Pilot 40% 330 Recover and Build

Xpress said:

My guess is the canopy was green originally and was painted red to match the airplane. Probably didn't have any red canopies ready to go.

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That is what my thoughts have been. But very perplexing as it is, I have never seen a Pilot RC Extra 330sc in any green schemes. I have been thinking that there was an error in the factory and someone mistook it for an Edge canopy. Either way, very mysterious. I may... contact Tony for a new unpainted canopy and unpainted split cowl. I don't know... just want no "damn its"!

stangflyer said:

That is what my thoughts have been. But very perplexing as it is, I have never seen a Pilot RC Extra 330sc in any green schemes. I have been thinking that there was an error in the factory and someone mistook it for an Edge canopy. Either way, very mysterious. I may... contact Tony for a new unpainted canopy and unpainted split cowl. I don't know... just want no "damn its"!

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One of two green schemes they had. Handsome airplane!

And this is the latest version.......I have this scheme but red white black .

Jetpainter said:

One of two green schemes they had. Handsome airplane!

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49dimes said:

And this is the latest version.......I have this scheme but red white black .

View attachment 103984

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Wow! I stand corrected! I remembered immediately Kelly once seeing the photo you posted. And as for the one Doug posted... um, duh!!!

Now I feel pretty stupid. I honestly could not remember any green Pilot schemes on the 330. But once seeing them, it's like... der!!!

So would it be safe to assume that @Xpress hit the nail on the head? No red, so repainted a green? This is actually very helpful. Now I know how to proceed with said canopy. I am going to shoot it with primer. (Once final sanding is done) if the primer stays down with no issues, I will then paint it and be done with it. Lol

Thanks guys for helping me out with my Alzheimer's.

stangflyer said:

Wow! I stand corrected! I remembered immediately Kelly once seeing the photo you posted. And as for the one Doug posted... um, duh!!!
View attachment 103989
Now I feel pretty stupid. I honestly could not remember any green Pilot schemes on the 330. But once seeing them, it's like... der!!!

So would it be safe to assume that @Xpress hit the nail on the head? No red, so repainted a green? This is actually very helpful. Now I know how to proceed with said canopy. I am going to shoot it with primer. (Once final sanding is done) if the primer stays down with no issues, I will then paint it and be done with it. Lol

Thanks guys for helping me out with my Alzheimer's.

View attachment 103990

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Most welcome. Lost minds think alike . And Yeah...Tanner got it right

Well, here we go. I'm going to "attempt" priming the canopy tonight. Wish me luck fellas.
(I'll need all the luck I can get!)

Before masking the canopy, I wet sanded the canopy with 400 then 600 grit wet/dry sandpaper.



Masked off and ready to shoot.



After the first shot of primer...



And after the second and then last coat of primer...



I have to reiterate a comment about the Wings West RC paint and primer that I made back when I built/painted the Jtec Pitts. This stuff goes on so good and so damned easy that it makes even a complete novice as I look like a 40 year veteran and professional. Not a single "damn it"! I hope the paint and clear coat goes on just as nicely.

I will let the canopy primer cure and really set up before going further. In the meantime, I have a cowl to get to sanding on. But first, coffee and pie at Shari's then beddy bye time.

Wow... I'm so excited to be realizing this big 330 is close to maiden. Night fellas...

Ok, a couple more before I go. Because I've learned a very hard lesson about leaving masking tape on plastic too long... I have removed the masking paper and tape. Now... I will let the canopy cure. Darn near perfect guys...

Hey Buddy,

Your definition of "novice" must be different from mine. . . . . . That primer job on your canopy looks awesome. . . . .

HRRC Flyer said:

Hey Buddy,

Your definition of "novice" must be different from mine. . . . . . That primer job on your canopy looks awesome. . . . .

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Thanks bro. If I can only have the same results with the paint and then the clear... oh what a glorious journey it will have been.

Its looking good primer has doen its job now all you have to do is paint it and clear it then it will be ready, getting there one step at a time.