Author Topic: My New Kit The Laser Continental (Read 9733 times)

Bill Sawyer · « **on:** January 31, 2008, 01:09:27 PM »

The Laser Continental kits will be ready to ship at the end of this week . The cost is $ 125.00 plus shipping. As most of the first batch has been spoken for please contact me before sending payment. I do plan to produce more however it does take time and I prefer to have kits ready to ship when the payment arrives.

Here is a picture of the laser cut parts for my new kit. I plan to start an online build of this shortly. The kit was done in Autocad by Larry Cunningham. In doing this kit he has shown more of his abilities.
This kit is a departure for me from the I-beam style of build. This will be a "c" tube and it is classic legal. I don't want to reveal too much initially - just return for updates.
The first thing I will do is remove the parts from the laser cut sheets and post their weight. The balsa the kits will be cut from is from Lone Star.

A few details:

There is a wing tip weight box that is cut in the laser parts and the box has tabs that fit into slots in the last full rib.
The landing gear is removeable. If you have ever sanded wheel pants you know how nice this feature is.
The recommended engine size is a strong 40 to a 51 with the LA46 being an excellent choice.
The leadouts are adjustable
The control system is not provided as so many people use their own choices.
The landing gear is prebent for the main wires, the canopy is made by me from 30 thousands Uvex (which
is used in safety eyewear.
I plan to assemble the motor crutch and trim to length as in the Playboy.

More Later:

Leester · « **Reply #1 on:** January 31, 2008, 01:14:21 PM »

The parts look first class Bill and with Larry having done the autocad plans I can tell I'll be buying this one.

SteveMoon · « **Reply #2 on:** January 31, 2008, 01:57:19 PM »

Looks great, but what plane is it? Did I miss the name in your post. Also, I hope you
have a lot of Lone Star Balsa on hand, as they are out of business due to a fire. I
know I wish I had a much bigger pile of it than I do.

Later, Steve

Jim Pollock · « **Reply #3 on:** January 31, 2008, 03:04:30 PM »

Steve,

I'll fill you in. The plane is Tom Warden's "Continental"!

Jim Pollock

john e. holliday · « **Reply #4 on:** January 31, 2008, 04:32:29 PM »

That will go great sitting along side the "Playboy". Your soo right about Cunningham's ability with plans. Later, DOC Holliday

PS:Did I say to put me on the list also. jeh

Bill Sawyer · « **Reply #5 on:** January 31, 2008, 04:55:25 PM »

Just to let you know about the availability of kits --- When the online build is done the kits will be ready to ship, however there is a limited number of them in the first batch. Another batch will follow shortly afterward when I see how many people want one.

Leester · « **Reply #6 on:** January 31, 2008, 06:20:43 PM »

Bill put me on the list or do you want an email to you ?

Bill Sawyer · « **Reply #7 on:** January 31, 2008, 08:10:33 PM »

I removed the parts from the sheets so I could weigh what will be going into the plane. The weight of all the laser cut parts including the plywood is 10.3 ounces.

Another tidbit: the wingspan is 55 inches, length of near 40 inches area of 560 to 580 squares. I have not figured it exactly yet.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #8 on:** January 31, 2008, 08:31:43 PM »

Yea, the look at the parts sheets makes it pretty clear it's a Continental or closely related cousin. Looks very cool, Bill.

Shultzie · « **Reply #9 on:** January 31, 2008, 08:57:37 PM »

Wardley's beautiful Continental by Whitely...WOW~ WHAT A RIDE!

Randy Powell · « **Reply #10 on:** January 31, 2008, 11:07:34 PM »

Hmmm, Bill may be indirectly hoodwinking us. I just saw that RSM is putting out a kit of the Continental. Could be that this is something else.

Now my curiosity is piqued.

Clint Ormosen · « **Reply #11 on:** February 01, 2008, 02:26:34 AM »

Quote from: Randy Powell on January 31, 2008, 11:07:34 PM

Hmmm, Bill may be indirectly hoodwinking us. I just saw that RSM is putting out a kit of the Continental. Could be that this is something else.

Now my curiosity is piqued.

It's no hoodwink Randy. Bill is cutting this kit. There is a story here, but I'm not the one to tell it. Where did you see that RSM was doing it?

EDIT: Never mind. I just checked my email. I know where you found out about it.

sadams714441 · « **Reply #12 on:** February 01, 2008, 05:13:58 AM »

Please put me on the list also

Steve

SteveMoon · « **Reply #13 on:** February 01, 2008, 07:37:47 AM »

I saw the original Continental a few years ago at the VSC.
Great looking plane! Steve

Dean Pappas · « **Reply #14 on:** February 01, 2008, 09:15:47 AM »

Bill,
Does the kit come with Tom's plans for the abandoned profile blimp project?

Dean Pappas

john e. holliday · « **Reply #15 on:** February 01, 2008, 09:17:39 AM »

Does this mean that all of us that asked to be put on the list is getting the ame E-mail? Why is everyone afraid to say what the E-mail says? Mine says that Tom Lay is executor of Tom Wardens estate and haas given Eric Rule the privalige or rights to the kit. This makes me wonder about other duplicate kits on the market right now. I suppose I am in big trouble for devulging this so let the marbles fall where they may. DOC Holliday

Clint Ormosen · « **Reply #16 on:** February 01, 2008, 09:56:08 AM »

Some of us have received emails from RSM about their kit release. Apparently there is a rush to get it out since there are now two makers doing the same plane.

Doc, you have a PM.

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #17 on:** February 01, 2008, 10:17:44 AM »

Gee, did I miss something here, I didnt see where BILL said it was a Continental? interesting

Bill Little · « **Reply #18 on:** February 01, 2008, 10:49:43 AM »

I don't know what's up! But, it IS the Continental.........

Bill Sawyer · « **Reply #19 on:** February 01, 2008, 11:04:46 PM »

Here are some pics of the build.
The belcrank mount is infinately adjustable after the wing is assembled. Notice how the parts interlock for alignment. The rear spar is notched over and under to fit the ribs that are half notched also. The rear of the ribs have a 3/8 hole that can be used for alignment. In the assembly picture, the rear spar is glued together from three pieces. The belcrank mounts are just tacked in and the 1/4 sticks are tacked at the middle. The rest is friction holding the parts. I had to be careful because the parts are delicate but once at this point the assembly is getting stable.

Bill Sawyer · « **Reply #20 on:** February 02, 2008, 02:12:43 PM »

Here are two more pictures to update the build. I have added the leading edge square and the lower sheeting at the rear. Everything is now tack glued. In the picture you will notice two slots in the tip rib. These are the alignment slots where the wing tip weight box fits. The box has tabs that fit in the slots.

Bill Sawyer · « **Reply #21 on:** February 02, 2008, 08:11:23 PM »

Two more pictures: Knowing how much everyone likes cutting hinge slots, Larry has taken part of that pleasure from you. Notice the trailing edge with the laser cut hinge slots. I have added the backer blocks for the hinges and a stick of them will be included with the kits. They will be slotted also so there will be no slotting needed on the wing trailing edge. Flaps and tail surface you will have to do.
Another thing Larry has done is to laser cut the wing center sheeting. The curves are laser cut so all you will have to do is fit the place where the front and rear sheets meet. No more trying to get the correct radius.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #22 on:** February 02, 2008, 11:53:34 PM »

And apparently, as Bill stated earlier, he's not going to say until it's either built, or we can all tell what it is. You go, Bill!!

Look pretty good, by the way.

Leester · « **Reply #23 on:** February 03, 2008, 07:17:52 AM »

It's right on the wing plans Laser Continental.

Bill Sawyer · « **Reply #24 on:** February 03, 2008, 08:37:08 AM »

LASER CONTINENTAL

Bill Sawyer · « **Reply #25 on:** February 03, 2008, 12:18:08 PM »

The first picture shows the wing tip weight box installed. The parts are included in the kit.
The second picture shows the infinite adjustable mounts for the belcrank. The 1/8 wire aligns all four pieces of ply that have been epoxied in.
The third picture shows the parts for the landing gear mount. They have been epoxied together and will be epoxied in place when the epoxy cures.

Bill Sawyer · « **Reply #26 on:** February 03, 2008, 05:10:55 PM »

The first pic shows the laser cut center sheeting. The builder just has to fit the two pieces where they meet.

The second picture shows the mounting of the belcrank. The round piece is plywood and there are 4 of them epoxied in place. Also you can see the braces I installed using scrap from the kit.

The third picture is of the landing gear mounting blocks bottom view.

Larry Cunningham · « **Reply #27 on:** February 04, 2008, 02:25:18 AM »

If I may pipe in here, the kit is re-engineered, but is faithful to the published outlines
of the MAN plan, including the airfoils. In addition, I have a copy of two other plans
that Bill had, one a hand drawn original of Bill's, from Tom Warden himself.

I've been working on this kit over 8 months, and all the laser cut sheets were
completed back in November 2007. The plan sheets were completed in late 2007,
and I did an update and cleanup in January.

I know that RSM has a kit now for the Continental as well, seems to me that would
be a good situation for a modeler, to choose which to buy!

We found out about RSM's kit after the Laser Continental was designed, so we're
not inclined to just throw it away and the thousands of dollars worth of balsa
set aside for these kits by Bill.

I invite any comparisons to the Laser Continental and the published MAN plan.
I spent many, many hours carefully replicating all the shapes in AutoCAD. As far
as legality for VSC, our model does have an added adjustable leadout guide and
weight tip box, as well as a removable gear. In the past, I haven't seen objections
to such changes (e.g. some of our Roadrunners had removable gear). I believe
VSC/Classic rules allow internal structural changes as long as external perimeters are
faithful. The Laser Continental meets that criteria.

Contours created for this model are as accurate as I could make them, there
certainly isn't a pencil line width difference with the original plans. I even reproduced
the longer root chord length on its outboard flap. (Oh yeh, I did provide a cutout for
the elevator control horn access and perhaps clearance, it's very tight as you may know.)
Further, Bill Sawyer molded a custom canopy for it, to perfectly match the published
contour.

Be it known that no vitriol is intended with respect to RSM's version, I'm sure it is
excellent. RSM has a many kits and experience.

The best outcome will be for folks to purchase the version THEY prefer.

L.

PS - the fuselage outline on the original hand drawn plan is different than the
published one.. The Laser Continental uses the MAN plan.

"Remember that life is not measured in hours but in accomplishments." -James A. Pike

Leester · « **Reply #28 on:** February 04, 2008, 12:09:56 PM »

Heck.. buy one of each I probobly will, and have the best our cottage kit makers offer.

Bill Sawyer · « **Reply #29 on:** February 05, 2008, 12:52:43 PM »

I decided to switch to working on the fuselage for a while. The first two pictures show the details of my motor crutch. By slotting the mounts with the router table, I create a long mortise and tenon joint, which is probably the strongest wood working joint. The 1/4 inch sheet balsa is inserted into the motor mount givig a larger gluing surface than a butt joint. You will find this type of crutch used in my other kits. I notched the mounts for the 1/16 inch metal engine pads which are included in the kit. There is 1/16 inch plywood inserted between the mounts and against the balsa that evens the surface where the tank rests.
In the third picture, the motor mount crutch is shown sitting in position with the fuselage formers and the tank compartment bottom plate. These are interlocked with tabs. Note the other fuselage side with the doubler installed.

Note: The plans shown are not the final ones in the kit.

Bill Sawyer · « **Reply #30 on:** February 08, 2008, 10:07:50 PM »

Some additional work on the fuselage. I epoxied the parts as in the previous post. When it cured, I brushed the interior with alcohol thinned epoxy. I had applied thick epoxy to where the parts fitted together and before putting the second side on. by thinning the remaining epoxy with alcohol and brushed a thin coat on the entire interior I could get it covered in the hard to reach places.

Due to a very narrow rear to the fuselage, cutouts were added to give more room for the horn. The opening will be covered with silkspan.

A 2 inch wide tank slides in easily. This one is a 5 inch length.

The stringers have been installed here and the formers are ready to be installed.

In between waiting for epoxy to cure I made my pushrods to the lengths on the plans and installed the formers.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #31 on:** February 08, 2008, 10:33:05 PM »

Bill,

The kit looks very good. I'll need to save my pennies. I imagine that it will be the work of art all of your kits are. I know the one I got to view (a Playboy) I'd almost not want to build it was so pretty just sitting there in the box. Almost.

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #32 on:** February 09, 2008, 12:23:32 PM »

really nice layout on the CAD work. Its good to see the accuracy of laser cutting being taken advantage of. the interlocking tabs on the nose formers and such really should help align things and make a much stronger structure with the extra gluing surface. Looks great Bill

Randy,
yeah my Playboy kit is on the top of the chiffrobe, ,waiting flying skill to develope.. NOt one I want to sacrifice to silly flying mistakes.

Bill Sawyer · « **Reply #33 on:** February 09, 2008, 11:34:11 PM »

I worked on the fuselage some more. I glued in the formers and then made several parts for the kits. Then I shifted back to the wing. Pictures in order:

Left wing tip parts: Shown in the individual layers bottom to top, left to right.

Right wing tip parts: Shown same as the left tip

Left wing tip partially assembled showing details of the assembly

Left wing tip assembled and ready to install in the wing

I have installed both wing tips and the leading edge sheeting. The control system is done and I will be showing some pictures later. I have been packing parts and the boxes are getting full and I have a few more things to go in them.

john e. holliday · « **Reply #34 on:** February 10, 2008, 08:35:01 PM »

Can't wait to see it in person. Don't forget my zip is 66203. Your build looks great. Later, DOC Holliday

Bill Sawyer · « **Reply #35 on:** February 12, 2008, 01:55:38 PM »

A view of the wing ready to be installed in the fuselage. I have finished the ends and installed the cap strips. A good general sanding and filling a couple of dings was done also.

The second picture shows the laser cut center sheeting. The curves are laser cut as well as front and rear fit areas. I only had to fit the straight cut between the two pieces.

The third picture shows the fuselage. It is ready for me to install the engine blind nuts and then the wing.

The fourth picture shows the bottom block sitting on the inverted fuselage. It has been carved and hollowed -ready to install

Bill Sawyer · « **Reply #36 on:** February 12, 2008, 09:54:32 PM »

The first picture is the fuselage with the wing sitting in position. The access covers have been set in place with a tack of CA at each end.
The Second picture shows the 1/32 backer parts at the front of the wing
The third picture is the rear of the wing

Since these pictures were taken, I have glued the wing in permanently. When I laid the wing into position I had the fuselage upside down and once it was square with the fuselage I found that it was level also. I did add some blocking/shims to keep it that way but it was right on just sitting there. In a coming picture I will show how I install leather fillets on the inside of the wing to fuselage joint. I dont get fancy with forming the radius, I just glue them in for strength. I also epoxied in the cowl hold down block with its blind nut. I also bent the rear landing gear wire and installed it. When this all is dry I will install the bottom fuselage block.

Bill Little · « **Reply #37 on:** February 13, 2008, 07:55:19 PM »

That's really looking sharp, Bill!

I hope to get to work on that Playboy very very soon! (thanks!)

Bill <><

Bill Sawyer · « **Reply #38 on:** February 13, 2008, 09:02:31 PM »

The first picture shows how I install the leather fillets inside the fuselage. I believe it adds a good bit of strength. I dont get too careful about getting the correct radius. I save all my scraps and leftovers for this.

The second picture is something I have never done before -cutting the hinge slots before the two halves of the stabilizer are assembled together. There is a limitation on laser cutting of 1/4 inch thick. When a stabalizer is 3/8 thick then I have the option of cutting two pieces of 3/16 stock. The builder then glues the two halves together making a 3/8 piece. The resulting glue in the middle also helps with the stiffness. Before I glue the parts together I lay them out on the plans and mark where the hinges go. When I glue the parts I keep the glue out of the hinge area. I have done that before and then used my slot cutter to cut the hinge slots. If I had gotten glue where the hinges go the cutter would have to cut the hard glue. Tonight I did it differently. I used a # 11 blade to score the lines. Then I used the chisel shaped exacto blade to remove a thin bit of material. Since this was my first time doing this the insides of the first slots are not as neat as the later ones. When doing this I kept the bevel of the blade toward the wood. It helps to limit the depth the blade can slice. I have the two sides glued and pressed down to dry. I have also installed the tail wheel wire ( last night ) and put on the bottom block.

Jim Oliver · « **Reply #39 on:** February 13, 2008, 09:35:07 PM »

Hey Bill,
Did you get my latest PM??

Jim

Bill Little · « **Reply #40 on:** February 13, 2008, 09:41:48 PM »

Quote from: Jim Oliver on February 13, 2008, 09:35:07 PM

Hey Bill,
Did you get my latest PM??

Jim

Jim Oliver · « **Reply #41 on:** February 13, 2008, 09:44:43 PM »

Sorry,

Should have stated which Bill----happens to be Bill Sawyer, this time.

Cheers,

Jim

Bill Little · « **Reply #42 on:** February 13, 2008, 09:57:11 PM »

Quote from: Jim Oliver on February 13, 2008, 09:44:43 PM

Sorry,

Should have stated which Bill----happens to be Bill Sawyer, this time.

Cheers,

Jim

I'm tired........

Jim Oliver · « **Reply #43 on:** February 13, 2008, 10:00:17 PM »

Me, too. Been lurking about in the chat room last couple of days---but no B. Sawyer.
Too busy building, I guess. He will have to come up for air eventually.

Jim

Bill Sawyer · « **Reply #44 on:** February 14, 2008, 10:45:32 PM »

Cowl parts and beginning of the cowl assembly

Bill Sawyer · « **Reply #45 on:** February 15, 2008, 11:05:33 PM »

If everything fits correctly the landing gear wire slips into the recess.

Then a cover of thin plywood is installed. To make the gear removable some screws hold the plate in place. To level everything up, a piece of scrap balsa will be glued to the plywood and shaped to the wing curvature.

Finally it is sitting on it's own "feet".

The motor has been bolted in place enough that the nose ring can be positioned and glued in. The clearance for the front of th emotor needs to be increaseda little. If I did it before gluing in the nose ring I night get it off center.

Bill Sawyer · « **Reply #46 on:** February 16, 2008, 04:08:49 PM »

Some cockpit detail has been started. I plan to keep it simple.

All of the parts for one wheel pant in order of assembly. They are easy to assemble but you need to keep the parts in order.

A view of the wheel pants on the plane but not finished. I did add the nose block and did a bit of work on the cowl. The aft block has it's basic shape but I still have to hollow it. I will probably leave a lot of the sanding until later and just finish the building.

Bill Sawyer · « **Reply #47 on:** February 17, 2008, 12:43:20 PM »

Adding the stabilizer. The first thing I did was level the wings to the board the tail is sitting on. Then I cut two pieces of scrap the same length as where the center of the stabilizer fits to the fuselage. I then pinned these pieces to near the tips of the stabilizer. I did some adjustments and got the stabilizer level and even front to back. Once everything was correct I mixed the epoxy and set the stabilizer into position.

Just for effect, I placed the top block and rudder into position. There is still a good bit of sanding and the flaps and elevators need to be added but the basic build is done.

Bill Sawyer · « **Reply #48 on:** February 17, 2008, 06:12:13 PM »

Time for a break with my friend Travis

Jim Oliver · « **Reply #49 on:** February 17, 2008, 06:23:52 PM »

Bill,

Wondered what you looked like---------which one is you???

Beautiful dog---is it a Husky?

Jim