Author Topic: RSM Thunderbird (Read 3988 times)

Rod Claus · « **on:** March 08, 2007, 08:27:33 AM »

While Randys' been posting pictures of his beautiful new Novi, I've been sanding & sanding & sanding..........

Well, it's ready to fly.We will do this at VSC next monday.
Thanks to Eric Rule for a fine kit!!

Randy Powell · « **Reply #1 on:** March 08, 2007, 11:02:38 AM »

Very cool, Rod. I looks really nice. I'm sure it will be a bit hit in the desert. Wish I was going.

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #2 on:** March 08, 2007, 01:26:10 PM »

Looks good Rod, have fun in the desert whilst I be freezin still over here,,, **shivverrrrr**

rob biddle · « **Reply #3 on:** March 08, 2007, 10:15:59 PM »

Hi Rod,
Your T-bird looks great.

I too was quite impressed with the RSM kit and deviated very little from what came in the stock kit.

Mine is covered and neally ready for paint (auto 2-pack) but I screwed up the fillets and that has slowed my down a fair bit.

The colour scheme will be the same layout as yours (traditional) but it will be LOUD!

The main colour will be "spider lime" green and the sunbursts will be straight yellow tinter, all pinstripes and the checkers on the fin will be black.

I have the paint already mixed but just can't seem to find enough hours in the day to get her done.

Look forward to hearing how yours flys!

Cheers, Rob.

Bill Little · « **Reply #4 on:** March 09, 2007, 07:37:12 AM »

Hi Rod,

Beautiful T-Bird!

What's the choice of power?

Bill <><

Tom Niebuhr · « **Reply #5 on:** March 09, 2007, 08:27:06 AM »

Rod,

Absolutely beautiful!

Is that the canopy that Eric supplies in the kit?

I have new canopies for the T-bird II. We made the mold from an original canopy, but it is different than the one on your airplane.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #6 on:** March 09, 2007, 11:43:54 AM »

Didn't the original have a sort of military style canopy?

Tom Niebuhr · « **Reply #7 on:** March 09, 2007, 03:04:23 PM »

Randy,

Yes, it is military like. It has a smaller flat on the front than most "military" type canopies.

As I said above, I have the canopies available. I needed that particular canopy in order to accurately duplicate a different application. A friend had an an original T-bird II kit and that is why I have it.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #8 on:** March 09, 2007, 03:09:10 PM »

>>What's the choice of power?<<

If I know Rod, it's a small blcok V-8

Bill Little · « **Reply #9 on:** March 09, 2007, 04:37:23 PM »

Quote from: Tom Niebuhr on March 09, 2007, 08:27:06 AM

Rod,

Absolutely beautiful!

Is that the canopy that Eric supplies in the kit?

I have new canopies for the T-bird II. We made the mold from an original canopy, but it is different than the one on your airplane.

Hi Tom,

From what I understand, Eric has a Sig WW-II canopy in the kit. It looks similar to, but not exactly like, the old Veco canopy like you mentioned.

I had to use one of the Sig canopies when I built mine 10, or so, years ago. I have since obtained a repop of the original to use if I ever do get around to refinishing the old 'Bird. Think I might just build another since I saw Mr. Palmer's in Muncie!

Bill <><

Norvaldo · « **Reply #10 on:** March 12, 2007, 03:28:45 PM »

Just wondered..
Apart from the engine orientation, what is the main difference between this one (TB II) and the one that Brodak sells.
Norvald Olsvold

Bill Little · « **Reply #11 on:** March 12, 2007, 10:45:38 PM »

Quote from: Norvaldo on March 12, 2007, 03:28:45 PM

Just wondered..
Apart from the engine orientation, what is the main difference between this one (TB II) and the one that Brodak sells.
Norvald Olsvold

Brodak version (original T-Bird): Less WS and area, slightly different airfoil, turtle deck, and up right engine. Not positive as to monemt arms as I have not measured those.

Steve Helmick · « **Reply #12 on:** March 24, 2007, 10:23:06 PM »

The T-II also had blunter tip shape; I'd suspect wider flap chord toward the tips. Rod isn't home from VSC yet (wish I wasn't!) but this T-Bird is no more. Turbulence is cruel on untrimmed models. Power was an OS .46LA. Sorry for your loss, Rod.

Steve

Randy Powell · « **Reply #13 on:** March 25, 2007, 12:22:27 AM »

Sorry to hear that. It was a nice looking bird.

Rod Claus · « **Reply #14 on:** March 27, 2007, 08:18:40 AM »

The power was a Scott Riese LA40. I learned a lot trying to trim a new model just before competition.Not a good choice!!A desert gust caught it in the back side of the overhead 8 and put it in the grass.I was heartbroken for the loss,but will step back and learn from this.My thanks goes out to Steve Helmick and Mike Haverly for their time and patience in the trimming process.
BTW...the canopy was the one that Eric puts in the kit.
Rod

Rod Claus · « **Reply #15 on:** March 27, 2007, 08:54:42 AM »

Hey Randy.......
An aluminum small block was my second choice.........................

Rod

Joe Gilbert · « **Reply #16 on:** March 28, 2007, 12:59:10 AM »

Rod I had no idea you lost that beauty at Tucson, it was great meeting you.

Rod Claus · « **Reply #17 on:** March 28, 2007, 10:56:34 AM »

Thanks Joe.........
It was my pleasure to see you again and meet your lovley wife.
Rod Claus

Leo Mehl · « **Reply #18 on:** April 29, 2007, 01:40:25 PM »

, Nice looking T-Bird Rod, and good paint job. Sorry you lost it so soon. I hate it when that happens. You are not the first guy to do that you know. I am sure I am way ahead of you with that one. Ron is one of the nicest guys I have met here lately. Not only that but he has a super wife and his flying has gotten a lot better. It's alway good to see you Rod.

Norvaldo · « **Reply #19 on:** April 29, 2007, 01:51:12 PM »

Hi.
Mine is still in one piece. I have not got the lettering yet.
I have probably broken some 'Classic Legal' rules. Wing halves are equal in size. And the inner flap is slightly narrower than the outer.
Flies great with a RO-JET .40 4 stroking on 8300 RPM.
Weight 45 OZ. Graupner dope on fuselage. Rest Oracover.

Norvald

CharlesF · « **Reply #20 on:** June 06, 2007, 06:03:10 AM »

I built my T-Bird from plans drawn up from Bob Palmer's plane which he took on his tour of Southern Africa and UK in '57. But I didn't use the "radial cowl" nose. Instead I used the upright engine pointed nose version that seemed to be popular at the time. Mine has a johnson 35S and is really a pleasure to fly. "Traditional" paint scheme as well.

Charles
PS
I don't know how to put a picture in here!