Author Topic: Finishing the Thundergazer (Read 22828 times)

Randy Powell · « **Reply #50 on:** June 29, 2014, 09:22:25 PM »

Is it soup yet?

MarcusCordeiro · « **Reply #51 on:** July 16, 2014, 12:51:44 PM »

Almost ready for base coat.
What you see, 41.2 Oz...
I hope I can keep it light enough...

Marcus

Avaiojet · « **Reply #52 on:** July 16, 2014, 05:29:53 PM »

Marcus,

Hey! Hey! The Mark!

Not nit-pickin, but it doesn't look like you've done much to it since your last post, except for assembly?

Are you working on a secrete project that's taking up your time?

To prove I look all your photos over, always do, is this a repair?

Another thing I just thought of. To paint that model it has to be disassembled. One would think?

You will have to tie the scheme in with all the parts, then separate for paint. All paint areas will have to line up from one part to the next. That's a task in itself, unless you keep it simple.

Got any ideas for that?

Looks great! Doesn't sanded primer feel nice.

Charles

MarcusCordeiro · « **Reply #53 on:** July 16, 2014, 06:21:16 PM »

That's because sanding doesn't show that much, but believe me, i've done a lot of it...LOL

Marcus

Avaiojet · « **Reply #54 on:** July 16, 2014, 06:46:00 PM »

Quote from: MarcusCordeiro on July 16, 2014, 06:21:16 PM

That's because sanding doesn't show that much, but believe me, i've done a lot of it...LOL

Marcus

Yes Mark, I was kidding about your efforts. You've worked hard on this model.

Hey! You're still not getting off that easily.

What about that crack, if it is? Gotta be a story there.

What happened?

Charles

MarcusCordeiro · « **Reply #55 on:** August 29, 2014, 03:27:53 PM »

Getting back in business...
I've done tons of sanding, and am totally happy with the result.
I had to finish ghe tank compartment, and so I did.
Winter sucks....

Marcus

Steve Helmick · « **Reply #56 on:** August 29, 2014, 11:21:04 PM »

Quote from: Avaiojet on July 16, 2014, 06:46:00 PM

Yes Mark, I was kidding about your efforts. You've worked hard on this model.

Hey! You're still not getting off that easily.

What about that crack, if it is? Gotta be a story there.

What happened?

Charles

Looks to me like it's a "Come-Apart" model, as we call them locally. Wing comes off, stabalizer comes off, elevators come off the stabalizer, flaps come off the wing, LG comes off, rudder comes off, fin comes off the fuselage, etc. Just like the kit shows. Locally, most make their wings in 2 pcs., so they'll fit into an airline legal sized box for flying to NATS, Europe, etc. When they are around home or after arriving at the contest, usually only the outboard wing is removed to fit into the rental car. Looks like Marcus has a one piece wing, however, like Thundergazer designer Dave Fitzgerald's. So, now you know what that crack is. Often camoflaged by inklines or paint trim edges...

Steve

john e. holliday · « **Reply #57 on:** August 30, 2014, 09:05:24 AM »

Marcus you are doing great on the build. Now you want some of the 100+F degrees we are having here in Kansas.

MarcusCordeiro · « **Reply #58 on:** September 01, 2014, 08:05:52 PM »

Thanks Doc...
Speaking of take-apart stuff... I hope these are the right size....

Marcus

Avaiojet · « **Reply #59 on:** September 02, 2014, 07:54:04 AM »

Quote from: Steve Helmick on August 29, 2014, 11:21:04 PM

Looks to me like it's a "Come-Apart" model, as we call them locally. Wing comes off, stabalizer comes off, elevators come off the stabalizer, flaps come off the wing, LG comes off, rudder comes off, fin comes off the fuselage, etc. Just like the kit shows. Locally, most make their wings in 2 pcs., so they'll fit into an airline legal sized box for flying to NATS, Europe, etc. When they are around home or after arriving at the contest, usually only the outboard wing is removed to fit into the rental car. Looks like Marcus has a one piece wing, however, like Thundergazer designer Dave Fitzgerald's. So, now you know what that crack is. Often camoflaged by inklines or paint trim edges... Steve

Steve,

Thanks for that info.

I went back and viewed Marcus' photos.

This is astonishing! It's also quite common I found out.

I could never find the patients for this type of construction.

Every piece must be painted separately!

Great work Marcus!

MarcusCordeiro · « **Reply #60 on:** September 08, 2014, 04:31:59 PM »

Poor man's painting jig... Old chair, no Money,and some time to kill....

Marcus

john e. holliday · « **Reply #61 on:** September 09, 2014, 11:31:00 AM »

If it works, don't complain. Some times I wish I had wheels on my paint stand.

MarcusCordeiro · « **Reply #62 on:** September 09, 2014, 04:51:34 PM »

John

It did work!!!!
Base is on....

Marcus

Randy Powell · « **Reply #63 on:** September 10, 2014, 10:40:50 AM »

Well, you will certainly be able to see it.

Avaiojet · « **Reply #64 on:** September 10, 2014, 11:48:03 AM »

The "Mark" of excellence!

Great choice that yellow.

Much can be done with a base coat of yellow. A good start!

I like it!

MarcusCordeiro · « **Reply #65 on:** September 25, 2014, 07:01:02 PM »

After some sanding, I thought a second coat would be a good idea...
Now let me paint the canopy...

Marcus

Steve Helmick · « **Reply #66 on:** September 26, 2014, 05:32:42 PM »

Marcus...just wondering...did you spray a coat of white between primer and yellow?

Steve

MarcusCordeiro · « **Reply #67 on:** September 29, 2014, 04:10:21 PM »

Hi Steve

No, I didn't... I'm trying to keep this as light as I can...
I've painted the canopy, by the way....
Will work on the trim....

Marcus

MarcusCordeiro · « **Reply #68 on:** October 21, 2014, 07:46:00 PM »

I am using vinyl to add some trim...
Hope it gets good....
We shall see...

Marcus

john e. holliday · « **Reply #69 on:** October 22, 2014, 09:12:38 AM »

That yellow really stand out.

David_Stack · « **Reply #70 on:** October 22, 2014, 09:30:10 AM »

An attractive model, with a smooth finish in the colors of your country; it can only be nicknamed "The Brazilian"!!!

MarcusCordeiro · « **Reply #71 on:** October 22, 2014, 04:51:21 PM »

Thanks guys...

This is done...

Marcus

MarcusCordeiro · « **Reply #72 on:** October 24, 2014, 04:36:22 PM »

Today's efforts...

Marcus

Avaiojet · « **Reply #73 on:** October 24, 2014, 04:48:19 PM »

Marcus,

Looks really good!

"ORDEM E PROGRESSO"

MarcusCordeiro · « **Reply #74 on:** October 25, 2014, 12:35:17 PM »

Thank you Charles!!

Marcus

MarcusCordeiro · « **Reply #75 on:** October 30, 2014, 03:00:38 PM »

Clear is on....

Marcus

MarcusCordeiro · « **Reply #76 on:** November 03, 2014, 10:41:33 AM »

Buffing... this may take a while....

Marcus

Avaiojet · « **Reply #77 on:** November 03, 2014, 11:03:35 AM »

The "Mark" of excellence!

Back a bit you said you were using vinyl for trim colors? Is that trim vinyl?

Did you clear the model? Clear the vinyl?

I love your yellow so much, I'm going to paint my "Mean Lean Stunt Machine" Yellow also.

Exactly what yellow is that?

MarcusCordeiro · « **Reply #78 on:** November 03, 2014, 12:55:14 PM »

Charles

The vinyl i used is Oracal, from the same ,manufacturer of Oracover, and it worked very well.
I cleared over the vinyl, yes.
The yellow is "Traffic Yellow".... I will try to get the color code for you when I go to the store....

Marcus

Avaiojet · « **Reply #79 on:** November 03, 2014, 01:16:34 PM »

Quote from: MarcusCordeiro on November 03, 2014, 12:55:14 PM

Charles

The vinyl i used is Oracal, from the same ,manufacturer of Oracover, and it worked very well.
I cleared over the vinyl, yes.
The yellow is "Traffic Yellow".... I will try to get the color code for you when I go to the store....

Marcus

Marcus,

Thanks for that.

What clear did you use?

When modelers order vinyl that they clear, I scratch the vinyl up with 600 before I cut any graphics or lettering.

MarcusCordeiro · « **Reply #80 on:** November 14, 2014, 08:53:25 PM »

A little more...

Marcus

MarcusCordeiro · « **Reply #81 on:** November 19, 2014, 01:03:11 PM »

I had a little accident with the stab, which made a few dents on the top of it, so I had to do a repair and repaint some of it...
Already just done... LOL....
Now, the rest of the buffing and glue the hinges, all that is missing....

Marcus

Randy Powell · « **Reply #82 on:** November 22, 2014, 01:27:47 PM »

Yea, I was just about done with my last plane and dropped the cowl putting a wicked gash in it. So, repair, repaint and move one. Fun stuff.

RknRusty · « **Reply #83 on:** November 22, 2014, 09:00:56 PM »

Yeah, my last model was just finished, so beautiful, ready for showing off, when I cut a piece of music wire and the cut piece flew in a beautiful arc across the table and speared the wing like a javelin. I guess that's better than an exacto knife.
Rusty

MarcusCordeiro · « **Reply #84 on:** November 30, 2014, 11:51:35 AM »

So, this is it.
I have to sand one top wing panel and buff the wing, glue the flaps, and assemble everything.
If nothing unexpected happens, it should maiden next weekend.
What you see in the pics 47oz...
So, it will not be the lightest ship on the block, but I am very happy with it.

Marcus

Randy Powell · « **Reply #85 on:** November 30, 2014, 02:12:12 PM »

That's Bad Ass.

MarcusCordeiro · « **Reply #86 on:** December 19, 2014, 02:22:24 PM »

She maidens on sunday... wish me luck!!!!!

Marcus

Avaiojet · « **Reply #87 on:** December 19, 2014, 02:46:58 PM »

Quote from: MarcusCordeiro on December 19, 2014, 02:22:24 PM

She maidens on sunday... wish me luck!!!!!

Marcus

The "Mark" of excellence!

I love quoting lines from movies. From the movie Taken, "Good luck."

RknRusty · « **Reply #88 on:** December 19, 2014, 06:05:13 PM »

I'm looking forward to your flight report Marcus. I've been watching this one from the beginning.
Good luck.
Rusty

MarcusCordeiro · « **Reply #89 on:** December 21, 2014, 09:13:37 AM »

So, here it is...
I hadn't had the chance to check its weight ready to fly... Not good as it came out at 71oz...
Anyway, though it was ridiculously windy, I went on for a first flight and was Lucky, actually very Lucky because the ship showed some bad behavior.
Tail heavy, I felt that right at the take off. I seems like I have to add a little tip weight and move the leadouts back.
I didn't feel that weight was a problem, which was good... I know the lighter the better, but the engine ran ok, though a little rich and there was no overheating.
I was worried about tthat since I din't make openings on the cowl...
Anyway, I'll try to trim this ship a little more, and have a B plan, since it's a take apart, I may try to replace the foam stab/elev for a balsa one and can build another tail part. I've borrowed a scale and will check everything out.
Bene said I should have focused on building lighter and less on a shiny finishing...
And we had a good laugh about that....
This is the first (crash) landing....
Whatever you guys think could help me trim this baby, speak your mind.
Oh, my friend Fabio flew his ship, which is already trimmed and stuff, and said he felt the same thing happening to his ship... So, bad day to maiden it...
No damages other than a scratch on the cowl...
I'll be back with the weight of the parts....
Anyway, I'm very happy, I didn't crash...LOL

Marcus

Allan Perret · « **Reply #90 on:** December 21, 2014, 11:31:38 AM »

Always a good idea on 1st flight to make sure that cg is close to the fwd end of the design's range.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #91 on:** December 21, 2014, 03:12:49 PM »

Yea, I had a maiden flight on a new design that I wasn't even close with the CG. Very tail heavy. It's an exciting first flight. Yeow!

john e. holliday · « **Reply #92 on:** December 21, 2014, 04:48:58 PM »

Along with the weather part of it could have been post crash jitters and not wanting to do it again. At least it is flying and you have something to work with.

RknRusty · « **Reply #93 on:** December 21, 2014, 05:29:42 PM »

Good going Marcus, thanks for posting. Could definitely see some hunting, and the flag was really snapping in the wind. I held my breath after the engine cut... I bet you did too. Is that the flying site that is right by the beach? I bet wind is the norm there.
Rusty

MarcusCordeiro · « **Reply #94 on:** January 20, 2015, 04:39:26 PM »

It's getting better....
Ths vídeo was the second day of flights.
It's got better since then...
Need a bigger venturi...

Marcus

john e. holliday · « **Reply #95 on:** January 21, 2015, 11:57:50 AM »

Looks much better.

MarcusCordeiro · « **Reply #96 on:** March 17, 2015, 02:59:23 PM »

Well, here's a vídeo of "The Locomotive" at the contest past weekend.
Thanks PAMPA, StuntNews and Mr. Paul Walker for the trimming chart, which was absolutely important for getting this ship to flying a decente pattern.
The 2-part clear I used seems to be failing in a few spots, so i will have to repaint the pipe and engine cowls and touch up some parts of the nose, so I will take advantage of this and make a few move vents on them to improve engine cooling...
This ship is the accomplishment of a boy's dream of one day building, finishing and flying a big stunt ship...
I'd like to thank a few people here...
Mr. Martiniano Quartim, Mr. Randy Cuberly, Mr. Bob Hunt and Mr. David Fitzgerald; all my club members and friends for their support and enthusiasm; and last, but not least, all of you who came here and had the patience of following such a long thread!!!
You all were at the field with me, in my heart....

Thanks and never give up your dreams, never....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zufqZVqzQOo&feature=youtu.be

Marcus

john e. holliday · « **Reply #97 on:** March 17, 2015, 04:47:58 PM »

The plane looks great. Why are you looking so grumpy?