Author Topic: RingStreakster nose rebuild - a first for me (Read 4491 times)

Terry Caron · « **on:** October 17, 2015, 06:07:30 PM »

After a pancake on Sunday, the engine bearers broke completely out of my mongrel Ringmaster/Flite Streak but I thought I could handle repairing it.
This is likely a complete yawn for you experienced modellers but it might possibly inspire/encourage/comfort other newbies like me.
And I also pretty proud that I've managed OK so far.

First thing was to strip off broken bits.

Terry

Terry Caron · « **Reply #1 on:** October 17, 2015, 06:12:27 PM »

Next - reglue usable balsa pieces then, using an old one, rough out new ply doublers on the bandsaw and cut new engine bearers.

Terry

Terry Caron · « **Reply #2 on:** October 17, 2015, 06:16:13 PM »

New bearers in and doublers epoxied.
Another hobby is bullet casting, so I have LOTS of weights around.

Terry

Terry Caron · « **Reply #3 on:** October 17, 2015, 06:26:06 PM »

And for the amusement of many and comfort to others:
I intended to bevel the trailing edges of the doublers, but in my haste I stuck the first one on before I remembered.
Rats.
So bevel the other while I can..........
except I bevel the wrong side!!!

So I have one edge properly bevelled, one reversed and 2 as cut.
I've simply filled the reversed bevel with epoxy for a bit of amends.

It's all about character building, right?

More to come as it progress.

Terry

Terry Caron · « **Reply #4 on:** October 17, 2015, 06:29:11 PM »

This is the original Sterling Flite RingStreakster for those who wonder.

Terry

Avaiojet · « **Reply #5 on:** October 17, 2015, 06:33:49 PM »

Terry,

You did a great job with that model. It's nice to see them rebuilt and still kept.

Did you know that a bit of heat releases wood that is Epoxied.

So your doubler could have been removed, cleaned up and put back in place.

If they are Epoxied, they still can.

Gotta love that Flite Streak scheme!!

I learned on the JR.

Charles

Terry Caron · « **Reply #6 on:** October 17, 2015, 06:40:16 PM »

Thanks Charles, and actually I do know about epoxy and heat - but in the heat of the moment I didn't think of it.

I'm gonna leave it as-is.
As an object lesson.

Terry

john e. holliday · « **Reply #7 on:** October 18, 2015, 07:14:35 PM »

I have taken to not beveling the ply doublers. I take a strip of balsa and clue to rear edge of doubler and to fuse. Then I sand it down to a taper.

Terry Caron · « **Reply #8 on:** October 18, 2015, 07:25:06 PM »

Clever and simple Doc, thanks.
But I wish you'd posted this morning - I decided to go a head and shave the bevels with an good sharp EXacto #11 - came out OK except for the band-aid on my thumb!! $:-\$

Terry

john e. holliday · « **Reply #9 on:** October 18, 2015, 07:27:11 PM »

Well those blades are sharp. Don't ask me how I know.

mike londke · « **Reply #10 on:** October 19, 2015, 11:34:34 AM »

Glad to see you getting it airworthy again. Next time you are going to stunt, let me go into the circle with you. just in case......

Terry Caron · « **Reply #11 on:** October 19, 2015, 12:09:57 PM »

Glad to have you in anytime Mike - my planes and nerves'd appreciate it too!

How'd you and Sam do at Huntersville?

Terry

Terry Caron · « **Reply #12 on:** October 19, 2015, 07:25:14 PM »

Mount the engine and tank and the RingStreakster's ready to fly again! ........ for a few minutes.

Terry

Avaiojet · « **Reply #13 on:** October 19, 2015, 07:55:01 PM »

Nicely done!

Dane Martin · « **Reply #14 on:** October 19, 2015, 08:24:05 PM »

Very well done Terry

Terry Caron · « **Reply #15 on:** October 19, 2015, 09:02:47 PM »

Very kind of you, gentlemen - thank you.

Now to finish the Dixie Whistler, Banshee and Akromaster, build the Pathfinder wing, rebuild the Cardinal wing and fuse.......

Terry

john e. holliday · « **Reply #16 on:** October 19, 2015, 10:14:13 PM »

Are you done yet.

The RingStreakster looks good.

Terry Caron · « **Reply #17 on:** October 19, 2015, 10:21:51 PM »

Thanks Doc, and there is the second wing kit for the Banshee and there's that .38 Special fuselage..........

Terry

Terry Caron · « **Reply #18 on:** October 19, 2015, 10:31:04 PM »

Oh, I forgot the Doc's Generix fuses and the foam wings.
Thank goodness I got rid of the rest of 'em!!

Man, I wish I could go ahead build everything and not have projects layin' around for months and years so I could just go fly like you guys do.

Terry

EddyR · « **Reply #19 on:** October 20, 2015, 06:30:42 AM »

Terry Next time do not cut out the inside doubler and make the motor mounts 2" longer extending into the fuselage. All profiles will be stronger if this is done.
I did a lot of rebuilding ringmasters before some one told me that.

Have fun.
Ed

Terry Caron · « **Reply #20 on:** October 20, 2015, 08:52:47 AM »

Hi Eddy -

I thought about that before repairing, and not to be argumentative but something to ponder - had the bearers been longer and stronger, the crash may have taken the whole nose off or transferred the energy into wing damage rather than just pop the shorties out.
I dunno, but I'll probably have an opportunity to try your method before long.

Terry

Gerald Arana · « **Reply #21 on:** October 20, 2015, 10:38:10 AM »

Quote from: Terry Caron on October 18, 2015, 07:25:06 PM

Clever and simple Doc, thanks.
But I wish you'd posted this morning - I decided to go a head and shave the bevels with an good sharp EXacto #11 - came out OK except for the band-aid on my thumb!! $:-\$

Terry

Terry, Next time you need to make a "cut" like that use 40-60 grit sandpaper on a block instead. It'll cut really fast (even ply) and its safer.

I learned this from a modeler in the '60's. He had glued the top block on his model in the morning and I thought it would be days before it was ready to paint. When I returned that afternoon he was painting it! I asked how in the 'L did he do that and he held up a block with 40 grit sandpaper on it! Amazing what you learn in this hobby.

Cheers, Jerry

Avaiojet · « **Reply #22 on:** October 20, 2015, 03:41:28 PM »

Quote from: Terry Caron

Man, I wish I could go ahead build everything and not have projects layin' around for months and years so I could just go fly like you guys do.

Terry

Terry,

I don't fly that often because I would rather build.

My guess is, there's plenty of guys out there who would rather build also.

Charles

Terry Caron · « **Reply #23 on:** October 20, 2015, 04:02:18 PM »

I'm sure I don't really have more kits and projects than most, I just have no building area.
Much of what I did here was working in my lap.
Ever try to build a 42" wing in your lap?
With no building board?

Terry

john e. holliday · « **Reply #24 on:** October 20, 2015, 07:38:59 PM »

I do a lot of building in my lap.