New Playboy Kit List

[Bill Sawyer]

All of the Playboy kits have been sold. There are some still to be shipped, picked up and delivered at Huntersville.

When I started the kits I had a list of people that were interested and I was going to produce more than needed. Due to the high interest in the kits there was more demand than kits. I plan to start another run as there are people that have recently asked about getting one.

I am starting a "want list" to find out how many kits I should produce. As some of you know I do not collect money until the kits are ready to ship. I will produce the kits and then let you know the kits are ready. You may contact me by posting here, email, or phone.

My email is: starbond@earthlink.net
My Phone is listed as W. B. Sawyer in New Bern, N.C.

I will allow some time before starting the kits so everyone has a chance to get on it.

[Bill Sawyer]

Just moving it up.

[Richard Grogan]

Bill,
I think you told me in Chat, but I can't recall; what are you getting for the kit $$

Richard

[Bill Sawyer]

Richard,
    I sold the kits for $ 160.00 + $ 15.00 shipping in the USA. All of the kits have been sold, however I do plan to start producing more. I am waiting a short time to see how many I should make.

Thanks for your interest.
Bill

[Bill Sawyer]

    I plan to add names to the list for two more weeks. At that time I will begin production on more Playboy kits. I will be producing a few more than the number of names on the list.

[Richard Grogan]

Richard,
    I sold the kits for $ 160.00 + $ 15.00 shipping in the USA. All of the kits have been sold, however I do plan to start producing more. I am waiting a short time to see how many I should make.

Thanks for your interest.
Bill

Bill,
Does this price include the hardware pack? I know you will do a lot of the prefab work on it, but can you give everyone a rundown on what goes into this kit, as a reminder?

Thanks!
Richard

[Bill Sawyer]

Richard,
    Besides the commonly cut parts the Playboy contains:

Fuselage parts:
 
Motor crutch - the motor mounts are slotted with 1/4" balsa installed between the mounts and inserted into the mounts. This forms a mortise and tenon joint that is the strongest woodworking joint  used by woodworkers. The motor crutch is epoxied together and trimmed to final length. The motor mounts are also notched for use of metal engine pads, These pads are included in the kit but are drilled and mounted when the builder installs the engine.

Turtle deck - the turtle deck is a two layer unit. The two pieces were molded separately and glued together in the mold. This results in a solid unit but light. The  builder must trim to size.

Pull test blocks - there are special pull test parts that when installed provide a place for the owner to place his hands so that when the pull test is done the force is applied directly to the belcrank area  instead of the airframe.

The canopy is formed from 30 thousands Uvex  - a product which is used in safety eyewear. It usually runs a few thousands thicker then stated
 
Wing:

The leading edge is made from two pieces. They are assembled together for the builder. The builder must cut the center ends to fit and trim the ends after the wing tips are installed.

The box beam is made from two full length pieces of laser cut 1/8 inch thick hardwood. They are assembled with internal blocks for landing gear mounting and belcrank support. The beam come completely assembled with the holes for the mounting of the landing gear wires predrilled. The landing gear wires are  bent and the mounting hardware is included in the kit.

The trailing edge is made from three pieces of balsa glued into a triangular shape. This is done for the builder. The builder must cut the center section to fit and once the wing is assembled remove the extra at the tips.

The builder must mark the leading edge, trailing edge and box beam for placement of the ribs before installing them in the fuselage.

The Laser Locked Ribs are cut to fit around the box beam which eliminates the need for the fitting and shimming of the ribs to spar which is normally needed in I-beam construction. The ribs also fit into a notch at the leading edge and butt against the trailing edge. The ribs are also cut to length.

The outer rib is cut to form a building jig which will hold the wing tips while adding ribs.

The wing tips are made from a three layer sandwich. The inboard tip is laser cut for the use of an adjustable lead out guide. The guide is included in the kit, Laser cut parts which form the wing tip weight box are included in the parts.

Flaps:

The flaps have laser cut skins and can be built either built up as shown or the skins can be used to make a pattern for solid material - builders choice.

Tail:

The rudder is glued together from laser cut parts

The stabilizer is made from two pieces of laser cut material that must be glued together in a layer configuration.

The elevators are made almost the same process as the flaps and can be built solid also.

Tail wheel:

The tail wheel wire is bent where the wheel fits but the top is straight for the builder to bend according to how he wishes to mount it.

Wheel pants:

There are layers of laser cut parts that allow up to a 2 1/4" wheel in the cut out areas. The layers have extra layers available so the builder can adjust the width to the wheel he chooses. Also there is an extra outside piece with a "door" cut into it. This allows the removal of the wheels when needed. If the builder wishes to not use this feature the standard solid outside piece is included.

Instructions:

There is twenty two pages of instructions with 50 some color pictures showing the assembly. There are two sheets of cad drawn plans to build on.

Hardware:

There is no control system included in the kit: Shown on the plans is the Tom Morris style but the builder chooses his own preference and does not get items he does not want.

[Leester]

I received my kit and it is a work of art. I have a question on the controls, when ordering from CLC do I just tell them its for the Bill Sawyer Playboy ? Would anyone have a list of part numbers and dimensions of items needed ?  Thanks

[Bill Sawyer]

Leester,
     I did not set up any specifications for the controls with CLC. Mainly because I thought most people would want to use their own setup for them. The dimensions for the pushrods can be measured directly from the side view on the plans. As these should be almost dead on you should have no problem doing it.
    What I used was the Tom Morris style 4 inch belcrank with leadouts attached. I used the thicker one he sells. To that I connected a ball link setup with s short carbon pushrod to another ball link at the flap horn. I used the 3 /32 " wire unbushed flap horn and I bent the wire to the plan with the wires entering the flaps at about the middle of the basswood inserts. From the flap horn I used another set up like the first only a longer carbon pushrod with two ball links. At the rear was an unbushed  3/32 wire elevator horn again bent to fit intthe middle of the basswood inserts in the elevators. With the directions that come with Tom's equipment it is easy to cut and fit the pushrods. If you need more help just give me a call.

[Leester]

Thanks Bill: I'll get to measuring and make out a shopping list.