Author Topic: TwistStang build pics- fuse / engine crutch (Read 5055 times)

Bill Heher · « **on:** December 27, 2010, 11:06:10 AM »

Too cold / windy to fly in Orlando today- so I dug out the Twister / P-51B project and started on it again. Here are some pics of the engine bearers / blocks / plates.

Engine sits on stainless steel plates bolted to the bearers, engine mount bolts will run through ply doubler on inboard side, blind nuts and nylocks.

Still have to drill and peg the end brace and tank mount blocks and glue them in permanently.

john e. holliday · « **Reply #1 on:** December 27, 2010, 11:57:13 AM »

Looking good.

Paul Taylor · « **Reply #2 on:** December 27, 2010, 02:04:37 PM »

I like it Bill.
Nice crutch.

Balsa Butcher · « **Reply #3 on:** December 27, 2010, 04:30:32 PM »

Wow Bill, what's it going to feel like to fly a non-salvaged airplane? Looks good.

Bill Heher · « **Reply #4 on:** December 27, 2010, 08:05:44 PM »

Hopefully I get to find out this year!

I started the TwistStang in Phoenix over a year ago, managed to get the plane with framed up wing back to Orlando this summer, and plan to have the fuse done before I head back to NM in a week.

With a few long weekends / late nights I think I can get it done in time for the IRKS Vetrans Day Fly-in.

Roger Vizioli · « **Reply #5 on:** December 27, 2010, 09:11:43 PM »

Quote from: Bill Heher on December 27, 2010, 08:05:44 PM

Hopefully I get to find out this year!

I started the TwistStang in Phoenix over a year ago, managed to get the plane with framed up wing back to Orlando this summer, and plan to have the fuse done before I head back to NM in a week.

With a few long weekends / late nights I think I can get it done in time for the IRKS Vetrans Day Fly-in.

Hi Bill,
No need to wait 'til November.
when you do finish it, send e-mail and we will go "flyin'"
Roger V.

Bill Little · « **Reply #6 on:** December 27, 2010, 11:23:56 PM »

Looking good, Bill! Can't make out which size LA that is....... .46??

I would pop a bubble canopy on it and make it the sexy "D" model!

Bill Heher · « **Reply #7 on:** December 28, 2010, 07:05:18 AM »

Hey Roger- you guys gonna be doing any flying on New Years Day or weekend?

The TwistStang won't make it, but I could use some practice / trim flights on the Score ARF before KOI.

Bill Little- it's a .46 with FP metal backplate and std front mount needle valve assy.

Sorry to dissapoint ya- but "D" models are like Toyota Camrys - they are everywhere! I have a different paint scheme picked out that should make it stand apart from the crowd ( see pic) - and i've always had a soft spot for the 'B" - my very 1st C/L plane was a Cox P-51, back before they changed it to a bubble canopy D.

Roger Vizioli · « **Reply #8 on:** December 28, 2010, 07:49:52 AM »

Quote from: Bill Heher on December 28, 2010, 07:05:18 AM

Hey Roger- you guys gonna be doing any flying on New Years Day or weekend?

The TwistStang won't make it, but I could use some practice / trim flights on the Score ARF before KOI.

Bill,
Will check with the guys and get back to you.
Roger

Ward Van Duzer · « **Reply #9 on:** December 28, 2010, 08:08:41 AM »

Bill,

Good choice! I'm on your team...

Ward-O

Bill Little · « **Reply #10 on:** December 28, 2010, 09:47:48 AM »

Hi Bill,

Even though I really prefer the "D", I am finishing up a modified Bob Hunt P-51 (he drew it as a "D", I changed it to a "B"! LOL!!) and it will be the Paul Mantz #46. IIRC< the book from the Smithsonian says the plane you show is the same one. Would have to read the book again to be positive! LOL!!

Mike Garmon designed a "B" model as the first plane in the Brodak Warbird Series. I have flown the original and it flies great.

Bill

Larry Fernandez · « **Reply #11 on:** December 28, 2010, 10:45:56 AM »

If its not too late, I would consider using longer maple motor mounts. Preferably all the way back and tied into the wing. This will stiffen up the nose and help prevent any damage from vibration. It will also help with better, more consistant engine runs.

Think about it.

Larry, Buttafucco Stunt Team

Bill Little · « **Reply #12 on:** December 28, 2010, 12:11:18 PM »

Quote from: Larry Fernandez on December 28, 2010, 10:45:56 AM

If its not too late, I would consider using longer maple motor mounts. Preferably all the way back and tied into the wing. This will stiffen up the nose and help prevent any damage from vibration. It will also help with better, more consistant engine runs.

Think about it.

Larry, Buttafucco Stunt Team

Great idea, Larry! The LA isn't too bad a shaker, but everything helps!

Big Bear

Richard Edwards · « **Reply #13 on:** December 28, 2010, 03:39:01 PM »

Isn't Orlando in Florida and your saying its too cold!!!! try being in the midwest does look good I am guessing your using a twister wing

S? P

Balsa Butcher · « **Reply #14 on:** December 28, 2010, 06:52:40 PM »

Aww, D models are OK, even painted red.

Bill Heher · « **Reply #15 on:** December 28, 2010, 07:34:39 PM »

I held that P-51 Pete- it is more than O.K. - hence my reluctance to fly it at the contest!

here is a link to the Air and Space mueseum page for Excalibur III- it is the same plane Paul mantz races- and it set some records after that- cool history.
http://www.nasm.si.edu/collections/artifact.cfm?id=A19530088000

I am building it from a stock kit that I got a deal on in Phoenix- wing is per plan except for 1/2 ribs between each stock on, wing mounted gear and new wingtips.

I thought about extending the mounts- but didn't have any long blanks and hobby shop was closed. I leave the pegs at each jont in the crutch sticking out a bit to help tie it into the fuse, and upgraded the fuse ply doublers to 3/16 5-ply aircraft birch plywood, and will put the extra balsa doubler in the IB side.

Bill Little · « **Reply #16 on:** December 28, 2010, 07:53:10 PM »

Quote from: Pete Cunha on December 28, 2010, 06:52:40 PM

Aww, D models are OK, even painted red.

Ok, Pete, give it up. "What" is that P-51D? (designer, plans, kit??, etc.) I see the LE cuff.

Big Bear

Balsa Butcher · « **Reply #17 on:** December 28, 2010, 08:16:49 PM »

Thanks Bill H., the offer still stands but you seem to do quite well with the club's Banshee. Your Twist-Stang should be a winner as well. As far as my P-51 goes, it is kit bashed from an early Brodak Warbird kit. Bubble canopy added and air scoop slimmed down somewhat to give it more of a stunt-scale profile. The leading edge cuff is an optical illusion...really. The actual LE is straight per the kit. It did build light and flies really well with a Brodak 40.

Bill Little · « **Reply #18 on:** December 28, 2010, 08:31:35 PM »

hi Pete,

Thanks! Mike's planes all seemed to be great fliers! I think you it it well with the placement of the yellow stripe. Makes the LE "look"like it has a cuff in the picture!

Funny, I flew Mike's original, but never built the P-51. I should.

Bill Heher · « **Reply #19 on:** December 30, 2010, 09:49:21 AM »

Front end of fuse almost done, need to relieve the balsa tripler for the plate mount screw heads, get them final positioned and marked, the glue the trippler on and bust out the sandpaper / files and shape the front end.

Came out nice and stiff, I epoxied the doublers on 1 at a time and sandwiched them between some glass sheets ( old jalouise window slats- handy size to keep around), that way i can check the bond on 1 side before I cover everything up with the other side.

Time to dig the wing out and start the belcrank install on that so when the fuse is done I can finishe the wing and rock-on with final fit / assembly of the controls.

Bill Little · « **Reply #20 on:** December 30, 2010, 10:12:53 AM »

Looking great, Bill!

That .46LA will really give it the "Tractor Stunt" appeal!

Big Bear

Roger Vizioli · « **Reply #21 on:** December 30, 2010, 06:46:41 PM »

Quote from: Roger Vizioli on December 28, 2010, 07:49:52 AM

Quote from: Bill Heher on December 28, 2010, 07:05:18 AM
Hey Roger- you guys gonna be doing any flying on New Years Day or weekend?

The TwistStang won't make it, but I could use some practice / trim flights on the Score ARF before KOI.

Bill,
Will check with the guys and get back to you.
Roger

Bill,
No feedback from the guys.
Might fly during the week, next week if you are home.
There is a group flying at the Orlando airport this weekend (?? day), west side down toward the Post Office.
Roger

Bill Heher · « **Reply #22 on:** January 01, 2011, 08:26:07 AM »

Thanks Rog, I was out scouting the airport area last week and found a couple spots south of the new Ball fields that look usable- if the local authorities don't kick us out. There are some old parking areas for buildings that have been demolished, They are a bit west and north of the fuel tank farm off Tradeport.