Spastickitten
Senior Member
Looking good!
FTFF 2015 Scratch Build: Sikorsky S-39
- Thread starter willsonman
- Start date
I did not get but a few minutes to work on this yesterday. I got the struts that I had already made for the V-stab cleaned up (ketchup) and painted. Main priority tonight will be glass application. Since cooler temperatures and sporadic rain are forecast all this week for me I have my doubts about completion in September but this weekend should be possible. While the glass cures out I can focus on the remaining struts for the V-stab, the rudder servo, and hatches. I will need to fabricate a hatch for the aileron servo on the top of the wing. I can re-install the dummy motor and paint the two forward struts that the battery wires pass through.
Additional struts have been fabricated and painted. Rudder servo glued and hatches applied to the bottom of the wing. Foam has been glassed and fill coat is curing.
With the additional struts and rudder servo work the rudder fully moves in both directions now. I think I also have some decals for the propeller too.
With the additional struts and rudder servo work the rudder fully moves in both directions now. I think I also have some decals for the propeller too.
Photo update. So, I realized that I had made an extra Sikorsky logo that was a bit smaller as a back-up in the event that I needed it. I applied it instead of the two identically-sized logos so I fixed that.
You can see from this photo the additional struts for the v-stab. This prevents the stab from moving fore and aft and really ties it down to get the rudder to behave the way it should. This is a scale strut so it was going on anyway.
I did find the decals for the propeller.
Here is the top of the engine nacelle. Paint is drying but you get the idea. a bit dirty and has the hammered look to it. Rustoleum makes this paint. Its a basic silver but is formulated to have the hammered look. I really like it for this application.
So, for the top nacelle hold-down there is a hatch that needs to go over the aileron servo. Patrick (earthsciteach) made all the servo hatches at FTFF while I worked on other things. While rummaging through my box of bits for this plane I stumbled across a square piece of styrene sheet and remembered it was for the aileron servo cover. It needs some trimming but will work just fine... THANK YOU PATRICK! The plan is to glue the nacelle to the cover and secure the cover using two screws. I will use some bamboo skewers glued into the foam nacelle as locator dowels and drill a couple of holes into the firewall to secure things on the front end. It will be simple, secure, and functional.
The paint should be cured out by this evening so I think that I could have this mostly wrapped up by tonight. Once I get the wing re-installed and all the struts secured then I can clean up the removable struts for the outer wing panels and paint them red. The struts do have specific locations and I will use small dabs of colored paint to identify where they are to go. I'll document that. It will save a lot of headache for assembly at the field.
You can see from this photo the additional struts for the v-stab. This prevents the stab from moving fore and aft and really ties it down to get the rudder to behave the way it should. This is a scale strut so it was going on anyway.
I did find the decals for the propeller.
Here is the top of the engine nacelle. Paint is drying but you get the idea. a bit dirty and has the hammered look to it. Rustoleum makes this paint. Its a basic silver but is formulated to have the hammered look. I really like it for this application.
So, for the top nacelle hold-down there is a hatch that needs to go over the aileron servo. Patrick (earthsciteach) made all the servo hatches at FTFF while I worked on other things. While rummaging through my box of bits for this plane I stumbled across a square piece of styrene sheet and remembered it was for the aileron servo cover. It needs some trimming but will work just fine... THANK YOU PATRICK! The plan is to glue the nacelle to the cover and secure the cover using two screws. I will use some bamboo skewers glued into the foam nacelle as locator dowels and drill a couple of holes into the firewall to secure things on the front end. It will be simple, secure, and functional.
The paint should be cured out by this evening so I think that I could have this mostly wrapped up by tonight. Once I get the wing re-installed and all the struts secured then I can clean up the removable struts for the outer wing panels and paint them red. The struts do have specific locations and I will use small dabs of colored paint to identify where they are to go. I'll document that. It will save a lot of headache for assembly at the field.
Spastickitten
Senior Member
Will this be considered your build off project?
No, Far too complete. 
Spastickitten
Senior Member
What's your build for that? The p40 part 2?
I've never built a P-40. I think you may have me confused with someone else. I've not decided yet but I have two months to do so!
Spastickitten
Senior Member
SORRY, the names are so close!
Now that you mention it the usernames are pretty close
I haven't picked my build either. I HAVE to finish the Tomcat this winter and it is too far along to enter. Right now I'm thinking about the Oracle Pitts Challenger III. I've wanted to model that since I met Sean Tucker a few years back. Lots to think about though...
+1 for the challenger. Maybe I'll copy your build and do a Wolf Pro 8 or a Prometheus II.
Well, I currently have what is in my signature to finish. I also have kits for the 60 size top flite p-51 and f4u. I also just got some plans scanned and would love to but a Fokker DVIII. Been having another WWI itch as of late.
Don't do what I did. I have too many projects to finish and not enough time to finish them. Remember the Corsair I started for the build off last year? That's still a project I have to finish.
Ok, here we are end of the road.
So we dab a little paint onto the ring terminal
THen we press the ring terminal up into the wing to where it will sit.
Once dry, screw in. When separated it is a matter of matching colors.
So we dab a little paint onto the ring terminal
THen we press the ring terminal up into the wing to where it will sit.
Once dry, screw in. When separated it is a matter of matching colors.
Thanks for following along. Its been a fun build. I will be posting in-flight video when I can but the weather looks crummy for some time.
Spastickitten
Senior Member
Don't forget the high five trick! Don't want to see this making a snow flurrie.
Absolutely gorgeous! It's a shame that you don't have a place near by to get the feet wet.
That is an incredible build. I stopped by a few times throughout FF2015 to watch your progress. It took the rough shape so fast it was amazing. I would have stopped at what you flew Sunday and called it a success. At that point I was already very impressed. But now that it is complete, blown away.
At this point I would be afraid to fly it and hang it up somewhere.
Just as a curiosity, what is the weight difference between the finished plane and what you flew at Flite Fest?
At this point I would be afraid to fly it and hang it up somewhere.
Just as a curiosity, what is the weight difference between the finished plane and what you flew at Flite Fest?
