Scale RCM 1/3 Scale Champ Build

[Snoopy1]

In my area a large snowfall is predicted for tomorrow night, nuts.

 

[TonyHallo]

Lost a cap today so need to take time out to see the dentist, lost hope of painting. Added lifting handle to right rear par the 3 view. Also began making an entrance step. Some lite ply, 1/4" streamline tube, filler, JB weld and away we go.

 

[TonyHallo]

Here is a photo of the entrance step. I filled the 3/8" streamline tube with JB weld on the end so that I could screw the step to the tube. The step is then screwed in place with more JB Weld. The rounded portion of the step is wood filler I had left over for the remodeling work, it is a Bondo product that is polyester based and sets quickly, I think I will use it in the future as well.. Once painted I will put a coat of truck bed liner on the step as an antiskid surface. Currently primed with self etch primer.

 

[TonyHallo]

Got a coat of Ekofill on the fuselage today. Did not use the exhaust fan since this is water based primer, no catalysis. This keep the temperature up, low 30's this morning here in southwestern PA. The first coat brings out all the imperfections for sure, a little sanding and some heat smoothing tomorrow. I may dust a second coat of Ekofill on then since you can still heat smooth and iron down the ragged edges.

 

[TonyHallo]

It's always nice to see one color and get the various shades of blue covered up. For comparison here is a photo of the cable exit and lifting handle shown two or three posts above. The weave is not filled yet.

 

[Snoopy1]

You are putting an enormous amount of work and detail into this plane. Are you going inter the plane in scale competition or do you just enjoy doing it.

 

[TonyHallo]

No contest, just enjoy building.

 

[TonyHallo]

Sanded the goobers and heat smoothed the tapes then put a coat of Ekofill on the fuselage. Yesterday I discovered that I used all the white Ekoprime on the tail parts so I'm out of business until it arrives, ordered yesterday, should be here next week, only 200 miles away. Etched the aluminum boot cowl and primed with white Ekopoxy. The boot cowl will be installed on the fuselage and painted with the fuselage. Also primed the tailwheel parts and the entrance step. I'll be happy when the boot cowl is installed, I worry that I will damage it while in storage.

 

[TonyHallo]

Sanded the fuselage three times today, different light during the day brings out more flaws. Sanded and polished the aluminum tailwheel hub, it came out nice. It was a real bugger to get the rubber off the hub, lubed it up with dish soap to install, went on much easier. The main wheels loose air rather quickly, decided to try Slime to seal the air valve. The valve is a 3/16" diameter brass tube, smooth on the outside that fits snugly into the rubber, put two Monoject tubes in, gave it a shot of air and leak checked, OK , we'll see what tomorrow brings. If this doesn't work I will get different wheels, been looking at the Robart site, thinking the 5 1/2" D18 wheel would look nice, https://robart.com/products/aluminum-wheels-for-5-6-tire-1-4-axle. They look a lot like the Goodyear wheels shown in the service manual. $110 each ouch! And what's the sense if they will get covered with a hub cap?
Cut a template for laying out the 7AC orange rear section, used Seetemp, I really like the stuff. I think I bought a roll every year at the Toledo show as well as stocked up with No. 11 blades, still have about 600 or so.
Going to a Pens game tomorrow, will not get much done.

 

[dhal22]

Dang I hate it when I get away from my build for extended time. 3 kids spring sports and the daily need to do something just slips away. Maybe this thread gets me back at it.

Great work Tony.