Author Topic: New Toad (Read 26395 times)

Randy Powell · « **Reply #100 on:** December 01, 2010, 08:36:12 PM »

Mark,

That's the problem. they don't publish the color number. If I can find an actual car, I'll look on the door.

Steve Helmick · « **Reply #101 on:** December 01, 2010, 09:01:31 PM »

Lace paint should be restricted to wheel pants. "Lace Panties" emblazened on the side (PTG's Diva said "Hot Pants", so why not?). It would go great with some "wide whites". And it would be cute to make the LG with two ride heights...but getting them to bounce it up and down may be counter-productive.

Steve

Lauri Malila · « **Reply #102 on:** December 02, 2010, 04:38:52 AM »

Quote from: Steve Helmick on November 22, 2010, 06:58:46 PM

Randy...The double ribs would be great if you are sheeting the last bay and tips...but only if you do both ends!
I do like the idea of sheeting the last bay on each tip to improve torsional stiffys. I also like the 5/8" wing assymetry.

Hi.

Sheeting the tip bays really ads stiffness and same happens when tip blocks are glued in place. Everyone must have noticed it.
But to me it means that cap strips are not doing their work properly. This is a handicap in basically all designs with a traditional construction. The butt-joint between capstrip end and the edge of D-box sheet is just not strong enough.
In a stunt plane it makes not much difference because covering strenghtens the joint. But if you are really into optimizing the structure, like we do in free flight, the capstrips should be firmly recessed (or overlapped when using carbon caps) into D-box.
So much could be done! L

Randy Powell · « **Reply #103 on:** December 02, 2010, 10:03:34 AM »

Lauri,

Well, you may notice that the cap strips on this wing are pretty wide. About 3/8". Part of the reason was to give more glue surface where it meets the leading edge sheeting. Also, there is a lip where the sheer web connects to the leading edge sheeting and the cap strip rests on this. It's not much, but give a pretty firm footing for the cap strip. A locking joint would be better, but I'm not sure how much more you would get versus a lot more work. This wing complete but without flaps weighs about 9.25oz. I don't know I could build this wing much lighter unless I ran into a stash of 3lb balsa sheet.

Lauri Malila · « **Reply #104 on:** December 02, 2010, 10:21:53 AM »

Thanks for explanation, Randy. I did not notice that from the pictures. I wasn't really pointing at your wing, just commenting to what Steve said.
If the tip makes too much work, it's not a harmonic construction. L

Randy Powell · « **Reply #105 on:** December 02, 2010, 10:55:50 AM »

Yes. I was concerned about weight and so tried to figure out ways that would maintain strength but reduce the amount of wood used. It's one of the reasons the tips are hogged out half inch sheet wood (hollowed in the middle) and have the filler pieces at the leading and trailing end. Less work but some reinforcement for the tip end. Not perfect, but like a lot of things, a compromise between using less wood and maintaining some level of structural rigidity.

The stab and rudders were interesting in the same way. The stab is built up with a core of 3/8" balsa and geodetic rib layout with the lightest 1/16" sheet I had. The elevators are just half inch sheet (some 3lb stock I had stashed away). I tried building them the same way the stab was built, but the sheet units were lighter and at least as rigid, so I stuck with them. the rudders are made from two sheets of 3/16" hard sheet balsa that was hollowed out pretty thin and then glued together. This gave me very light units that are somewhat damage resistant.

Fun stuff picking out wood for various components.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #106 on:** December 02, 2010, 09:54:39 PM »

Quote from: Randy Powell on December 01, 2010, 08:36:12 PM

Mark,

That's the problem. they don't publish the color number. If I can find an actual car, I'll look on the door.

Actually, you shouldn't even need the code, that will be harder for you to find. Check an auto dealership brochure or whatever you need to get the proper, exact, name of the color, and then most reputable paint vendors should be able to look it up. Good chance it'll be found in a PPG list.

john e. holliday · « **Reply #107 on:** December 03, 2010, 09:02:46 AM »

My PPG Automotive Paint store has books of all colors. If you don't know the number just look for the color you like. Didn't realize there was so many shades of Green.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #108 on:** December 03, 2010, 09:56:47 AM »

It's been pointed out to me that I was in error. The color is a 2011 color and so not yet in the books. On top of that, it's a tri-color paint and that would mean a base color, a tint and an overcoat to get the exact color. So, not wanting to put 3 full coats of paint on it and increase the all up weight, I am scanning for a similar color. That should be fun.

Larry Cunningham · « **Reply #109 on:** December 03, 2010, 02:47:36 PM »

Randy, I'm looking forward to the finished product!

I'll be honest, the 59 Chevy I've always considered absolutely butt ugly. But 51 years later, the Ranchero version has a certain elegance about it. It's still outrageous and I like your style, drawing inspiration from it.

Here's another subject I'll suggest to you: Buick Riviera. Of course! I'm referring to the 1971 boat tailed version.

I also found another interesting one, the Thunderbird "Silver"..

Keep up the great work, I'm one of the people building vicariously through you.

L.

"There's a great power in words, if you don't hitch too many of them together." -Josh Billings

Randy Powell · « **Reply #110 on:** December 03, 2010, 04:51:22 PM »

Larry,

I'm talking 50 Chev El Camino.

Oh well, tastes vary. Hope I get to work on it this weekend. Busy time.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #111 on:** December 05, 2010, 07:56:53 PM »

Got the cockpit painted tonight (at least the base color and head rest). Try to finish that up tomorrow. The bottom black and pipe area is just about done. I had an idea that seems to be working out OK, so hopefully I can get that ground off tomorrow and get ready to glue on the canopy. When that's done, I'll shoot some pictures.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #112 on:** December 05, 2010, 11:38:08 PM »

Randy Powell · « **Reply #113 on:** December 06, 2010, 09:38:11 AM »

Couple of notes. This is what happens when you are designing your own stuff. I thought I had the bottom block deep enough to handle a Randy Smith pipe I intend to use. It's pretty big around so when I was drawing the thing, I made what I thought was enough allowance for it. Great. Well, when I actually carved the plug for the molded bottom block, turned out it was about 3/16" of an inch too short. In the end I just added a bit of material to the block and moved on. So the actual plane is about 3/16" taller in the fuse that the plan called for. Hey, live and learn. It's didn't cost me much in weight.

Second thing. I thought I had a good method of getting the pipe in and out. But again, it turned out not to work. So, the choices were do a hatch ala Ted Fancher's Special edition. I didn't like that idea due to weight issues. A lot of hardware is needed to make that sort of system work and while it isn't much, it's weight I just didn't want to add. The next was to just cut a gigantic hole in the bottom. I didn't really like that all that much either. In the end, it's sort of what I did, but with a sort of flare that went with the overall design concept. When I get some pictures up, you can see what I did. But I have to say, I've never lined an opening for a pipe tunnel with plywood and built up a fillet like that before. Looks kinda cool.

Go Huskies!!

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #114 on:** December 06, 2010, 12:17:26 PM »

Quote from: Randy Powell on December 06, 2010, 09:38:11 AM

Go Huskies!!

Grumble grumble,,

well at least they decided to keep Wulff for another year,, just wait! next year is gonna be big!

Randy Powell · « **Reply #115 on:** December 06, 2010, 01:19:04 PM »

>>well at least they decided to keep Wulff for another year,, just wait! next year is gonna be big!<<

Well, at least next year will be better. Wulff is starting to get what he wants in there. Better effort than I've seen from them this year. Should be a more interesting Apple Cup next year. The Huskies played great and atrocious in turns. A brilliant play followed by two penalties and a punt. But Polk put up 280 yards. That's not bad.

Though I have to say that was the worst officiating crew in living memory. I mean, 20 minutes to determine ball placement with 30 seconds left. And it was 25° out there. Sheesh!

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #116 on:** December 06, 2010, 02:11:13 PM »

To that I will not disagree,, bad calls both ways though,, so I cant use that as an excuse,,, Thank god for DVRs so I didnt have to sit and wait, and wait ,,,,
Cougs played the same way, some outstanding efforts, followed by well,,, not so outstanding efforts.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #117 on:** December 06, 2010, 06:03:28 PM »

Mark,

Well, for a reward, the Huskies get to go play Nebraska again in the Holiday Bowl. Let's see, they lost by like 4 touchdowns last time...

And they get to play them in Nebraska again next year. Joy!

john e. holliday · « **Reply #118 on:** December 07, 2010, 04:48:31 PM »

Randy, now back to the color of the new plane. Why cover up all that gorgeous structure? Do it in clear.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #119 on:** December 07, 2010, 09:15:36 PM »

Hey John, it's a low rider. Needs to be metallic, pin stripes, pearl, lace, something....

I just need to come up with the rest of the cockpit.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #120 on:** December 07, 2010, 10:14:21 PM »

Just have the cockpit filled with smoke.

Will Hinton · « **Reply #121 on:** December 11, 2010, 04:14:03 PM »

Randy, how 'bout a wood steering wheel, vac gauge, tach & speedo in silver background? Leather seat, floor shift, all that good stuff.

Steve Helmick · « **Reply #122 on:** December 11, 2010, 05:03:57 PM »

Don't f'get the "nekker's nob", aka "suicide knob"!

Steve

Randy Powell · « **Reply #123 on:** December 11, 2010, 09:06:13 PM »

I went a bit simpler. Just not that much room in there. I'm lousy with cockpits. Sigh...

Here it is, more or less. It's still just roughed in, but you get the idea.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #124 on:** December 11, 2010, 10:13:46 PM »

Looks good to me.

What kind of filler is the blue stuff?

Randy Powell · « **Reply #125 on:** December 11, 2010, 10:37:32 PM »

Wayne,

It's SuperFil. A very light epoxy filer. Sands pretty easy.

Bill Little · « **Reply #126 on:** December 11, 2010, 11:33:13 PM »

I like the bubble canopy Stunt Machine look. Should look great in the air!

Get a 25/0 brush and learn to pin stripe. It ain't that hard, really, at least not as small as the scale would be on that model airplane.. Of course it is hard to do it on a $20,000 paint job.

Of course, there are plenty of Pin Striping decals of the style used in the '50s available.

Bill

proparc · « **Reply #127 on:** December 12, 2010, 12:45:32 PM »

Quote from: Randy Powell on December 11, 2010, 09:06:13 PM

I went a bit simpler. Just not that much room in there. I'm lousy with cockpits. Sigh...

Here it is, more or less. It's still just roughed in, but you get the idea.

Got a definite Gene Schaeffer feel to it. You better start cracking some HARD corners real close to the ground. Also, I expect to see some kickin figure eights with the engine off.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #128 on:** December 12, 2010, 01:05:19 PM »

I'm still trying to find the right font for the name and number. I'll figure it out eventually. There was no real intention to look like a Gene Shafer plane. Just a low rider. I ended up with some blushing on the inside of the canopy. Probably from some slow CA I used to glue on some trim. Sigh... Oh well. It's not going to be a 20 pointer anyway. The goal with this plane is for it to be light and slick looking in the air.

It's about 600" inches with a RO-Jett 65 in the nose. But may go with something else.

Matt Colan · « **Reply #129 on:** December 12, 2010, 01:55:00 PM »

Very slick Randy, as usual! How's the weight coming in at this point?

Bill Little · « **Reply #130 on:** December 12, 2010, 02:18:42 PM »

Quote from: Randy Powell on December 12, 2010, 01:05:19 PM

(snip)There was no real intention to look like a Gene Shafer plane. (snip)

Subliminal suggestion.............

Will Hinton · « **Reply #131 on:** December 12, 2010, 02:20:49 PM »

Actually, Randy, that has a very distinctive Burt Rutan look to it. I like it a lot.

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #132 on:** December 12, 2010, 06:41:48 PM »

I dont know, but to me it has a distinct Randy Powell look ,,
I like the pipe outlet, classy , retro, and sexy,,

Randy Powell · « **Reply #133 on:** December 12, 2010, 08:17:23 PM »

I decided the scoop on the bottom what not right so I hopefully fixed it. The cowl is shaped and the flaps are underway. Get that done and I can do the wheelpants.

Matt,

I haven't weighed it since I hung it from the nose. I'll do that after I finish up the pieces.

It's coming along

wwwarbird · « **Reply #134 on:** December 12, 2010, 11:16:40 PM »

Quote from: Randy Powell on December 12, 2010, 08:17:23 PM

I decided the scoop on the bottom what not right so I hopefully fixed it.

I was wondering about the scoop thingie under there, looked really fragile.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #135 on:** December 13, 2010, 10:15:22 AM »

Wayne,

Not really, but the entry was goof up a bit. I extended it forward and reworked it a bit. Looks better and I didn't add any significant weight. Looks more like it belongs there now. I'll post some pictures later. The cowl is tack glued on the nose and rough shaped so you can get the idea.

I hate posting pictures when I slathered on some kind of filler. It looks bad. I tend to do that then grind off 95% of it. I hate having to go back in fill low spots. I'd rather build it up well past the needs then grind back. Call me weird.

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #136 on:** December 13, 2010, 01:11:00 PM »

Dude,,,

Your weird!

hey you said to,, and NO I wont invite you to say ANYTHING about me,, especially since I am a Coug fan,,

Randy Powell · « **Reply #137 on:** December 13, 2010, 02:12:36 PM »

>>especially since I am a Coug fan<<

'nuff said.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #138 on:** December 13, 2010, 03:13:35 PM »

That's not weird Randy, that's how you do it. That's why they call it filler.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #139 on:** December 14, 2010, 11:52:40 AM »

Wayne,

Well, I certainly have a large pile of filler dust on the floor.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #140 on:** December 14, 2010, 06:28:43 PM »

wwwarbird · « **Reply #141 on:** December 18, 2010, 08:34:57 PM »

Having "Toad" withdrawals here, what's the latest Randy?

Randy Powell · « **Reply #142 on:** December 18, 2010, 10:20:37 PM »

Wayne, I'll take some more pics tomorrow. I have the flaps about half done, finished hogging out the cowl (major pain) and finally got the little scoopy thing on the bottom reworked and looking decent. Tomorrow I can hopefully finish up the flaps (I, of course, made a design change at the last minute with them). then I can take if off the hanger and get the engine installed and get the cowl attachments in. Then it's off to the landing gear (that should be interesting) and I can start finishing.

There you go. I even worked on it today during the Husky basketball game. That's dedication.

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #143 on:** December 18, 2010, 10:57:43 PM »

Quote from: Randy Powell on December 18, 2010, 10:20:37 PM

There you go. I even worked on it today during the Husky basketball game. That's dedication.

dedication? really? Randy its only the Huskies basketball, I mean really ,, its not like its the Cougs basketball ,, now then that would be dedication, besides, dont you have a tv in the shop?

Randy Powell · « **Reply #144 on:** December 19, 2010, 06:46:49 PM »

Mark,

Well, it was on in the background. Don't really have to watch since they were playing USF. It was a blowout.

Here are a couple of pics where it's at now. Didn't have the juice to finish the outboard flap. May have to trash it anyway since it's go a wicked bow in it. If I can't get it to come out, I'll just dump it and build another. I heated it up and clamped it straight. I'll look tomorrow. If it's still bowed, I'll just dump it and build another. Not a big deal.

The cowl is just roughed out and taped to the fuse to give an idea. I have a couple of things to fix, but overall, it's not bad.

Bill Little · « **Reply #145 on:** December 19, 2010, 09:25:36 PM »

Hi Randy,

Looking real good (as usual!) and I can't wait to see the paint scheme you come up with.

I would almost be willing to come out there and pin stripe it for you!

Just in case anyone else missed it, what are the specs (WS, etc.) and powertrain?

Keep on keepin' on!

Bill

Randy Powell · « **Reply #146 on:** December 19, 2010, 09:36:56 PM »

Bill,

Thanks. Wingspan is, hmmm, I don't remember, but it's right on 610 square inches. If I can keep my finger off the paint trigger, should come in around 54oz or so. Power is a RO-Jett 65. I haven't really decided on a color scheme yet. If I can get the paint I want, then I have the scheme. If not, I'll come up with something else.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #147 on:** December 19, 2010, 10:18:30 PM »

Looking good! I normally don't care much for the fish mouth cowls, but I like this one with the round forward section and inlet. It must have been kind of a trick to get shaped and fitted around the engine.

I've been scratching my head for a cowl idea for an upcoming project on my list, and this might be it. Did you start with a big solid block, or? Can we see some pics of the inside for some clues on how you made it?

Bill Little · « **Reply #148 on:** December 19, 2010, 10:23:40 PM »

Quote from: Randy Powell on December 19, 2010, 09:36:56 PM

Bill,

Thanks. Wingspan is, hmmm, I don't remember, but it's right on 610 square inches. If I can keep my finger off the paint trigger, should come in around 54oz or so. Power is a RO-Jett 65. I haven't really decided on a color scheme yet. If I can get the paint I want, then I have the scheme. If not, I'll come up with something else.

Still no luck on a paint code? I wonder what happens when someone has to have some body work done.......

Go light on the paint, Grasshopper!

Randy Powell · « **Reply #149 on:** December 19, 2010, 10:41:33 PM »

Wayne,

It's carved from a 2"x3"x12" block of balsa. Normally, I piece them together, but this one I happened to have a suitable block. The inside is hollowed out generally, but I haven't fitted it to the engine or gotten the hold downs installed (that part is still under consideration). I'll be sure to take a pic of the inside when it's done. Not much to see right now except a hole. I'm also considering a remote plug connection. It's a very deep cowl and I'm not sure a regular plug jack is going to reach the engine. We'll see.

Bill,

Yea, that's my thought.