Back to winter.

I am trying an experiment on the new fuselage for the new plane. I filled the fuselage with white foam to stiffen it, absorb vibration and some sound. Very little weight gain as the fuse.,wing and stab. weigh 22 ounces. The wing and stab are covered on top of it. I put some clear dope on the wood and it's ready for tissue. I have to order some needle valves and landing gear one of these days.
Thursday was heavy snow and temps in the mid 30's from noon to 4 pm. Then it got cold and very windy and started to snow heavy for an hour or so. A slight warming trend is expected over the next few days but nothing special.

Good weather.

I took advantage of the weather as it's supposed to get cold again. I went to the dog track with the re built Primary Force w/flaps. I got in two test and tune flights and one for the full pattern. The plane needs more control so I opened up the line spacing on the handle when I got home. I tried to tweak the flaps but I used 1/8" wire for the joiner and it's tough. I may have to put a tab on one flap. The engine ran well. It is the one that's been giving me fits. I used the ball end mill to open the combustion chamber and that seems to have calmed it down. I put a venturi on it and that seems to have let it run 5 min.35 sec. on 3- 3/4 ounces of fuel.
I started the El Camino and let it run a while to charge the battery. I could have used the charger but I'd rather run it if I can.
Yesterdays trip with all kinds of driving conditions netted me 17 mpg on the truck.
I started making the new fuselage today. A couple of weeks should do it. I want to order some needle valve asm. to get rid of the remotes on the OS engines. I got 2 more venturis coming from Tower.
I was going to connect the well back to the kitchen faucet but there is some concern about dirt in the water. I think I'll try and get a filter for the line if there is one for CPVC pipe.

It was a dark and stormy day for a change.

High 50's with heavy wind and rain. 25 to 35 mph gusting to 60 most of the afternoon. The ground is covered under the tamaracks including the driveway. I used a snow shovel to push the twigs off the asphalt. The waited for January thaw removed all the snow except for the largest piles. The temps are going back to normal today.
I started drawing a new fuselage for the salvaged wing and tail. I have to get some 1/8" balsa before I can start.
We will be bringing the stove to Goshen, MA this morning. About 115 miles. I got the biggest part on a pallet which sits on two tires with 4 more tires packed on the sides and tied down with straps. I hope it makes the trip.

Thinning the herd.

Another pretty good day so I packed up the new plane and headed to the dog track. The first flight was plagued by a muffler loosening up. The back end almost fell off. I re tightened it and started a second flight. At the second inside loop of the square eight the plane came in a bit and I couldn't get any control and it was pointed at the ground. Total loss. The engine broke in half with the crank and lower part of the block still bolted to the mounts. The plane broke in several pieces but the wing and tail parts didn't hardly hit the ground and are still usable for another fuselage.
I believed that the OS .40 and .46 shared the same block so I took a .40 apart and tried to put the cylinder sleeve from the .46 in it. The blocks are not the same. I now have a good spare crank, that will fit the .40, head and muffler. Next!!

More seasonable weather.

We went to the dog track early this afternoon. The temp. was in the mid 30's with light and variable winds. Blowing right into the sun. I flew the Vector and got in two flights. I had to chase the wind on both flights as it changed direction often. The sun was generally in the maneuver zone though. I hope to get the stove on the truck tomorrow morning. I picked up two more tires at the track to cushion the stove during it's ride to the store.

Better weather for a change.

Sunshine and high 30's. I packed the Vector and the re built Primary Force in the truck and headed for the dog track. I had the heater going full hot to help warm the engines. I set up and last thing I got the Vector out and hooked it up. The engine started reasonably well and I got in a short flight to check how it flew. I widened the handle spacing to the max for the second flight and it helped. I tweaked the needle valve also. I did some maneuvers on the third flight and put it away. The tongue muffler was letting the oil get all over the plane making a big mess. I put a stock muffler on after I got home. The Primary Force needed a lot of line adjustment to get the handle in neutral. The engine run was OK but I made a change anyway. The second flight was better and I did the pattern on the third flight. The 4 ounce tanks I have, no matter the brand, don't hold 4 ounces. I just got the pattern in and the 2 laps after before the engine quit. I put in more elevator travel after getting home as I think it needed it. A flap tweak too. I may have to make another handle for the Vector to get more than 4 inches handle spacing. The new .46 engines are running well. I opened the combustion up some with the 5/8" ball end mill. I did the same to the .40 that was giving me fits and it ran very well. The combustion chambers are hemi shaped so it's easy to re work them. The glow plug is recessed in the chamber and I think by spot facing the seating surface is the best way to get the plug even with the chamber surface. I don't have an end mill to do the job so the heads are safe for now.

Flying in the snow.

The weather was bad yesterday but it got rid of a lot more snow. Today was supposed to be a lot better but it wasn't. Mid 30's and cloudy. A real chill when you go outside. I waited for UPS and they came early with the end mill I want to bore out engine heads. I had a head waiting for the end mill and I opened up the combustion chamber to 5/8" diameter. I installed it back on the engine and took a chance on the weather and went to the dog track. I got a short flight with the new plane to check the flap tweak and the wings are much more level than before. I put that one away and brought out the one with the re worked head. It started to snow pellets as I was getting the engine started and I flew a short flight in a blizzard. The engine ran fine and long enough for the snow to pass. There was a lot more snow at home as the ground was covered.

All clear.

I took a trip to the dog track and was pleased to see the snow had been washed away by the rain. Now I need some better weather.

A dark and stormy night, again.

I managed to get in two flights with the new plane yesterday at the new school in Sterling. The running track was plowed off for the most part except for a stripe across the middle. I cleared a taxi way through it and started flying. The plane flew wing high and needs a tweak of the flaps which I did when I got home. The new engine started quite well even though it was inverted. I heated it with a heat gun before leaving home and left it in the cab until everything was ready to go.
The temp. stayed in the low 40's all day and the rain started around 4 pm. By 9 pm it was raining hard but the snow didn't melt too fast. I'll have to check the dog track today.

January thaw?

The temp. has been above freezing for several days now. Finally today it is starting to melt the snow. The snow has been so cold that it had to warm up so the temp. could do it's stuff. We still have two inches of snow on the ground but bare ground is starting to show under the trees. Foot prints in the snow are starting to melt to the ground too. Hopefully the pavement at the dog track is clearing.
I ordered an end mill to open up the combustion chamber on my model engines. It should be here on the 20th. I'm planning on getting a small bench lathe so I can make my own stuff instead of buying it.

Old Stove pictures.

Almost done.

I followed directions on the Vector and set the controls in neutral then glued the wing and stab on. The only problem is there is no way to adjust the controls later. The fit of the parts is pretty good and hopefully it will not need any further adjustment. The weight will be in the low to mid 40 ounce range when it's all done. I need tip weight and have the choice of stock muffler or a tongue muffler that is lighter. I added about an ounce in the landing gear reinforcement. Next up is warmer weather. I put in one ounce of tip weight and removed the stock muffler and put on the tongue muffler. The weight is 41.7 ounces. Quite light for an ARF.

I remember now.

I'm missing two hinges. Probably got a parts bag from another model.

Brodak Vector.

I checked the balance on the new plane and set the leadouts where I figure they should be added one ounce of tip weight and set the plane in the storage room to await warmer weather.
Up next is the Vector ARF I got from Brodak a month ago. I didn't like the looks of the leadout cables so I removed the bellcrank and tied on a new set of cables. I also bushed the bellcrank leadout holes for better wear. Now comes the hard part getting the new cables through the already covered wing and through the very small holes in the adjustable leadout guide. I tried gluing the ends together but that didn't work. I took a piece of double stick tape and lay the cables end to end and wrapped the tape around once. I slowly pulled the old cable out and the new cable in and one cable came through the guide hole without a problem but one hung up. The old cable separated from the new and I had to cut a corner into the covering to get at the cable and push it through the guide with tweezers. After getting it through the guide hole I taped both cables to the wing so they can't go back. As I admired my good fortune I noticed I had cut into the top of the wing and not the bottom where the cut would not be seen. I put a piece of tape over the cut. I installed the wing flap joiner wire and then started on the elevators. I couldn't find the joiner for that and ended up making one from another. The directions say to use a carbon fiber tube to connect the bell crank to the flap horn. Its 6 inches long and I would have to make 2 glue joints. I'm going with 4-40 threaded rod and no glue joints. It must be cheaper to use threaded rod and a lot easier. I can't find and reference to control throw or where to put the push rod in the elevator horn. I'll have to ask Brodak about that. Also once the plane is assembled there is no way to adjust the controls. The OS .46 fit with only a little problem. I did manage to mark and drill the holes accurately. Fuel tank fits and the fuel tubing run will be long as I'm using the remote needle and it's very close to the tank feed tube. I can't figure the attraction these designers have with inch and a half dia. spinners. After cutting a slot for the prop there isn't any spinner left. I'll go without. Something else is missing besides the elevator joiner wire but I don't remember what it is right now.

First time out.

I got the new plane just about finished today. Total weight is 45 ounces including the spinner and prop which weigh 3.2 ounces alone. So I can get the weight down to the low 40's with a wood prop and a tongue muffler and a lighter spinner. I had to change back to the orange fin when I looked at original PT-19's. The blue didn't stick well at all so it came off easily.

Plane gets wallpapered.

I was hesitant about covering the fuselage of the new plane with silk span. I have covered wings with it but not wood. It goes on wet which is against everything I know. I was told to stick down the edges and let it dry then dope it all down. That didn't make much sense either. So I did some of each. I put the paper on the plane and wet it slightly with a sponge while smoothing the paper at the same time. When I got it smooth I slopped on the clear dope and covered all of it the first time around. I used several pieces of paper to get around the wing and top and sides and bottom. When the first coat dried it was smooth all over. I was pleased. Now I have to add enough dope to fill the paper before applying the color coat. I did notice that I put the wrong color on the vertical fin. It should be blue with the stripes not orange. It should be an easy fix.

A little motorcycle work.

I planned to get the new planes bare wood painted with clear dope today. I got 5 coats on in preparation for the silk span. Probably do the silk span tomorrow.
After that I went into the basement and started changing the oil lines on the Harley. I tried to get the oil tank off but it wouldn't get past some other things. I dropped one of the mount nuts and lost it some where near the front sprocket. I tried a magnet but didn't find it. I got most of the lines changed and one was a real pain to get the new hose on. One hand and out of sight. I worked about an hour on it and then noticed the line was run different than the original. Luckily I got it in the right place without having to remove it and start over. One hose doesn't have a place to go and another is under everything. Shouldn't be much fun trying to get those changed. I bought 8 feet of hose and it will be close.

Taking shape.

First pictures of the new plane. Some specs. 553 sq. in., 52" span. I'm revising the weight guess upward to 40 to 45 ounces. Still on the light side. OS .46LA for power. The tail volumn co efficient is .417 so I'm hoping for a good flyer. A 4 ounce fuel tank from Brodak that is the same as the one recommended for the Vector ARF. A thick airfoil and a slightly large fuselage should equal drag and slower speed but with plenty of power to pull it through the pattern. I went with the colors of the PT-19 as I had those on hand. And I'm no good at paint scheme design. I'll paint the blue after wall papering the fuselage.

Temperature in the low 30's.

We got another inch or so of snow last night. It is powdery and easy to push off the driveway. Close to a foot over the weekend. This stuff is giving the "building season" a bad name.
I got the engine/spinner faired into the fuse. of the new plane. It took two days of looking and cutting and sanding and gluing in blocks. I made a hatch cover for the tank compartment and sanded the fuse. and put spackle on the dents. After sanding the spackle I'll add the fillets on the wing and stab. Later today by the looks. I finished the covering yesterday and put the star roundels on the wings. I had good luck putting silk span on the cheek piece on the big Ringmaster so I am planning on covering the fuselage with it before painting. If it works right it is a lot easier than filling and sanding bare wood. I'm aiming for 40 ounces on this one. It weighed 35 ounces with engine, tank and gear legs. Fuselage paint and wheels to go.
I'm hoping my order from Fox comes today. Three replacement mufflers and another gallon of castor oil.

8 inches of cold white happiness?

The weather channel forecast a couple inches last night and a couple inches today. They missed it by double that. It hasn't stopped snowing since 2 am. I think it's freezing rain now. Dopes.
New Years day I went to the flying field to get in my first flight of the new year. I also pay my dues for the year in case I need to fly there. I have to have the longest string of first flights in the club. I haven't missed a New Years day first flight since joining the club back about 1981. 29 consecutive first flights. I had to use the indoor "Vapor" again this year as I don't have a normal plane ready to go. Luckily it was calm wind and I flew around the impound thing and landed in the snow.
I started covering the new plane today. It took 8 hours to get everything installed that needed to be installed before covering. I got the wing covered and the flaps and elevator hinged and installed where they should be. It's starting to look like a plane now.

New plane.

I have decided on a color scheme for the new plane. It will be in the colors of the PT-19. orange wings and tail and blue fuselage. I have the round star emblem for the wing already. I can't get the controls hooked up until I install the flaps. Then I can get the right length for the elevator push rod. Then I can plank the bottom and seal it up. I have a lot of fuel proofing to do also.
On the way home from Groton we stopped to look at the dog track but it's still covered with snow. Hopefully it will melt off today or soon.