While I've been distracted for a couple weeks on other projects (almost done with the balsa framing on the mini tele) and fun (more Tiny Whoop racing), this project keeps percolating in the back of my mind. And after discussion of ideas with Mason on a long drive up to the AMA expo this weekend, I've got updates to the internal structure plan and some new energy to get back onto this project. :applause:
First the canard. It keeps bugging me how using those balsa wings as canards just doesn't match the scale outline enough. And I still haven't got my longer hot-wire working via the transformer power supply. But after a quick experiment with just plugging in a 3s 2200 mah lipo directly to the wire, I'm cutting fine again! So I am going to go back to hot wire cut canard panels with fiberglass arrow shaft spars up front.
For the fuselage internal structure, I'm going to cut plywood interior side walls and floor with some lightning holes and a little bit of cross bracing. Glued together and to the foam body with Great Stuff expanding foam insulation. It seems the simplest path to good structural integrity down the fuselage length. Not the lightest solution, but still having a high chance of success at the primary job of not letting the fuselage fold in half when carried or landed for the first time.
On the wings, I'm going away from the two 48" wing panels mounted to the fuselage sides. Instead there will be a center wing section permanently installed through the fuselage that is long enough to contain both the landing gear and the engine nacelles. Then two smaller wing tip panels with ailerons will complete the full 100". I still need to do some measuring, and a quick mock up to make sure I can load it into my car this way. But this greatly simplifies the spars and bracing concerns at the fuselage - I can now do plywood I beam or T beam spars that stay in place. It also really cleans up the wiring and field setup - just add battery at the field and connect the ailerons instead of all the esc and gear connections too.
So with the new plan and some renewed energy, I'm entering the FW-42 into the March Madness challenge to finish up a stalled project in the month of March. With some focus, I should be able to get her maiden ready by the end of the month. But that also means I need to figure out and source the power plants in time... so maybe that's more like April... but hey - journey of a thousand miles starts with one step, right?
