New Bird in Primer - (Originally T.L.T.Y.W.E.S.M.N.)

[Eric Viglione]

Edit: Scary title removed. 

Oh gross! You looked??!!    OK, sorry, I figured Star and the National Enquirer could get away with it... 

OK, eye catching title aside, firgured it was time to share something constructive on the forum. Here's the current status of my Randy Smith Starfire (from a Aeroproducts kit). Man, sometimes this really is like giving birth. Been working on this since January. Sigh...  Got a paint scheme roughed out in my head, and some files to take to the local sign shop for some paint masks.

Afraid to take it off the paint stand and weigh it... too late anyways at this point. It was like 35 ounces all-up before it went in the stand... figure 20 for power train, leaving 6 to 10 for finish.
I'm just trying to keep it under 65.

EricV

[Steve Fitton]

That plane looks awesome!  I like the low slung canopy especially!

[Randy Powell]

Very Slick, Eric. I like it a lot. Don't worry about the weight. A local guy built a Shrike. He was really concerned about the weight with a PA 40 in the nose, but the plane preforms very well. Just go as light as you can on finish and go fly it. I'm sure it will be fine.

[Greg L Bahrman]

Really cool. I like the square intake, it looks mean. Bad arsh

[Dennis Adamisin]

Title of the post originally scared me off.  However that is a good looking bird.  The "weight" is for all intents and purposes already decided, so like RP sez, just finish it off nice (don't go crazy) and don't scrimp now...

Oh yeah keep the pictures coming, uhhh & change the title of the post!

[catdaddy]

Very cherry Eric.
I like the lines of this one. What colors will you be using?

[Eric Viglione]

Thanks Randy! Yeah, I've seen other peoples Staris (which is 630sq (?) like the Shrike) in the high 67 to 70 ounce range, and they still flew fine. The Starfire is a Dreadnought, which is pushing 700Sq. It should carry 65 ounces with relative ease. I just have a goal and am trying to hit it. Trusty PA61 will be hauling the mail.

My planes usually look really good at this point. I think I've got that woodworking thing down pretty well, it's the painting, and lack of patience at this stage (I wanna fly it sooo bad!) that ends up making my planes into 12 pointers instead of 20! 

EricV

Very Slick, Eric. I like it a lot. Don't worry about the weight. A local guy built a Shrike. He was really concerned about the weight with a PA 40 in the nose, but the plane preforms very well. Just go as light as you can on finish and go fly it. I'm sure it will be fine.

[Eric Viglione]

Re:color...Awwwww... but that would spoil the suprise!  Let's say that Gator fans might not be displeased.  At least in that neighborhood. I've been known to totally change my mind half way through taping off one of these silly things.

Thanks Cat!

EricV

Very cherry Eric.
I like the lines of this one. What colors will you be using?

[Randy Powell]

Eric,

A man after my own heart. I have had many, many planes that would have had serviceable finishes instead get mauled due to my impatience to get the thing in the air. Which is why I have been threatening to just shoot my new bird one color and call it good. Hang in there. (What? Orange and Blue? - Wow!)

[Steve Fitton]

That balsa cowl of enlightenment looks great!

Have you caved and gotten out the carving tools for wheelpants yet?

[EddyR]

Looking good Eric but I am still ahead of you. I have five colors on the Tempest-40 now.
Ed

[Eric Viglione]

Yeah, I guess I'm still a balsa kinda guy. The cowl isn't that hard the way Randy lays out the laser cut sides, then the blocks for you to sandwich, as long as you like to dremel and carve. Sticky backed sandpaper wrapped around different sized square sticks and round rods do come in handy though...

I may recycle a pair of wheel pants... I have several sets in the bone yard. Funny how I accumulate landing gear, control systems, wheel pants, etc. over the years from crashed or trashed old planes. Fully intended to use them on the cheap in future projects, but end up just sitting in the drawer anyways. I have a nice set of pants that came out very light,  with good mounting hardware I could use. Just need to strip and repaint. Also have some glass pants from another kit.  This would be the first useful recycle out of the bone pile! 

That balsa cowl of enlightenment looks great!

Have you caved and gotten out the carving tools for wheelpants yet?

[Eric Viglione]

Sure, rub it in... can't wait to see yours Ed!

You using an airbrush on all those trim colors or the touch up gun??? I figure I'll use the small HVLP I have on the main colors and an airbrush on the trim to try and keep things light. I'd forward mask if I was going from light to dark, but certain colors don't "pop" or tone right over darker colors... sure wish I could find a good sandable white primer. So far it's been hard to beat Sherwin Williams Ultra fill light gray primer. It has talc in it, fills great and sands like butter. Just don't leave too much on. Got to sand it till you can sort of see through it, or like any good primer, it could add some unwanted weight.

I dropped off AND picked up my paint masks today from the sign shop! SAME DAY service! Guy told me don't get used to it, he just had the time, heh heh.

Eric

Looking good Eric but I am still ahead of you. I have five colors on the Tempest-40 now.
Ed