Author Topic: Building a new Super 70s plane (Read 39703 times)

Bob Hunt · « **Reply #100 on:** February 03, 2020, 04:25:41 PM »

Man! Does this bring back memories! I remember when I was painting the original F-105. I was at that point dating the girl (woman now...) who was to become my wife of 45 years and counting. She dutifully stayed with me in the shop and pretended to be interested in the painting process. She hasn't been in my shop except for short visits since... Well, that's not entirely true; sometimes she helps with molding leading edge shells for customer's wings.

You have done a spectacular job, Randy, and I hope your "Thud" flies as well as mine did. If it does, you'll be a happy guy.

Attached is a photo of Marianne and me at a contest in Flushing Meadows in 1972. If you look closely, you'll see the top of the fin of my F-105. This photo - by the way - was taken by Bob Lampione!

Later - Bob

Randy Powell · « **Reply #101 on:** February 05, 2020, 03:29:02 PM »

Thanks, Bob. Nice picture.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #102 on:** February 08, 2020, 08:45:56 PM »

About half done with trim. Should be able to finish trim plus graphics tomorrow. Then a ton of inklines. Ugh.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #103 on:** February 08, 2020, 08:53:37 PM »

This is the vague guideline.

Bob Hunt · « **Reply #104 on:** February 09, 2020, 07:16:48 AM »

Gorgeous, just gorgeous!

Bob Hunt

John Leidle · « **Reply #105 on:** February 09, 2020, 09:51:29 AM »

Looks pretty nice from over on the East side Randy.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #106 on:** February 09, 2020, 07:57:31 PM »

Quote from: Randy Powell on February 08, 2020, 08:53:37 PM

This is the vague guideline.

I was wondering about the green, but I get it now.

Ken Culbertson · « **Reply #107 on:** February 09, 2020, 09:41:06 PM »

Quote from: wwwarbird on February 09, 2020, 07:57:31 PM

I was wondering about the green, but I get it now.

Anti glair. They painted them with clear lacquer in Germany and they shined. Randy was smart to pick the 36th. Most military planes are painted flat.

Ken

Randy Powell · « **Reply #108 on:** February 10, 2020, 02:30:47 PM »

Seemed the thing.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #109 on:** February 10, 2020, 02:40:10 PM »

Still some black. Then graphics, ink and clear.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #110 on:** February 10, 2020, 09:17:04 PM »

Quote from: Ken Culbertson on February 09, 2020, 09:41:06 PM

Anti glair.

Ken

Yep, I knew that, most often anti-glare panels were done in black though. I just thought the green seemed an odd choice for the "Thud", until I saw the reference Randy is using. There are very few F-105 schemes to pick from that have much for color, Randy found a good one here.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #111 on:** February 16, 2020, 08:49:39 PM »

More progress. Man I hate inklines. And I'm bad at them. Shame, that. And the pics aren't very good for some reason. Sigh...

wwwarbird · « **Reply #112 on:** February 16, 2020, 09:58:54 PM »

Are those your own waterslides or..?

Randy Powell · « **Reply #113 on:** February 18, 2020, 11:40:30 AM »

Yes, I made the decals. They came out OK, mostly.

I hate rushing but i'm out of time.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #114 on:** February 18, 2020, 07:31:33 PM »

Quote from: Randy Powell on February 18, 2020, 11:40:30 AM

I hate rushing but i'm out of time.

Oh yeah, bringing it to Tucson?

Randy Powell · « **Reply #115 on:** February 19, 2020, 12:16:21 PM »

Wayne,

That's the plan. I hope.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #116 on:** February 19, 2020, 08:15:43 PM »

10-4, keep on truckin'!

Randy Powell · « **Reply #117 on:** February 22, 2020, 10:04:01 AM »

The clear is on.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #118 on:** February 22, 2020, 10:02:00 PM »

Quote from: Randy Powell on February 22, 2020, 10:04:01 AM

The clear is on.

Sounds like Tucson should be too then?

Bob Hunt · « **Reply #119 on:** February 23, 2020, 06:26:43 AM »

This project has been wonderful; especially for me. When someone opts to build a model you have designed, and then does such an amazing job with it as has Randy, well the pride and appreciation is overwhelming. If I could, I would love to book a flight to Tucson this March just to watch Randy fly this masterpiece. Unfortunately, I'm scheduled to undergo some extensive oral surgery just at the time of the VSC meet. Thinking about Randy flying his F-105 will, i'm sure, assuage any pain and anxiety I'll be experiencing in "the chair."

Thank you Randy for bringing this model to life once again. Can't tell you how much it means to me. I was thinking about building anther Thud myself, but now that idea is mute; you have produced the quintessential version of the design, and there is no way I could top that.

Bob

Randy Powell · « **Reply #120 on:** February 24, 2020, 02:21:46 PM »

Gee, Bob. <blush>

Randy Powell · « **Reply #121 on:** March 02, 2020, 01:32:26 PM »

OK, final pics. It's current on it's way to Tucson.

Bob Hunt · « **Reply #122 on:** March 02, 2020, 06:48:02 PM »

Get me a towel; I'm drooling! Oh how I wish I could be in Tucson when you unveil this beauty...

Good providence with this one, Randy; you deserve it.

In awe - Bob

wwwarbird · « **Reply #123 on:** March 02, 2020, 08:20:47 PM »

So it'll be a maiden flight in Tucson? The "Thud" really looks great, best of luck with it.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #124 on:** March 03, 2020, 01:42:30 PM »

Yea, we'll see. Might be good. And, might not.

Ken Culbertson · « **Reply #125 on:** March 03, 2020, 02:41:33 PM »

It is going to be fun to learn to land 15 degrees nose up. Ever consider adding a drag chute? That would be beyond cool especially if you didn't let the judges know before hand!

You going to use gloss clear or satin? I have personally never seen a military plane other than the Thunderbirds in gloss.

This is a super cool plane. I sincerely hope it flies as good as it looks.

Ken

John Leidle · « **Reply #126 on:** March 03, 2020, 09:51:08 PM »

Not bad Randy, not bad at all. Terrific effort .
John L.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #127 on:** March 04, 2020, 04:14:09 PM »

Ken,

It was a dope finish with polyurethane clear top coat. Sort of buffed. I didn't have time to finish the buffing. Oh well.

It should present well in the air. Based on weight, power and absolutely the smoothest control system I've even managed to build and a wicked cool design, it should be fun to fly.

Will Hinton · « **Reply #128 on:** March 16, 2020, 08:40:22 PM »

Randy, you have a masterpiece there. Wow is the best description I can give for it. Not just well done, but exceptionally well done.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #129 on:** March 18, 2020, 01:00:22 PM »

As some of you might have heard, the new plane is no more. Combination of bad conditions and bad decision making. Plane was caught in turbulence and got swatted into the ground. I knew I should have bailed on the clover. Pretty much a total.

Shame, that.

Dave Hull · « **Reply #130 on:** March 18, 2020, 01:23:07 PM »

RP,

Very sorry to hear that. It was a beauty! Did you get more than the one flight?

My guys said it never showed for appearance judging, so I wondered....

The Divot

Randy Powell · « **Reply #131 on:** March 18, 2020, 01:28:27 PM »

Dave,

That's the worst part. I got 5 flights on it and it flew really well. Nice, flat bottoms and did rounds right off the board. Nice flying plane.

Ken Culbertson · « **Reply #132 on:** March 18, 2020, 04:36:57 PM »

Quote from: Randy Powell on March 18, 2020, 01:28:27 PM

Dave,

That's the worst part. I got 5 flights on it and it flew really well. Nice, flat bottoms and did rounds right off the board. Nice flying plane.

Nothing can take away the pain of losing a new ship. The warm fuzzies that come from a plane that flies right off of the bench keep reminding you of what could have been. Most planes can be made to do corners pretty soon out of the blocks but the rounds tell it all. We burried a lot of Thuds in Thailand. Maybe it just thought it was supposed to...

Build another one but this time paint it as a Weasel

Scientifiction . · « **Reply #133 on:** March 18, 2020, 06:35:09 PM »

THAT would @#$% you off .

wwwarbird · « **Reply #134 on:** March 18, 2020, 08:15:03 PM »

I caught a vague comment somewhere the other day that didn't sound good, sorry to hear my initial hunch was true, damn.

Well, at least you're bench is clear for the next build. I vote for another Thud, heck, the plans are probably still taped to the wall!

Randy Powell · « **Reply #135 on:** March 19, 2020, 11:07:00 AM »

Wayne,

I'm finishing a partially built Don Shultz Avenger for classic. That will likely be my VSC plane next year.

Then I have some ideas.....

Bob Hunt · « **Reply #136 on:** March 19, 2020, 01:20:54 PM »

Randy:

Words just cannot convey how bad I feel for your loss. It was a gorgeous ship (as usual for you...), and from your report, it flew pretty much "off the board." I had better fortune with mine as it lasted for a couple of years until I flew it at a contest in some very heavy winds. The up line broke during a pullout.

Thank you for choosing one of my designs to build; that was a high honor for me. To have someone of your building and finishing caliber replicate my Thud was a thrill.

Hope this doesn't dampen your enthusiasm.

Later - Bob Hunt

Randy Powell · « **Reply #137 on:** March 20, 2020, 11:31:16 AM »

Naw, I've recovered. Already planning the next one.

Just to prove it did fly. My sister-in-law took the pictures

Bob Hunt · « **Reply #138 on:** March 20, 2020, 11:51:43 AM »

Randy:

Again, it was just beautiful! Glad to hear that it didn't dampen your resolve to build. You're a better man than me Gunga Din...

Bob

Scientifiction . · « **Reply #139 on:** March 20, 2020, 07:49:50 PM »

Great to see your not gunna let it beat ya .

All the hopes & dreams tied up in it , quite a hurdle to clear to get up & get on with it, again .

Wonder if anyone'd insure these things , Hours at a comercial rate & materials involved . A pretty penny or two there .

For petes sake , with that electricary , get it out and FLY IT before all the effort in the ' finishing ' .Used electrons wash off .

Did you have the Drop Tanks bolt on , or fixed . ? . Now we can all stop worrying for you .

Ken Culbertson · « **Reply #140 on:** March 20, 2020, 10:32:11 PM »

Quote from: Air Ministry . on March 20, 2020, 07:49:50 PM

For petes sake , with that electricary , get it out and FLY IT before all the effort in the ' finishing ' .Used electrons wash off.

Wouldn't have made a difference. I always fly before I finish but getting pancaked on the clover is just a part of PA. It happens to all of us.

Beautiful plane - Ken

Bob Hunt · « **Reply #141 on:** March 21, 2020, 05:51:37 AM »

Quote from: Ken Culbertson on March 20, 2020, 10:32:11 PM

Wouldn't have made a difference. I always fly before I finish but getting pancaked on the clover is just a part of PA. It happens to all of us.

Beautiful plane - Ken

Perhaps just one more reason to consider the new rules proposal to alter the entry point of the Clover. Many are against the proposal because they don't want to change the long standing pattern for some nostalgic reason. Not all change is bad...

Later - Bob

PS: Just one more time, Randy, a magnificent effort on your part.

Ken Culbertson · « **Reply #142 on:** March 21, 2020, 09:48:37 AM »

Quote from: Bob Hunt on March 21, 2020, 05:51:37 AM

Perhaps just one more reason to consider the new rules proposal to alter the entry point of the Clover. Many are against the proposal because they don't want to change the long standing pattern for some nostalgic reason. Not all change is bad...

Later - Bob

PS: Just one more time, Randy, a magnificent effort on your part.

Couldn't agree more. I have only had a handful of planes that could make that turn from 42 in bad air and in Texas that is about all we have. Thermal downdrafts have spelled the end many a plane here, mine included. Personally I like the clover flown from 45 better but I also respect the opinion of those that don't.

Ken

Bob Hunt · « **Reply #143 on:** March 21, 2020, 11:05:27 AM »

Hi Ken:

The proposal we have to look at is to alter the entry point to level flight at the center of the maneuver. In other words the first thing is to make an inside turn of 90 degrees and go straight up to the point of the first inside loop, and then fly the maneuver as before from that point. That eliminates the dreaded turn back into the wind at the start of the maneuver as we do it now. In very heavy wind it is often difficult for some to climb to the 42/45 degree altitude and hold that until the start of the maneuver. Will the new proposal alleviate some of that? Don't know until I go out and fly it! But, I have an open mind to make the change if it is indeed better/safer.

Later - Bob

Ken Culbertson · « **Reply #144 on:** March 21, 2020, 01:31:28 PM »

Quote from: Bob Hunt on March 21, 2020, 11:05:27 AM

Hi Ken:

The proposal we have to look at is to alter the entry point to level flight at the center of the maneuver. In other words the first thing is to make an inside turn of 90 degrees and go straight up to the point of the first inside loop, and then fly the maneuver as before from that point. Tat eliminates the dreaded turn back into the wind at the start of the maneuver as we do it now. In very heavy wind it is often difficult for some to climb to the 42/45 degree altitude and hold that until the start of the maneuver. Will the new proposal alleviate some of that? Don't know until I go out and fly it! But, I have an open mind to make the chane if it is indeed better/safer.

Later - Bob

I went out and flew some that way when it first surfaced last year. After a few tries to defeat the muscle memory I was able to do it without much effort. It is both easier to fly and in my opinion safer but that is just me. One thing that I did notice was that the momentum loss that you get from having to hold the 42 was gone and it carried through the whole maneuver which actually makes that last leaf less dangerous. I would still move the center to 45 to make the whole thing easier to position. One thing I have noticed is that a lot of us already do it at 45 and others over compensate and are down around 40. I tend to do both depending on the air.

Ken

Bob Hunt · « **Reply #145 on:** March 22, 2020, 10:03:49 AM »

Okay, perhaps we need to cease hijacking this thread, and I'm as guilty of that as anyone else here; perhaps more. The loss of Randy's F-105 hit me hard. It was, after all, my first published design, and I have a rather paternal instinct about it. The fact that it was lost in the Clover made me think - and post - about the new rules proposal concerning the entry point of that maneuver.

I do have a lot of additional thoughts about that proposal; and I'm not indicating that I'm totally in favor of it. Let's move this discussion to the rules section of this forum, and let Randy's unbelievably gorgeous Thunderchief have this thread all to itself; it deserves it, Sorry, Randy, for letting - and helping - it drift away from that.

Later - Bob Hunt

Ken Culbertson · « **Reply #146 on:** March 22, 2020, 10:30:09 AM »

Quote from: Bob Hunt on March 22, 2020, 10:03:49 AM

Okay, perhaps we need to cease hijacking this thread, and I'm as guilty of that as anyone else here; perhaps more. The loss of Randy's F-105 hit me hard. It was, after all, my first published design, and I have a rather paternal instinct about it. The fact that it was lost in the Clover made me think - and post - about the new rules proposal concerning the entry point of that maneuver.

I do have a lot of additional thoughts about that proposal; and I'm not indicating that I'm totally in favor of it. Let's move this discussion to the rules section of this forum, and let Randy's unbelievably gorgeous Thunderchief have this thread all to itself; it deserves it, Sorry, Randy, for letting - and helping - it drift away from that.

Later - Bob Hunt

Randy Powell · « **Reply #147 on:** March 23, 2020, 10:19:03 AM »

Wouldn't have mattered how I entered. Just bad luck. I was doing the second loop and the wind changed direction and gusted. Heavily. I hit the turbulence and the plane was swatted into the ground. I knew I should have bailed out when I had it free flight in the overhead 8s. The conditioned sucked and I should have just bailed out. Such is life.