Author Topic: Keeping up with the Jones - Novi I update (Read 3385 times)

Randy Powell · « **on:** January 01, 2007, 07:36:45 PM »

So, here is the Novi I progress report. Just need to come up with a decent cowl attachment system, but Robert will be glad to know that as it sit there with tank, engine, prop and spinner, it's right on 32oz (32.05oz to be exact). The balance, surprisingly, is also right on at about an inch ahead of the plan designated CG. With finish, should be close to right on. Power is a PA .40 Merlin with my own muffler. Should be fun. And the weight gives me a good 10oz of finish allowance to hit the target weight of 40-44oz. Cool!

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #1 on:** January 01, 2007, 08:08:19 PM »

lookin real nice there Randy!
cant wait to see the finish on this one.

Steve Helmick · « **Reply #2 on:** January 01, 2007, 08:13:12 PM »

Me too, Randy, me too! Looking forward to seeing pictures of the color scheme when you get to it. How many colors on this'n?

Steve

Randy Powell · « **Reply #3 on:** January 01, 2007, 08:20:08 PM »

Thaks, Mark and Steve.

I'm planning to duplicate the original paint scheme...sorta. It will be green pretty much. with dark green, black and a dab of red on the trim. But all will be candy colors with a green pearl in the clear. Should be interesting, anyway.

RC Storick · « **Reply #4 on:** January 01, 2007, 09:39:05 PM »

It's a thing of beauty! Looks great!

Randy Powell · « **Reply #5 on:** January 02, 2007, 08:33:22 AM »

Thanks, Robert. It's light and straight. Now I just have to go easy on the finish and it should be a good classic plane. The power should certainly work well.

dave shirley jr · « **Reply #6 on:** January 03, 2007, 12:23:04 AM »

looks great randy
I just finished the cowl on my F4 and havent figured out how to mount it yet either
when you figure out yours come by and do mine will ya
Dave jr.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #7 on:** January 03, 2007, 10:17:59 AM »

Dave,

Yea, I came up with an idea. I tend to go minimalist with the attachments. If I can hide the screws, that's even better. This one will bolt behind the spinner with slats that maintain the cowl shape along on the vertical contact and a couple of pins for the top rear part. Should work OK. Just have to come up with a bolt in method.

I didn't work on it last night as I was digging out what used to be a retaining wall behind the house. It blew out last night and behind my house is covered with 1 man rubble. Ain't rain fun.

Shultzie · « **Reply #8 on:** January 03, 2007, 11:42:40 AM »

Quote from: Randy Powell on January 01, 2007, 07:36:45 PM

So, here is the Novi I progress report. Just need to come up with a decent cowl attachment system, but Robert will be glad to know that as it sit there with tank, engine, prop and spinner, it's right on 32oz (32.05oz to be exact). The balance, surprisingly, is also right on at about an inch ahead of the plan designated CG. With finish, should be close to right on. Power is a PA .40 Merlin with my own muffler. Should be fun. And the weight gives me a good 10oz of finish allowance to hit the target weight of 40-44oz. Cool!

DANDY-RANDYMAN' WHAT BEAUTIFUL CONSTRUCTION!!!!!! AGAIN, ALMOST A CRIME TO HIDE ALL THAT BEAUTIFUL WORK...BEFORE COVERING AND FINISHING!
THANKS SOOOOOOOO MUCH FOR SHARING THAT GREAT SKELETON WITH US WITH THOSE PHOTOS
! WOW!

Lee Thiel · « **Reply #9 on:** January 03, 2007, 12:11:12 PM »

I was looking at Bob Reeves new modified Nobler that he is working on. He hid the cowl mounting screws behide the spinner also. Very clean way to do it, but it is a little hassle when the cowl has to come off.

Lee TGD

Randy Powell · « **Reply #10 on:** January 03, 2007, 12:33:51 PM »

Thanks Don.

Lee,

Yea, I've done several that way. You have to remove the prop and spinner to get the cowl off. Not horrible, but does take an extra step. I used to like the single attachment screw in the center of the rear of the cowl, but rear exhaust engines tend to make this problematic unless it's a very deep fuselage.

dave shirley jr · « **Reply #11 on:** January 03, 2007, 10:32:31 PM »

hey thats funny i was thinking of mounting behing the spinner, but i thought it might seem odd, but hey randy might do it!
how odd can it be. i was thinking of drilling holes ( one for the screw and one for balance) in the backplate so the prop could stay on and just the nose would have to come off.
Dave jr.
oh by the way it sprinkled this evening.
Sorry Randy!

Randy Powell · « **Reply #12 on:** January 04, 2007, 10:20:12 AM »

Dave and Ty,

The last 3 or 4 planes I've built, I used an aluminum bar across the nose (kinda of a loop over the thrust washer of the engine). About a 1/4" thick, drilled and tapped for a 4-40. Then a hole through the cowl nose ring. A 4-40 socket head screw goes through the nose ring and into the aluminum piece. Works real well, but has the disadvantage of removing the ability to lift the engine straight out of the plane since the aluminum piece is directly over the thrust washer. With the Novi, this won't be an option because of the rear exhaust muffler and rather small cowling. I will need to have a screw on either side of the engine so the engine can be lifted directly out and forward letting the muffler clear the fuselage.

Sigh...

So, I do think I have come up with a plan. I will take some pictures and post them when I get it going.

RC Storick · « **Reply #13 on:** January 04, 2007, 10:23:28 AM »

Did you see my Tbolt cowl mounting? Do a search for cowl mounting.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #14 on:** January 04, 2007, 12:50:33 PM »

Hmm, I tried "cowl mounting", "T-Bolt cowl mounting" and "Thunderbolt cowl mounting" but All I get are references to this thread.

RC Storick · « **Reply #15 on:** January 04, 2007, 12:53:11 PM »

humm I'll look in a min

Randy Powell · « **Reply #16 on:** January 04, 2007, 12:55:13 PM »

Robert,

I think I have it figured out. Easy if I don't mind exposed screw heads. I was trying to come up with a system that hid the screws or whatever. I think I'm set.

RC Storick · « **Reply #17 on:** January 04, 2007, 01:00:07 PM »

http://stunthanger.com/smf/index.php?topic=2807.50

Shultzie · « **Reply #18 on:** January 04, 2007, 01:12:26 PM »

WOW!
WHAT CRRRRRRREATIVITY! BEEEEEUUUUTIFUL' WORK!!! AM I ENVUS OR WHUT?

Randy Powell · « **Reply #19 on:** January 04, 2007, 04:23:30 PM »

Robert,

Thanks for the link. The round bottom on the cowl lends itself well to this sort of attachment.

Don,

No need. It really ain't that hard. just tedious.