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Author Topic: Brodak Gypsy  (Read 14210 times)

Tom Vieira

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Brodak Gypsy
« on: January 09, 2019, 05:44:21 AM »
Howdy guys,

my first full fuse build!  figured I'd post a couple pics of my progress.  Not exactly up to date (I'm well in to making a mess out of the cowl and hollowing out the blocks), but she's coming along nicely!

I was planning on a ROJETT 61 Cast as a motor, but after a few recent wrecks (I can barely manage a beginner pattern at the moment....), I'm going with the 46AXII as I had one sitting under my bench.  she's portly, but it'll work.

Tom Vieira

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Re: Brodak Gypsy
« Reply #1 on: January 09, 2019, 05:49:24 AM »
for reference on the weight of the 46AXII.  i'll probably use the jett muffler, which is a scant 1.3oz compared to the 3.9oz "powerbox" muffler it comes with, or the 2.8 compared to the LA series mufflers.

Offline ray copeland

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Re: Brodak Gypsy
« Reply #2 on: January 09, 2019, 10:36:47 AM »
My first full fuse build was a Vector along with my first experience hollowing blocks, I too struggled through it! Your Gypsy is looking good, hang in there it will be worth it!!
Ray from Greensboro, North Carolina , six laps inverted so far with my hand held vertically!!! (forgot to mention, none level!) AMA# 902150

Tom Vieira

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Re: Brodak Gypsy
« Reply #3 on: January 09, 2019, 12:35:37 PM »
Thanks!

I'm hitting that point where it is stupid tempting to rush through the rest of it saying "good enough".  I'm hardly an accomplished pilot or finisher, but, I'd at least like it to look super cool until I manage to stuff it!  hahahahaha!

Offline Paul Smith

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Re: Brodak Gypsy
« Reply #4 on: January 09, 2019, 02:15:51 PM »
I think the somewhat "heavy" engine will come in handy as nose weight.

If you are, as you say, a beginner stunt flyer, a heavy finish is a total waste of time, money, and mass.  Just get it in the air and learn to fly.

The BIG hurdle with a full body stunter is getting the engine/tank system to work right.  The almost-certain adjustments will compromise your finishing efforts.
Paul Smith

Tom Vieira

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Re: Brodak Gypsy
« Reply #5 on: January 10, 2019, 05:36:12 AM »
Hi Paul,

you're absolutely correct.  with the finish, I'm just looking for it to not look like total hell and some hack put it together.  it's hardly going to be a plane to "show off".  but, if you're going to do it, might as well do it as best you can (within reason), right?

she won't do anything crazy until I can reliably fly the stunt pattern without stuffing it ;)  that's what my flight streak and RST are for!

Tom Vieira

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Re: Brodak Gypsy
« Reply #6 on: January 14, 2019, 06:01:23 AM »
This weekend's progress....

made the tips, sanded the wing, mated the fuse!

not digging the huge holes left by the way the tips are made out of stacking sheets and carving/sanding, but the instructions show them as well and say it'll look fine when it's done...  we'll see!

Tom Vieira

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Re: Brodak Gypsy
« Reply #7 on: January 21, 2019, 07:11:22 AM »
woooo!!!!!  mock up time!!!!!!

I need to get the rudder and elevator covered before attaching, along with the turtle deck done.  but, I could resist taping on the parts for a mockup!  there's a light clouded by balsa dust at the end of this tunnel!

excuse the glorious mess of a garbage box.  I tend to not throw anything out until a project is complete!  hard lessons learned as a youngster.....

Tom Vieira

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Re: Brodak Gypsy
« Reply #8 on: February 04, 2019, 06:00:50 AM »
holy crap!  it looks like a plane!!!!

finally was able to do a complete mockup and mount the tail feathers.  The 46AXII is WAY to heavy for the nose of this ship, it balances pretty much on the leading edge!  That huge muffler is also the only one I had that fit, I tried a muffler from a 40FP and it wouldn't go on, same for the tube muffler I have from ROJETT.  not sure what's up with that, but the spacing on this for the bolt holes seems llllloooooooooooong compared to normal.

So, i'll likely run a 40FP or LA that I have, or track down a 46LA.  no weight yet, i'll do that tonight.  but, I have hours and hours of sanding to come....

Tom Vieira

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Re: Brodak Gypsy
« Reply #9 on: February 04, 2019, 06:04:23 AM »
.

Tom Vieira

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Re: Brodak Gypsy
« Reply #10 on: February 04, 2019, 06:05:54 AM »
.

Offline TDM

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Re: Brodak Gypsy
« Reply #11 on: February 05, 2019, 11:09:31 AM »
Nicely done TJ
I would add some sheer webs on to the wing spar.
My opinion is that right now time in the air if far more precious that time working on finish. My suggestion is to go with some king of shrink covering and go fly.
Each goal you meet is a moment of happiness
Happiness is the harmony between what you think and what you do. Mahatma Gandhi

Tom Vieira

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Re: Brodak Gypsy
« Reply #12 on: February 05, 2019, 11:58:05 AM »
hi guys!  and thanks!

I have a couple of "beaters" all ready to go, and just waiting on the weather.  I quite enjoy playing with the silkspan and dope, though my girlfriend gets annoyed with me doing it in the basement when it's too cold out ;)  at least we've reached the "you can work in the garage without freezing your stones off" season!

the weeks of sanding would still need to happen even with monokote.  all of the blocks are "rough" sanded to shape, hard to tell in the pics.

Offline Balsa Butcher

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Re: Brodak Gypsy
« Reply #13 on: February 12, 2019, 01:35:49 PM »
Nice job. Did you use a Brodak wing jig to construct the wing?  8)
Pete Cunha
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Tom Vieira

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Re: Brodak Gypsy
« Reply #14 on: February 13, 2019, 06:08:34 AM »
Nice job. Did you use a Brodak wing jig to construct the wing?  8)

yessir!

though, rather than using the thin plywood pieces used for end supports again, I think i'll use some MDF/nails/rubber bands to support the ends.  or some machinist parallels I have in the garage.

Offline Balsa Butcher

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Re: Brodak Gypsy
« Reply #15 on: February 14, 2019, 09:32:43 AM »
Thanks for the reply. I have built a few wings using this method have found it works pretty well.  Your improvements should make it even better. 8)
Pete Cunha
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John A Miller

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Re: Brodak Gypsy
« Reply #16 on: March 01, 2019, 06:04:24 PM »
Nice job esp. as it's your first "big" full bodied stunt ship.

Looking at the front of the plane in one of the views, I want to make this cautionary warning.  Don't make the front "scoop", or air opening too large.

To get decent cooling airflow through the front and out the air exits you need to have at least twice the exhaust area your intact has.

You probably know this from your RC flying as it is, but I couldn't leave this interesting build without making this comment. I got bit by this error and had to shrink up the intake while flying in a contest. The engine got rather hot, until I fixed the problem. A bit of ribbing too, as I knew better... ;D

Best wishes, Jobelcrank, aka John Miller

Tom Vieira

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Re: Brodak Gypsy
« Reply #17 on: March 04, 2019, 06:59:01 AM »
Hi John!

yup, you raise a good point.  I do have two long and wide vents on the bottom, that from the calibrated eyeball, appear to be significantly larger in area than the intake side, so I *should* be good!

Offline Perry Rose

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Re: Brodak Gypsy
« Reply #18 on: March 18, 2019, 07:49:09 AM »
I built the Gypsy 5 years ago. The plans at that time called for a 3/4 extension on the front of the engine. With a .46 LA and the extension the balance came out on the money. APC 11.5 x 4 prop. Without that extension and with a heavy engine your plane won't turn. A .40 won't fly it well either. If I was to do it again I'd use a Stalker .51.
I may be wrong but I doubt it.
I wouldn't take her to a dog fight even if she had a chance to win.
The worst part of growing old is remembering when you were young.

Offline Clint Ormosen

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Re: Brodak Gypsy
« Reply #19 on: March 22, 2019, 06:07:22 PM »
TJ, your woodwork is beautiful so don’t sell yourself short on the finish. Pinned to the top of the finishing forum is a post by Randy Ryan and it’s a simple to follow format to getting a beautiful finish. The Gypsy is a gorgeous model and I think if you put your mind to it, yours is going to be one of the best examples built. Not yet having the flying skills for a whole pattern isn’t a good reason (in my opinion) to skimp on the finish of this plane. The flying skills will come. Even if you finish this model to a 20 pointer and then plow it into the ground, no biggie. Build and finish another.
Im watching this one.
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Tom Vieira

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Re: Brodak Gypsy
« Reply #20 on: March 25, 2019, 06:14:05 AM »
Thanks Clint! 

We'll see how nicely she turns out.  She's back on the operating table after being put aside because I was sick of looking at her and the mountain of dust with very little progress "obvious" ;)  she's much closer to being ready than I remember!  maybe another week or so of touching up and then it's time to start making a stinky sticky mess of things ;)

Tom Vieira

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Re: Brodak Gypsy
« Reply #21 on: April 01, 2019, 05:58:46 AM »
so, I now have a bit of a quandary....

I originally planned on a 46AXII for this ship, but, it was just waaaaaaaayyyyy too heavy for this application.  so, I figured I'd swap it out for an LA46.  here's the problem, motor mount holes aren't even close, so I need to find a way to drill new ones and put brass inserts in nice and straight.  that should be fun...

OR...

I have a ROJETT 61 I could run (it has a 46 sized case) that would only require a little clearancing on the motor mount beams as well as the portion of the top block that covers the beams.  it too is fairly heavy, but is still significantly lighter than the 46AXII.....

gotta love going back to pretty close to step one when you're this close!

Offline Clint Ormosen

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Re: Brodak Gypsy
« Reply #22 on: April 01, 2019, 05:44:23 PM »
I know absolutely zero about the OS AXII, but the 46LA should work great in that model.
-Clint-

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Offline James Holford

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Re: Brodak Gypsy
« Reply #23 on: April 02, 2019, 03:46:21 PM »
Use aluminum pads to mount the .46LA.

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Jamie Holford
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Tom Vieira

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Re: Brodak Gypsy
« Reply #24 on: April 03, 2019, 06:21:31 AM »
thought about that as well.

really, the only real sticking point I have is figuring out how to jig this thing up nice and square to drill new holes, without banging it up to bad.

see, this is why you spend an extra 10 minutes early on in construction to save hours of aggravation when the finish "was" in sight  ~^

Offline James Holford

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Re: Brodak Gypsy
« Reply #25 on: April 03, 2019, 06:22:51 AM »
thought about that as well.

really, the only real sticking point I have is figuring out how to jig this thing up nice and square to drill new holes, without banging it up to bad.

see, this is why you spend an extra 10 minutes early on in construction to save hours of aggravation when the finish "was" in sight  ~^
Jim lee has the drill guide for .46la. Really neat

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Tom Vieira

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Re: Brodak Gypsy
« Reply #26 on: April 29, 2019, 06:50:58 AM »
Tissue has commenced!

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Offline Clint Ormosen

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Re: Brodak Gypsy
« Reply #27 on: April 29, 2019, 01:33:50 PM »
I like it! This is where it starts to really get fun!
-Clint-

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Tom Vieira

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Re: Brodak Gypsy
« Reply #28 on: April 29, 2019, 01:47:19 PM »
thanks!

i'm hoping that any imperfections (small dents, scratches, bunched up tissue) actually play in to my planned paint scheme for this...  we'll see.....

Offline Randy Powell

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Re: Brodak Gypsy
« Reply #29 on: April 30, 2019, 03:18:14 PM »
Seems you're having fun. Cool plane.
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Offline wwwarbird

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Re: Brodak Gypsy
« Reply #30 on: April 30, 2019, 06:54:44 PM »

  ..., bunched up tissue)



  If it's not over an open bay you know you can add dope and sand that away right?
Narrowly averting disaster since 1964! 

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Tom Vieira

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Re: Brodak Gypsy
« Reply #31 on: May 01, 2019, 05:49:40 AM »
yup.  however, the way the Brodak kit has you making wing tips on this, rather than a block, you stack together a couple 3/8" sheets.  you can see in the pic this leaves the front and the rear of the tip open.  you can also kinda see in the pic that a wrinkle starts in this open spot, and goes in to the solid.  it may soften a little as i apply more dope, but, probably not.  the rest of em i should be able to correct.

Offline Gordon Van Tighem

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Re: Brodak Gypsy
« Reply #32 on: May 01, 2019, 12:43:11 PM »
Have you tried a little “gentle” persuasion with a heat gun?
Gord VT
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Tom Vieira

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Re: Brodak Gypsy
« Reply #33 on: May 01, 2019, 12:56:36 PM »
i didn't think that worked with brodak tissue?

Offline Balsa Butcher

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Re: Brodak Gypsy
« Reply #34 on: May 01, 2019, 08:11:51 PM »
If it were me I'd just cut the paper our and slip a couple of pieces of LIGHT balsa and slip them in those open wingtip  areas before I went much further. Artfully sand and fill them to blend them in. At this point re-finishing should not take much extra time. Your tips will be much cleaner with little effect on the finished weight.  8)
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Tom Vieira

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Re: Brodak Gypsy
« Reply #35 on: May 23, 2019, 04:35:54 PM »
Fillets!

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Tom Vieira

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Re: Brodak Gypsy
« Reply #36 on: May 23, 2019, 04:36:20 PM »
Fillets!

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Offline Gordon Van Tighem

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Re: Brodak Gypsy
« Reply #37 on: May 23, 2019, 10:30:02 PM »
i didn't think that worked with brodak tissue?
If you are careful not to overheat it.
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Tom Vieira

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Re: Brodak Gypsy
« Reply #38 on: May 28, 2019, 07:47:04 PM »
Silver!  Wow, looks like crap...

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Offline Clint Ormosen

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Re: Brodak Gypsy
« Reply #39 on: May 29, 2019, 08:52:18 AM »
Silver!  Wow, looks like crap...

That's the point of silver. Now fix the crap.

Btw, what's the propane tank for?
-Clint-

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Tom Vieira

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Re: Brodak Gypsy
« Reply #40 on: May 29, 2019, 09:15:48 AM »
hahahha, good point!

tank is acting like a perch for my water catcher.

Tom Vieira

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Re: Brodak Gypsy
« Reply #41 on: June 06, 2019, 05:58:45 AM »
Shoulda used some talc in the dope as a filler....  oh well.  Ssnd and sand and sand......

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Offline Randy Powell

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Re: Brodak Gypsy
« Reply #42 on: June 06, 2019, 04:27:15 PM »
I stopped using filler coats quite awhile ago. I just use unthinned clear. Keep putting on coats and sanding till it's flat. Lighter that way.
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Tom Vieira

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Re: Brodak Gypsy
« Reply #43 on: August 07, 2019, 05:51:13 AM »
Time for color!

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Tom Vieira

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Re: Brodak Gypsy
« Reply #44 on: August 12, 2019, 07:31:10 AM »
Sneak peek

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Tom Vieira

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Re: Brodak Gypsy
« Reply #45 on: August 12, 2019, 10:56:39 AM »
stay tuned!

Offline Skip Chernoff

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Re: Brodak Gypsy
« Reply #46 on: August 13, 2019, 01:55:44 PM »
Congrats on doing a very nice job on your first full bodied stunter. An La 46 will be just right for that bird. Make certain that you can adjust the tank up and down to get the engine run you need. Cheers,PhillySkip

Offline James Holford

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Re: Brodak Gypsy
« Reply #47 on: August 13, 2019, 03:44:14 PM »
Congrats on doing a very nice job on your first full bodied stunter. An La 46 will be just right for that bird. Make certain that you can adjust the tank up and down to get the engine run you need. Cheers,PhillySkip
Think he is puttin a RO61 in it...

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Tom Vieira

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Re: Brodak Gypsy
« Reply #48 on: August 13, 2019, 03:44:36 PM »
Hi Skip

Thanks!  She'll be getting a Jett 61, couldn't help myself....  but, yes, plenty of tank room!  She's a but chunky (all kit wood....), so I figured a bigger engine wouldn't hurt!

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Tom Vieira

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Re: Brodak Gypsy
« Reply #49 on: August 21, 2019, 05:57:24 AM »
she's hinged!  not too much more to go now  ;D


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