Author Topic: And we're off and running (Read 3716 times)

Randy Powell · « **on:** February 10, 2008, 12:24:52 AM »

Well, the new classic plane is started. Just to show that I did make some progress, here are a couple of pictures. Fuse side doublers are drying and the bell crank is laid up. Didn't get to the gear today, maybe tomorrow. Also got the engine mounts ready to install. The stab and elevators are roughed out and some other odds and ends done. Should come together pretty quickly.

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #1 on:** February 10, 2008, 10:42:01 AM »

Go Randy! Go Randy! good to see more dust being made there pal! What type of wing buildup on this one,, are you doing your typical structure? hasit finally started to warm up for you guys over there? we have gone from 20 degrees and about 2 feet of snow, to 40 degrees and rain, man the snow is melting fast! Keep the pictures coming.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #2 on:** February 10, 2008, 11:55:35 AM »

Mark,

Seems we're back in a more normal weather pattern here. 45-50 degrees and rain. Today a bit of wind and some periodic clearing then more clouds and rain. Hey, it's the first time we've seen the sun in a month. That's nice at least.

Well, it's back to the shop with me.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #3 on:** February 11, 2008, 02:04:59 PM »

Ok, I'll add some pictures later if I get the chance. Fuse box is done, the main molds for the top and bottom blocks are prepped and ready and the wood cut out, the jig is assembled and ready for wing construction. The bell crank is popped from the mold and trimmed, the gear is not yet laid up (ran out of gas last night) but all set to go, the stab and elevator are mostly framed up and ready for final shaping and hinging. It's moving right along. I even cut out the fin and rudder.

Dave Denison · « **Reply #4 on:** February 12, 2008, 09:16:07 PM »

Hi Randy.

Would you mind sharing with us a few pics. of the bellcranks and the mould. Maybe it will give the rest of us some ideas and inspiration in that area!

REGARDS. DAVE.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #5 on:** February 13, 2008, 08:50:32 AM »

Hi Dave,

Well, you can see the picture of the molds. The bell crank is out of the mold, but I haven't finished it yet (have to drill holes and cut slots and such). I could post a pic of the bell crank later if you like. Here are a couple of the molds up close and one of the mold curing for the bellcrank. Hope that helps.

Dave Denison · « **Reply #6 on:** February 13, 2008, 05:46:56 PM »

Hi Randy.

Thanks for taking the time to post the great pics. As they say "A picture is worth a thousand words" Keep up the wonderfull progress.

REGARDS. DAVE

Randy Powell · « **Reply #7 on:** February 13, 2008, 10:38:21 PM »

Dave,

Well, the jig is ready to start the wing, the fuse is mostly done, though I have to hog out the nose block. Maybe some more pictures this weekend.

Steve Helmick · « **Reply #8 on:** February 17, 2008, 06:44:27 PM »

Randy, I thought you were building the SuperSonic 45 (maybe I got the name wrong?) by Bernie Ash? This looks more like another Shoestring, especially with the picture names being what they are, and the Randy Aero engine box being prominent in several pics. Same one as for the Cobra? So, are you NOT building the Bernie Ash model? Or is it already framed and/or ready to finish? My brain is reeling...

Steve

Randy Powell · « **Reply #9 on:** February 18, 2008, 12:22:28 AM »

Steve,

I got talked out of the Supersonic for now. It will need quite a bit of engineering and will have to lay up new molds and such. I wanted to get something in the air for the Regionals and I already have all that stuff for the Shoestring. Besides, I felt like the first one never really got it's due. And with a better power train, I shouldn't have the problems the original I built suffered. It was a good flying plane but of the constant engine problems. The few good engine runs it got, it was a lot of fun to fly. So I figured it deserved another shot.

Clint Ormosen · « **Reply #10 on:** February 18, 2008, 02:42:13 AM »

More pics! More pics!

Bill Little · « **Reply #11 on:** February 18, 2008, 10:55:53 AM »

Everything is looking great, Randy.

Are you going to use the PA 40UL in this one, too?

Randy Powell · « **Reply #12 on:** February 18, 2008, 01:11:21 PM »

Clint,

I'll try to take some more pics today. I ran into a slight delay (need to finish machining some chocks for the wing jig). If I can get some pics taken (my wife has the camera out with her at a horse show right now), I'll post them later.

Bill,

That's the plan. Hard to get a more reliable, 40 sized engine. The thing runs like a clock so I'm thinking that I can eliminate at least one variable. The original plane had a Fox 35 screaming it's guts out. According to the Flying Models article, the original was also pretty heavy. My first one weighed about 48 oz with an OS FP35 (the trials of which have been over-documented in these pages). With a PA 40UL on a muffler, and an all up weight of under 50oz. (I'm shooting for 46), it should be a nice plane.

The other thing is, the original had the Fox 35 with shaft extension (according to the plans). That makes the weight very close to the PA 40UL without an extension (the PA alone is about a 1/16" longer than the Fox with shaft extension), so it should be fine by weight.

Hey, I'm all for more power. I'm going to have to talk to Randy about another one. It's the most turn-key engine I own right now.

Bill Little · « **Reply #13 on:** February 18, 2008, 04:48:03 PM »

I have seen several PA 40ULs run, they are really sweet.

I don't have one, yet, having to reply instead on Aero Tiger 36s in my collection. Gonna be a WHILE before anymore engines come into the shop. :cry:

We have one of the first PA 40s, though, Bill Rich's #21. Aaron had it overhauled just while back, and it is still running in! Very strong, though.

I will admit to having only 3 or 4 brand new engines in the past 20 years, myself! (and I traded one of those for a used engine.........)

Randy Powell · « **Reply #14 on:** February 18, 2008, 11:28:51 PM »

OK, here's a couple of more pictures. The wing is set up and the LE and TE completed (notice the hinge pockets built into the TE). You can see the stab and elevator. That stab is actually 1/2" sheet (the plan calls for 3/8). It will be 3/8, but it was just the perfect piece of wood, so I will carve it down. Light and very, very stiff. the fuse is ready to carve. I had planned on doing that today, but I ended up spending too long doing mill work to get the wing jig going (new chocks) and I figured as long as I had aluminum chips everywhere, I'd go ahead and make the leadout slider and work out an idea I had for the bell crank mount.

Anyway, I'm still a couple of weeks from having it all framed up, but it's moving along. This much is only after about 4 full days in the shop with 4 taken off for the worst flu/pneumonia/ whatever I've had in 15 years. Man, I'm glad this is almost gone. the wonders of modern medicine.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #15 on:** February 18, 2008, 11:30:45 PM »

Bill,

Almost forgot. Yea, I have about 10 engines total and all get use in turns. If I can sneak out some money from my tax return, I plan to get a PA 65 Merlin from Randy as a back up in case the RO-Jett I have doesn't work as I hope. Guess we'll see.

Clint Ormosen · « **Reply #16 on:** February 19, 2008, 03:27:35 AM »

Oh man you move fast on these things. I can't believe how clean your work is. That looks like it's going to be a super cool plane. Thanks for the pics.
While you're at it, cut me a kit!

Bill Little · « **Reply #17 on:** February 19, 2008, 07:18:43 AM »

Quote from: Randy Powell on February 18, 2008, 11:30:45 PM

Bill,

Almost forgot. Yea, I have about 10 engines total and all get use in turns. If I can sneak out some money from my tax return, I plan to get a PA 65 Merlin from Randy as a back up in case the RO-Jett I have doesn't work as I hope. Guess we'll see.

Hi Randy,

It isn't the number of engines I have, but the type! LOL!!!!!! I know the count is probably 100 or more, but almost all of them are *vintage* types that have crawled under the door for the past 40 plus years.

What's a *tax return*??

Gary Anderson · « **Reply #18 on:** February 19, 2008, 09:28:16 AM »

Quote from: Bill Little on February 19, 2008, 07:18:43 AM

Hi Randy,

It isn't the number of engines I have, but the type! LOL!!!!!! I know the count is probably 100 or more, but almost all of them are *vintage* types that have crawled under the door for the past 40 plus years.

What's a *tax return*??

Hi Bill, isn't a tax return something you have to claim as income the coming year? Thank God for the I.R.S. and all their rules,Ha Ha. Plane really looks great, I like your jig for cutting out the ribs. Have a great day, Gary

Bill Little · « **Reply #19 on:** February 19, 2008, 09:33:32 AM »

Quote from: Gary Anderson on February 19, 2008, 09:28:16 AM

Hi Bill, isn't a tax return something you have to claim as income the coming year? Thank God for the I.R.S. and all their rules,Ha Ha. Plane really looks great, I like your jig for cutting out the ribs. Have a great day, Gary

Hi Gary,

It's been so long since I got a *return* (my youngest is 29!) I don't even remember what one looks like! LOL!!!!!!

Randy Powell · « **Reply #20 on:** February 19, 2008, 11:22:24 AM »

Bill,

You probably don't have my mortgage. Egads! It's a wonder they aren't paying me.

Bill Little · « **Reply #21 on:** February 19, 2008, 12:11:07 PM »

Quote from: Randy Powell on February 19, 2008, 11:22:24 AM

Bill,

You probably don't have my mortgage. Egads! It's a wonder they aren't paying me.

No, I think it goes much deeper than that........

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #22 on:** February 19, 2008, 12:11:50 PM »

Randy, more close up pictures or the rib slicer jig please?

Bill Little · « **Reply #23 on:** February 19, 2008, 12:17:56 PM »

That jig set up looks amazingly like the one from Bill Werwage's I-Beam video produced by Robin's View Prod.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #24 on:** February 19, 2008, 08:45:50 PM »

Mark,

>>Randy, more close up pictures or the rib slicer jig please?<<

I did a closer cut of the pic posted that I'll put here. It's pretty simple. And yes, Bill, I may have gotten the idea from Werwage, but truth is, I don't remember anymore. I've been using this sort of rib cutting jig for 20 years. The idea could have come from Billy.

Hope this pic helps. If you need others, let me know.

No work on the plane tonight or for the next couple of days. Me and TurboTax are getting reacquainted.

Bill Little · « **Reply #25 on:** February 19, 2008, 09:40:43 PM »

I have one that is pretty identical to yours, Randy.

Mike Spiess · « **Reply #26 on:** February 20, 2008, 07:50:45 AM »

That idea has been used in freeflight for many years. I have some old jigs I made up some ? years ago. And they still work. I have a couple that I have had very good success with. I keep them in a special place as to never lose them. Ieven have one I can cut regular flat bottom airfoils from.

Bill Little · « **Reply #27 on:** February 20, 2008, 11:05:41 AM »

Quote from: Mike Spiess on February 20, 2008, 07:50:45 AM

That idea has been used in freeflight for many years. I have some old jigs I made up some ? years ago. And they still work. I have a couple that I have had very good success with. I keep them in a special place as to never lose them. Ieven have one I can cut regular flat bottom airfoils from.

Mike, not that I will probably ever cut a flat bottom airfoil (but who knows??), still I would love to see that jig!

(that is if you can find that *special hiding place*!!)

Anything unique is something I think many of us can learn from/adapt to our usage.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #28 on:** February 20, 2008, 11:47:44 AM »

Mike,

Yea, I have a pile of various sized jig bases and a box of templates. Wish I would have standardized the size of the template so that I wouldn't have to modify a base with every plane. Oh well, Not that bit a deal, I guess.

I started building wings with semi-I Beam sorts of structures in the mid eighties. It's evolved over time. When I saw Tom Morris's "Lincoln Log" construction method, I realized that it was very close to the method I had been using, but a slicker approach. From that, making it adjustable wasn't much of a reach. The multi-piece leading and trailing edges made it possible to create a straight piece, even if the wood you used was less than straight grained and doing things like building in hinge pockets or building an elliptical planform with curved leading edges got pretty easy as well.

The one thing I like about this approach is it's flexible. You can do a lot of different sorts of stuff using basically the same approach.

Fun stuff.