Scratch built Heath Parasol

[Michael]

There's still time for another winter project. This will be a scratch-built Heath Parasol; an early 20th century American homebuilt airplane.

I'm planning on building this 1/5 scale (60" wingspan), out of depron-type styrofoam, with a projected weight of 2 pounds, and it will be for land and water.

Building starts soon .....

[piker]

Ooooo.  I'm glad you've decided to build this.

That size and style will look good flying beside my American Eaglet, which is a very similar style and size.  I just have to get mine finished too!   

[piker]

Would you build the floats like in the picture?

[Michael]

I haven't decided.

Either I will, or I'll make separate floats and landing gear simply screw on at the same hard-points.

If I do, then I will have to use non-metal (plastic, rubber, carbon-fiber) for the wheels and parts.

[Michael]

My 'plans', and the beginning of construction.

[sihinch]

Michael - you are an impressive and compulsive builder! You're very inspiring.

If I wanted to do a depron build, where do you get the depron from?

[piker]

Oh, when I asked the question I didn't even clue into the fact that there were wheels attached to the floats.  I assume they are just for beaching.  I doubt the floats would work with the wheels attached.

What I was referring to was the rather short aft end of the floats.  They are very antic looking, which is cool, but I'm not sure how good they would be at keeping the tail of the aircraft up and dry.

However, now that you got me thinking more about the floats and those cool beaching wheels, it might be cool to be able to keep the floats attached all the time, and just add the beaching gear for flying from land.  Not how the real one worked, I'm sure, but might be cool for the model.  You, or I if I steal the idea for my plane, would need to have some sort of tail wheel on the floats, or probably better, move the mains back and add a nose wheel between the floats or one on each float.  That would be best to prevent the plane from nosing over when powering up.

[Michael]

If I wanted to do a depron build, where do you get the depron from?

Pinnacle Hobby usually has stock.

[Michael]

I'm progressing slowly on the wing.

Before every step, I have to be aware of how I'm going to build the ailerons, where I'm going to mount the servos, where the wing struts will attach, the dihedral joint, the attachment structure to the fuselage, and so on.

The leading edge is glued on the bottom skin, the lower carbon fiber wing spars and ribs are glued on.

[Michael]

Wing webbing, for a very light but very strong structure.

[Michael]

Dihedral joint: plywood, strong wire bent to the correct angle epoxied into carbon fiber tubes, and more depron.

[Michael]

Aileron construction is slow, but still enjoyable.

[Michael]

I've been busy with work and family stuff.

(Really! I've been working a lot, and I just had my fourth grandson! Adam visited from Chicago, and lots of stuff has been going on.)

Anyway, I started on the fuselage. 2 formers have inset aluminum tubes to support a structure that will hold the wing in place.

*******

Can't buy me love? Well, I just did!

I've been looking for a nice example for my collection for more than 20 years, and I just bought it! Capital Records 1964 Can't Buy Me Love (Beatles) 45 rpm single with original sleeve.

Boy, am I happy! (Cost me more than most model airplanes!)

[sihinch]

When did you get it, Yesterday? Or was that another Hard Days Night? Finally you and the single have Come Together!

[Michael]

Stop it, Simon, it's just another day.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JodPHplACCE