Profile Continental..

[Joe Yau]

Just wondering if anyone has built one?   I'm planning to build one over the winter, and like to get some ideas.. especially on doing the built-up profile fuselage, tricks to keep it light but strong etc.  also some finishing tips would be great too. as this will be my first big project thats not an arf.. just want it done right.

Thanks in advance.

[Bootlegger]

Joe, What I have been doing on profile models is use 3/8" balsa, for the fuse, installing the motor mounts to match the engine of choice, cutting out behind the flaps to the l/e of the stab, then put in diagonal (30 degree angle) braces of 3/32" balsa, they are 3/8"wide, cover each side from nose to tail with 1/64" plywood using  2 hr epoxy, in a very thin coat, to adhere the plywood to the sides. 
  I usually do one side at the time and I put the fuse on a flat surface between two pieces of 36" or what ever needed plate glass and let cure over night, then do the other side the same way.
  I can't take the credit for this method as Tom Farmer enlightened me to this several years ago, you will add about one once of weight, but the strength far outweighs the weight gain.
  If the two hour epoxy sets up too quick then by all means use a slower curing type...
  Hope that this helps,
 

[Joe Yau]

Joe, What I have been doing on profile models is use 3/8" balsa, for the fuse, installing the motor mounts to match the engine of choice, cutting out behind the flaps to the l/e of the stab, then put in diagonal (30 degree angle) braces of 3/32" balsa, they are 3/8"wide, cover each side from nose to tail with 1/64" plywood using  2 hr epoxy, in a very thin coat, to adhere the plywood to the sides. 
  I usually do one side at the time and I put the fuse on a flat surface between two pieces of 36" or what ever needed plate glass and let cure over night, then do the other side the same way.
  I can't take the credit for this method as Tom Farmer enlightened me to this several years ago, you will add about one once of weight, but the strength far outweighs the weight gain.
  If the two hour epoxy sets up too quick then by all means use a slower curing type...
  Hope that this helps,

Thanks for the detailed infos. 


 

[Leester]

Joe: Check out the PAMPA web site, Larry Cunningham has done several articles on building profiles. Asking Larry would also benefit you greatly he frequents this forum. He details the proceedures that Bootlegger describes.

[James Mills]

Joe, What I have been doing on profile models is use 3/8" balsa, for the fuse, installing the motor mounts to match the engine of choice, cutting out behind the flaps to the l/e of the stab, then put in diagonal (30 degree angle) braces of 3/32" balsa, they are 3/8"wide, cover each side from nose to tail with 1/64" plywood using  2 hr epoxy, in a very thin coat, to adhere the plywood to the sides. 
  I usually do one side at the time and I put the fuse on a flat surface between two pieces of 36" or what ever needed plate glass and let cure over night, then do the other side the same way.
  I can't take the credit for this method as Tom Farmer enlightened me to this several years ago, you will add about one once of weight, but the strength far outweighs the weight gain.
  If the two hour epoxy sets up too quick then by all means use a slower curing type...
  Hope that this helps,
 

Which way is the grain running in the 1/64 plywood?

James

[Bootlegger]

The sheets of 1/64" plywood that I have been using are cut so that the grain run's nose to tail, or paraell to the 3/8" fuse..

[Joe Yau]

Joe: Check out the PAMPA web site, Larry Cunningham has done several articles on building profiles. Asking Larry would also benefit you greatly he frequents this forum. He details the proceedures that Bootlegger describes.

Not sure if I need to be a member or have to log in to see it.. I couldn't find the article in the Pampa website.

[Leester]

Joe; At the top of the site click on Documents, then in the pop up click on general. Scroll down and you will see them, I am a member but I think those are available to everyone.

[Joe Yau]

Thanks Leester. 

I guess I was clicking on the wrong box.

[Ward Van Duzer]

Which Continental?

Dmeco or Worden?

Just curious...I love that little Dmeco.   IDEA!   

[Joe Yau]

Which Continental?

Dmeco or Worden?

Just curious...I love that little Dmeco.   IDEA!    

Hi Ward,

It will be Tom Warden's Continental..  in Blue, black & white sort of like the pic below, but without the stripes.

[john e. holliday]

Without the stripes it is not a Continental.  Just kidding, so keep us posted. LL~DOC Holliday

[builditright]

if you're interested we make the kit for Tom Wardens profile Trophy Trainer.

If you want the kit or plans send an email to: trophytrainer@builtrightflyright.com

[Bill Little]

Hi Joe,

On the subject of the profile Continental, the first thing I thought of is the Trophy Trainer!  Gotta build one of those, myself.

Larry C. has written a lot about the profile fuselage, and Gil's methods he posted are great.  Yuo have to just pick one of the methods and go with it.  anything to lighten the rear plus adding strength is the goal as far as I am concerned when doing a profile.  Of course, the best flying profile I ever had didn't have anything special done to the fuselage.  Then again, I am the original *Blind Hog*.

Mongo

[Joe Yau]

if you're interested we make the kit for Tom Wardens profile Trophy Trainer.

If you want the kit or plans send an email to: trophytrainer@builtrightflyright.com

Hi Walter,

Could I get some specs (also straight LE or tapered?), and some details on the airfoil used on this plane?  I have never seen it before.

[Joe Yau]

Hi Joe,

On the subject of the profile Continental, the first thing I thought of is the Trophy Trainer!  Gotta build one of those, myself.

Mongo

I don't know much about the Trophy Trainer though, but I will have a look at it.   

[Larry Cunningham]

Warning on my Building a Better Profile series still on the PAMPA website.. Quite a bit of that material
is obsolete.

That said, I personally think the Continental is one of the most beautiful classic designs ever. And
without intending to step on any toes, I think it is worthy of full fuselage construction, and perhaps
even a poor candidate for a profile. Particularly if a classic soft light 1/2" sheet fuselage is used;
notice the beautiful slender long aft fuselage?

My epiphany: building a very good profile is almost as much work as building a very good built
up fuselage. Yes, there's cowl and canopy to deal with, and fuel tank placement. But, particularly
for such a magnificent design as Tom Warden's Continental, a full proper fuselage is warranted.

Just sayin', JMNSHO.

And, I have to say, the fine photo of the Continental above with the blue stripes truly shows the
beauty of this design. It's a lovely critter.

L.

"If the facts do not conform to the theory, they must be disposed of." -Maier's Law

[builditright]

Hi Walter,

Could I get some specs (also straight LE or tapered?), and some details on the airfoil used on this plane?  I have never seen it before.

it has a constant cord wing from both top and front views
only taper is at the flaps.

[Joe Yau]

Warning on my Building a Better Profile series still on the PAMPA website.. Quite a bit of that material
is obsolete.

That said, I personally think the Continental is one of the most beautiful classic designs ever. And
without intending to step on any toes, I think it is worthy of full fuselage construction, and perhaps
even a poor candidate for a profile. Particularly if a classic soft light 1/2" sheet fuselage is used;
notice the beautiful slender long aft fuselage?

My epiphany: building a very good profile is almost as much work as building a very good built
up fuselage. Yes, there's cowl and canopy to deal with, and fuel tank placement. But, particularly
for such a magnificent design as Tom Warden's Continental, a full proper fuselage is warranted.

Just sayin', JMNSHO.

And, I have to say, the fine photo of the Continental above with the blue stripes truly shows the
beauty of this design. It's a lovely critter.

L.

"If the facts do not conform to the theory, they must be disposed of." -Maier's Law

Hi Larry.

I have to agree that the Continental is one of the most beautiful classic designs..  I really likes the  lines on this plane.  The reason  I wanted to build the Profile version was mainly so I could have a nice stunter to compete in profile class.   and the blue coloured Continental in the pic was photoshop in to the same blue I’ll be using.

BTW:  Is there an updated articles on the Profile Fuselage?   

[Joe Yau]

it has a constant cord wing from both top and front views
only taper is at the flaps.

Thanks Walter.  It looks pretty good.