Author Topic: Semi-scale profile SBC 3 Helldiver (Read 15423 times)

Will Hinton · « **Reply #50 on:** January 05, 2014, 04:33:28 PM »

Thanks Serge, my time is once again my own after a busy weekend of basketball and church activities, so I plan to finish the wingtips and to mount the lower wing tomorrow unless I get tied up blowing snow all day. If that happens, then Tuesday if I can.
We're looking at the possibility of 8 - 10 inches by morning with zero temps. What in the world am I doing in northwest Ohio instead of the big island!?!?

Avaiojet · « **Reply #51 on:** January 05, 2014, 05:17:03 PM »

"Good" Will Hinton,

Hey! Hey!

Lookin good, really good.

Got the wings set at 0-0?

Couple of weekends and your Helldiver will look even gooder. Gooder?

Ya know, every time I go to the www.fcmodelers.com site, I cry.

Is that mormal for a believer?

Good will blessings!!

Charles

PS, Yes, I still have you covered.

Will Hinton · « **Reply #52 on:** January 05, 2014, 07:09:44 PM »

quote from Charles, "Ya know, every time I go to the www.fcmodelers.com site, I cry.

Is that normal for a believer?"

I sure hope so, means we're reachable. Thanks much for the compliments, I starting to wonder what I'll build next because this one is getting close! 'Course, I plan to really enjoy the painting of this ship because of the Navy's flamboyant color schemes from back then. I'll let ya know when I start that phase.
Blessings all,
Will

Will Hinton · « **Reply #53 on:** January 08, 2014, 01:56:20 PM »

Wingtips are all done, the snow is all plowed, and I'm finally getting to mount the fuse and the lower wing. If the epoxy will cure by supper time, I should be able to finalize the strut placement for the cabane struts yet today. When that's done, I'll build and mount the horizontal emppenage before the final mounting of the top wing.

Will Hinton · « **Reply #54 on:** January 09, 2014, 02:47:02 PM »

I had a good day today, no snow to plow, roads still too slick to leave town for anything, and the coffee machine going great guns.
I finished mounting the bottom wing and getting it properly glued in place and then finished sanding the top wing in readiness for the SLC. Yup, gonna try it. I've been doing a lot of experimenting on this ship, so now's a good time to try the SLC for a grain filler. I'll sand it with 600 yet tonight and maybe give it a coat of grey primer before bedtime.
One great advantage on this airplane is that I will use the primer for the main color. Fewer coats and less weight.

Gotta tell ya, I have a really hard time covering raw wood when it looks so gorgeous! All that balsa just setting there smiling in all its resplendent glory was hard to cover with anything, even clear SLC! I react the same way to walnut, maple, cherry, koa, bubinga .......you get the idea.

Will Hinton · « **Reply #55 on:** January 20, 2014, 10:49:01 AM »

The SLC for a filler is great. I'm not the world's greatest wingtip coverer, but it's fine as it is because I could sand the SLC smooth and remove the wrinkles that way. Put a coat of primer on it and am lovin' the look.

After an interruption for an overnight stay in the hospital for chest pains and a stress test plus a coupe days rest, I have the shop fever again and am going at it. Turns out the severe pains were from a hiatal hernia and not my heart. At least now I know.

Mounted the stab just before going to bed last night, all I have left before final assembly can be done is the cabane struts and rudder/vertical stab. I'm toying with the notion of doing all the painting without the top wing in place. That will more than likely be my approach.

Avaiojet · « **Reply #56 on:** January 20, 2014, 12:41:29 PM »

"Good"

Glad you're episode turned out OK.

Will your top wing be glued in place?

Thickness of your flaps?

That's not the rudder, correct?

Comming along!

Charles

Will Hinton · « **Reply #57 on:** January 20, 2014, 01:17:16 PM »

Thanks Charles. The flaps are quite blunt affairs at a 3/8 leading edge and 1/8 trailing edge. with a one inch cord.
The top wing will be glued with the struts being inserted into slots at the appropriate time which will make the alignment for incidence much easier than a bolt-on setup.

The blue incidence meter might work as a rudder, but would be sort of draggy, dontcha think?

Glenn (Gravitywell) Reach · « **Reply #58 on:** January 20, 2014, 02:32:27 PM »

If you wore binoculars for glasses, you would be able to see if you were flying level! I say use it!

t michael jennings · « **Reply #59 on:** January 20, 2014, 07:41:31 PM »

Mr. Hinton,

Attached is a near version of a WWII pilot.

The head gear, jacket, and scarf are of that period.

The pilot is of the 1943 vintage.

You are welcome to use it as needed.

T Michael Jennings

Knoxville, TN

Will Hinton · « **Reply #60 on:** January 20, 2014, 07:55:47 PM »

THANK YOU FOR THE PILOT!!!! I'll print this fellow out and have him on hand for future ships. I might even try to scheme out a way to get him into the canopy on this one, but it will be kind of hard to do. Let's see what my devious mind can do with this present ship.

Will Hinton · « **Reply #61 on:** January 24, 2014, 09:07:30 PM »

I just proved that visiting stunt hanger is a good practice!! The post concerning wing tip weight boxes jarred my memory that i have failed to install such a device in this plane!!! Stupid senior brain fade, anyway.

Avaiojet · « **Reply #62 on:** January 25, 2014, 07:13:08 AM »

This should be an improved image?

I'll send it to anybody that elects to print it.

Will Hinton · « **Reply #63 on:** January 25, 2014, 08:14:48 AM »

Thanks Charles,
You got it to me before I printed the other.

john e. holliday · « **Reply #64 on:** January 25, 2014, 08:43:30 AM »

Thanks for the pilots. I now a copy printed off and in my picture file.

Avaiojet · « **Reply #65 on:** January 25, 2014, 10:52:20 AM »

Is there a difference?

Will Hinton · « **Reply #66 on:** January 25, 2014, 03:00:48 PM »

Oh yeah....

Avaiojet · « **Reply #67 on:** January 25, 2014, 03:35:41 PM »

"Good" Will Hinton,

Are you slaking?

I see no recent photos or updates of that magnificent SBC 3 Helldiver you're building?

How can I offer "Kudos" which BTW is also "Wack-a-doo" in another language.

Hey! Did you see that Duster profile I posted?

Will Hinton · « **Reply #68 on:** January 26, 2014, 10:53:04 AM »

Not really slacking, just tending to other things getting in the way. Like my two grandsons basketball games. Wow, two different age level programs can tie ya up big time!
Also, I'm in the finishing process, so it's into the time consuming stage now with little to report until I start throwing primer. Finishing a bipe has become a different ball game for me as to which steps I do first, etc. Do I attach the top wing before spraying? Or not? How do I go about the hinging of the elevators in place, do I wait 'til they're finished and then mount to the horn as I always do with others? Doesn't look to me like that's the best way. At least not with this fellow. Do I.........

But, I only have the top of the bottom wing to SLC yet and then I start spraying! THEN...pictures will be forthcoming!!

Avaiojet · « **Reply #69 on:** January 26, 2014, 11:29:59 AM »

Good,

I can only speak for myself.

I would attach the flaps then prime and paint.

I would attach the top wing after primer and paint.

But that's me.

What primer do you use? Rattle cans?

Will Hinton · « **Reply #70 on:** January 26, 2014, 02:36:48 PM »

Yes on the rattle cans, I found one that is the perfect shade for the gray I want as a base color. I have the top wing in color and ready for clear, will assemble the main struts before color and then mount the top wing after all is done but the clear, and might even clear coat the top wing before attachment. That's the only assembly decision I have yet to make. The elevators go on before primer, the flaps after primer and clear because of the design of the airframe. (I think.)

Will Hinton · « **Reply #71 on:** February 16, 2014, 03:50:30 PM »

I needed to take some time off from an important project that was wearing me down, so here's what I've done to relax a bit and then I can jump back into the other come tomorrow. (Monday.)
The top wing is just setting on the struts, I won't permanently mount it until I have prayed the clear for ease of doing that.
I've kept it rather simple, chose the scheme in my squadron/signal publications book on the SBC3 of VS-5 aboard the Yorktown. I wanted to copy the one Berkeley used in their kit, and Charles sent me the transfers for either one so I could make my decision whenever I got to that point. (I still have to apply the U.S. NAVY stickers yet)
I used a Sharpy to do the panel lines and rivets, this is just a fun project and those are fine for that. The next step is the clear, that will likely be a few weeks away. I think I'll try the poof can two part Jeff Traxler told me about so I don't have to clean my equipment out in the cold outer shop.
Here's some pics.

Will Hinton · « **Reply #72 on:** February 16, 2014, 03:58:08 PM »

Another.

Will Hinton · « **Reply #73 on:** February 16, 2014, 04:09:20 PM »

And one more.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #74 on:** February 16, 2014, 07:21:06 PM »

Neat model Will. Can we see how you did the center cabane struts?

Will Hinton · « **Reply #75 on:** February 17, 2014, 08:19:20 AM »

Ya sure can Wayne, as soon as I do them. I'm leaving those until I spray the clear on the bottom of the top wing and then mount it after that. My plan is for 1/8" ply at an angle and recessed into the bottom of the top wing and into the fuse outer layer of balsa to the doublers. For the top wing mount I'll make the struts an inch long where they fasten into the wing so I have plenty of glue surface there. (At least that's the plan.)

MarcusCordeiro · « **Reply #76 on:** February 17, 2014, 02:47:35 PM »

Nice!!!!

Marcus

Bill Little · « **Reply #77 on:** February 20, 2014, 04:10:18 PM »

Well, Brother Will! It's a wild subject for a stunter. I am really eager to see it finished and to get a flight report.

Good Luck with it!

BIG Bear

Will Hinton · « **Reply #78 on:** February 22, 2014, 12:42:50 PM »

Thanks Marcus & Bill, This week is a lost cause as far as available time, but the plan is to spray clear next and then final assembly. Can't wait to fly the beast, it has been an absolute blast to build!

Avaiojet · « **Reply #79 on:** February 22, 2014, 01:22:55 PM »

Quote from: Will Hinton on February 22, 2014, 12:42:50 PM

Thanks Marcus & Bill, This week is a lost cause as far as available time, but the plan is to spray clear next and then final assembly. Can't wait to fly the beast, it has been an absolute blast to build!

Good,

"Will" your clear be two part automotive?

Will Hinton · « **Reply #80 on:** February 22, 2014, 03:25:11 PM »

Hi Charles,
Yes, it will. I really plan to try the two part rattle can Jeff Traxler discovered at his local auto paint store to see how well it works. Jeff said it's expensive, but during this time of year my outer shop does not heat all too well, and of course I have to shut the heat down while spraying. So, with the rattle can i won't have to suffer through cleaning my equipment while shivering profusely!
I'm contemplating starting a thread in the finishing section when I do this, but ya never know about how my twisted mind is working from day to day, I might just finish this thread with the finish.

Avaiojet · « **Reply #81 on:** February 22, 2014, 04:03:55 PM »

Good,

Why don't you take your model/parts to your local auto body shop and see what they will charge to spray just the two part clear?

They spray clear every day, or hope they do.

Heated booth, plenty of light, talented paint guy. You can't go wrong.

Worth the shot!

I'm trying to put my, incredable number of paint spraying years, behind me. A lifetime actually.

I did exactly what I'm suggesting.

I just have to get a model ready.

Will Hinton · « **Reply #82 on:** February 22, 2014, 06:11:50 PM »

But I love to spray. I spray several custom guitars a year, can't take the time, effort, or expense of leaving here to do that when customers are waiting for their expensive instrument. So, if this rattle can works out, it will save me big time in time itself, which is a big money savings. Jeff says a can will do at least two guitars, and even if it won't, the customer pays the tariff and is a happy camper when they get their bright and shiny instrument.
I just am not comfortable experimenting on something I'm selling, so this plane will serve a good subject for me to find out.

Will Hinton · « **Reply #83 on:** March 12, 2014, 05:13:14 PM »

Phooey. I priced the rattle can two-part, waaaayyy too much cash! 30 bucks. Now, I have to wait out the weather. We just got eight more inches of heavy, wet snow on top of the 74 inches we already had received.
So what, you ask? Well, my spray shop is a mess right now and I'm not about to freeze my kiester off to clean it up enough to spray, let alone clean my spray equipment out there after i spray!
Man, I really want to get this sprayed with clear so I can mount the top wing and then attach the cabane struts.

Dave_Trible · « **Reply #84 on:** March 12, 2014, 05:53:48 PM »

Will that really looks impressive. I'd like to know how she flies. I'd like someday ( maybe in the next life since I don't have enough time in this one) to try to develop a real competitive bipe. In the mean time I hope I get to see yours fly sometime. Good luck!

Dave

Will Hinton · « **Reply #85 on:** March 14, 2014, 02:52:10 PM »

Thanks Dave, this will be my fourth bipe. My first one ever flew a fairly decent pattern, but my "refinement" of the design went in the wrong direction, so we'll see what happens here. Two of the others were built in the late 60's and the last one in '90.

Will Hinton · « **Reply #86 on:** April 01, 2014, 09:30:40 AM »

Ooohhh boy-oh-boy-oh boy! Close to 60 degrees yesterday and I sprayed the clear! Automotive two part. The beast is now setting in the shop with the incidence meter on it while the epoxy cures on the top wing mounts!! WHOOPEEEEEE!!!
Next I'll do the cabane struts and have some pictures for those who were wondering about the mounting. I've changed my mind, by the way, and you'll see the really simple method I plan to use. (What else would a simple guy do, for crying out loud but use a simple method?)
The reason I've changed my mind is the excellent strength of the top wing mounting using just the outer struts. Pictures soon, and even better - flight report maybe yet this month!!

Avaiojet · « **Reply #87 on:** April 02, 2014, 03:59:49 AM »

Good,

I know that feeling!

Ya gotta love it when a plane comes together.

Will Hinton · « **Reply #88 on:** April 03, 2014, 10:45:20 AM »

For Wayne and any others who are interested in the cabane strut installation, here are some pictures.
I have an Exacto handle I cut down a long time ago for just such a task. I marked off the locations I wanted for the struts, then roughly cut the angle of the strut insertion spot in both the wing and fuse'. Being a foam wing, this was a cinch for a good tight fit of the strut.
This is in picture number one.

Will Hinton · « **Reply #89 on:** April 03, 2014, 10:46:22 AM »

I repeated the cut at the fuse'.

Will Hinton · « **Reply #90 on:** April 03, 2014, 10:47:45 AM »

Then we trial fit, if it's fine, fill the mounting spots with epoxy and install the strut.

Will Hinton · « **Reply #91 on:** April 03, 2014, 10:52:00 AM »

Here's the front close up view of the installed strut.

Will Hinton · « **Reply #92 on:** April 03, 2014, 10:55:12 AM »

And a side view. I'm not crazy about the looks of the forward slant on the forward strut, but it's what the three views show, so there it is.
Once I get these all four in place I'll shoot some pics of the completed ship, but...tomorrow it's off to the Toledo show and shooooooppppppping!!! (Once we're done with our turn manning the NASA booth, that is.) Stop by and visit!!

Avaiojet · « **Reply #93 on:** April 03, 2014, 05:04:34 PM »

Good,

Really nice tight photos, thanks for that.

OK, so the struts are cosmetic, correct?

You need to post a few good photos of your insignias, oops, I mean a full photo of the model.

Excellent work!

Charles

Will Hinton · « **Reply #94 on:** April 04, 2014, 05:29:45 AM »

Yes, they are strictly cosmetic. The top wing has a full depth CF spar plus 1/16th planking, so is plenty strong without them.
I'll post full pics as soon as i get some more epoxy today and mount the flaps, build the CF pushrods and get them in place, and have it actually DONE!!!!

The transfers you sent turned out really nice, a great way to apply lettering, etc.

Weight at this point is 54 ounces, I don't expect more than a couple more. With a wing area of around 650 - 660, that ain't too bad.

Bill Little · « **Reply #95 on:** April 04, 2014, 06:25:35 AM »

OK, Brother Will,

A while ago you mentioned you weren't sure of what to do once you got this one finished. No problem! A modernized version of your F-9 at about 660-670 sq. in. using all the tricks that have come about in the last 20 (or so) years since the published one. You could make a super competitive, updated version with modern power! It needs to be done!

BIG Bear
RNMM/AMM

P.S. Great job on the Helldiver!

Will Hinton · « **Reply #96 on:** April 04, 2014, 05:21:05 PM »

Thanks Brother Bill.
Do a search for F9F and you'll find my super zoot Panther. It turned out pretty good, but just pulled too hard for my scrawny wrist to fly comfortably. Will be modified by Jeff Traxler for electric.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #97 on:** April 04, 2014, 06:08:32 PM »

Thanks for the pics Will.

Will Hinton · « **Reply #98 on:** April 06, 2014, 05:27:54 PM »

You're welcome Wayne. The Toledo show is now history, so I should get the final touches done on this beast, including plumbing the tank and finishing the cabanes plus pushrods. Then it's just a matter of waiting out the northwest Ohio winds so I can test fly it!

Will Hinton · « **Reply #99 on:** April 23, 2014, 08:56:51 AM »

Okay, it...is...DONE! I even have a set of lines finished for it and only await calmer winds/energy!
here's some pics.