Author Topic: Airabonita Build (Read 6746 times)

Lee Thiel · « **on:** October 28, 2009, 10:11:26 PM »

Finally getting some time to work on the carrier plane. Someone did say the Airabonita was a tuff build, and they were correct. Started the fuselage first, and can't do much more to it until the wing is completed and glued in place. Have the left wing ready for filling and sanding. Right wing should be a bit easier. Hook mount is installed with hook. It will be joined to the flaps someway or another. Still not decided on how I want to do that. I should have more time now to make faster progress. Here are a few shots of what has been done so far.
Lee TGD

Wayne J. Buran · « **Reply #1 on:** October 29, 2009, 04:27:14 AM »

Lee, nice work on the "Bonita.
Thanks
Wayne

Bob Reeves · « **Reply #2 on:** October 29, 2009, 09:01:24 AM »

Lookin good Lee,

I'm still pluging away on the FJ-4, cut flaps out of the wings this mornin

Douglas Ames · « **Reply #3 on:** October 29, 2009, 10:27:13 AM »

That's an interesting fuselage Lee, spine and keel.
Is the fuse. sheeting molded balsa?
See ya Sunday maybe...

Lee Thiel · « **Reply #4 on:** October 29, 2009, 01:18:23 PM »

Hey Doug, The fuse is covered with 1/8 x 1/2 strips. There may be some areas that I can cheat on. I may try to mold part of it. I will know when I get there. Still gotta figure out my internal (infernal) control system.
Lee TGD

Balsa Butcher · « **Reply #5 on:** October 29, 2009, 02:20:42 PM »

Nice job and your pics bring back ancient memories. Control wise, the flaps were joined together to a 1/16" wire "Y". The end of the "Y" butted up against a plate that was soldered to the upper extension of the arrestor hook. There was an internal spring connected to the flap linkage. With the hook in the retracted position the flap linkage would butt up against the arrestor hook plate holding the flaps in a retracted position. When the hook was released the plate would fall away and the flaps would extend with the help of the internal spring.

To re-set, flaps up, then hook up. Plate would then be in a position to hold the flaps in the retracted position. The hook itself was activated via a standard down elevator release. Hope this helps, my memory and artistic ability falls short of drawing a diagram but this is the system that is described in the magazine article. Good Luck.

Lee Thiel · « **Reply #6 on:** October 29, 2009, 06:41:02 PM »

Thanks Pete for that info. I was trying to remember if the release was hooked to up or down on the one I built back in "67". I have the outboard wing almost ready for shaping and filling and sanding. Then I can join the two, and mount to the fuse. I will post more pics as soon as I progress more.
Lee TGD

Lee Thiel · « **Reply #7 on:** November 05, 2009, 08:14:25 PM »

Finally, I had a few hours to work on the plane again. Outboard wing is finished enough to join with the inboard wing. I did get the throttle rod route located. Next, with the fuse tempted into place, I will join up the flaps to the tail hook. after that is done, tail feathers will be next.
Lee TGD

Wayne J. Buran · « **Reply #8 on:** November 06, 2009, 04:05:36 AM »

Lee, its really shaping up. Thanks for the PICS
Wayne

Douglas Ames · « **Reply #9 on:** November 08, 2009, 10:51:00 AM »

Looks great!
Is your rudder gonna be moveable? Linked to the throttle or flap/ hook release?

Balsa Butcher · « **Reply #10 on:** November 08, 2009, 11:32:59 AM »

Looking good - thanks for the pics.

Lee Thiel · « **Reply #11 on:** November 08, 2009, 03:43:57 PM »

Doug, I doubt if I will hinge the rudder. Got nuff problems going on with the rest of the gotta have stuff. Probably won't get to work on it much for a few days, with the Tour De America my wife has planned starting Friday.
Lee TGD

Lee Thiel · « **Reply #12 on:** December 04, 2009, 07:11:37 PM »

The Tour De America is over for this year, so back to work on the Airabonita. Finally finished the controls for the flaps, hook, and the elevator. Started stripping the fuselage. Slow progress but making progress. Add a strip, glue wrap, and wait a couple of hours and start over. At least its to the point now that I can add more than one strip at a time. Here are a few pics. Lots of filling and sanding to do shortly.
Lee TGD

Balsa Butcher · « **Reply #13 on:** December 05, 2009, 12:10:06 PM »

Nice job Lee. tha planking is the fun part...visual progress and all that. Engine wise I just broke down and bought a Perry Carb for my TT.36. Needed it to run w/out muffler pressure. May not be a problem for you. I ordered it by phone through Conley Precision Engines, they are the current distributors for Perry Carbs, nice folks, good service, no drama.
How are you going to do the canopy? I made mine out of a Sig WWII canopy. If I were to do it again I'd carve, hollow and paint one on. The support structure in the P-39 series fighter canopies are always a challange.

Douglas Ames · « **Reply #14 on:** December 05, 2009, 03:04:53 PM »

Quote from: Pete Cunha on December 05, 2009, 12:10:06 PM

Engine wise I just broke down and bought a Perry Carb for my TT.36. Needed it to run w/out muffler pressure.

Pete- Have you guys in Carrier tried a Kavan carb.? (sold thru MECOA)

Lee- Lookin' great! Startin' to look like an Aero-machine!
I'm waiting on an Engine/ Tank (ASP S.15A) so I can get that system sorted out.

Balsa Butcher · « **Reply #15 on:** December 06, 2009, 08:20:44 AM »

No, didn't even think of it (Kavan). Might consider it the next time I need to swap out a carb. Truly, the folks at MECOA are doing a great job keeping some vintage products (engines) alive and deserve our support.

john e. holliday · « **Reply #16 on:** December 07, 2009, 06:43:53 PM »

Lee, a little rough, but, looking good. I was just looking at the plans I have of the Mustang and the Mauler. Also a Fox .36 with a carburator. Keep up the good work.

Lee Thiel · « **Reply #17 on:** December 07, 2009, 07:18:38 PM »

Pete, I probably will stick with a WW2 canopy also. I think someone said to use one from a Taurus. Doc, its a bit more than rough right now. Should be finished planking this week, and then the fun begins. I have been holding off on the rudder until I finish the fuse, so I won't knock it off while flipping the plane around so much. Sanding and filling are not my favorite passtime events.
Lee TGD

Chris McMillin · « **Reply #18 on:** December 09, 2009, 03:03:20 PM »

Really great progress, Lee. I love that model.
BTW, the Bell had a smooth contour windshield with a rounded shape instead of the later WWII era airplanes with a flat panel on the front. My intention is to use a Sig Bubble on mine (when the time comes, of course!).
I can't wait to see more...
Chris...

Lee Thiel · « **Reply #19 on:** December 13, 2009, 08:18:11 PM »

Finnally, the planking is finished. Now for sanding and filling. Still not decided on the canopy. Gotta bend up the landing gear. Things should go a bit faster now, I surely hope. I will post more pics when boneater smoothes out a bit.
Lee TGD

Lee Thiel · « **Reply #20 on:** January 19, 2010, 05:40:31 PM »

Still plugging away at this beast. Temporary installed the engine and rough fit the cowl. Ended up with a two piece, with the front part permanent. Haveing a few problems with the glue not sanding down near as fast as the wood. Could be the glue is old. Time for new glue for the next project. Still have long way to go before paint. arrrrghhh. Oh ya, Bob Reeves said he would do my panel lines.

Lee TGD

Bob Reeves · « **Reply #21 on:** January 20, 2010, 03:49:16 AM »

Lookin good Lee..

We'll have to talk about this panel line stuff, think I remember stomping my pens.

Wayne J. Buran · « **Reply #22 on:** January 20, 2010, 04:15:17 AM »

Nice work, it will be well worth it when its done. Its a tough build but its a real unique model.
Wayne

Lee Thiel · « **Reply #23 on:** January 20, 2010, 12:53:07 PM »

Thanks Wayne. You are certainly correct about the tuff build part.
Bob, not a problem buddy, I bought the pens.

Lee TGD

Douglas Ames · « **Reply #24 on:** January 20, 2010, 03:15:51 PM »

Looks great Lee. Looks FAST.
I have a 9" x 1 3/4" uncut teardrop canopy if you need something like that. Not sure what the original looked like.

Lee Thiel · « **Reply #25 on:** January 20, 2010, 06:54:44 PM »

Hey Doug, thanks for the offer. I have two canopies to choose from. They are about 5 to 6 inches long. Here is a shot of an Airabonita with the canopy.
Lee TGD

Paul Smith · « **Reply #26 on:** January 21, 2010, 05:56:55 AM »

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XFL_Airabonita

Here's an article on the plane. Only one prototype was built and it ended up in a junk yard. A futile attempt to sell the Navy a plane that The Army Air Corps wished it hadn't bought and gave 'em to Russkis.

Here's a scan of the original model from the 1970 Nats. You might want to dupilcate the paint job. Note: the designer didn't mess with a clear canopy.

Having just built a 30" Skyraider, I agree that getting all the gizmos inside a small full body plane is a chore. We should get an additional 20 points for non-MO1.

Chris McMillin · « **Reply #27 on:** January 21, 2010, 07:22:25 PM »

I believe that the original Reeves Airabonita was a sidewinder.
Chris...

Thomas Wilk · « **Reply #28 on:** January 21, 2010, 07:56:08 PM »

Bell XFL-1 Airabonita / magazine 1967 MAN Dec p11 / span 33.30 / area 205.00 / power .60 / plan 74A / designed by Reeves, Chuck W.

Tom Wilk

skyshark58 · « **Reply #29 on:** January 21, 2010, 09:36:58 PM »

Boy that must have been a mover with a 60

Me thinks you meant a 40. Mike

Balsa Butcher · « **Reply #30 on:** January 21, 2010, 10:26:57 PM »

Yup, Reeves Airabonita is a Class I, for a .40. But I think Tom took the info from the M.A.N. plan service which gives the wrong info...no surprise there.

Chris is right - published XFL-1 is a sidewinder like Lee's model.

Wayne J. Buran · « **Reply #31 on:** January 22, 2010, 05:20:31 AM »

My recollection is a sidewinder 40 also. At least thats what I built. Wasnt aware that someone built a 60 version. That must have been some rocket.
Wayne

Lee Thiel · « **Reply #32 on:** January 22, 2010, 12:57:55 PM »

I can't imagine this plane with a 60 engine. I think with my Rossi 60, the mounting lugs would protude thru the fuse. And then,,,there is the cg problem. Mine is pretty nose heavy now, without a spinner, prop, and landing gear. I know I am going to have need for a couple ounces of tail weight.
Lee TGD

Bob Heywood · « **Reply #33 on:** January 22, 2010, 07:24:06 PM »

The original was designed around a Super Tigre G40 with the Bill Johnson exhaust throttle slide and fuel metering valve. This engine was a pretty serious lump in its own right.

I do recall seeing at least one Class II version. It was scaled up from the Reeves plan to fit a .65.

Thomas Wilk · « **Reply #34 on:** January 22, 2010, 08:59:51 PM »

Gentlemen;

Thanks for the correction. looking at the magazine it is not clear as to the engine size. If it is there I overlooked it.
I have made the corrections.

Tom Wilk

john e. holliday · « **Reply #35 on:** January 26, 2010, 11:57:58 AM »

The one Paul has pictured is the .60 Aerobonita. It was never published as far as I know. I have the plans for the Charles Reeves Aerobonita and it is small side winder engine set up for a .40.

Lee Thiel · « **Reply #36 on:** February 01, 2010, 05:55:26 PM »

Still pluggin away. I have been filling, sanding, and filling. Finally decided to start on the fillets.
They will not be close to scale, but they are fillets. I use an automotive filler for these, which basically pours on, and then shape with a curved spatula. This sets up in about 3 minutes, so work has to be fast. Not much sanding needed on the fillets, just some clean-up at the edges.
Lee TGD

Bob Reeves · « **Reply #37 on:** February 02, 2010, 09:35:21 AM »

Lee, lookin real good.. can't wait to see it finished..

Douglas Ames · « **Reply #38 on:** February 02, 2010, 10:10:19 AM »

Looks great Lee. Maybe some rubber vacuum tubing wrapped with sandpaper to rough out the fillets. Could save you some time.

Bob Reeves · « **Reply #39 on:** February 02, 2010, 10:20:33 AM »

Quote from: Douglas Ames on February 02, 2010, 10:10:19 AM

Looks great Lee. Maybe some rubber vacuum tubing wrapped with sandpaper to rough out the fillets. Could save you some time.

That's a good idea, I use aluminum sheet bent around the right size drill bit but rubber tubing might be a bit more forgiving.

To sand the fillet edges I use a hard rubber sanding block that I have rounded one edge on. With it I can sand the flat part of the wing or fuselage with the round edge facing the fillet and not have to worry about sanding in any divits.

Douglas Ames · « **Reply #40 on:** February 02, 2010, 05:50:03 PM »

I have one of those Black rubber blocks with the split ends. I swear I've built entire airplanes with that clunky thing.
It's that aluminum extrusion from Tower Hobbies that I wasted money on. Only good for straight, specifically-sized LE's or stabs. (ie- R/C Trainers) I've done more damage with that dang thing. It really needs to be snowboard shaped to work right.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #41 on:** March 24, 2010, 11:22:14 PM »

What's the latest?

Lee Thiel · « **Reply #42 on:** March 25, 2010, 08:18:37 AM »

There isn't much latest to brag about. Been dragging my feet on getting dings, dimples, and such filled in. Really not that much to go before paint, but this is the part I don't like to do. Probably one good day dedicated to finishing up the before paint stuff would do it. I need encouraged, or at least a kick in the behind to get me motivated... Some real good weather would help.
Lee TGD

wwwarbird · « **Reply #43 on:** March 25, 2010, 10:25:09 PM »

Well Lee, here's a kick in the butt for ya then!

john e. holliday · « **Reply #44 on:** March 26, 2010, 09:11:55 PM »

Hey Lee is it ready to fly yet? Is it ready to fly yet? And one more time, Is it ready to fly yet?

Chris McMillin · « **Reply #45 on:** June 01, 2010, 11:24:05 AM »

How's that Airabonita coming, Lee? Looks great in the last pics.
Chris...

Lee Thiel · « **Reply #46 on:** June 02, 2010, 07:08:51 PM »

The Airabonita is probably 2 or 3 hours from being ready to paint. Just to lazy to finish it up. The paint is just sitting there waiting on me to get to work.
Lee TGD

Chris McMillin · « **Reply #47 on:** June 02, 2010, 10:26:27 PM »

Kinda like the Staggerwing i'm building for my dad. Went into limbo. I'm going to paint it this week and hope to go all the way with decals and clear before Fathers Day. Can I do it?
Chris...

john e. holliday · « **Reply #48 on:** June 03, 2010, 10:03:17 AM »

Lee, I see you are no different than some of the rest of us. I should have had my "Thunderbolt" in the air before now. Do have some flights on the SkyRay carrier. Having problems with throttle setting. The Bearcat is back in the air and still flying like it always did. It just needs a pilot.

Lee Thiel · « **Reply #49 on:** July 19, 2011, 07:30:32 PM »

Finally after letting the Airabonita sit for over a year, I am almost finished. Just lack tail wheel, canopy, spinner and prop. Hope to test fly this weekend. Thanks to Joe Justs' Postal Carrier Event, I was inspired enough to finish. We had a great time despite the heat in our TGD carrier event on the 3rd of July.
Lee TGD

Wayne J. Buran · « **Reply #50 on:** July 19, 2011, 08:03:53 PM »

Good job Leo. Let us know about the tests.
Wayne

david smith · « **Reply #51 on:** July 19, 2011, 10:47:15 PM »

Hey that's a cool paint scheme. I like it and can't wait to hear how it flys.

David

john e. holliday · « **Reply #52 on:** July 20, 2011, 08:16:27 AM »

Lee, that looks great. Hope to see it fly some time. Makes me want to dig out my plans and start one.

Douglas Ames · « **Reply #53 on:** July 20, 2011, 10:53:36 PM »

Holy smokes!! That's a looker. GET ER DONE ! !

john vlna · « **Reply #54 on:** July 21, 2011, 06:05:30 PM »

Lee,
Looks great. Hope it flys as well