Author Topic: Building Season (Read 4765 times)

Dave_Trible · « **on:** October 10, 2012, 09:47:08 AM »

As a companion thread to Steve's, I thought it would be interesting to find out what we might have learned this year and what we plan to build now that building season is upon us. After the Nats I usually write down a few bullet points of things to work on or change and what impressed me while still very fresh on my mind. I'm finally in a good place with my new design I think but now have to work on a much better finish-something that got me this year. I cut back on the finish to save weight and time but paid for it. So I'm slowing down construction and working on finish for next year. So tell us what your take on the season is and what you are going to build to beat the world with next year!

Dave

Crist Rigotti · « **Reply #1 on:** October 10, 2012, 10:04:16 AM »

I really like the way my Thundervolt flys so I decided to make a profile version of it with some very minor changes to it. One of those changes is to increase the TV from 27% to 29%. I thought a profile would serve me well on those not so good a weather contest days.

http://stunthanger.com/smf/index.php?topic=28728.0

Derek Barry · « **Reply #2 on:** October 10, 2012, 10:11:04 AM »

LIGHTER!!!!!!!!!!! BUILD LIGHTER!!!!!!!!

Have started construction on my new plane and if my estimates are correct it will be around 10-12 oz lighter than the Matrix!!!!!

Here is the link to it.

http://stunthanger.com/smf/index.php?topic=28499.0

and http://stunthanger.com/smf/index.php?topic=28632.0

and http://stunthanger.com/smf/index.php?topic=28632.0

Derek

steven yampolsky · « **Reply #3 on:** October 10, 2012, 10:39:49 AM »

Here's what I plan to do this season:

Build another version of my flapless design. The model flew amazingly well so I ought to build one more only this time it will be a full fuse. Still a sidewinder though. Brodak 40 for power.
Build WOS' Yak-9. I am due for some more education on different building techniques and kits are perfect for it.
Finish painting Eurostyle. I'm using water-based epoxy paint system with nitrate-based substrate on this one.

I also have a super secret double probation project that might come to fruition. If it does, I'm dropping everything else and building that one!!!!

Matt Colan · « **Reply #4 on:** October 10, 2012, 10:46:09 AM »

I'll be finishing up my Thundergazer over the Christmas break. At college, I'm finishing up a Vector ARF and have a little foam 3D RC plane to put together as well.

Bill Hummel · « **Reply #5 on:** October 10, 2012, 11:39:55 AM »

Hi, Dave, I finally got around to building a smaller (640 sq in) stunter for 60 power. I know many of the top flyers have been doing this for years, but I'm a little slow to adapt. Smaller meant lighter, which meant better power-to-weight, which meant excellent overheads, which meant more fun flying, which meant I flew more...Love the way it flies, especially in less than ideal conditions. Building two more for next season.

Bill Little · « **Reply #6 on:** October 10, 2012, 11:54:08 AM »

By the Spring I hope to have three models finished and in the air. One is a modified Hunt Mustang (made it a B model), a modified Time Machine, and an I-Beamer. All are well on the way to completion, just need to be able to work on them!

BIG Bear
RNMM/AMM

Dave_Trible · « **Reply #7 on:** October 10, 2012, 12:00:38 PM »

Quote from: Bill Hummel on October 10, 2012, 11:39:55 AM

Hi, Dave, I finally got around to building a smaller (640 sq in) stunter for 60 power. I know many of the top flyers have been doing this for years, but I'm a little slow to adapt. Smaller meant lighter, which meant better power-to-weight, which meant excellent overheads, which meant more fun flying, which meant I flew more...Love the way it flies, especially in less than ideal conditions. Building two more for next season.

Bill, stop letting out all our secrets!!!

Dave

Pat · « **Reply #8 on:** October 10, 2012, 03:41:51 PM »

Bill,

You can add 1/2 of an I-beamer to your total (mine)

Pat

Tim Wescott · « **Reply #9 on:** October 10, 2012, 04:56:07 PM »

From the bottom feeding contingent, the obvious:

I learned that my posture -- and particularly my hand position -- is way wrong (Thanks again Richard). I've started going out and doing practice sessions with just a few simple maneuvers (inside loops, then outsides to unwind) to practice getting my hand position right (and more importantly, not starting to flail around) while doing maneuvers. To that I've added other "maneuver specific" routines, all done while paying attention to hand position and posture. Even though I've been at it for only a month or so, it's already paying off. This last contest of the year garnered me about 25 points more than the previous one, and it wasn't the judges running hotter: I know I flew much better.

I'm building a plane so I have more things to crash before I run out of planes, and so that I can claim appearance points. At the Fall Follies 3rd place Intermediate was only 12 points behind me (2nd place) -- appearance points would have widened that gap, even though at that contest they wouldn't have gotten me a win.

Steve Helmick · « **Reply #10 on:** October 10, 2012, 06:11:16 PM »

Every time I "know" I put in a good flight, the judges prove me wrong. I think there are a few good reasons to just practise the pattern. I remember somebody on Sunday (not me & not Howard) doing some loops before remembering to do the RWO! Your chances of running out of fuel in the OH8 or Clover is reduced. Not all the tricks take the same amount of time/fuel.

Instead, I would suggest doing the pattern, but if you botch a maneuver, fly one lap and take another go at it. No, don't practise extra "landings"! DRY FLY at home to practise your stance/body/arm/hand position. Well, it's up to you, but at least use your tach on all flights...

Steve

Tim Wescott · « **Reply #11 on:** October 10, 2012, 06:33:18 PM »

I tried just doing complete patterns -- no go. I get too busy thinking about the next maneuver to concentrate on the one I'm doing. And yes, I was forgetting maneuvers but I think it was as much that I was having a Really Bad Day than anything else.

Once I feel like I'm out of remedial classes I'll go back to complete patterns, and lots of them.

Steve Helmick · « **Reply #12 on:** October 10, 2012, 07:25:15 PM »

I literally don't know what the next maneuver is, until I'm done with this one and flying level flight. I used to occasionally leave out whatever comes after the triangles (in practise), but got over it. You gotta learn to concentrate!

Steve

PJ Rowland · « **Reply #13 on:** October 11, 2012, 05:42:50 AM »

My 2013 US Nats Tiger is as close to paint as it will get.

Painting will being Friday night - Basecoat.

Then the fun begins.. Hopefully I will have paint finished by July.

Derek Barry · « **Reply #14 on:** October 11, 2012, 06:34:55 AM »

Quote from: PJ Rowland on October 11, 2012, 05:42:50 AM

My 2013 US Nats Tiger is as close to paint as it will get.

Painting will being Friday night - Basecoat.

Then the fun begins.. Hopefully I will have paint finished by July.

JULY?

? I plan on being finished before Christmas!!!

Derek

Paul Taylor · « **Reply #15 on:** October 11, 2012, 09:20:47 AM »

Well I'd like to think that building season is not over for us in the south just yet.
But I set some goals at the start of this season and I think I got all but one complete.

1. Improve on my patteren. Check.
2. Get a center pad poured on our club circle. Check
3. Learn to fly RC. Working on a trainer. Hope to do this before Thanksgiving.

Things I need to do next year.

1. Build a new profile for next year.
2. Improve on my pattern.
3. Make 3 new friends at Brodaks 2013.

Stay tuned......

john e. holliday · « **Reply #16 on:** October 11, 2012, 09:41:47 AM »

Try to finish the P-47.

Bill Little · « **Reply #17 on:** October 11, 2012, 12:36:49 PM »

Quote from: Pat on October 10, 2012, 03:41:51 PM

Bill,

You can add 1/2 of an I-beamer to your total (mine)

Pat

Not a problem, Pat. You're welcome anytime.

Bill

Will Hinton · « **Reply #18 on:** October 11, 2012, 04:13:32 PM »

Get back to work on my semi-scale Pawnee. It's only been a year!

Walter Hicks · « **Reply #19 on:** October 11, 2012, 08:35:40 PM »

In Process Al Rabe Sea Fury, currently working on the wing , Stab, Elevator,Rudder and Fuse mostly done. Tank made, started on the Landing gear one made.

Dave_Trible · « **Reply #20 on:** October 12, 2012, 01:58:36 PM »

Quote from: Ty Marcucci on October 11, 2012, 07:17:23 AM

I relearned two things; One; practice, practice ,practice, and do it like you were at a contest. Two; stop using tautening dope except for the actual open bays. It makes joints show later, even after all that sanding.

Yup! Right on both counts. That gallon of tautening I just got will last the rest of my flying career. Anyway, got my 2013 Nats bird started. Walter, very nice work with the Sea Fury. I was fortunate enough to watch Al fly his first Nats win with it-very remarkable especially at that time before we had our piped 'turbines'.

Dave

john e. holliday · « **Reply #21 on:** October 12, 2012, 07:22:34 PM »

Are those laser cut ribs??

Dave_Trible · « **Reply #22 on:** October 12, 2012, 07:33:56 PM »

Hi John! And no, I cut them the old method of stacking blanks between two ply templates and carving the outer-then hand cutting the inner openings. Pretty much a full days work.

Dave

PJ Rowland · « **Reply #23 on:** October 13, 2012, 05:07:41 AM »

I want it finished by christmas also! - July is the latest !

Dave_Trible · « **Reply #24 on:** October 13, 2012, 10:04:58 AM »

OK PJ- by Christmas. That way I can sit by the fireplace in January and polish dope. What are YOU bringing to the party mate?

Dave

Bill Little · « **Reply #25 on:** October 13, 2012, 10:15:23 AM »

Hi Dave,

Nice work on the wing! The "box" method is a good way to build wings if the LE, TE present themselves for it. What is it going to be? I know its going to be your 2013 NATS plane, but what "is" it?

Thanks
Bill

Bill Little · « **Reply #26 on:** October 13, 2012, 10:22:46 AM »

In another thread somewhere, Tom N. good naturedly got on my case about how many models I had to build.

Well, I took inventory of what is actually under some type of construction.

1. P-51B modified Hunt Mustang. (almost ready for finish)
2. Modified Time Machine (covering started)
3. Airon (needs blocks carved/hollowed, then finish)
4. P-47 (Pat Johnston "large" design) Wing cores sheeted, fuselage built needs blocks hollowed)
5. "Classic" (piped plane from Randy Smith) foam cores prepped
6. '78 Genesis Mk. III (foam cores prepped)

Then there are Aaron's planes in the shop...............

BIG Bear
RNMM/AMM

Dave_Trible · « **Reply #27 on:** October 13, 2012, 12:55:29 PM »

Bill, looking at your list of ongoing projects it reminds me of one of my exs who had 52 pairs of shoes in the closet and ....oh never mind. The airplane is my Desperado. I designed it after the 2011 nats. I built the original in about 5 weeks and flew it at the team trials that year. Going to a better (more) finish for next year so increased the area about 20 sq to 670 to be sure I'd get enough lift to carry 2-3 more ounces. The design has been submitted for publication in a magazine near you soon!

Dave

Bill Little · « **Reply #28 on:** October 13, 2012, 05:43:21 PM »

Thanks, Dave. Post some pictures!

Bill

Dave_Trible · « **Reply #29 on:** October 13, 2012, 06:37:08 PM »

OK Bill. Original Desperado after refinish-before rub out.

Bill Little · « **Reply #30 on:** October 14, 2012, 02:27:40 PM »

HI Dave,

I like the looks of it! How many AP did you get at the NATS?

Thanks
Bill

Dave_Trible · « **Reply #31 on:** October 14, 2012, 07:40:05 PM »

Bill this one was the team trials machine (in its earlier paint job) but I used its sister ship at this years Nats so it hasn't been judged for appearance yet. Like the first finish on this one the Nats airplane had a scant finish on jap tissue to really cut weight. Not enough dope to rub so it got a generous 14 points. I believe that was enough to ruin my chance for the finals and why much effort will now be put on getting those finish points up. This paint scheme I think will be on the new stuff I'm working on. Thanks for your thumbs up. I'm liking it too but have yet to see it airborne. Need the dang wind to let up a bit-maybe this week.

Dave

john e. holliday · « **Reply #32 on:** October 15, 2012, 05:55:25 AM »

Hey, maybe we can get a schedule where you can make up those 6 points in the flying. Besides I have always admired your finishes and planes.

Dave_Trible · « **Reply #33 on:** October 15, 2012, 09:32:36 AM »

Quote from: john e. holliday on October 15, 2012, 05:55:25 AM

Hey, maybe we can get a schedule where you can make up those 6 points in the flying. Besides I have always admired your finishes and planes.

John, thank you so much. Always need more practice for sure. Beyond those raw points is an intangible prerequisite for a high end 'looker' to get in the game. One of the many parts of what this is about. After polishers elbow, and flyers elbow it makes one think about bending the elbow. But who has time? Who else is building something?

Dave

Author Topic: Building Season (Read 4765 times)

steven yampolsky

Walter Hicks