Author Topic: Finishing the 2 Bits Bipe (Read 4421 times)

John Miller · « **Reply #50 on:** July 11, 2011, 12:15:13 PM »

Thanks Steve, I'll be starting out with the Stalker .61. Gordan has the .81 now, mounted in his Tony. I'll see how it goes for power with the .61, then, if I need more, I can go to the .,66 easily, or up to the .81. I tried to talk Gordy out of his RB .76, but he just won't let me borrow it. (He knows he won't get it back I think.)

John Miller · « **Reply #51 on:** July 11, 2011, 05:06:09 PM »

Well, I got the trim on, but have a lot of touch up due to problems between the coats. Still, it doesn't look too bad in pictures, but I've a few days of work needed to fix the problem areas. I've got to let it dry a day or two first.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #52 on:** July 12, 2011, 10:13:23 AM »

Looks very good John. I like it a lot. Can't wait to see it live and in person.

John Miller · « **Reply #53 on:** July 12, 2011, 11:29:48 AM »

While I'm waiting for the trim paint to dry thourouly, I can finish up some details such as mounting the hinges, finishing the covering at the bottom wing roots, Get some thinned epoxy into the engine compartment, for fuel proofing, and a bunch of other small issues.

Thanks Randy, and others who have offered encouragement with this project.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #54 on:** July 12, 2011, 02:42:58 PM »

And John, jump straight to the .81. You can't have too much power.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #55 on:** July 12, 2011, 06:50:12 PM »

Quote from: Randy Powell on July 12, 2011, 02:42:58 PM

You can't have too much power.

I would heartily second that opinion.

Will Hinton · « **Reply #56 on:** July 13, 2011, 08:30:30 AM »

and I third it!

John Miller · « **Reply #57 on:** July 13, 2011, 09:34:20 AM »

I hear you guys. I'll have to start out with the .61 first, since I no longer have access to the .81. If I need more, I'll have to purchase a new one.

Allan Perret · « **Reply #58 on:** July 13, 2011, 11:12:00 AM »

Quote from: John Miller on July 13, 2011, 09:34:20 AM

I hear you guys. I'll have to start out with the .61 first, since I no longer have access to the .81. If I need more, I'll have to purchase a new one.

I have a like new ( about a dozen bench runs and 3 flights) Stalker 76 available if you are interested.

John Miller · « **Reply #59 on:** July 15, 2011, 10:09:07 PM »

I've been busy. It took a little longer to touch up the trim. I wound up sanding most of it off, and redoing the entire finish. I had to deal with a little bit of compatibility problems with the paints of choice. They go over each other fine, but one, butyrate dope, doesn't seem to lock as tight to the base as I would like it to.

I kept having problems with trim olors lifting, but eventually, I got it all on, and it's good enough that I can live with it.

Whoever said, "Painting is never finished, just abandoned", was soo right,

I'll be applying clear dope over the entire finish job tomorrow. I'll post pictures showing the assembly sequence, ending up with the completed plane.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #60 on:** July 15, 2011, 10:57:09 PM »

Will Hinton · « **Reply #61 on:** July 16, 2011, 09:39:36 AM »

Man, I can hardly wait for the flight report! My old bipe in the late 60's and early 70's flew with much authority on my old Fox 59, John, so try the 61 and see whahoppens! It had a wing area in the 700's. The closer we get to the possibility of available plans and maybe a short kit, the more excited I get.

John Miller · « **Reply #62 on:** July 16, 2011, 08:45:31 PM »

Drat, I ran into more paint problems while clear coating.

It looks like it's going to be a day or 2 before the clear is finished. Here's a teaser though.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #63 on:** July 17, 2011, 01:11:16 PM »

John,

Boy don't I know. anytime you are using incompatible paint (or even the same paint but change something half way through), you are taking a chance. Mechanical or chemical lock (or both) is the best way to go, but I've had finishes that were a lot less than that. I just fixed the finish on my current plane. When I pulled the tape, it peeled up clear. And this was a plane that has been flown for a year. Sheesh! It is catalyzed polyurethane over a dope base.

John Miller · « **Reply #64 on:** July 17, 2011, 05:32:06 PM »

Well, it's a comnbination I will think twice about using next time. Third time seems to be the charm, and if it isn't, it'll have to do.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #65 on:** July 17, 2011, 10:22:17 PM »

Probably more with painting more than anything else, I've decided that if you have a combo that has worked well previously, repeat.

I try to follow the "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" philosophy.

John Miller · « **Reply #66 on:** July 18, 2011, 06:55:26 PM »

Well, for better or worse, it's all but finished. A few minor clearance problems and such left but it's done.

It's a bit heavier than I would like at 72 Oz's. The good part is that the CG seems to be about right, fore and aft, and the vertical CG also seems to be about right.

Here's some pictures of the assembled airfame.

Tom Niebuhr · « **Reply #67 on:** July 18, 2011, 07:50:57 PM »

John,
Absolutely gorgeous!!!

wwwarbird · « **Reply #68 on:** July 18, 2011, 08:00:23 PM »

Looks great John, can't wait to hear how it flies!

Allan Perret · « **Reply #69 on:** July 19, 2011, 05:19:46 AM »

Them cheek cowls look really cool.
I have a profile Steaman built about a year ago. Also converted a SIG Ultimate Fun Fly bipe for c/l.
Both are squirrely in the wind, I would make first flights on calm day only.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #70 on:** July 19, 2011, 09:58:00 AM »

Very cool, John. I can't wait to see it in person. Hopefully you can make one of the season's remaining contests over here. It is a showstopper.

John Miller · « **Reply #71 on:** July 19, 2011, 10:05:53 AM »

Thanks guys, for the positive comments. Allen, I appreciate the heads up, and will make the first flights with out lots of wind. Randy, I really hope to make it for one of the contests left in the NW this season.

I've a few little details that need attention, but I suspect the first flight should occur around the weekend. I've mixed emotions awaiting the flight testing.

I spent some time last night working out a new set of wings that will plug in to improve the area/weight ratio, just in case.

Cheers

Randy Powell · « **Reply #72 on:** July 19, 2011, 12:17:34 PM »

You sound like me. I'm always whining about a plane's weight or whatever. Pat Johnston is always telling me to quit worrying and just fly the thing. Trim it the best I can and try to make the next one lighter.

He's right, I suppose (drat it).

Steve Helmick · « **Reply #73 on:** July 19, 2011, 06:27:17 PM »

I like it, John! I like the cowl a lot, but I'd prefer a grey tinted canopy. The green canopy reminds me of the green welding glasses I got to fly with. One flight cured me! Made me feel a bit green around the gills. Good luck with the first flights and c'mon up for a contest sometime soon.

Steve