a decent platform to build upon.
The tentative plan is to go with either a .60 size 2-stroke glow engine or a .90 size 4-stroke. There is a swap meet at the end of the month that I'll attend to see what I can find. So now the parts all go back on the shelf for the next few weeks until the Build Along officially starts. As tempted as I am to jump in and get working, there are still other jobs that can be done first, and if the weather clears up I may also get some flight time in!
Two years ago I picked up a pair of Hobbico 300S planes at a swap meet - one was noticeably better than the other, and the seller said he was going to use the trashed one to fix the good one. Seemed like a great idea to me! So here's a finished shot I found online, minus the cowl. I think these kits came with covering on the wings and fuselage, but all parts I got were bare balsa.
Aaaaaand here's what I've got to make that a reality. I printed a copy of the manual, which will help quite a bit with the wing saddle design. The canopy is brittle and broken, so I'll either have to make a mold and vacuum form one or find another route. There was no cowl with my junk, um, "parts", but I found a company that makes fiberglass reproductions of it. I've also got both elevators and a rudder, although all three pieces are fairly rough and I may just build replacement pieces.
The white tray is actually the bottom center section of the wing, and the bags hold parts that may or may not have been for this kit.
The wings are an interesting part of this collection of stuff. I've got one complete wing (not in this picture) and two additional right wings. No left wings, and there is a slight difference. I could probably make them work if I had to, but since I have a complete wing I'll just use these to test out some ideas I've got for the project before throwing them away. Why not save them? Read on!
This is the better of the two spare wings. Sometime in the past this plane took some pretty heavy damage as the balsa is broken off the foam-core wing!
The ailerons are also all pretty rough, so I'll just cut new ones.
Oh, and the spare fuselage is no better than the wing. It's been broken in half at least once, and has a ton of epoxy inside holding it all together. It's also fuel-soaked. Could it be saved? Sure, but I'm drawing the line on this one!
By comparison, here's the GOOD fuselage! It's never had electronics added, so it should provide a decent platform to build upon.
The tentative plan is to go with either a .60 size 2-stroke glow engine or a .90 size 4-stroke. There is a swap meet at the end of the month that I'll attend to see what I can find. So now the parts all go back on the shelf for the next few weeks until the Build Along officially starts. As tempted as I am to jump in and get working, there are still other jobs that can be done first, and if the weather clears up I may also get some flight time in!