My models update...

All model aircraft discussion

My models update...

Postby Spitfire » Fri Jan 10, 2014 4:10 pm

So - now I've returned - let me regale you with where I am and have been over the last couple of years model wise ......

My ongoing radio controlled 1/10th scale Spitfire project has been hanging around the workshop for ages and ages - I keep losing interest and then getting bursts of interest and it gets moved around so much it gets damaged and repaired more than it gets built :p

I also had a disaster in that I fitted the motor (which will be electric) and couldn't resist the chance to start her up by way of a test.... I held the fuselage on my lap with the motor pointing up the workshop and opened up gradually to full throttle only to hear a splintering noise and the motor - it's associated electrics and mounting bulkhead - shot up the workshop and hit the door :( Fortunately the motor is connected by plugs and sockets so it dutifully unplugged itself as it left... ;)

This then involved a complete rethink and rebuild of the nose - with attendant surgery - all completed now and the last motor run was most successful.

Last job was glass fibre cloth being epoxied on to the balsa to strengthen in relevant places - and I am now waiting for a delivery of lightweight modelling tissue paper which will then be applied with dope all over the stucture to seal the wood before paint is applied.

The actual 'build' is now complete - and all I now have left is the fiddly fettling of the controls - control surfaces - internal electrics - pilot installation - cockpit fixing - painting - markings ... it will be painted as MH434 ... my 'hero' so to speak ... [trivia - did you know that the word MYLCRAINE on the side of MH434 is the christian name of the wife of it's wartime pilot Pilot Officer Henry Patrick (Pat) LARDNER-BURKE]
Image

So this is where we are now ... the darker orange is the glass fibre reinforcing - the white is all the lightweight filler where it's been repaired over the months ;)

Image
Image
User avatar
Spitfire
Boeing 747
Boeing 747
 
Posts: 5207
Joined: Wed Dec 10, 2008 11:06 am
Location: Hayle, SW Cornwall

Re: My models update...

Postby RLN » Fri Jan 10, 2014 5:27 pm

"I also had a disaster in that I fitted the motor (which will be electric) and couldn't resist the chance to start her up by way of a test.... I held the fuselage on my lap with the motor pointing up the workshop and opened up gradually to full throttle only to hear a splintering noise and the motor - it's associated electrics and mounting bulkhead - shot up the workshop and hit the door :( Fortunately the motor is connected by plugs and sockets so it dutifully unplugged itself as it left... ;)"

I'm sorry, but I couldn't help but laugh....I could just see that happening. Still she's looking very nice. If you actually got on with it :p how much longer before she's ready to fly?
User avatar
RLN
Moderator
Moderator
 
Posts: 15713
Joined: Sat Oct 04, 2008 2:13 pm

Re: My models update...

Postby Mayfly » Fri Jan 10, 2014 5:34 pm

It's his flowery prose that does it. :ymapplause:

Pleased to hear it's finally in one piece and not got bits hanging off it!!!
In memory of a very dear friend - Mike Pearson

Very fond memories of Robbie Gilvary - DTs 1st Vulcan Captain who taught DT all he knew.
User avatar
Mayfly
Moderator
Moderator
 
Posts: 29760
Joined: Mon Sep 29, 2008 7:11 pm
Location: Bomber County

Re: My models update...

Postby Spitfire » Fri Jan 10, 2014 7:31 pm

RLN wrote: how much longer before she's ready to fly?


At my current rate ... about 4 years :p

RLN wrote:I'm sorry, but I couldn't help but laugh....I could just see that happening.


I have to say I smiled too - especially at the 'unplugging' ... it actually disconnected itself very neatly :))

You can see in the top photo the door it hit - on the right - and I'm standing where it started ... it's a good 12ft.....and it was travelling at a rate of knots ... the resultant balsa carnage looked bad - but that's the beauty of balsa ... cut out the old stuff with a good sharp scalpel and cyano/epoxy in some new stuff and off you go again ;)

Mayfly wrote:It's his flowery prose that does it. :ymapplause:


We aim to please ;)
User avatar
Spitfire
Boeing 747
Boeing 747
 
Posts: 5207
Joined: Wed Dec 10, 2008 11:06 am
Location: Hayle, SW Cornwall


Return to Aircraft Models

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 4 guests

cron