re-building a crashed 1200mm foam Spitfire

[Frank v B]

Problem- the beans grabbed a member's Spitfire today.  A survey of the pieces shows it was an expert crash because of the low parts count.

Objective:    Re-build it into a flyable model.
Approach:  Step 1 - put the large pieces together into something resembling a Spitfire.  It is important to make sure alignment is correct.  Strength is not important yet.
                  Step 2 - strengthen everything.

Frank

[GuyOReilly]

Well, I fixed my Spitfire, ready for re-re-maiden flight.
@Frank v B perhaps sometime this week....
Guy

[Frank v B]

Guy: re: re-re-re-maiden of your Spitfire.  Will be there tomorrow (Sunday 11-1:30) and Wednesday (5:00-7:30).

Starting with glueing the individual pieces.
Done by mixing 5 minute epoxy, spreading it over the surface with a toothpick then ramming the glue-covered toothpick into the foam to strengthen the joint.

Fixed wing cracks, fuse split, aileron horn, the two wing radiators.  See photos.

The fuse joint was held together with rubber bands.

F.

[Frank v B]

fixing the battery hatch, wing joint and rear fuselage wing hold-down.

Each repair was the same
- open up the break
- apply 5 minute epoxy on both sides.
- take the same toothpick and push it across the break
- take a second toothpick, roll it in the epoxy and push it across the break the other way.

If joints have to be held together, wrap a rubber band around the toothpicks and let everything cure.
Once cured (tomorrow) snip off the exposed toothpicks with a side cutter.

Looks like a porcupine mated with this Spitfire! 

Frank

[Frank v B]

Piecing the tail together.

The elevator hinges were broken and one half of the elevator came off.
- find 4 small pin hinges
- cut slots in both sides of the hinge spot (stab and elevator)
- I glued down one half first, let it cure
- cut matching slots in the second half of the hinge line and glue these in.

photo 14- cutting the slot.  The hinge as already been glued to the other side.  A sample hinges in the top right of the green cutting board.  Could not use CA hinges because it would eat the foam and I do not have foam-safe CA.
photo 15- how the elevator looks from the top.
photo 16- how the elevator looks from the bottom.

F.

[Frank v B]

mending the fuselage

Glued the fuse together with the round toothpicks to hold things in place.

Notice that the plywood servo plate is still floating.  Will need to access the joint below it to strengthen the glue joint, then will use the plywood plate as a complete brace across the joint.

F.

[msatin]

Wow!!

[Frank v B]

Gotta have a pilot.  The old one bailed out.

Went to my box of rescued pilots and found one that fit.
Glued it in place.

It has to fly better now.

F.