Author Topic: Strathmoor build-Almost Done!, new pics (Read 28564 times)

Ironbomb · « **on:** August 20, 2006, 02:29:28 PM »

I cracked open the box this morning to begin building my cool Strathmoor profile stunt plane. I read here what others had written about the kit so far, and they were right, its excellent. I am impressed by the weight, or lack of weight in the wood. This is my first laser cut kit. I am taking a few pics as I go, and will post them when I have time to resize them and make a post. this is not a kit review, just posting my progress as I go.

So far I have the fues built, including doublers. I am done for the night, as the epoxy cures. After work in the morning, I will unclamp it and continue.

Great airplane Joe, cant wait to see your "other" project kitted.

Greg

Bill Little · « **Reply #1 on:** August 20, 2006, 04:33:00 PM »

Quote from: Ironbomb on August 20, 2006, 02:29:28 PM

I cracked open the box this morning to begin building my cool Strathmoor profile stunt plane. I read here what others had written about the kit so far, and they were right, its excellent. I am impressed by the weight, or lack of weight in the wood. This is my first laser cut kit. I am taking a few pics as I go, and will post them when I have time to resize them and make a post. this is not a kit review, just posting my progress as I go.

So far I have the fues built, including doublers. I am done for the night, as the epoxy cures. After work in the morning, I will unclamp it and continue.

Great airplane Joe, cant wait to see your "other" project kitted.

Greg

Ok, Ok, where's the pictures?

??

Bill <><

Wynn Robins · « **Reply #2 on:** August 20, 2006, 07:13:26 PM »

yes greggles....post the pics.

I bet I could post the whole vuild before you......... HA HA ..i'll eben give you 4 weeks head start...

Ironbomb · « **Reply #3 on:** August 21, 2006, 01:39:52 PM »

Here are the first pics, not a big deal, but its started. I'll have more tomorrow.

My Sig epoxy was sorta gooey, and cloudy, but the test piece turned out good, so I used it, nice and hard it cured, the doublers are secured. I like the way the pieces of the fues build up. I sanded over the scarf joints, and dropped CA in there, sweet. A good tip, whoever gave that one out.

I have the stab and elevators almost done, they are ready for hinges, and horn/joiner wire.

I am thinking about making the rudder out of one pice of 1/4 balsa, I have some real light stuff in a small enough piece to knock it out quickly.

This is a short one, and Wynn, keep needling me, you will blunt all your needles

, I'll bet you a Cobra I have this in the air in two weeks.

Greg

frank carlisle · « **Reply #4 on:** August 21, 2006, 04:25:00 PM »

Greg and fellas,
this weekend at the Signal Seekers Contest Bob McDonald showed me his full body Strathmoor Stunter he built recently. He told me that other than the shade of green the plane is as near a duplicate of his dad's (Roland McDonald) original model as he could get. It was his dad's original design. And your profile kit was modeled after this airplane Greg.

OF COURSE I TOOK A PICTURE!!

Ironbomb · « **Reply #5 on:** August 23, 2006, 12:53:00 PM »

Neat pic Frank, cool.

Nothing done today, I flew for about three hours. Almost goinked my Cardinal in the outside square. I will be back at it in the morning, supposed to rain, so I'll be at the bench. The horizontal stab is done, the verticle is done in solid 1/4. I have only to mount the engine, nose ring and tripler, and then I'll move on to the wing.

This is a neat plane

EDIT: this is the pic of the progress so far. The stab is built, hinged and horn bent, all ready for fill and sanding. The verticle is nice. Engine mount holes drilled today. I cut about 1/2in off the nose, to move the engine as far aft as I could. Wynn said it needed tail weight with the 46LA. I am going with the Brodak 40. This is the lightest engine I own.

Today has the tripler on, it will be shaped tomorrow. The wing build starts tomorrow, as I have the wing jig about complete.

more later...

Greg

Ironbomb · « **Reply #6 on:** August 24, 2006, 01:51:12 PM »

Brad Smith · « **Reply #7 on:** August 24, 2006, 03:38:26 PM »

All those clamps did Walter Umland teach you that, i thought it was his at first had to check.

Jay · « **Reply #8 on:** August 24, 2006, 06:30:07 PM »

Quote from: frank carlisle on August 21, 2006, 04:25:00 PM

Greg and fellas,
this weekend at the Signal Seekers Contest Bob McDonald showed me his full body Strathmoor Stunter he built recently. He told me that other than the shade of green the plane is as near a duplicate of his dad's (Roland McDonald) original model as he could get. It was his dad's original design. And your profile kit was modeled after this airplane Greg.

OF COURSE I TOOK A PICTURE!!

I had a chance to talk with Bob. Now that the ear is working it sure is nice to hear all the guys at the contest.
Anyway Bob told me that he built 20 or 30 of them since it was his father's design. Wow I can't imagine building one plane twice and he builds enough for the whole club.

frank carlisle · « **Reply #9 on:** August 25, 2006, 06:20:02 AM »

Jay, One of the reasons Bob has so much success in stunt is that his planes work real good. The best way to develop a good working stunter is to refine the model with each build. After two or three planes in a series you start to get predictable results. No more adding a couple of extra ounces to the nose or tail.
It doesn't need to be boring or redundant. Wing tips, rudder and canopy location along with different paint schemes give you a different plane each time while sticking with a basic airframe and power set up that is proven.

Ironbomb · « **Reply #10 on:** August 25, 2006, 08:23:19 AM »

Quote from: Brad Smith on August 24, 2006, 03:38:26 PM

All those clamps did Walter Umland teach you that, i thought it was his at first had to check.

When I saw Walters pics with the clamps, I thought "i see i'm not the only one". So you aint he only one either Brad,

.

Thats funny

I am just getting started this morning, more later

Greg

Ironbomb · « **Reply #11 on:** August 27, 2006, 10:38:52 AM »

The wing is going smooth so far. I like using the jig. I may never build a wing with out one again. But I might make another jig with some improvements over this one. Since I am going to 'cote the wing and paint the fues and tail feathers, I should be ready to fly it by the weekend. MAYBE!!!

here is the lastest pic of the wing being asembled.

This building is great fun, but you guys knew that.

I cant wait to turn my ARFs over to the new guys.

Greg

Leester · « **Reply #12 on:** August 27, 2006, 11:07:27 AM »

Greg: Lookin Good. When it comes time to take the wing out of the jig I have 1" blocks about 2" long that I set under the leading and trailing edges and then weight down to make sure it stays straight. If you use a glass top to build on you can tack the blocks down with ca or pin to other surface.

Wynn Robins · « **Reply #13 on:** August 27, 2006, 10:41:36 PM »

Lee
would like a copy of that plan you have there...any chance I can "borrow it"?

Ironbomb · « **Reply #14 on:** August 28, 2006, 06:59:48 AM »

Thanks for the tip Leester, I am at that stage now. I just obtained a piece of glass that fits my table perfectly. I will cut the required blocks today. I was gonna fly, but I have the bug to build. I really want to fly this Saturday, but I dont know if I can go that fast without calling sick a couple days

.

I will post more pics as the visual progress progresses.

Happiness is smoking balsa

Greg

frank carlisle · « **Reply #15 on:** August 28, 2006, 07:43:59 AM »

That glass is the ticket. You're doing great Greg. Can't wait to see it ready to fly.

Leester · « **Reply #16 on:** September 02, 2006, 08:02:00 PM »

Greg: The World is waiting for more progress reports.lol

Ironbomb · « **Reply #17 on:** September 03, 2006, 07:06:11 AM »

The progress slowed a little this weekend. I got the controls built and installed. Flaps are shaped, hinge slots cut, and am ready to finish the wing now. I had wanted to have this plane flying by now, but when I knew I was not going to the Rouge Park contest next weekend, I decided to slow down and try harder to not make any mistakes. I made a few already, not huge, but I had to go back and redo a couple things. A waste of time more than anything.

This is the most visual progress I have to show so far. I didnt want to bore everyone with a pic of a hinge slot cut, a piece of planking glued down, etc.....

I used a Brodak 4" bellcrank, instead of the 3"Sig bellcrank provided. I slide an arrow shaft over the pushrod and JBed it place. There was only a slight flex in the 5 or so inches of the pushrod, but I wanted none. The plans called for installing two pieces of wire into the arrow shaft, which is my normal way of making a push rod now, and would have made it ridgid from the start. I used a Z-bend at the bellcrank,and ball links on the flap horn.

This is still a fun build

Greg

Leester · « **Reply #18 on:** September 03, 2006, 11:19:06 AM »

Greg: Well progress is progress, did you see SS Hobbies web page? Joe is telling everyone to go to stunt hangar and check out your building of the Strathmoor. Keep up the excellent work.

Ironbomb · « **Reply #19 on:** September 03, 2006, 01:07:39 PM »

Thanks Leester, so far everything is going well. I am enjoying building this airplane everytime I sit at the bench. I am pleased at how smooth the controls are. I hope I can get all the hinges lined up with no binding.

I was at SSHobbies this morning, and saw his home page, I was suprised to see my name there. Now I have pressure to build it, hahaha, na, its all good. I have wanted to build this airplane ever since I won the plans on ebay, (3 yrs ago?) from none other than Wynn Robins. So now I have the kit, and its underway. Turns out Wynn wrote the instruction book, weird, aint it.

More as it progresses,

Greg

frank carlisle · « **Reply #20 on:** September 03, 2006, 04:55:44 PM »

Keep cranking away Greg.............You'll have a new plane soon.

You're developing great craftsmanship. A few extra appearance points can make a difference at a contest so build 'er purty.

Joe Mader · « **Reply #21 on:** September 04, 2006, 11:31:48 AM »

Greg,

Didn't mention you on the webpage to add pressure, just like to promote Stunthanger and thought people would find your build interesting.

Thanks for all the good work.

Joe
Sam's Stuff & Hobbies

Ironbomb · « **Reply #22 on:** September 04, 2006, 12:00:00 PM »

Quote from: Joe Mader on September 04, 2006, 11:31:48 AM

Greg,

Didn't mention you on the webpage to add pressure, just like to promote Stunthanger and thought people would find your build interesting.

Thanks for all the good work.

Joe
Sam's Stuff & Hobbies

Hi Joe, like I said, its all good. If it promotes Stunt Hangar and Sams Stuff hobby shop, then I am happy to ba a part of it. Sparky has a hit here with The Stunt Hangar. And I am glad you thought enough of the job I am doing to mention it on your site. I want to do my best job on this airplane.

Which brings me to were I am at on the plane. I am making the parts to install wing mounted landing gear. I like the looks of wing gear alot, so I am using the original plans I got 3 years ago to get the gear installed.

The wing is partially sanded. I still need to install the tips, the rest of the cap strips, then more sanding. I should have it covered by the weekend.

Greg

Ironbomb · « **Reply #23 on:** September 10, 2006, 07:40:28 AM »

I finally got to put some serious time in at the work bench this weekend. It paid off with the plane having all major assembly done. I have been sanding, and am about sick of that. I was able to remove a measly .2oz off the wing after sanding for almost two hours. At least the wing is smooth now. Smooth for me.

( Two hours, I dont know how Frank did his sanding marathon. Maybe I needed some country music on

)

I have the landing gear all installed, wing tips done, a major piece of work, as I have misplaced the sheet of precut tip parts. So they are scracth built.

I should be ready to paint soon. I will have go back to my Aerocote/rattle can idea, I cant borrow an air compressor this week. Cant wait to get my own.

Here are a few new pics,

Leester · « **Reply #24 on:** September 10, 2006, 08:09:12 AM »

Lookin Good Greg: Can't wait to see it finished. Keep lookin in the Harbour Freight adds they usually have a comp. on sale.

Ironbomb · « **Reply #25 on:** September 10, 2006, 08:16:01 AM »

Quote from: Leester on September 10, 2006, 08:09:12 AM

Lookin Good Greg: Can't wait to see it finished. Keep lookin in the Harbour Freight adds they usually have a comp. on sale.

Thanks Leester, I think i can still make it look pretty good with out a compressor this time. I almost had the compressor I wanted form HF but they were out of that one. Nearest one is about 100miles from me. S&H take the good deal away.

I should be covering it in a day or two.

Greg

frank carlisle · « **Reply #26 on:** September 10, 2006, 08:16:27 AM »

Love those wing tips Greg. You're building efforts are paying off big time. The plane looks great. I won't be surprised at all to see you get lots of appearance points and higher flight scores with it.

Did you bend the gear wire?

Ironbomb · « **Reply #27 on:** September 10, 2006, 08:46:29 AM »

Hi Frank, I am pretty pleased with the plane so far. I used the scrap wood from the rib sheet to make the tips, it was real soft wood. Wish I hadnt misplaced the laser cut tip parts tho, would have saved me some time building. I suspect one of my dogs made off with the sheet. My white shepherd likes to chew on blasa that hits the floor. You rememebr her? she is the one that almost chewed you.

I did bend the gear. Took a while too. It was not as easy as I thought, making them hit the same spot under the wing, if you know what I mean. Also was not easy making them the same length. I posted it "Building Tips" for advice on making this task work out better. I suspect I need more practice.

Just gotta do the wheel pants and get everything squared up and secure, and I should be ready to cover and paint.

I hope you are around for its first flight, maybe at after the Musciano meet end of month.

Hows the Heat coming?

Greg

frank carlisle · « **Reply #28 on:** September 10, 2006, 09:32:23 AM »

I never forget biting dogs Greg.

I saw your post in building techniques about the gear. Fun huh?

Ironbomb · « **Reply #29 on:** September 10, 2006, 10:28:26 AM »

Quote from: frank carlisle on September 10, 2006, 09:32:23 AM

I never forget biting dogs Greg.

she never actually sunk her teeth into you, did she?

You must have had steak in your pocket, that or a piece of balsa wood.

Yup, the gear was fun as poking a hot needle into my eyeball and spinning it on a dremel, and I'll do it again too

Greg

Leester · « **Reply #30 on:** September 10, 2006, 11:06:55 AM »

Hey Greg: since you want to practice on the landing gear bending you want to make me up a set or two

Is that a definate NO

Ironbomb · « **Reply #31 on:** September 10, 2006, 11:15:45 AM »

Quote from: Leester on September 10, 2006, 11:06:55 AM

Hey Greg: since you want to practice on the landing gear bending you want to make me up a set or two Is that a definate NO

Hey man, I might, I only have to make one more, I have 4 others that are not useable to me. the only thing wrong with them is that they didnt match the one I had on the plane. So........let me get some more 1/8th, and we'll see.

Since I never throw anything away, I'll have these left overs for some time. Dont let me forget

Are you going to go with wing mounted gear as well Leester?

or were really pulling my leg?

Greg

Leester · « **Reply #32 on:** September 10, 2006, 12:39:41 PM »

I like the look of the wing mounted gear better, so I might give it a shot when I start the kit.. It would be nice to have a copy of the plans showing it .

Wynn Robins · « **Reply #33 on:** September 10, 2006, 03:21:47 PM »

Lee, I will send you a copy of the original strathmoor plans.....Greg got his from me years ago...

give me your address and I will post them tomorrow

Leester · « **Reply #34 on:** September 10, 2006, 05:39:23 PM »

Thanks Wynn, I mailed those plans last wed. no need to return them. Will PM my address.

Gene Elliott · « **Reply #35 on:** September 17, 2006, 07:56:26 PM »

Greg,
The Strathmoor that I won in the giveaway on this site is still in the box. I've not been able to start on mine because of several major projects right now . . .one of which is rebuilding a deck on my house, and just before finishing it I had to have shoulder surgery so hopefully I will build it as a winter project. I appreciate your posts with the photos! It's helpful to all of us. My building skills have much to be desired, and I'm still learning and your input will help me greatly. Congratulations on winning the SuperClown.
Thanks,
Gene

Ironbomb · « **Reply #36 on:** September 18, 2006, 07:45:22 AM »

Thanks for the kind words Gene. I think you enjoy building the Strathmoor, I sure am. I am not a very experienced builder either, and I am learning new stuff as I go all the time. You wont find a better place for help with any building project than here. Stunt Hangar is, hands down, the best site ever for building and flying control line airplanes.

I am making slow prgress on the plane, but it is in the home strecth now. I hope to post some more pics later today.

If you have winter weather coming, best to finish your deck first. Building is good shoulder therapy as well. I am building this plane, and my shoulder feels fine, see? And I am not working on my house winterizing till this plane is done. Prioritys? hehe

Let us know when you get the plane underway, its a sweet build, but I told you that already

Greg

Allen Brickhaus · « **Reply #37 on:** September 18, 2006, 08:54:29 PM »

Saw one of the kits as donated by the hobby shop owner at the Memphis contest this weekend. Nice kit.

Allen Brickhaus

Ironbomb · « **Reply #38 on:** September 19, 2006, 07:47:53 AM »

Here is the first pic of the wheel pant(s). I am just getting them fitted, I still need to do a bit more shaping, and attaching. So far the weight has been 1/2oz per gear. Thats the wood, and attach hardware. I am figuring this out as I go. I already see better ways of doing this job, but I am sticking with what I have made so far. Improvements will be done to the next airplane I need to scratch the parts for.

The only wheel pants I ever installed with any sucess was the ARF Cardinal wheel pants.

I'll be putting more pics up on the "Building" side later.

Greg

Ironbomb · « **Reply #39 on:** September 24, 2006, 11:27:16 AM »

Here is an update for those that are following my progress....

I have everything fabricated, and ready to assemble. The wheel pants and strut covers ("spats" I think someone told me they are called) are done. That was a problem for me on its own.

I have the verticle stab permantly attached. I used some of those CA hinges as a bicuit to help hold the stab on the fues. really solid.

I have the major color, white, on all the pieces that are not going to be covered in film. Getting the finish on was a big problem for me as well. If I used dope the whole way thru, I would be done by now. I sanded the primer and silkspan off twice before I had anything that looked good. I thought the paint was there to stay, but when I maked the fillet for the verticle stab, the paint peeled. Now I am decicing to get rid of the rattle can paint, and go with brushing on dope.

Once I get this sorted, it wont be long before i have this airplane in the air. It should have flown this weekend, but these paint and finish problems I am having are really slowing me down.

thats it for now,

Greg

Bill Little · « **Reply #40 on:** September 24, 2006, 11:45:14 AM »

Hi Greg,

Thanks for keeping us updated. You're a quick learner!

I am sure you will be tickled pink with that ship.

Bill <><

frank carlisle · « **Reply #41 on:** September 25, 2006, 06:46:57 PM »

Nice job on the wheel pants Greg. Removable hatch and all. You rock!!

Ironbomb · « **Reply #42 on:** September 26, 2006, 01:33:48 PM »

Thanks Frank, yours and Bills pics put me into the right direction. I will show the complete assemblies later, they are sorta unconventional, maybe. You guys can tell me after you see them, but think they will work. Yes, they are removable. You never know when I may have to change a tire.

Greg

Leester · « **Reply #43 on:** September 26, 2006, 02:25:57 PM »

You never know when those tire eating varmits will come calling.

ebonbetta · « **Reply #44 on:** September 26, 2006, 05:03:47 PM »

I am paitenly waiing for the oct 5,7 weekend. Harbour freight has an aircompressor for sale that weekend.Though it is a sidewalk sale.

Ironbomb · « **Reply #45 on:** September 27, 2006, 08:33:36 AM »

Quote from: ebonbetta on September 26, 2006, 05:03:47 PM

I am paitenly waiing for the oct 5,7 weekend. Harbour freight has an aircompressor for sale that weekend.Though it is a sidewalk sale.

Thanks for the tip, but the nearest Harbor Freight is about three hours from me, I dont know if I can go that weekend.

I'll get a compressor soon tho,

Greg

Ironbomb · « **Reply #46 on:** October 04, 2006, 01:19:44 PM »

I have not been idle the last week or so, the final small details have been worked on, at a slower than normal pace, but they are done. It is covered, and the flaps, horizontal stab and elevators are attached for good. All that remains is to wrap the leadouts, install the gear, and flap to elevator pushrod. Mount the engine and fuel tank and balance it. Oh yea, the colors and decals.

Weight with everything on the scale is 42,5oz. no tip or tail weight added yet. I hope 45oz is not too heavy for this plane. I know I could make another one lighter by at least 5oz

I am mostly happy with it all so far. the controls are nice and smooth. It has been a fun plane to build. I guess the next run of kits will have the wing mounted gear as part of the kit. Lucky guys.

Power is a Brodak 40. tank is a 4oz standard vent. Dont know prop yet, but have Power Point 10x4, x5 and 11x4, x5 to try first.

More pics when its done, and maybe in the air....

Greg

Leester · « **Reply #47 on:** October 04, 2006, 01:42:46 PM »

Greg: Looks great, wish I could be there when you fly it.

Wynn Robins · « **Reply #48 on:** October 04, 2006, 01:51:43 PM »

Looks good champ.......what colours you going to add? and WHAT THE H#ll did you do to the tripler?

??

W

frank carlisle · « **Reply #49 on:** October 04, 2006, 04:46:47 PM »

interesting wheel pant set up Greg..............looks good.