The 'What did you do in your workshop tonight?' thread

[AKNick]

I have some Boeing F4-B4 1/6 scale (60") plans from RCM that an old aircraft mechanic friend of mine and was basically a mentor for me beginning my A&P carrier as an aircraft mechanic. He gave the plans to me, saying it was his favorite plane and always wanted to build a model of it. He wasn't a huge RC modeler, maybe built a couple in his time. At any rate, after five years getting to know the guy he ended up taking his own life. PTSD from Vietnam, and a little trouble at home were suspects leading up to him leaving us tragically. Without going into too much detail, he was a very respected dude, and this was maybe ten years ago.

Fast forward to today. I retrieved the plans from my toolbox and started doing some research. Made a balsa/ply/wire list on BalsaUSA to see what I was dealing with... $160 for all of it minus the spars. More research concluded that this plane is very short coupled which concerns me. I'm a tail dragger for life, but the flight reports are marginal at best. I think it would be fun to build it in his honor, but I also have a feeling it wont fly much. I'm going to admit I've never done a scratch build before like this... really debating if it's worth it or not for this model.

Do any of you cut your own spars? This one is 3/8"X3/8" Sq Spruce. 2 @ 30", 2 @ 60". What options are out there...? Other than ordering online that is. Guessing some tight strait grain lumber of sorts. Now that I think about it, I bet I could find some scrap super cub/champ scrap spar material here on the airfield and take the table saw to them....

Here are the plans I found online:
https://outerzone.co.uk/plan_details.asp?ID=6510
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=31179341&postcount=3622

 

[Alky6]

With all the "Electric Buzz" going around my half witted mind came up with a new Idea for a gasser.....

With Pilots new "Quick Release" Canopy system I decided to go "Switchless" .

I made a removeable flight control board and "bused" power to "everything". Two 2S 2000mah Lipo's will get mounted under the rudder servo tray (One to the left of and one to right of rudder servo). All servos and ignition power simply plug in to it. To power up for a flight simply plug in the two batteries. When finished with a flight release the canopy and unplug the batteries. Like an "electric" .

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Dimes, where did you find the bulkhead fittings for the batt connections? Very, very clean setup!

 

[49dimes]

That’s the way I did my 55cc profile. Open wing hatch and unplug the battery.

OK Great....Maybe not so much my idea .

You fancy.

Thanks Bro!

Dimes, where did you find the bulkhead fittings for the batt connections? Very, very clean setup!

Thanks Paul.... https://hobbyking.com/en_us/xt60-panel-mounting-kit.html

They have bunches of "electric goodies" to get creative with .

 

[49dimes]

The "switchless" flight system is coming along nicely. Got the batteries where I want them. The leads from the batteries were a bit short so last night I made a pair of short block extensions from male and female XT60 connectors. Very easy to get at and grip to unplug.

 

[AKNick]

Not too shabby for venturing into the unknown world of scratch build modification. Need to notch to make some room for the 1/4” balsa sticks. Makes some lightinging holes and glue away.

 

[AKNick]

Sticks are glued in place. Far from perfect but the important parts are aligned well. That was a lot of work. But that’s ok... because I opened up my door and saw 3-4” of new snow on my truck just now.

 

[49dimes]

That was a lot of work. But that’s ok... because I opened up my door and saw 3-4” of new snow on my truck just now.
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So you telling us you got lots to do....

 

[Snoopy1]

Sticks are glued in place. Far from perfect but the important parts are aligned well. That was a lot of work. But that’s ok... because I opened up my door and saw 3-4” of new snow on my truck just now.
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[Snoopy1]

@AKNick
That build will keep you busy for a couple days. Looks like real building weather, we just got 12 inches on Sunday and it is right now -4 degrees Fahrenheit. Let’s say we are going flying today.

 

[Xpress]

Got my new Multiplex FunRay all programmed up last night. I did some initial flying on Saturday with it setup like a conventional airplane, but gliders need more specific programming to take advantage of lift conditions out on the slope. So I programmed in my thermal and speed settings, as well as full length ailerons, and landing mixes last night. Can't wait to get it back out on the slope on a good day and see what it can really do