What'cha workin' on?

[KRProton]

I wish there was more airplane stuff in the forums, so I thought I'd start this thread. Nothing necessarily important, just something to look at when you check in.

So here's my CMAD Too Sweet that got tangled up with Dennis Cranfil's Wild Turkey after takeoff in the second-to-last round down at the Tangerine. I'm sorry Dennis. I dont know what happened. We got off well and were clear and away toward pylon 1, but here it is. I was quite upset because I had already lost another beautiful Q40 (my black and blue Sweet 1) in a mysterious snap roll at pylon 1 after takeoff during a practice run. After our takeoff mishap there was only one more round to go and I had thrown in the towel and was packed up and ready to drive home. But I didn't want to go out like that and mustered the will to get out my backup and fly the final round to go out on a high note (only to zero-out after getting a double cut!).

Anyway, the wing was totaled, but the fuse was repairable. It had a crack from wing fillet to wing fillet. The rear wing bolt plate was busted in two and the wing fillets were cracked on both sides at the wing bolt plates. I gutted the fuse and put in glass cloth and carbon tow where needed. Then got out the filler, sandpaper and paint. I got a new wing from Tom, but it was white with black and orange trim. Before painting the fuse I put in new front and back wing bolt plates to drill fresh holes for the new wing. (The bolt holes in the new wing didn't quite match up to the bolt holes in the fuse.) I potted the wing to the fuse with clear RTV, then painted just the top of the wing to match the fuse.

Here's a few random pics I have of part of the process.

Feel free to tag on photos and a story about whatever you have going - repairs, building from new, whatever.

Tim Lampe

[KRProton]

Got my yellow Sweet 1 under way. I get them without the firewall installed to save a couple bucks. This time I laser cut the firewall from four pieces of 1/8" ply; the top layer from what I call aircraft ply which has five layers instead of three layers with more common birch ply. It is desired to have the firewall hard, right?

Tim Lampe

[VooDoo]

Started the mods to the Mk1 Caudron mould to convert it to EQ40. I'm going to make a new mould piece to replace the mould that forms the pipe tunnel. To do this I'm using a damaged fuselage that I'll fill and shape the underside of the nose section, once that's done I'll put it back into the mould and make the new mould piece.

[Fly Fast n Left]

Not necessarily airframe related but I did get the start of a test stand underway. Unsure on what to mount it on at the moment, deciding between a cinder block or a large wooden block.

[stoned]

I'm building a new Hot stuff from Advanced pylon products. Maiden flight is tomorrow.

[KRProton]

I'm building a new Hot stuff from Advanced pylon products. Maiden flight is tomorrow.

MN, that's beautiful Dean! From what I've seen, those things are lightening fast! Good luck man. I'm making great progress on my Sweet 1. Hope to see you out there again in a while!

Best of luck!

Tim

[fizzwater2]

Likewise, not an airplane, but working on a new test stand. 1 1/2" oak baseplate, 18 oz tettra tank. Lonnie Finch shot automotive two-part clear on it for me while he was painting airplanes.

I have a small aluminum folding footstool I am thinking of mounting it to, with an eyebolt for a restraining rope/stake. Portable without taking up a lot of room.

[KRProton]

Ha ha! That's crazy! Your test stand looks a lot like mine!

My first stand was a piece of 1/2" plywood (with the Jett engine mount bolted to it), but when I bought a new 426 engine I caught on to the rigidity thing with test stands. I tried the cinder block thing, but the bolts wouldn't hold and the engine mount kept coming loose, so I went to an oak block of wood. Two 3/4" sheets glued together to make it 1-1/2" thick. I even potted the engine mount to the block. Going to get bolted to my portable work bench when it's time to run the engine.

I want to consult Dub and Mike Langlois and ask them what are there suggestions for test stands for an article in the Pylon Racing column in Model Aviation.

Tim Lampe

[fizzwater2]

Nice, TIm! I also used two pieces of 3/4" oak glued together for the base. Had the 18 oz Tettra around. Three of us in the area have been sharing a test stand for the last couple of years with the same tank on it, and it's great for breaking in the engines. Less refueling to get the job done.

If I get ambitious one of these days, I'll see about bolting the stand to the folding step stool & see how it works out. Otherwise it can be screwed down to one of our benches at the club field. I doubt the neighbors would take very kindly to me breaking in engines in the back yard..

[KRProton]

Yea, I'm liking a bladder tank. I used a Tetra 6 oz. a couple times, but too much refueling! I didn't realize they make a Tetra that big! (The 18 oz. you have.) I'll have to get me one of those!

...Oops! $40.00 at Central Hobbies! Maybe I'll stick with the DuBro for now.

Tim

[fizzwater2]

a friend picked this one up at a swap meet I think it was, for a lot less...

I think for a test stand, the bladder isn't so important, just use a bigger tank.

[KRProton]

Got a Shark EF1 going for a friend. The project was provided already framed up, so I'm doing the finish including fitting the plastic...

Tim Lampe

[Terry Frazer]

Raise your tank on the stand

[Joe Tropea]

Chopping away at a new Strega for the NATS. Apparently my spinner went on a diet!

[airplanescotty]

The clear tanks allow you to see fuel level,, and before empty avoid going lean!