Author Topic: NATS prep- competition is great but........ (Read 2970 times)

Tom Luciano · « **on:** June 27, 2020, 10:00:15 AM »

the friendships in CL is the greatest part of the Hobby!

Tom Luciano · « **Reply #1 on:** June 27, 2020, 10:02:00 AM »

Yes im at Bubbas putting a new out board wing on my nats plane.

Tom Luciano · « **Reply #2 on:** June 27, 2020, 10:12:49 AM »

Thanks to Frank and Bob

Tom Luciano · « **Reply #3 on:** June 27, 2020, 10:15:04 AM »

C.T. Schaefer · « **Reply #4 on:** June 27, 2020, 10:19:38 AM »

You got the A-Team on that one!! TS

Tom Luciano · « **Reply #5 on:** June 27, 2020, 10:21:44 AM »

Yes, TS!!

Reminds me of the story of Brett helping Bob put his Crossfire together.

Tom Luciano · « **Reply #6 on:** June 27, 2020, 12:53:56 PM »

Leaving Bobs now 3pm Saturday. In 1 piece!

Brett Buck · « **Reply #7 on:** June 27, 2020, 01:05:24 PM »

Quote from: Tom Luciano on June 27, 2020, 10:21:44 AM

Yes, TS!!

Reminds me of the story of Brett helping Bob put his Crossfire together.

This looks a lot more difficult, but you have less need to improvise. The deal at the NATs could have *easily* been done at the field and flown 10 minutes later.

BTW, after having done *many* repairs kind of like this, might I suggest making a bunch of 1/16" balsa "diamonds", maybe 1/2" wide and 2.0 - 2 1/2" long, with the grain running the long way, and then cut through the sheeting to inset them into the wing across the joint. Cut around each diamond with your knife, pull up the sheeting, then glue the diamond into the foam with epoxy. This will create a bunch of low-angle splices to tie the two halves together. Let it set, sand it all off smooth, then refinish. Essentially every airplane I have has similar repairs, either from damage from handling/thermals, or stress failures.

Brett

Brent Williams · « **Reply #8 on:** June 27, 2020, 02:43:26 PM »

How did it shed the outboard panel like that?
Glad you are able to salvage the plane.

Tom Luciano · « **Reply #9 on:** June 27, 2020, 02:45:41 PM »

Brett,
Thats an excellent idea and i will do that! We also found a vertical stress crack in the fuselage at the trailing edge i need to address.

BRENT
The culprit

Tom Luciano · « **Reply #10 on:** June 27, 2020, 02:50:07 PM »

Had my cones a bit too close to the circle. These are Heavy Duty DOT cones. They probably weigh around 20lbs a piece and are hard plastic.

Howard Rush · « **Reply #11 on:** June 27, 2020, 03:11:15 PM »

Quote from: Tom Luciano on June 27, 2020, 02:50:07 PM

Had my cones a bit too close to the circle. These are Heavy Duty DOT cones. They probably weigh around 20lbs a piece and are hard plastic.

I've done that.

Tom Luciano · « **Reply #12 on:** June 27, 2020, 03:17:42 PM »

Howard,
Im feeling more and more like Im in good company! Almost as a baptism or right of passage. I need to fire up the autoclave to get'r dun!

Mike Haverly · « **Reply #13 on:** June 27, 2020, 03:42:26 PM »

Quote from: Howard Rush on June 27, 2020, 03:11:15 PM

I've done that.

I know, I was there!

Joseph Daly · « **Reply #14 on:** June 27, 2020, 04:18:53 PM »

Tom,
I know the feeling! This is some year! I am a little further along then you. This happened a couple of weeks ago when it flamed out (instant discharged) pulling up in to a wing over and all I could do is watch.

Really sucks
Joe

Brett Buck · « **Reply #15 on:** June 27, 2020, 04:22:08 PM »

Quote from: Howard Rush on June 27, 2020, 03:11:15 PM

I've done that.

EVERYBODY has done that. Mine was my own fuel can, and, for extra credit, it was the *inboard* wing.

Brett

Tom Luciano · « **Reply #16 on:** June 27, 2020, 04:50:25 PM »

Joe, Brett,
Like i said im in good company. Bob said " you know you're never going to live this down." My only reply was "at least i didnt back over my plane!" Just saying!!

Joe sorry to hear but your repair is looking good!

Tom

Tom Luciano · « **Reply #17 on:** June 28, 2020, 03:37:43 AM »

Walt,
Bob had some really good ideas on that. That is why he was the first guy I called Wednesday night when I hit the cone. Working late nights, he built a panel exactly the same as the orginal. We then had two shucks to work with. Using them to keep the panel plumb we were able to run the panel thru a bandsaw and get a exact cut. Little sanding in, and... .
Im hoping to be in the air next weekend to get a week of practice before the Nats. I got a lot of work to do!!!

# COne-vid nats 2020!

Frank Imbriaco · « **Reply #18 on:** June 28, 2020, 05:51:13 AM »

Quote from: Motorman on June 27, 2020, 09:32:46 PM

That's a pretty neat repair. I'd like to see how you got such a good glue joint.

Motorman

;
Bob has had lots of practice- mostly with mishaps by others. Even to his own planes. Mostly, he's totally genius with this stuff.

Blaine Buchtel · « **Reply #19 on:** June 28, 2020, 07:37:09 AM »

Bob Hunt’s craftsmanship and attention to detail are amazing.When I am faced with a new building problem I ask myself “ how would Bob H do this? He is in my opinion a true perfectionist and I’m always delighted to see his posts!

FLOYD CARTER · « **Reply #20 on:** June 28, 2020, 05:22:42 PM »

The only "collision" on my flying record was when I clipped a tree at Mike Hazel's "Zoot Ranch". The tree got the worst of it.

Tom Luciano · « **Reply #21 on:** June 29, 2020, 04:09:54 AM »

Im thinking this might be a good thread to keep going as it may help someone in the future.

We can also place wages on if, I'm going to get the thing done!!

Pictured are the diamond "stitches" that Brett suggested. They are staggered from top to bottom. I'm going to apply a very light coat of finishing resin to the new panel prior to final sanding to get the surfaces a bit more compatible in hardness as to not sand lows into the new panel. Hopefully to be applying veil tonight.

Tom Luciano · « **Reply #22 on:** June 29, 2020, 04:11:48 AM »

I will add a piece of fiberglass at the leading and trailing edge joints as well.

Tom Luciano · « **Reply #23 on:** June 29, 2020, 05:01:06 AM »

Quote from: Blaine Buchtel on June 28, 2020, 07:37:09 AM

Bob Hunt’s craftsmanship and attention to detail are amazing.When I am faced with a new building problem I ask myself “ how would Bob H do this? He is in my opinion a true perfectionist and I’m always delighted to see his posts!

Blaine,
I agree!
Hoping a little rubs off!

I have to say, I have been blessed to be surrounded by a bunch of amazing modelers during my life.

Tom

Brett Buck · « **Reply #24 on:** June 30, 2020, 01:09:48 AM »

Quote from: Tom Luciano on June 29, 2020, 04:11:48 AM

I will add a piece of fiberglass at the leading and trailing edge joints as well.

I suppose that it is obvious, but, given the time available, you want to use some sort of two-part filler (SuperFil, or even Bondo), because you don't want anything that will shrink on you later.

Brett

Steve Fitton · « **Reply #25 on:** June 30, 2020, 06:49:27 AM »

I had never realized a foam wing was repairable till seeing this thread....

GERALD WIMMER · « **Reply #26 on:** June 30, 2020, 03:27:32 PM »

Hello
Its good to see Tom's nice model being resurrected with help from Bob's wing graft and I like Brett 's strengthening diamonds . Certainly proves with good workmanship and careful thought a lot of accidents can be repaired.
Regards Gerald

Tom Luciano · « **Reply #27 on:** June 30, 2020, 05:37:43 PM »

Quote from: Brett Buck on June 30, 2020, 01:09:48 AM

I suppose that it is obvious, but, given the time available, you want to use some sort of two-part filler (SuperFil, or even Bondo), because you don't want anything that will shrink on you later.

.

Brett

Yea, im going to use super fil where needed. Some good news arrived today! Aircraft Spruce called on Friday that they were out of Insignia white. It showed up today! Have some coming from Brodak too!! Believe or not Wix was out of it as well! Well, i'll be well stocked with white dope

Tom Luciano · « **Reply #28 on:** June 30, 2020, 05:39:58 PM »

Getting close to seeing color. Maybe tomorrow night!

Frank Imbriaco · « **Reply #29 on:** June 30, 2020, 06:13:05 PM »

Tommy:
Got toothpicks holding your eyes open wide due to lack of sleep ?

Tip weight box looks to be getting a second life.

Tom Luciano · « **Reply #30 on:** July 01, 2020, 05:27:33 AM »

Quote from: Frank Imbriaco on June 30, 2020, 06:13:05 PM

Tommy:
Got toothpicks holding your eyes open wide due to lack of sleep ?

Head hit the pillow last night with the sun shining

Quote from: Frank Imbriaco on June 30, 2020, 06:13:05 PM

Tip weight box looks to be getting a second life.

Yes, probably took longer than making a new one but, the red stripe assured me I was putting it on the bottom of the wing!

Quote from: Bob Hunt on June 30, 2020, 06:38:13 PM

...and here's the refinished product!

Bob

Yes, This plane was my inspiration! And still, looks great!

Tom Luciano · « **Reply #31 on:** July 03, 2020, 07:55:25 AM »

So I'm hoping to hit it hard this weekend with paint. In a little over 24hrs I managed to get my shop down to 38% humidity from 68%. I use a heater and dehumidifier. These are the final repair shots before finishing. Figured I share the complete repair. Of course the traing edge fiberglass reinforcement falls right at the hinge! I gently sanded in approximately. 045 notch to accept the 2oz cloth.

Tom Luciano · « **Reply #32 on:** July 03, 2020, 07:58:23 AM »

Last shot