2023 Agenda A Build Log

[bill bischoff]

You could mold some super light carbon fiber wing tips. The inboard one could be removeable to allow you to use your current adjustable leadout setup. Or, carve the outboard tip out of balsa, then mold the inboard tip from it. Bet'cha can't do it! 

[wwwarbird]

LOL!

Merry Christmas Wayne.

 I'm serious Crist, it needs them. Would look MUCH better when finished than chopping off the stab/elevator to match. 

 Merry Christmas to you too! 

[Crist Rigotti]

I'm serious Crist, it needs them. Would look MUCH better when finished than chopping off the stab/elevator to match. 

 Merry Christmas to you too! 

I knew you were!  I should have said chuckle!

[wwwarbird]

I knew you were!  I should have said chuckle!

 No worries, I figured. 

[Craig Beswick]

Don't people like, "Clipped", wings?

Craig

[wwwarbird]

Don't people like, "Clipped", wings?

Craig

 On a Reno Unlimited yeah, but not in this case. 

[john e. holliday]

I agree with warbird.

[Crist Rigotti]

I have the white Monokote on.
Next is the hinging and trim.

[Ken Culbertson]

 

I have the white Monokote on.
Next is the hinging and trim.

That white is so bright it makes the fuselage disappear!  Looking great.  I see you averaged all of the advice on the tips and did nothing.  I am doing a lot of that nowadays.

Ken

[Pat Johnston]

I love your full body version. This wing with the +P airfoil is a super performer. As fun as your build thread is, I predict the flying is going to be amazing. Thanks for letting us share in your fun.
Pat Johnston
Idaho Skunk Works

[Crist Rigotti]

LL~That white is so bright it makes the fuselage disappear!  Looking great.  I see you averaged all of the advice on the tips and did nothing.  I am doing a lot of that nowadays.

Ken

Seeing the stab is Monokoted, I can always do something later!

[Crist Rigotti]

I love your full body version. This wing with the +P airfoil is a super performer. As fun as your build thread is, I predict the flying is going to be amazing. Thanks for letting us share in your fun.
Pat Johnston
Idaho Skunk Works

Pat, thanks for checking in.  I am looking forward to flying this thing for sure!

[Crist Rigotti]

Applied the trim to the wing and stabilizer using Monokote and the "Windex" method.  After it dries out overnight, I go over the trim with my Monokote iron set about 1/2.

After cleaning all surfaces with acetone, I installed the wing and flap horn and flaps.  I had to cut out an extra triangle piece from trailing edge fuselage cutout the wing to slid through.  I then used some 1/8 balsa and put that between each flap root and the fuselage sides.  I then measured from the tail post to the flap tip on the wing and made sure that measurement was equal on both sides.  I then marked the outside of the fuselage sides on the Monokote both top and bottom.

I then removed the wing and cut the Monokote inside of the fuselage 3/8 inch and then cut that edge with a bunch of triangles.  I did this on all 4 edges of the Monokote.  I then sealed down the Monokote real good at the root.

I then slid the wing back into the fuselage along with the flap horn.  The flaps were installed and the 1/8 shims were pinned into place.  Again I measured from the tail post to the flap tip and made sure the measurement was equal and the wing tips were the same distance off the bench.  When I was satisfied all was good, I then tacked the wing in place with medium CA.  I then carefully flipped the whole thing over and tacked the top of the wing in place.

I then fiberglassed the center section both top and bottom with 3/4 ounce glass and my laminating epoxy.  I used an acid brush and forced the epoxy into the fuselage and wing joint.  I then blotted off all the extra epoxy with toilet paper.  It is now curing overnight.

Tomorrow I'll install the push rods and just let the stabilizer float in its slot.  I'll glue it in when I have the fuselage covered in 2/10 carbon fiber and a few coats of clear dope.  The fuselage will be stable and then the stab/wing alignment won't shift through the finishing stage.

[Crist Rigotti]

I installed the controls today.  I'm using Tom Morris hardware and carbon fiber push rods.  I used 4-40 hardware and nylon locking nuts.  I used a 4-40 washer between the socket head screw and the ball link.  This will prevent a total loss of control if the ball link pops out of the plastic link. 

I also used a 4-40 fender washer on each side of the adjustable elevator horn to keep the ball link from spreading the adjustable part. 

I also epoxied in the landing gear mount and the accelerometer mount.

I'm ready to install the top blocks and bottom sheeting.

[Crist Rigotti]

The bottom sheeting was applied today.  I wet the parting surfaces with water and glued on the sheeting with my watered down Titebond glue.  Then it was taped in place.  When dry I rounded the fuselage edges and installed the air exit ramp.  I used 1/32 balsa.

I then glued on the top blocks in a similar way.

[Crist Rigotti]

Some detail sanding and then I'll be ready for dope!

[Crist Rigotti]

I finished the detail sanding.

All dope used is Sig dope and Kleenstrip Lacquer thinner bought at Home Depot.

I applied 3 coats of 75/25 Nitrate/thinner to the bare wood lightly sanding between coats.

I then applied the 2/10 carbon fiber veil with 25/75 Nitrate/thinner. 

I then applied 1 coat of 50/50 Nitrate/thinner to the carbon fiber.  I then sanded with 220 grit.

I applied another coat of 50/50 Nitrate/thinner to the carbon fiber.  This was then sanded with 320 grit.  Weight gain from bare wood is 16 grams.

I then glued in the stabilizer using thin and medium CA, and some 15 minute epoxy to fix the elevator horn in place.

I then trimmed and fit the canopy to the fuselage and glued into place using 15 minute epoxy and masking tape to hold it in place.  Look close and you'll see a 1/4 thick "shelf" that I glued to the forward side of the bulkhead to glue the canopy to.  This "shelf" was sanded about 1/32 under size compared to the outside of the fuselage sides so that the canopy would be very close to the fuselage sides.

Next up was the fin.  I marked on the fuselage top where I wanted to slot the top sheeting and cut that out.  I then trimmed the fin to shape.  The bottom portion of the fin is glued to the top of the stabilizer.  Once satisfied, I glued in the fin with some 15 minute epoxy where the fin and stabilizer meet and the aft portion where the fin sits on top of the shaped block.  I used thin CA to glue the fine to the sheeting.

After everything was glued securely, I put the model together to see what it would really look like.

[Crist Rigotti]

Once the model was assembled I did the fillets.  I use Aeropoxy because of its strength.  Here is a link that details how I do fillets.

http://stunthanger.com/smf/gettin-all-amp'ed-up!/legacy-40-electric-a-build-log/msg398194/#msg398194

The fillets added 8 grams.  Total weight of the finish is 24 grams.

Next up the filler coats.

[Crist Rigotti]

I added the filler coats today.  I used 50/50 Nitrate/thinner and a couple of tablespoons of Zinc Stearate.  I brushed on 2 coats 90 degrees to each other.  When dry I dry sanded with 220 grit.  Weight gained was 3 grams.  Total finish weight is 27 grams.

On to 2 coats of 33/66 Nitrate/thinner to seal the model which they are drying overnight.

[Crist Rigotti]

The seal coats are dry and a light sanding was done.

I then brushed on 2 coats of Sig Lite-Coat clear 40/60 dope/thinner.  Then sprayed on 2 more coats of clear 33/67 dope/thinner.  This then dried overnight.
I then wet sanded the model with 600 grit to level the finish.  That was a lot of sanding!  But the finish is level and now ready for the grey blocking coats.
Total weight of the finish so far is 29 grams.

[Crist Rigotti]

I sprayed on 1 blocking coat.  I used Sig white with some black added.  40/60 dope/thinner.  After it was dry, I began using the Bondo red glazing putty to fill the dents and imperfections.

The pictures show round one with the putty.

I just finished round 3 and it is now good enough to go with 1 more blocking coat.  Then a light sanding then on to the white.

So far this step has added 10 grams.

[john e. holliday]

That is looking good.  You have way more patience that I do.

[Crist Rigotti]

Thanks Doc!

[Crist Rigotti]

After several rounds of glazing and another gray coat I let it dry overnight.  I then wet sanded it flat using 800 grit.
Weight gained was 12 grams.  Total of 41 grams from bare balsa.

Onto the white!

[Crist Rigotti]

Teaser!

[Crist Rigotti]

The white is done.  I spray the whole fuselage with 2 coats, then where the fuselage will remain white, I sprayed on 3 more coats using 33/67 dope/thinner.

The next day I wet sanded it flat with 800 grit.

Added weight was 25 grams.  Total from bare balsa is now 66 grams.

I'll now spray on a coat or 2 of clear to seal the white.

[Clee13]

WOW! Crist that looks amazing. Love the way you blended the canopy into the fuse. Can't wait to see it at the field.

[Crist Rigotti]

WOW! Crist that looks amazing. Love the way you blended the canopy into the fuse. Can't wait to see it at the field.

Thanks!  It'll be a couple of weeks till it's ready for the circle!  See you out there.

[Crist Rigotti]

I sprayed on 2 coats of clear 33/67 dope/thinner to seal the white.  The next day I wet sanded it flat again.  I missed weighing it but I figure it was close to 8 grams.  I'll weight it again after the red.

I masked and sprayed on the Fokker Red today.  25/65/10 Dope/thinner/retarder.  Tomorrow I'll wet sand the edges down and flatten the red.  Then shoot the blue.

I'll try and remember to weight it tomorrow for those who are keeping score.

[Crist Rigotti]

I wet sanded the red today.  Between the clear seal coats and the red I added 10 grams.  76 grams total so far.

I then shot the blue and frosted the canopy.  The blue is 3 parts Dark Blue and 1 part Miami Blue.  this gives a close match to the Sapphire Blue Monokote that I'm using.

Tomorrow I sand the edges and flatten the blue.  Then it'll be ready for the final clear coats.  I added 4 grams for a total of 80 grams from bare balsa.

My budget now allows me 20 grams for clear coats.

[Dennis Adamisin]

Hi Crist
I have not been commenting but HAVE been watching - with a touch of envy and jealousy!  The new bird is looking great.  Just meeting your weight schedule would have resulted in a very good outcome.  The fact that you are ahead of your weight targets is fantastic.

Bet it will fly good too!!!

[Crist Rigotti]

Thanks Dennis.

[Crist Rigotti]

The first couple of clear coats are on. It's been 2 weeks since I started the finish.

[Dave Rigotti]

Did it orange peel on the wing?

[Dennis Adamisin]

Did it orange peel on the wing?

You may be on to something, the clearcoat on the wing looks a little it needs to buff out???v

[Dwayne Donnelly]

Hi Crist, do you clear the wings?

[Crist Rigotti]

Hi Crist, do you clear the wings?

No, they are Monokote.

[Ken Culbertson]

No, they are Monokote.

You need to hit them with the heat gun, they look wrinkled. 

[Crist Rigotti]

You need to hit them with the heat gun, they look wrinkled. 

Very funny!

[Crist Rigotti]

After sanding the first 3 coats of clear the weight gained was 10 grams.

Today I shot the final 3 coats.  I expect the final 3 coats to weigh 10 grams too.  20 grams for the clear.  100 grams for the finish from bare wood.  Right on target.

I'll let it sit for a few days to rest and harden.  Then on to final assembly.

[Dave Rigotti]

Looks beautiful!

[Dwayne Donnelly]

No, they are Monokote.

I know, I was just wondering because some do clear monokote, very nice work btw. 

[Crist Rigotti]

I know, I was just wondering because some do clear monokote, very nice work btw. 

Monokote and electric equals no extra coatings!

Thank you.

[Crist Rigotti]

I assembled the airplane today.  No major issues actually no issues at all.

I'm including a picture of the electronics as I built it up on the bench and all I had to do was to screw in the Arming socket and ESC switch.  Fit real well.

All that's left is to add my AMA number and the name.

As it sits circle ready it weighs 53.3 ounces.

I have to bench trim and program the timer then it'll be ready for first flight.

[Mike Griffin]

Hey Crist,

Just got caught up on this build.  All I can say is Beautiful, just beautiful.  You are making much more progress than I am with the Ringmaster 576 build.  Wonderful craftsmanship Crist.

Mike

[Dennis Nunes]

Well done Crist, well done!  I'll bet it will fly just as good as it looks!

Dennis

[Crist Rigotti]

Thanks guys. 

Maybe this weekend the weather will be good enough to fly it!

[Crist Rigotti]

I flew the Agenda Saturday.  2 1 minute flights to get the lap times close.  On the 2nd flight, I bounced the landing and broke a wheel.  I got carried away and used too light of duty wheels.  Went home and put on some real wheels and added 1/2 ounce of clay to the nose.

I flew it some more today.  2 2 1/2 minute flights to tweak the lap times and see if wings were level in both directions.  The outboard wing was high in both directions.  Added 1/4 ounce.

On the 3rd flight today I flew a complete pattern.  Had an over run!  I reset the timer to 6 minutes and 25 seconds instead of 5 minutes and 25 seconds.  Old age creeping in.
Added another 1/4 ounce tip weight and flew 2 more complete patterns. 

It's flying very well and I just have to get some more handle time on it.  It does have a quick corner and comes out of the square corners solid.

I epoxied in 3/4 ounce of nose weight tonight.  With the extra tip weight, real wheels, and nose weight, it now weighs 55 ounces even.

I charged the 2 batteries that had complete flights on them and the first flight in calm wind used 1569ma, and the second flight in winder conditions used 1492ma.  These were using my 6S 2600mah Li-On batteries.  Used about 62%. 

[Matt Colan]

I got to see it fly today.  Crist has a winner on his hands! I looked hard and just couldn’t find it doing anything wrong in the pattern!

[Ken Culbertson]

I got to see it fly today.  Crist has a winner on his hands! I looked hard and just couldn’t find it doing anything wrong in the pattern!

When Matt can't find anything wrong, well there isn't anything.  I had to leave before the first pattern but what I saw impressed me too.  I have not done an ice cream cone airfoil since my 1970 Spitfire.  I may have to give it a try again.  I love the way it accelerates out of corners. 

Ken