Author Topic: USA-1 kit prototype build (Read 10751 times)

builditright · « **on:** February 17, 2016, 10:17:44 AM »

Okay boys and girls I have started the USA-1 kit prototype.

I will be posting pictures as the prototype progresses, so keep checking back to see it come to life.

Here's what I've gotten done so far.

I started out like it was any other kit; first I unpacked the box and laid out all the parts over the plans. Unfortunately there were so many sheets that the plans were completely covered, so I guess it's best to just lay out the plans and since I plan on building the fuse first, I'll just prepare the fuselage jig.

After unpacking the kit we suggest laying out all of the parts over the plans to familiarize your-self with all of the parts.

I would like to mention that most I-Beam wing model builders have been taught to build the fuselage sides during the wing construction but I like to build the fuselage first.

The reason I like to do this is because I feel it is easier to shape and hollow all the blocks on the fuselage without the wing attached.

builditright · « **Reply #1 on:** February 17, 2016, 10:59:48 AM »

more pics

The plywood fuse doublers have maple mount guide lines laser etched in them to assist you in properly aligning the mounts

There is a 1/8 spacing above the mounts. I cut this in lite ply and in a few pieces of 1/8" balsa to see which would be the best choice, so there's a chance
you will see the wood is different in a few photos. We have decided to stay with the balsa to save on weight.

The 1/8" balsa filler pieces will require some assembly, so we could cut them with the grain going across the width of the fuselage on the inside from doubler to doubler. This is shown in the last photo of this batch.

builditright · « **Reply #2 on:** February 17, 2016, 11:22:41 AM »

more pics...

Here we will assemble the nose including the mounts, diverter and first plywood bulkhead and the fuselage nose block.

builditright · « **Reply #3 on:** February 17, 2016, 11:34:39 AM »

builditright · « **Reply #4 on:** February 17, 2016, 12:09:12 PM »

builditright · « **Reply #5 on:** February 17, 2016, 12:15:58 PM »

more pics

builditright · « **Reply #6 on:** February 17, 2016, 12:22:44 PM »

more

builditright · « **Reply #7 on:** February 17, 2016, 12:37:17 PM »

more pics

john e. holliday · « **Reply #8 on:** February 18, 2016, 10:01:41 AM »

Another master at work. Will be following this.

builditright · « **Reply #9 on:** February 20, 2016, 08:55:17 PM »

Quote from: john e. holliday on February 18, 2016, 10:01:41 AM

Another master at work. Will be following this.

Thanks John, here's a few more for y'all..
These first few pictures here are of the nose and nose block.

There is a 1/8" space above the mounts,m so the other photo is
of the filler piece before trimming and fitting for the lower part of
the engine case and the blinds nuts

builditright · « **Reply #10 on:** February 20, 2016, 09:09:53 PM »

The first few photos show the 1/64" plywood crutch cap / tank ceiling.

Also you'll see in some earlier pictures that I had added a very small piece of triangle on each one of the doublers.
This is for the tank floor and also the air diverters.

More pictures to come

Les McDonald · « **Reply #11 on:** February 20, 2016, 10:03:14 PM »

This is very neat.
If I were to build a classic ship (which I'm not) this could be the one, or maybe Kosteckys' Talon.
No, it would be this one mainly because there's no Talon kit.
Think I'll just watch this and not build anything!

builditright · « **Reply #12 on:** February 22, 2016, 11:38:29 AM »

Quote from: Les McDonald on February 20, 2016, 10:03:14 PM

This is very neat.
If I were to build a classic ship (which I'm not) this could be the one, or maybe Kosteckys' Talon.
No, it would be this one mainly because there's no Talon kit.
Think I'll just watch this and not build anything!

Hi Les, maybe I could make a Talon kit so then you could have a choice..

LOL !

Seriously now here's a few more pics

getting a few things assembled ahead of time, tail wheel mount, eng. pads, etc.

builditright · « **Reply #13 on:** February 22, 2016, 12:08:55 PM »

builditright · « **Reply #14 on:** February 22, 2016, 05:30:22 PM »

Add lines for centering and marking the inside of the top & bottom blocks for shaping and hollowing

builditright · « **Reply #15 on:** February 22, 2016, 05:48:27 PM »

Gerald Arana · « **Reply #16 on:** February 23, 2016, 10:52:05 AM »

Hi Walter,

Your fuse jig looks exactly like mine!

Beautiful build job.

I just have one small question: Why don't you build the engine mount outside of the fuse and then install it? If I were to glue the mounts to the sides first, I'd sure as heck get one of them crooked! Maybe that's just me.........

Can't wait to see the end product.

Cheers, Jerry

builditright · « **Reply #17 on:** June 28, 2016, 01:19:38 PM »

Hi Jerry I am sorry it has been so..... long for me to post anything but between family, health issues and other modeling commitments
I had to put this on hold for a little while.

Now regarding your question: >Why don't you build the engine mount outside of the fuse and then install it?<

I have done it both ways and it really doesn't for me; I check it so many times and tape it and or clamp it into place
that it just can't come out crooked. Thanks for looking

Okay here are the latest photos of the USA-1 prototype... hope ya'll like.

Avaiojet · « **Reply #18 on:** June 28, 2016, 06:35:20 PM »

Walter,

I enjoyed your update and am looking forward to more photos and continued work.

Clean construction, nice, and those jigs really help.

I hope you're feeling better.

Charles

john e. holliday · « **Reply #19 on:** June 29, 2016, 11:00:31 AM »

Walter, you had better take care of your self as I want to see this one finished.

BYU · « **Reply #20 on:** July 01, 2016, 12:35:13 PM »

Quote from: john e. holliday on June 29, 2016, 11:00:31 AM

Walter, you had better take care of your self as I want to see this one finished.

I second that! Prototype is looking good Walter!

BYU · « **Reply #21 on:** October 17, 2016, 06:48:07 PM »

Hows it going Walter?

wwwarbird · « **Reply #22 on:** October 17, 2016, 08:42:44 PM »

My guess is Walter is probably still cleaning up from the hurricane.

EddyR · « **Reply #23 on:** October 18, 2016, 06:23:45 AM »

I built a USA-1 back in 1996 I found it very easy to built. I did two things that I would change if I built another. I used to soft of a spar.3/8 sheet no I/Beam and it broke,not in flight. Also I stopped using the gear mounting method of the USA-1 as the plywood mount stressed the leading edge to much. This picture is after the spar repair and it has the air openings in the nose but it is hard to see and final paint detail not finished. It weighted 52 ounces with a ST/46 for power. I always felts it was underpowered but I did get a few hundred flights on it.

MarcusCordeiro · « **Reply #24 on:** November 08, 2016, 04:01:47 PM »

I've spoken to Walter and he should be back soon...

Marcus