Howdy folks,

 I finally have the "Challenger 575" ready for paint. All of my normal prep work and sanding is done and I'm ready to start shooting color. The plan is for a white/orange Navy scheme, duplicating my .15 size version. Now all I need is a bucketload of ambition...

Looking good, I like your paint stand as well. As they say on the British TV series Top Gear: "Brilliant!"

Looking good, I like your paint stand as well. As they say on the British TV series Top Gear: "Brilliant!"

 The makeshift "paint stand" is actually my normal workshop "island" bench. It's just a Black and Decker Workmate sitting on a pedestal stand that I made so it sits at a comfortable work height. It's normally always in the center of my shop with a towel covered platform top providing a 360 degree work station. When painting time comes, I just lift the top off and add my cobbled PVC and conduit plane holder "apparatus". It ain't purty, but it works and it's easy to move whenever necessary.

 Mark, thanks for the offer, but I don't want to risk being to blame for slowing down your progress on the 109.

 Randy, this is my first plane with blue fillets. I've really liked the way the stuff works so far, I just hope the dope sticks...

 Slathered on some of the orange on tonight...

 Yeah Mark, the white was just too clean and boring. I've always dug those wrinkly chrome Monokote jobs...

cool,, psuedo coast gaurd?

cool,, psuedo coast gaurd?

I was thinking that too. Looks good!!

 
 
 I suppose we can say that I'm just sticking to my original plan with this "exercise".

 The "Challenger .15" original design by Keith Sandberg is superb flyer for it's size. A bunch of them have been built and flown around these parts, all with great satisfaction and big smiles. Keith has talked about doing an enlarged .40 sized version for at least the past 3-4 years, but just hasn't gotten around to it yet. We've always had the feeling it could be a pretty killer Profile .40 design.
 
 After I finished my own Challenger .15 and flew it last spring I decided I was going to go for a bigger one on my own. The small one is so good that I kept the design exactly the same, just bigger. I thought really hard about adding flaps, and almost did, but decided I wanted to stick with my original thought and see how well it would work just leaving it alone. Other than the overall scale enlargement the only change I made was adding a 1/2" of chord across the front of the stab. I did this soley for cosmetics. I did add a tip weight box and adjustable leadout guide too. Dimensionally though, including airfoil, moments etc., it's a straight up enlargement of the original .15 design.

 Anyway, since I kept everything the same I'm just seeing "The Plan" through, right down to the Navy paint scheme.

 Plus, this thing just wouldn't look quite right in German camo...

Looking good, Wayne, and waiting to hear how it flies.

BIG Bear
RNMM/AMM

Has it flown yet??  Really I like the paint scheme.   May borrow it sometime, the paint scheme, not the airplane.

Has it flown yet??  Really I like the paint scheme.   May borrow it sometime, the paint scheme, not the airplane.

 Not yet Doc, still painting on it. The photo of the finished Challenger is my .15 size one, I just posted it to show what this big one is going to look like.

 Hoping to get the black shot on the fuse tonight...

I see I need to get some stock in aluminum foil.      I had heard Windy U. used it a lot, but never tried it myself.

 Yep Doc, it's the way to go if you ask me. I buy mine cheap at the local dollar store. Until you get used to it it's a little delicate to handle to avoid unwanted tearing, but in general it works very well. Tape REALLY sticks to it too. In certain situations you can simply mold it right around an awkward area and then just cover any questionable areas with tape. Also, when you're done, it crumples up and stays much better than paper!

I have to say, I have used aluminum foil for some things, like wrapping wiring harness' when painting an engine compartment, things like that,,
for me, let me say again,,, FOR ME,, I get very nervous about the little sharp points that aluminum foil can make when creased ,, especially around the more delicate things, like fresh paint,, silk-span,, ,not to say it wont work,,I prefer using paint masking paper,, no bleed through,, tape sticks,, and no danger of sharp pointed crease thingies doing the nasty,,

but I know lots of people who use it,, so,, pays your money, takes your chances,,

 The BIG and little of it...

They look great sitting together.

Please do us a favor and tell us how you do a finish from bare wood up.  A brief description or as detailed as you wish.

Thanks!
Bill

 Will do Bill. I just started a reply with the short version, but it got long in a hurry. One thing leads to another, I'll post something soon.

 No painting tonight, a long day at work and a few Coronas afterward...

 I finally got a chance to get back into the shop these past couple evenings. I finished putting on all of the markings tonight. I've got just a few little things to touch up and it's ready for clear...

looks great Wayne,, looks great,,

Very cool, Wayne.

 Finally done, or as good as it's gonna get anyway. Shot the last of the clear tonight, finish abandoned.

Finally done, or as good as it's gonna get anyway. Shot the last of the clear tonight, finish abandoned.

Hi Wayne,

It looks very good to me!  Now to hear how it flies!

BIG Bear
RNMM/AMM

  Will you be at the Polk City Iowa contest?

 I'm planning on being there Doc, the only way it won't happen is if my boss throws a wrench in my plans at the last minute.