Just like I'd threatened, I have started building a new, hybrid design Piker class racer. It's using a Slipso 400 fuselage, and my own design custom wing. Hence the name "slipstream." Oh, and you'll all be flying in mine...... ;D
I purchased a short-kit for the Slipso from Mountain Models (for $25) and had to purchase a little bit of triangular stock. It's a simple balsa box construction so far, but will need shaving to aerodynamic shape (like a rifle bullet!) I'm not looking forward to that bit.... :-\
Anyway, here is my progress so far....
looking good Simon... planing to start my build over the Christmas break :)
Simon
That little planes looks OK, it will very fast, just keep it light. Are you using the foam cores that where cut for you?
Did the kit have full size plans, so you could scratch build one, if needed. You never know when racing!!!
The plans are on RC Groups and P Daniels (the designer) website, but I did buy a second short kit. My plan was to build one and learn from the build so I can strengthen or modify the second.
Plus a very kind friend got me 120% plans so I can build a larger one from scratch, but the regular slipso is actually about the same size as the Nooner (for the fuse.)
And yes, I want to use my foam cores with this plane.
Looking forward to seeing it fly...can it race in the Nooner series?
Sure can!
Here is the fuse ready for glassing........ :D
Looks Great Simon, you are becoming a master builder.
Now, isn't that pretty? I bet you're proud of it. You should be. Great job!
I don't know about Master Builder (!!!) but I am proud of it.
But I still need to do the wings! :-\
Really nice.
looks good.
Can't wait to see it fly.
"Slipstream" is defined as a disturbance created by something moving through air or a liquid.
May you fly forever in my slipstream! ;D
Great to see you cross to the build side. Flying something you built gives a much greater sense of achievement. But also, crashing something you built hurts a little more. If you build it, it makes a repair much easier. You win on both counts.
Frank
Well, I started the wing.
As with most things, I've been thinking about it for a few days, and I took them out the box to start planning how I was going to do the job and what do you know....I started it!
So vision, some virtual planning, a quick 5 minute look and then start!
I've only done 1 side so far, and only the bottom of the wing. I installed a spar, and then added the lower wing skin. It's now all under about 80lbs until tomorrow.
That's my strategy. When I'm not feeling motivated to work on a plane, 'cause I'm tired, or whatever, I'll head to my shop just to have a look and maybe tidy a bit, and before I know it I've made some progress and on a roll. It's often easier to get started than we think.
The wing looks fantastic so far. Great work!
Simon is without telephone or internet so he decided to get out and get a few laps in with his new Nooner series racer. Sure looks like he is having fun but I fear he will be at the back of the pack!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lwuUdSrbP4&feature=youtube_gdata_player (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lwuUdSrbP4&feature=youtube_gdata_player)
It's true - I am without phone, cable, cellular network or internet at home. But I do have power - so with all this time I am perfecting my Slipstream!!!
One slight disappointment, because I didn't bank on having to sheet the wings, now the balsa is on the airfoil is between 11% and 12%. Hmmmm.
Will just have to outfly Ed, I guess!
Simon
Thats a good looking wing panel, for your first attempt. Is that the same airfoil as the Nooner.
Don't worry about the little extra thickness, keep it light!!! Just fly a tight course.
It's not the same airfoil, no! I chose a different one, just to see if it's quicker! But it's a secret!
Slow progress over the holidays, but I cut the ailerons & joined the wings. Now I'm just glassing the centre section.....
looking good.... just a question about the beans how do they measure up against Jack's beans?
They're the closest to English baked beans that you can get in Canada (determined after extensive testing), so I'd say they measure up just fine!
It may look kind of messy, and not very impressive, but I'm really pleased with it!
I managed to fiberglass the whole fuse and did it with no creases! I used 3/4oz cloth instead of the 2oz cloth, based on Pikers recco. Then I used some of this "high fill primer" stuff to make it look like this!
Les said when she saw it "I like the way it looks, can you do that with some of our furniture?"! :o
Cool. You can see how the primer stayed in the low spots. Does it feel nice and smooth?
Are you coming on to me Robert?!
It is smooth but I want one more coat of primer and then some more sanding. Then it will get the McLaren Silver paint!
looking good Simon!
so did you use the primer and a sanding sealer?
Quote from: piker on January 14, 2014, 11:42:16 PM
Cool. You can see how the primer stayed in the low spots. Does it feel nice and smooth?
From the Instruction team, an important safety warning:
Never ever say that to a woman.
You've been warned. ;D
Oh and Simon, the plane is starting to look good!
Can't wait to beat it on the course this season.
I sealed the wood with a light coat of DeLuxe materials stuff (water based finishing epoxy type stuff) and then fiberglassed with 3/4oz cloth and 3 coats of WBPU varnish. Then 2 coats of sandable primer for now.
Mike - I may just be happy if it flies, never mind wins races. Don't forgot, I do have a fast Nooner in reserve!
Lots of progress today, spurred on by Greg H. I woke at 6am and couldn't stop thinking about the "next steps" so I got up and started building! ???
Earlier in the week I cut the fuselage sides to match the wing profile, so that the wing was a little less proud and had a better angle of attack. I used the Frank VB method of cutting kitchen worksurfaces (thanks Frank!) ;D
Last night I went to Pinnacle to get some 4-40 socket head cap screws for the wing fixing, and then this morning I drilled the first hole! I started with the rear hole, because I thought the front would be more difficult (due to the camber.) Getting the hole in the centre of the wing, right where the epoxy was from the wing joint, was tough. And then I went and snapped the rear fixture in the fuse when I was adding the blind nut! :'(
Anway, as all you builders know, you can fix a balsa mistake. I cut out the remainder of the hold-down, and added a ply version. Then, on Ed's recco I found some old pushrod guides that would accomodate the 4-40 screws and glued them in to the wing. I think the logic is that it will stop the hole in the wing getting worn and elongated. I then glued some ply and a washer to the top surface of the wing to help distribute the load.
So with the rear wing bolt finally in place, I measured and drilled the front one. But not until after adding a thin peice of ply to the current hold-down. Again, I added some pushrod tubing to guide the screw through the wing and it all lines up great. I am a little disappointed about the cap screws sticking up, and being unaerodynamic. I may ponder that some more.....
Now that the fuse is glassed and primed, with the wing fixture done I cut a hatch in the front of the fuse for motor/ESC access. I used a small magnet and washer to secure it in place. My hope is that you cant see it once it's painted. And that's what I'm doing now.....waiting for the first coat of paint to dry.
So, adding my outstanding jobs list (like Michael) I just need to ...
1) servo cutouts in wings & mount aileron servos
2) aileron shaping and hinging
3) mount tail stabilisers
4) mount & hinge elevator
5) add elevator control horn
6) finish painting
7) cover wing
8) set-up RX and radio
Looking very neat and workmanlike. Well done!
Jack.
Quote from: sihinch on January 18, 2014, 12:42:01 PM
... spurred on by Greg H. I woke at 6am and couldn't stop thinking about the "next steps" so I got up and started building! ???
Jack, I believe the 2014 racing season has already begun! So far Simon has a slight lead, but Greg is close behind!
Yuh Think?
What about the silent ones.
Jack.
I think Simon is going to win this race ;)... Took today off from building to keep my ice pilot status
Looks great. Spring can't come soon enough.
Thanks everyone. Here's the last shot of the plane with an unpainted fuse, showing the wings on.
Today I've been doing the servo cut-outs. Now need to solder the extensions to the servos and feed them through the wing. Right pain! >:(
Very nice!
I first noticed this at the Pilot's Meeting... Those tail surfaces look SO tiny! I assume they'll look more normal when the elevator is added. Will there be a rudder? Maybe they're a suitable size because of the long tail moment... or maybe not ;D
Simon you have outdone yourself. That is a beautiful build quality and you should be proud of it. The before paint photos show a very nicely built fuselage.
I would gladly campaign it if you were looking for an experienced champion pilot.
It's starting to look faster! ;)
Wow! It has even assumed the obligatory TEMAC landing attitude!!
Bravo!
Andy
Very nice!
Lookin' good! But is there something wrong with the top side? It looks like it's hiding it's face.
Hey! That's silver fuselage looks great! What kind of paint did you use?
The top of the wing isn't covered! So yes, it's hiding!
Paint is Tamiya spray can. Regular silver leaf TS-30, I think. I then did 1 coat of WBPU varnish.
I've had my head in the sand about 1 thing during this whole build....well, maybe 2 actually! Weight and CG.
I decided that I couldn't hide any longer and needed to weigh my model, yesterday. Now this is the weight without ailerons, and no aileron control rods, so finished weight will be slightly heavier, but I was delighted by what I saw!
First photo is fuse only, with motor, ESC, RX, elevator servo and lipo.
Second photo is the wing laid on top of all the above, so AUW.
Now I just need to figure out where to put the CG......I'm going to use the LAR method! ;)
That wing top covering is going to add about 100g! And don't forget about your racing stripes!
Racing stripes added.........
Looking good, How did the painting go? Any problems?
Jack.
wow ... great job
VERY nice Simon! She looks fassst just sitting there. ;)
Colin
Thanks everyone.
Painting was great, Jack. Just 3 very light coats of the tamiya spray can. I'm very pleased with the finish.
Seeing as I helped build your plane last season when will mine be available for pick up? I would like to start practicing as soon as possible.
Yes! That looks very nice! So, what was the final weight? ;)
I haven't weighed it yet, Robert because I need to add the all-important aileron control rods. I think they will get it to perfect weight!
Here is your plane Ed..... ;D
AUW 466g
I'm race legal!
very nice weight Simon. Lighter is better as always! Your project turned out fantastic.
I just started the improved v2 airframe! ;D
Well, after the dicey and exciting maiden last weekend, I have been reworking the elevator set-up.
Earlier in the week a swapped out the control rod for a smaller diameter one, to reduce the friction. When I tested it the servo still didn't center well.
So last night I took the servo out (HS55) despite the fact that I use the same servo in both my Nooners. I then found the new control rod was still binding. So, I put a new guide in, and squeezed the old servo back and thankfully it is now good.
I hope to god it's now OK to control that eratic pitch!
I'm glad you got it worked out! No more excuses :P
Simon,
Whenever I paint, glue or work around any moving surfaces I dab on a bit of vaseline or WD40. The glue or paint won't stick to it.
Frank
Quote
"I dab on a bit of vaseline or WD40."
Where do you put it?
Teaser......
Back from the splinters?
Well, few of you know but the slipstream that was built with the Stinger fuselage bit the dust fairly quickly! So my plans for my 2015 racer went back to the drawing board.
But over recent months I've been building v3 of the Slipstream. I incorporated little things that I learnt from the other 2, and reinforced some of the areas that showed weakness after a few flights (on the earlier ones)
Meet the 2015 Slipstream!